When you think about drone mapping, what usually comes to mind? A lot of construction professionals we talk to initially focus on the drone itself. And yes, it's important, but drone mapping involves more than just the hardware. That’s why we sat down with Dan Veres, our in-house drone mapping expert at Identified. Dan knows the ins and outs of what drone mapping can offer and its advantages for the construction industry.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
Below, Dan discusses aspects of drone mapping on job sites that many construction and earthwork companies may not be considering.
Read on to discover what Dan has to say about workforce management, data accuracy, safety, and more!
**Q: Finding skilled workers is tough. How does drone mapping affect the number of projects a team can handle without increasing staff?**
A: The labor shortage in construction is a growing issue. Many companies wonder, "How can I expand my business with my current workforce?"
They soon realize that drones provide the answer. For businesses conducting their own surveys and mapping, drones allow maximum productivity. Traditional tools often limit a team based on how much ground they can cover on foot in a day.
Maximizing the output of in-house survey teams is one of the key benefits of drones in construction. If you have 10-15 job sites, it typically takes a week or more to map each location. With drone mapping, you can easily complete those sites in a single day using your existing team.
**Q: Is it worthwhile to map a site before submitting a bid? What’s the main objective here?**
A: For nearly every project, it’s beneficial to conduct a drone flight either before bidding or afterward to confirm quantities.
The aim is to determine how much earth needs to be moved to ensure your bid was accurate. It’s not about sending a surveyor to walk the entire site or measure points every 20-25 feet.
Mapping drones can capture points every few inches if needed. We’ve seen tremendous value in this approach for construction companies already using drones.
Being able to derive precise insights from drone data and compare it to your final grade model or initial surface provides clarity on the project's status.
**Q: What common challenges do construction companies face during various stages of a project when using drones?**
A: Capturing survey-grade drone data at the start of a project aids immensely in planning. How often do we begin a project and realize midway that we need more help? Usually, this realization comes after the fact, and by then, it’s too late.
This isn’t the case with a drone mapping solution. You can fly the drone at the outset to capture an accurate map of the earth that needs moving. This makes it easier to plan the project and set realistic timelines. Ideally, there shouldn’t be surprises about needing extra manpower, but if there are, it won’t be unexpected.
**Q: How does drone mapping influence cash flow?**
A: The goal is always to collect payments promptly while accurately billing for the work done. Drones immediately benefit construction companies by eliminating the need to guess earthwork quantities.
Simply have the drone map the site on a Friday (or Saturday), send the data to the billing team the following Monday, and they’ll know the exact quantities moved that week, month, or day.
With a construction drone solution, you won’t overbill or underbill clients, which can cause issues down the line. Now, you can confidently inform clients of the work completed for a given billing cycle and what’s owed.
As a result, project management improves in terms of both progress and cash flow.
**Q: What are the main factors affecting drone mapping accuracy?**
A: Every job site has its unique challenges, whether elevation changes or obstacles. When it comes to flight planning, the placement of ground control points is crucial, even more so than the number of points used.
If you're unsure or new to this, your customer success representative from your drone mapping provider can guide you on the optimal placement of these points for the most accurate results.
Your final outcomes can only be as accurate as the data collected. Proper flight setup is just as critical as post-processing and analytics.
**Q: How does wind affect accuracy? What weather limitations should operators consider?**
A: I usually tell people that if you’d send a person out in certain conditions, you can likely send a drone out too. Flying on a perfect 70-degree day is easy, but what about -13 degrees or -20 degrees with 30 mph winds?
That’s the real test.
One of my first drone flights was in Wisconsin during December, and conditions weren’t ideal. So we had to adjust to ensure a safe flight.
In less-than-ideal conditions, my advice is to create smaller flight plans when temperatures are between 20-30 degrees on-site. The drone’s battery life won’t last as long. In cold conditions, have battery heaters and keep them warm until it’s time to fly. Your drone mapping provider should supply heaters upon request.
**Q: How do the needs and interests of executive leadership differ from those of operational specialists when discussing drone mapping?**
A: Every executive may have different use cases in mind, but it’s vital for them to embrace the speed, safety, and cost savings drone mapping brings compared to traditional methods.
Construction is a field where embracing innovation and staying updated with technology is essential for survival. If you’re not implementing these technologies, chances are your competitors are.
For operational specialists, a significant point I emphasize is improving safety culture. Many have been injured trying to climb piles. Drone mapping pays for itself by preventing such scenarios and keeping everyone safe.
Preventing even one accident can justify the investment in drone mapping. No one wants to see the number of days since the last injury reset on the board.
These discussions highlight the transformative potential of drone mapping in construction, offering benefits across the board.
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