5 Reasons for Using Drones to Measure Stockpiles
Construction companies are increasingly using drones for stockpile measurements due to five efficiencies:
Faster stockpile measurements, more accurate data collection, improved worker safety, reduced costs, and improved
decision-making and planning. These efficiencies lead to higher work quality and lower costs for human and financial resources.
- Stockpiles Measured Faster
Stockpile measurements have evolved significantly with the advent of drones. Traditional methods, such as measuring tape and plumb bobs, took hours or days to complete. Cell phone apps, however, sped up the process by marking reference points with cones and walking around the pile on foot. Drones have revolutionized stockpile measurement by capturing aerial images and converting them into 3-D models. The data is then uploaded to software like the Propeller Platform, which calculates volume, tonnage, cost, and other metrics about the stockpiles. Cloud-based drone software allows quick access to calculations in the field on an iPad.
- More Accurate and Frequent Data Collection
Drone data collection can significantly reduce waste and expenses by reducing overestimated material and supply orders. Construction companies can collect stockpile measurements as often as possible using drone mapping software, enabling monthly inventory counts. Drone data can be accurately calculated using methods like GCPs, photogrammetry, and LiDAR, providing construction companies with fast and reliable access to cut and fill calculations.
- Improved Worker Safety
Surveyors often find stockpile data collection dangerous due to the risk of falls and injuries. Drones offer a safer alternative by allowing workers to collect measurements from a safe, distanced location. The drone’s pre-programmed flight path, accompanied by a remote pilot and visual observer, ensures a smooth and safe mission.
- Reduced Costs
Drones are saving construction companies money by facilitating more accurate and frequent stockpile assessments, reducing labor costs, and improving financial forecasting. In a case study by Kespry, an industrial corporation saw an 84% reduction in labor costs due to faster stockpile inventory measurement. In another real-world example, drones saved the West Virginia Department of Transportation $343,000 in a single month.
- Improved Decision Making and Planning
Drones improve construction companies’ decision-making in stockpile inventory management. Accurate information from start to finish helps avoid unexpected costs. Drone surveys provide quick and accurate answers, enabling PMs to make informed decisions about material ordering or selling, ensuring the right price for excess materials.