Within the last 20 years, drone technology has improved drastically as drones have evolved from recreational toys to valuable tools for many industries. Originally designed for military applications, drones have broadened into industries like real estate, agriculture and sports broadcasting (to capture that perfect shot).
In addition to these applications, drones have become a significant part of modern civil engineering, helping in all phases of construction and infrastructure projects.
As modern drone technology continues to advance, engineering firms are using drones more and more. Drones collect large amounts of data efficiently and safely, and with greater accuracy than traditional surveying equipment. In civil engineering, drones are used for site mapping, project monitoring, inspections, scanning topography, 3D modeling and much more. They allow us to gather data in hard-to-reach places and more rugged terrains more easily than humans on foot with traditional equipment can, which improves safety. These features help save time and money and allow for the work to be done in a more efficient manner. As a bonus to data collection, drones provide a unique birds-eye view that would otherwise go unseen. This allows for easier project oversight because they provide real-time site monitoring and progress tracking from a site-wide perspective.
Here at Howell, we are lucky to have access to the advanced technology that drones offer. From surveying and gathering the topography of a large site to snapping some pictures for marketing (see above), we fully take advantage of their broad capabilities, and we are excited to see what the future holds as technology continues to advance.
