UAV / UAS / Drone Mapping & Surveying
TAA & BAA Compliant
Fabre Engineering has been using UAV aerial mapping & surveying since 2017 to enhance our civil engineering design. We now offer standalone UAV mapping & surveying services using advanced UAV technology and software. Our drones use high accuracy PPK GPS systems that deliver 0.1′ to 0.2′ vertical accuracy.
Having your surveying done with a drone offers tons of benefits. Using a drone, you can get accurate topographic surveys in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods.
Using a drone for your surveying will substantially reduce your site survey’s cost and your workload out in the field.
What is drone survey?
A drone survey simply refers to using an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) to capture aerial data over a set area using a downward-facing sensor, such as a multispectral camera.
During a drone survey, the ground is photographed numerous times from various angles, and each image is then tagged with its exact coordinates.
Photogrammetry is used to combine images that contain a precise position on the ground from multiple vantage points to yield a detailed 2D or 3D map.
Next, the photogrammetry software that is used will create a geo-referenced orthomosaics. The term orthomosaics means photos that are composed of many still images that are then stitched together.
Now from that, elevation or 3D models of the project area can be created.
These maps can also be used to deliver information such as volumetric measurements or distances between locations.
Unlike satellite imagery or manned aircraft, drones are able to fly at a much lower altitude, making for some high-resolution, high-accuracy images and data that is less expensive than the traditional methods currently available today.
LIDAR and photogrammetry solutions are available. LIDAR is used for sites with trees and vegetation.
What are the key benefits of surveying with drones?
Reduce field time and survey costs
Capturing your topographic data can be done up to five times faster with a drone than with land-based methods. Also, the drone method requires less workforce.
Provide fast and accurate data
Using a drone can produce thousands of measurements, which can be in different formats (orthomosaic, DSM, DTM, point cloud, contour lines, etc). Each map pixel that is produced contains 3D geo-data.
Map otherwise inaccessible areas
The nice thing about drones is they can fly just about anywhere. You are no longer limited by unsafe steep slopes, harsh terrain that is unsuitable for traditional measuring tools. You do not need to close down roads or block off streets to get your measurements. You can capture all your data from overhead as its business as usual below.
Land surveying / cartography
Drones are able to generate extremely high-resolution orthomosaics and very detailed 3D models of areas where no data or old data is present. They enable cadastral maps that are high-accuracy and can be produced in no time, even in difficult or complex environments. Drone surveyors are also able to extract features from the images, such as curbs, signs, fire hydrants, street markers, and more.
Services include
- Aerial Data collection
- Topographic Surveys
- GIS Mapping
- Software processing to create orthomosaic aerial image
- 3D point cloud
- Translation to new or existing survey coordinates
Sites up to 200 acres can be done. Larger sites possible – contact Fabre Engineering for details.
FAA Part 107 Certified
Markets
- Land development, AEC
- Oil & Gas
- Transmission Line
- Utilities
- Transportation
- Municipal & Government
- Construction
- Mining
- Irrigation & Landscape Design
Deliverables
- Photogrammetry and LIDAR solutions
- Civil 3D Surface
- High Density Point Cloud
- Aerial orthophoto
Clients and Agencies served
- Denver Parks and Recreation
- KDI Hydrosystems
- Calibre Engineering
- Martines Palmeiro Construction, LLC
- City of Thornton
- City of Gulf Shores
- Boulder Valley School District
- Rimkus Consulting Group Inc.
- Caplan & Earnest
- Roxborough Village Metro District
- Woodglen Square HOA
- Village of Five Parks HOA
- Godden Sudik Architects inc.
- Pivotal Architecture
Completed Projects:
- Fort Logan Cemetery, Denver CO, 60 acre, Use: Drainage Study
- CML Railroad, 10 acres, Denver CO, Use: Drainage Study
- West Lagoon Blvd, Gulf Shores CO, 2.5 mile corridor, 100 acres, Use: Roadway Improvements
- Fred Thomas Park, Denver CO, 40 acres , Use: Irrigation Improvements
- Woodglen Park, Thornton CO, 60 acres, Use: Irrigation Improvements
- Woodglen Square Subdivision, Thornton CO, 40 acres, Use: Irrigation Improvements
- Hurst Hammock, Pensacola FL, 1.3 mile corridor, Use: Utility Improvements
- Roxborough Park Subdivision, Douglas County CO, 740 acres, Irrigation Improvements
- Village of Five Parks Subdivision, Arvada CO, 70 acres, Use, Irrigation Improvements
- Meadowlark School, Erie CO, 22 aces, Drainage Study
- Woodglen Elementary School, Thornton CO, 12 acres, Use: Presentation