Satellites and drones – is it possible to monitor movements inexpensively?

Growing requirements for infrastructure safety and control of the environmental impact of investments are driving demand for fast and reliable methods of monitoring displacement. Traditional geodetic measurements, despite their high accuracy, often involve a lot of field work and limited observation frequency. An alternative is provided by techniques based on satellite data and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which enable more continuous and cost-effective monitoring.
The paper will present the possibilities of using UAV photogrammetry, laser scanning, and satellite radar interferometry (InSAR) to identify and analyze terrain deformations and displacements of engineering structures. These methods allow for the observation of changes both on a regional scale, enabling the detection of long-term surface deformation trends, and on a local scale, which is important from the point of view of monitoring structures, linear infrastructure, and underground construction facilities.
In the case of structures requiring continuous displacement monitoring, stable point measurements are particularly important, as they ensure direct observation of position changes over time. GNSS techniques play an important role in this regard, allowing for continuous observation of selected control points and structural elements. Technological advances in recent years have made low-cost receivers accurate enough for many engineering applications, providing a viable alternative to expensive surveying-grade solutions. The paper presents a proprietary GNSS receiver designed, among other things, for monitoring movements.

Co-authors: Tomasz Hadaś, Grzegorz Jóźków, University of Life Sciences in Wrocław

Assistant professor at the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics at the University of Life Sciences in Wrocław. Assistant professor at the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics at the University of Life Sciences in Wrocław.