BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Report on Findings of the Pilot Program Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Land Surveying and Mapping Activities, and Approval of Continued Use.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve continued use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for land surveying and mapping activities.
Body
SUMMARY:
On April 9, 2019, the Board approved a pilot program using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UVA) in land surveying and mapping activities. After acquisition of UVAs and accessories, staff implemented the pilot program from July through December 2019.
Program Startup
The initial startup time of April 2019 was hindered by the discontinuation of the model of UAV that we had researched to be the primary platform for the program. Staff was able to secure one of these UAVs after searching the internet. Staff then turned to the new recommended platform of UAV to build what would become the backbone of our program. This UAV was more expensive but was offset by providing a more stable airframe, better camera and more options for future requirements.
This led to a steep learning curve in finding the best technology to support the UAV. Staff was able to find the proper iPad and software that would support the controller for the UAVs and various data collection software, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight profiles and logging programs.
Use Cases
A. Surveying & Mapping
1. Alamitos Percolation Pond, Topographic Survey for Volume Calculations.
A field survey crew set ground control points (4 hours), separate flight crew performed three flights to cover the entire campus (2 hours). Data was registered the following day and set to post-process overnight. Volume calculations were run and a completed Volume Report was sent to the Raw Water Unit. Total time from start to finish was five days at a cost of 24 hours of staff time.
In comparison, this pond was surveyed conventionally (boots on the ground) six months earlier, requiring 72 hours...
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