Aerial Surveying

Mepstead & Associates’ aerial surveying services are able to provide traditional civil surveys using Remote Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and photogrammetric processing. The ability to collect and process data with greater efficiency, quality and safety allows us to access sites in a time frame that would otherwise cause disruption to our clients’ work on site.

In the execution of ground based surveys, site closures are often required as well as traffic management planning. We are able to capture more data in a short flight without any need to cease site activities or implement ground/height safety measures.  This means that we can return to site to record changes to stockpiles at any point in the project without impacting site activity.

Sites with uneven stockpiles or multiple stockpiles can be difficult to survey with standard methods. We are able to use our RPA to capture 100,000 to 1,000,000 points in less than an hour. A two person survey team would require at least a full day to collect the same amount of data.  Not only are we able to compile a more accurate picture but we can reproduce it at any point in the future. Large, open cut earthworks or long corridor jobs that would have once taken days or weeks can be easily captured in a few hours and then processed in a virtual survey in the office.

Final surface calculations or checks on final earthworks on a typical 50 lot development site could take our surveyors a full day to walk the site, however we can fly the same site in an hour and then return to the office where the data is analysed overnight.

For the developer, an added layer of confidence in the data and its reproducibility allows exact calculations for final fill requirements. Accuracy is ensured through the density of points used and further back up in the form of photos sit behind work as executed plans. No matter what changes occur on site in the future, original images are there for comparison in the case of future disputes or checks.

Video footage of a site at the start of a project allows an accurate overview without the engineer being required to physically “walk” the site. Progress reporting as the site is developed allows discussion and site analysis with clients and other consultants without the need to go on site during site working hours.

• Accountability and dispute resolution – Results can be re-reduced at any time from original images and control points.
• Visual representation – Dense coloured point clouds and ortho-rectified images (background) allow visual check and display.
• Increased safety for surveyors and operators – No need for surveyors to walk dangerous sites or near moving equipment/plant.
• Site savings – No requirement to cease site activities or implement ground/height safety measures or fencing.

• Earthwork – roads, subdivisions, groundworks & footings, embankments.
• Volumes & Stockpiles – smooth or rough surfaces, voids, multiple piles (moguls).
• Final surveys – Works as Executed surveys of surfaces and built structures, such as kerbing, services and drainage.