Construction in the United States is a trillion-dollar industry that faces a variety of challenges. Nearly a quarter of America’s workplace fatalities and material waste come from construction sites. Construction projects notoriously run over budget and past their scheduled completion. To add to the excess cost concerns, equipment theft costs the construction industry between $300 million and $1 billion per year. The application of aerial imaging from drones has signifcantly helped businesses mitigate these concerns.
The value of drones has been quickly recognized by the construction industry. Among early industry adopters of drone technology, construction has the highest rate of growth year over year in the application of drones at 239%. This is no surprise given that aerial photos, videos, and maps have utility at every stage of a construction project.
Pre-Construction Planning
Prior to breaking ground, aerial imaging is playing an increasingly significant role in site planning. When professionally executed, aerial data can be collected and processed into accurate, orthorectified maps and digital elevation models. This data helps companies with cut-and-fill planning, more precise bidding, and documenting and analyzing the real-world condition of a property before construction begins.
Progress Tracking and Site Monitoring
When a site is mapped on a consistent recurring basis, progress tracking, material consumption, and equipment use can be easily accounted for. Stockpile volumes can be derived from aerial maps frequently and accurately, which generates less waste and allows for more precise material ordering. Heavy equipment rentals (that each often cost thousands of dollars per month) can be more effectively tracked and utilized. Even a marginal reduction in idle time of these machines can save tens of thousands of dollars annually.
Workplace Safety
It is a somber fact that 39% of worker fatalities on construction sites are from falls. Making assessments or taking measurements from orthorectified drone imagery mitigates the need for workers to do many of these tasks manually, reducing their exposure to falling risk. Construction companies that have implemented drones have reduced workplace injuries and increased safety standards on site by an average 55%. In addition to the obvious benefit for workers, safer workplaces mean lower insurance costs and fewer workers compensation claims.
Intergroup Communication
Construction projects are complex tasks that involve the input of clients, design teams, engineers, contractors and subcontractors. Accurate, current, and detailed representations of the real-time state of the project provides a reference point for individuals to make annotations and communicate with one another. Construction companies that have implemented drones have reported a 63% improvement in communication and collaboration. That means hearing about problems, changes, and delays that much faster.
Marketing and Client Value
Construction is stressful for customers. They are spending a lot of money and it’s largely out of their control. Sharable weekly or monthly photos, videos, and maps give them visual assurance of the state of the project. Those resources are useful for construction companies as well as a marketing tool or for public communication in some cases. It is an effective and unique way to showcase the features and details of a property and how the work is done at every stage all the way through to completion.
Drones are improving construction management workflows, saving time and money, and making workplaces safer. If you’re ready to incorporate drones into your construction business, click here to get started with Ridgepoint Aerial Imaging.
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