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oa Application of UAVs in Topographic Surveying of Highways
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, International Conference of Young Professionals «GeoTerrace-2025», Oct 2025, Volume 2025, p.1 - 5
Abstract
The article examines the possibilities of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for performing topographic surveys of highways and evaluates their effectiveness compared to traditional surveying methods. An experimental study was carried out using the DJI Phantom 4 RTK in two variants: without ground control points (using only RTK positioning) and using the classical method with ground control points (GCP). The obtained results were carefully compared with reference measurements obtained from total station surveys, which are commonly considered a standard of accuracy in engineering geodesy. The comparison demonstrated that the root mean square errors in both planimetric and altimetric positioning for both UAV-based methods are within the tolerance limits established for producing topographic maps at a 1:500 scale. These findings confirm that UAV photogrammetry, when supported by modern GNSS technologies such as RTK, can serve as a reliable substitute for more time-consuming ground measurements. A review of recent international research further supports these results, showing that RTK/PPK positioning can significantly reduce the need for dense ground control networks, although the inclusion of a small number of check GCPs continues to improve the stability and overall reliability of the models. The practical significance of this study lies in validating UAV technology as a cost-effective, rapid, and accurate tool for geodetic support in road construction, capable of optimizing survey workflows, reducing labor requirements, and ensuring timely monitoring of large linear infrastructure projects.
