AERIAL SURVEY AND MAPPING
Realserve has aerial survey and mapping services available in Australia. We can create planimetric maps, contours and feature surveys extracted from aerotriangulated aerial imagery using a RPAS, drone or UAV. Our team of commercial property experts can then use this information to help create plans for site developments, inspections and building verifications. You can capture data for a fraction of the cost of traditional approaches used by manned aircraft.
Aerial surveys for buildings and commercial properties
Our aerial surveying company in Australia has equipment that the industry terms either a RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) which has the capabilities to deliver a range of aerial mapping services with high resolution digital camera technology in any location in Australia. We can add an extra dimension to managing your site, building or civil construction project by providing an airborne visual perspective that can complement traditional land based surveys.
This type of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) technology has been around for nearly a century, but it certainly wasn’t used in the way we see them used today. As the technology continues to evolve, UAVs continue to stay in step with changing requirements of our clients that include architects, civil works contractors and property owners who require aerial surveys using drones. Many people call this type of equipment a drone and our surveying company is constantly investing to have the latest equipment available to fly over any type of terrain or building structure.
Once the aerial survey data is captured it is shared quickly with our team members who have then create the required documentation or 3D models specific to that brief. Realserve has a breadth of unique skills and advanced surveying hardware and software to deliver any client a best in class aerial surveying and mapping service across Australia. It is suitable for those that want highly accurate topographic maps and centimetre-level accuracy at any given time. Imagine the details from maps or survey data that has a resolution between 1- 3cm per pixel (1-3cm GSD). We process the data to deliver full 3D models with supreme accuracy that is generally around 50mm horizontal and 50-80mm vertical.
You can leverage our expertise in commercial property surveying
- Save time and money with our expert aerial mapping services
- Enjoy a superior range of air and ground imaging technologies
- Get precise digital and topographical mapping data
- We are able to do aerial mapping applications for lots of different industry types.
- We use the latest RPAS, drone and UAV equipment to produce precise surveying outputs
Aerial surveys for buildings and commercial properties
Aerial contours and feature surveys
What does an aerial survey normally involve
When our company provides an aerial survey service it will normally utilise a combination of remote-piloted aircraft (RPA) with digital devices to produce a wide range of outputs. The use of this type of equipment can create;
- Aerial photography and video: capture images and video footage from specific vantage points from the air. This can complement ground-level 3D laser scanning surveys.
- Aerial survey: the process of collecting geomatic or other imagery from RPA’s helping provide information on many things not visible from the ground. This product produces results which are geometrically accurate to +/- 50mm horizontally and 50-80mm vertically.
- Aerial Inspections: we can use RPA’s to access inaccessible assets and infrastructure. Our aerial inspection service not only offers greater efficiency but dramatically improves safety by avoiding working at heights or close to danger in order to inspect key assets.
- Roof surveys: document the existing plant and structures, obtain a detailed level survey to show any variation in the roof or examine the conditions of the roof to identify any repairs required.
- Orthomosaic: An orthomosaic is a detailed, accurate photo representation of an area, created out of many photos that have been stitched together and geometrically corrected so that it is as accurate as a map.
- Digital Elevation model (DEM): A DEM is a 3D computer generated representation of a terrain’s surface defining the highest point at each location.
- Georeferenced orthophotography; An orthophoto, orthophotograph, orthoimage or orthoimagery is an aerial photograph or satellite imagery geometrically corrected such that the scale is uniform: the photo or image follows a given map projection.
- Environmental and coastal monitoring; This can assist the documentation process for preservation areas or locations suffering from erosion to help plan maintenance, refurbishment or other activities.
- Land and vegetation classification (NDVI);
Using an aerial surveying company in Australia like Realserve means any industry sector or property type can achieve accuracies never previously available that removes ground based restrictions or limitations. Different levels of accuracy can be achieved through the integration of traditional survey techniques to introduce ground control points (GCP’s) if or when required.
How is a drone used to create a survey or aerial map?
A drone is used to capture data with the help of downward-facing sensors, such as LIDAR payloads, RGB, or multispectral cameras. A drone survey with an RGB camera photographs the ground several times from various angles, and each of these images is tagged with coordinates. Later, our photogrammetry software uses this data to create geo-referenced orthomosaics, 3D models, or elevation models of the project area as required. Using these maps, information such as volumetric measurements or high-accurate distances can be extracted.
Unlike satellite imagery or manned aircraft, drones have the ability to fly at a much lower altitude, capturing high-resolution and high-accuracy data at a much lower cost while being independent of atmospheric conditions such as rain or cloud cover in most situations.
Drone mapping is the graphical representation of information based on spatial relationships. The drones capture hundreds of aerial images, and these images are then stitched together using specified mapping software to create a larger and more composite image, orthorectified imagery, and digital elevation models in CAD and GIS formats. Drones are used to map large-scale sites or estates, difficult to access sites, and detailed buildings where the traditional survey is unfeasible, such as heritage sites.
Realserve can combine the use of aerial surveys with our other surveys like 3D building scanning so that you can have an external and internal view of any type of structure on a site. With this type of rich data you can;
- Safely track the progress of a civil construction project.
- Capture large amounts of survey data and imagery over complex and large sites in a short period of time.
- Aerial surveys are also ideal for reporting quantities and conformance.
- Have a safe and efficient methods of capturing large areas of outdoor survey data;
- Get highly accurate surveys to use as the single point of reference
- Survey a property or building site without interfering with any work getting carried out at ground level
What industries can use aerial mapping
Aerial surveying can be used by practically any industry – retail, commercial or industrial across all niches or sectors. Consider that a single drone flight can produce thousands of measurements that are able to be presented in different formats such as point cloud, DTM, contour lines, DSM, orthomosaic, etc. Each pixel of the aerial map or point of the 3D model contains 3D geo-data ready to be manipulated using industry leading applications.
