Gaining the High Ground

Since 2005, unmanned aerial vehicles and satellite-based remote sensing have gained a lot of attention in civil and geotechnical engineering because of their ability to aid in surveying and post-disaster reconnaissance. In both research and practice, a host of remote sensing technologies are now commonly used to produce 3D digital elevation models and track surficial movements of geo-features like embankments, dams, slopes, and faults. The sessions at the annual G-I Geo-Congress now commonly host presentations and talks on use of UAV-based Structure from Motion photogrammetry, terrestrial or aerial LiDAR, and satellite-based In-SAR for geotechnical, mining, and geologic engineering applications around the world. Many universities have converted their traditional surveying courses to broader instruction in geomatics using these tools. Industry and government now have practice groups with more than a decade of experience in these tools and applications.