Whether on a national or state level, American Departments of Transportation are relying more on drone imagery to optimize their workflow and conduct more comprehensive research. In the past decade, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have been used more and more for everything from personal photography and recreation to military or government purposes, and a new set of laws that took effect in April of 2021 were a major step forward for safely integrating drone use in populated areas, including over people and at night.

In addition to being used for photography purposes, drone imagery has changed the game for the field of photogrammetry. With aerial images captured by drones, many industries, including transportation, are able to more easily and effectively gather essential data and use it to create 3D images and topographical maps. The Summit Evolution software plays an important role in the process, taking overlapping imagery in combination with image positioning data and creating 3D models. This software can take on a variety of roles, including drone image processing, orthorectification and drone mapping.

Drone imagery and its many applications, including drone photogrammetry, have a multitude of benefits for American DOTs. From preventing hazards and monitoring roads to strategizing for future projects, drones allow transportation departments to have an eye in the sky to oversee the roads below. Here are a few ways drones are benefiting DOTs across the country.

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Drones Vs. Helicopters: Providing DOTs With Big Savings

One of the primary benefits of using drones for aerial photography and monitoring is that drones are significantly less expensive than other options for capturing imagery. While helicopters and other aircraft, such as low- and mid-altitude piston aircraft and high-altitude turbine aircraft, allow DOTs to capture roadways from above and take photos that can be used with Summit Evolution, drones can do it more quickly for just a fraction of the cost.

Helicopters and other small aircraft can cost anywhere from a couple hundred thousand dollars to over a million dollars. The price skyrockets even more when you consider the costs of adding AGPS and IMU capability. Top-notch drones, on the other hand can be as cheap as $5000 with the most expensive options in the market sitting under $100,000 once fully kitted. And the maintenance costs for drones are much cheaper, with occasional battery and motor replacement taking up the bulk of upkeep expenses.

State DOTs will also require less paid human labor as it’s much easier and time efficient to launch a drone in the sky and survey an area than it is to plan the logistics for a full aircraft take off and landing. Not to mention, you need at least a pilot and camera operator to successfully capture the area. With drones, you often only need one person to visit the site and remotely control the UAV.

Many DOTs are already jumping on hiring more drone pilots to oversee these operations, with a 2019 survey from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials reporting that 36 out of 50 state DOTs are funding drone operating centers or programs, with an average of eight drone pilots currently working for each state. Many departments are also actively working with academic organizations to conduct research and create programs for training new pilots to keep up with the growing demand.

Infrastructure and Road Inspections: Reducing the Need for Manual Inspections

Like the use of aircrafts for capturing aerial imagery, manual inspections can eat into DOTs budgets. Extensive heavy equipment and several person crews are often needed to inspect roads and infrastructure, which can take a whole work day or longer to complete. Not to mention, DOTs often need to close lanes or roads to complete the inspection.

With drones, DOTs can quickly inspect bridges, interchanges, overpasses, and other infrastructure without the use of any heavy machinery. And only one pilot is needed to operate the drone. This can mean huge savings for state DOTs, and several departments have already seen these benefits. The Michigan DOT reported a 74% savings in using drones as opposed to a manual inspection on a four-lane divided highway bridge near a metropolitan area.

Drone Photogrammetry: How DOTs Are Implementing Drones

Drone imagery has many essential applications for state DOTs. Research and surveying are some of the primary uses for drones, which can be further supported by the Summit Evolution. UAV systems are becoming increasingly more sophisticated, and the industries that use them are requiring more updates and advancements to meet their evolving needs.

The Nevada DOT has been a prime example for the potential for drone use. The state’s department has proven drones’ ability to gather data more effectively and efficiently. They’ve seen success with using this technology for everything from precision mapping to providing the public with imagery of ongoing projects.

DOTs throughout the country are using drone imagery to inspect and monitor infrastructures, such as signage, pavement, bridges, overpasses, and light poles. They are also able to use this technology to monitor traffic and more quickly respond to emergencies and alert the public.

When it comes to managing transportation, data is everything. Drone photogrammetry offer countless opportunities for DOTs to better anticipate and respond to weather issues and natural disasters. For example, the Utah DOT has begun mapping areas prone to avalanches, creating 3D maps of the landscape, and measuring snow depth to help better mitigate damage to roads and drivers.

Summit Evolution: Equipping DOTs with World-Class Photogrammetry Software

Summit Evolution photogrammetric software takes drone imagery to the next level by extracting meaningful 3D from stereo data. It offers several key features including:

• Supports multiple imagery types, including monochromatic, panchromatic, three- and multi-channel multispectral imagery. It’s compatibility also extends beyond drone imagery, including other types of aerial film, close-range images, orthophotos, PRC satellites, LiDAR, and more.
• Allows for a quick setup process by importing third-party softcopy and pre-processed UAS projects, aerotriangulation results, and other orientation files.
• Includes dynamic customization tools such as the Terrain Visualizer, Contour Creator™, Airfield3D™, and the DAT/EM Ortho+Mosaic module.
• Offers maximum visibility and customization with unlimited zoom levels, fast pan, coordinate transformation, multiple viewports, multi-year project management, and more.
• Includes a user-friendly interface with drag and drop features, accessible dashboard, customizable toolbars, project overview tools, and semiautomatic and automatic features.
• Is compatible with a variety of software types, including AutoCAD, GlobalMapper, ArcGIS, and MicroStation.
• Comes in four different product levels, including Summit UAS, which combines Summit Evolution Lite package with the DAT/EM LandScape software. This allows users to view 3D terrain point clouds superimposed over stereo pairs or orthophoto.

DAT/EM offers world-class photogrammetry solutions at an affordable cost, making it even easier and more cost effective for DOTs to use and interpret data from drone imagery. With the advanced photogrammetry capabilities of Summit Evolution, DOTs can survey empty lots and analyze it for construction. They can create more accurate, cost-effective budgets for paint-striping, signage, mapping, and more. Departments can also better monitor and address vegetation encroachment and get a clear picture of road and infrastructure conditions. The possibilities are endless.

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