You can quickly survey inaccessible or difficult sites because they can fly nearly anywhere including steep slopes, or harsh terrain unsuitable for traditional measuring methods or large scale areas that would take too long with traditional surveying methods.
Examples include;
- Property Development – for an eagle eye on scope, scale, contours and civils.
- Real Estate – empower prospective buyers to inspect every angle of a property.
- Surveying – complement your next contour and survey plan with an aerial map.
- Marketing – showcase your property from the air.
- Agriculture – inspect from above at a fraction of the cost over traditional methods
- Resources Sector – high resolution visual monitoring and facility inspection.
- Environmental and coastal erosion monitoring.
- Visual inspection.
- Topographical surveys for infrastructure development.
- Land management and development.
- Volumetric surveys for mines, quarries, and landfills.
- Land and vegetation classification (NDVI).
- Cadastral maps.
- Urban planning.
- Data inputs to flood modelling.
- Subsidence and landslip analysis.
Realserve has leveraged this industry-leading operational expertise and experience to develop solutions that enable our clients to purposefully harness the power of RPAS data collection and analysis in a safe and cost effective manner.
Certified by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Realserve is certified by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Number CASA.ReOC.6020) and holds all the necessary public liability, professional liability and workcover insurances to operate RPA’s.
Our remote pilots have also undergone extensive training to obtain their Remote-Pilot Licenses as approved by CASA.
Our process of doing aerial surveying
Realserve operates a fleet of RPA’s which are maintained regularly in order to achieve our aerial surveying requirements all year round, our process is typically;
- Understand your requirements
- Assess the legal requirements of the operation with respect to the appropriate regulations to develop a safe and efficient workflow.
- After planning has finished, Realserve will begin the on-site operation to collect all the data required using our RPA’s and traditional survey techniques.
- We will then process the data back in one of our offices found nationwide where we will produce the product our client requires.
- We utilise the latest surveying technology to capture our data then produce our aerial outputs. Using the latest data processing programs everything is captured and processed accurately to start producing our required reports, surveys or plans. The equipment we use is state of the art with the latest drone / UAV / RPA solutions being used that can be complemented with our traditional total stations to 3D laser scanning and software tools including AutoCAD & Revit.
- Once our flight has been concluded all the materials created go through an intensive QA process via an independent audit to ensure that what we have captured is delivered to the highest levels of accuracy possible.
In summary;
- Initial consultation to ensure we can meet your needs.
- Agree on a scope of work.
- A site visit is organised with one of our qualified technicians with the necessary data collection equipment.
- All data is then processed via our team located in one of our offices around the Country.
- All plans or drawings are then independently reviewed via our QA process.
- All deliverables are then created for viewing in PDF, AutoCAD or Revit.
- We also have the ability to create a 3D scan or virtual tour of your property to create a fully interactive view of a site.
Aerial mapping photo and video samples
See some of our case studies
3D Building Scanning to upgrade supermarket loading docks
A national supermarket brand needed to upgrade their loading docks with multiple sites around Australia. See how we used 3D building scanning to help achieve this
Point cloud created by a surveyor for a national hotel refurbishment program
In today’s modern era, the practice of relying on paper-based drawings and floor plans for a hotel refurbishment has become obsolete, with architects increasingly turning to modern workflows to maximise on the benefits that 3D scanning and modelling can offer
3D scanning of shopping centre amenities in Noarlunga, SA
To assist with the planning of a refurbishment program aimed at enhancing visitors’ experience at a shopping centre, Realserve survey technicians provided 3D building scanning services in Adelaide’s south.
3D scanning of a free standing restaurant building in Adelaide
Realserve routinely engages in the practice of 3D scanning buildings that are used for retail tenancies. Our surveyors in Adelaide were engaged to produce a Revit Model and Point Cloud for a free standing restaurant in a shopping centre car park
Using 3D scanning to create a new retail tenancy plan in Sydney
The Realserve surveyors in Sydney were engaged by Lendlease to create new retail tenancy documentation in their shopping centre at Erina Fair. Instead of using traditional survey methods we used a Leica BLK to create a 3D scan of the 130 square metre area.
3D Revit Model of a heritage building in Launceston
Realserve sent a team of surveyors to Launceston to create a 3D Revit Model for a heritage building in the city to help facilitate a refurbishment program.
Frequently asked questions about Aerial Surveying in Australia
What is aerial surveying and mapping?
3D laser scanning of a building in Australia is a process that uses advanced laser scanning technology to create highly accurate digital models of buildings, built structures, and even landscapes that have buildings on them. The process involves scanning the exterior or interior of a building using a laser scanner, which collects millions of data points to form a point cloud, that information can be used to create a detailed 3D model or traditional 2D documentation. It is the fastest way to produce documentation for any building type whether it is a single storey construction, high rise building block or retail shopping centre in Australia.
What is the meaning of aerial mapping?
The taking of aerial photographs for making maps and for geologic interpretation.
How accurate is a drone survey?
Our map and survey data resolution is usually between 1-3cm per pixel (1-3cm GSD). This data is processed to deliver full 3D terrain models (e.g., DSM, DTM). The accuracy of the 3D data is generally around 30-50mm horizontal and vertical.
Are aerial surveys expensive?
Aerial surveys are an efficient way to capture large quantities of data in a short period of time. This time saving efficiency results in lower costs for our clients.
What is the main purpose of aerial surveys and mapping?
Aerial surveys and mapping are utilised throughout many different industries for different purposes. They can be used to capture all data before a project begins so that all stakeholders in a project have accurate and reliable information to begin work with. It can be used throughout the construction phase of a project for monitoring purposes or at the end of a project to produce marketing material.