Aerial surveys can be a powerful tool for planners, providing them with invaluable insights into land-use patterns and urban and suburban growth. Thanks to the advances in GPS tracking and photoimaging technology, aerial reconnaissance has become a dependable method of surveying land that would be impossible or impractical to survey on the ground. Aerial topography is the process of collecting data from aerial photographs or remote sensing images from various bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. It starts with the collection of high-altitude photographs of a plot of land using an airplane or drone.
Surveyors can use aerial photographs to observe the effects that changes in area conditions will have on any constructed structure, and can be used to show the location of hazards or problems that an area may contain. Aerial photography is also used in areas that do not have enough terrestrial resources to take samples with traditional methods. To successfully complete an aerial survey, surveyors will need in-depth knowledge of the process and a full set of essential equipment. This includes a camera, GPS tracking device, and software for analyzing the data collected. The warmer months and long hours of daylight are ideal for aerial photography as they provide better resolution and quality than satellite imaging technologies. Aerial topography is a useful tool for planners, emergency managers, coastal managers, and researchers alike.
It gives them access to valuable insights into land-use patterns and urban and suburban growth, as well as the ability to assess damage caused by natural disasters. With the help of GPS tracking and photoimaging technology, aerial reconnaissance has become a reliable method of surveying land that would be impossible or impractical to survey on the ground.
