Abstract

Fast-mapping mosaics, orthophotos and DTM for GIS
Track: Surveying
Authors: Joseph Paiva

There are many applications where a ready source of background information for a GIS is not available with the resolution that is needed. This may be due to the remoteness of the location, or it may be that the detail required, especially when an engineering project is being planned, is not sufficient from commercial sources. For areas of approximately 20 square kilometers (0.75 sq mi) or less the ideal solution for speed and the accuracy desired is conventional photogrammetry. However high startup costs may make that solution prohibitive. A solution is to use ultralight UAV (unmanned air vehicles) as photo robots, coupled with photogrammetric software that is optimized to work with imagery from such robots. In this paper, after discussing the basic technology and processes, a test case is presented illustrating the visual, cartographic and economic benefits of using such a solution.