Implementation of Unmanned Aerial Systems Using Close-Range Photogrammetry Techniques (UAS-CRP) for Quantitative (Metric) and Qualitative (Inspection) Tasks Related to Roadway Assets and Infrastructures: Final Report

Puppala, Anand J.; Congress, Surya S C · 2021 · ROSA P / Texas Department of Transportation. Research and Technology Implementation Office

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Summary

This implementation project, conducted by the University of Texas at Arlington for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), addresses the safe and effective integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) using close-range photogrammetry for roadway asset inspection and mapping. Motivated by the need to operationalize the TxDOT UAS Flight Operations and User’s Manual (FOM) developed in prior research, the study aimed to educate TxDOT staff on regulatory compliance and validate the technology’s utility for both quantitative (metric) and qualitative (inspection) tasks. The project sought to demonstrate that UAS could provide data comparable to traditional methods while offering improvements in safety, speed, and cost-efficiency. The methodology comprised three primary tasks: project management, training, and field missions. Training involved nine sessions across various TxDOT districts to disseminate FOM guidelines, including safety protocols, flight planning, and risk assessment. Field operations included five specific missions: tower inspections, planimetric and topographic mapping, intersection mapping, building mapping, and bridge inspection. Data collection was performed by UTA researchers and two selected vendors. Qualitative tasks, such as tower and bridge inspections, involved real-time guidance from subject matter experts, while quantitative tasks utilized ground control points for metric accuracy. Notably, the planned bridge inspection of the Fred Hartman Bridge was canceled due to a nearby barge collision, but the remaining four mission types were successfully executed. The results validated the effectiveness of the FOM, with no driver distraction or safety incidents reported during operations. UAS inspections of communication and high-mast towers successfully identified specific defects, including disconnected cables, rusted components, and faulty pulley mechanisms, providing critical insights for maintenance planning. Mapping tasks generated high-resolution orthomosaics, digital elevation models, and 3D point clouds for intersections and buildings, supporting infrastructure redesign and modeling efforts. Comparative analysis revealed that UAS methods significantly reduced data collection and processing times compared to traditional surveying. For instance, tower inspections took one hour versus three to six hours traditionally, and intersection mapping required two days versus three. Cost savings were evident in most tasks, though one planimetric mapping instance showed manned aircraft to be slightly more cost-effective due to labor rates, despite equivalent accuracy. The study concludes that UAS-CRP is a viable, safe, and efficient tool for infrastructure monitoring, offering substantial time and cost benefits over traditional methods for most applications. The successful implementation confirms that the FOM provides adequate guidance for safe operations. However, the authors note limitations, including susceptibility to inclement weather and complex airspace constraints. The findings support the broader adoption of UAS in transportation agencies for routine inspections and mapping, provided that operational guidelines are strictly followed.

Key finding

Unmanned Aerial System data collection for infrastructure inspection and mapping was validated as effective, safe, and comparable to traditional methods, with subject matter experts confirming the utility of the collected data for asset monitoring.

Methodology

field_study

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

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• roadway lighting effects