The profession of a surveyor requires working in hostile environments: uneven terrain, active construction sites, busy roads, and extreme weather conditions. Each survey carries risks of falls, landslides, run-overs, and physical overload. However, the evolution of 3D geomatics offers concrete solutions to mitigate these dangers, transforming workplace safety without sacrificing data accuracy.
Remote automation: drones and LiDAR against falls and run-overs 🚁
Walking on unstable slopes or road edges is the main source of serious accidents. The use of drones with aerial photogrammetry eliminates the need to physically access high-risk areas, capturing point clouds from a safe distance. Similarly, terrestrial LiDAR scanners mounted on long-range tripods allow surveys to be conducted from stable positions, avoiding awkward postures and the effort of carrying heavy equipment. On road construction sites, integrating sensors into autonomous vehicles or robotic platforms drastically reduces exposure to run-overs by heavy machinery, as the operator remains in a marked and controlled zone.
Climate and fatigue: when technology replaces physical effort 🌡️
Prolonged exposure to extreme heat, rain, or cold not only affects the surveyor's health but also degrades the quality of the survey. Continuous scanning systems (SLAM) mounted on backpacks or vehicles allow capturing interiors and exteriors in minutes, reducing climate exposure time. Furthermore, automating data processing through intelligent registration software eliminates the need for repeat field visits due to capture errors. Investing in these technologies is not a luxury; it is a preventive measure that aligns occupational safety regulations with technical efficiency.
It is possible to carry out a complete topographical survey on a fully operational highway without the surveyor stepping onto the roadway, and if so, which 3D technology makes it viable and with what level of accuracy?
(PS: 3D topography is like making a treasure map, but the treasure is an accurate model.)