Photogrammetry is being used to collect volume calculations in many areas of industry using drones equipped with high definition RGB cameras. However, drones equipped with LIDAR payloads offer further potential in this area since it can overcome some of the raster image photogrammetry shortcomings. Due to the changing light conditions during the day, photogrammetry has a limited daily period. Still, lidar may gather data at any time, making it much more weather independent than photogrammetry. Lidar data is also more trustworthy than photogrammetric data, as it is not affected by changing light conditions or other variables. Additionally, lidar data is more readily available than photogrammetric data.

Aerial photogrammetry pictures can identify multiple tree species and the affect of decay and erosion has had over time. Flying multiple auto-flight mission grids, a profile of image information can be documented and compared with historic precession flights showing the canopy progress over time.

However, photogrammetry cannot provide correct information about the digital terrain model or exact inside-canopy information. Due to lidar’s capacity to give precise and consistent information about the digital terrain model beneath thick vegetation, it is excellent for obtaining information about the canopy’s interior for tree species identification, height & size measurements, and biomass estimates.

Generating realistic digital surface terrain models and point clouds for commercial topographic studies is critical for planning optimum route planning, assessing the impact on existing infrastructure and the environment, and planning for land clearance and other operations during road, railroad, and powerline development.

Photogrammetry surveys using a drone with high calibration cameras are adaptable and straightforward to use, allowing for frequent rescanning of the target region to show progress of the development over the timeline of the project. With precision GNSS surveying techniques and centimeter level recorded GCPs, ground control points, each mission can ensure that the data collected is accurate in both the XY axis ground location coordinates as well as Z axis altitudes to ensure image maps are accurately overlaid.

Vegetation encroachment on powerlines is a safety risk and can result in service outages and costly maintenance. Due to the labour demand and expensive nature of powerline inspection, service providers frequently disregard it to save operating expenses. Drones are a cost-effective and simple-to-use technology for inspecting power lines and by using photogrammetry techniques can accurately monitor and inspect powerline surrounding vegetation growth.