Technical note: optimization of unmanned aerial vehicles flight planning in steep terrains

Manconi, Andrea; Ziegler, Martin; Blöchliger, Timon; Wolter, Andrea

doi:10.1080/01431161.2019.1573334

Cited by 21 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…To execute a terrain-following mission survey, a special software application and a DEM are required. When flying in steep terrain, the flight planning software must allow the user to import an accurate terrain description [7]. We used Drone Harmony application as one of the few that were able to import a DEM for a DJI-made UAV at the time of our surveys.…”

Section: Uav Over-terrain Flying In Steep Terrainmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based remote sensing belongs to the domain of surface-based techniques and is a cost-effective alternative to data acquisition with high spatio-temporal resolution [6]. Although different sensors can be mounted on UAVs, mapping is generally based on images taken by digital cameras [7]. Together with the development of image processing techniques such as multiview stereo (MVS) and especially structure from motion (SfM), UAVs offer effective and cost-efficient photogrammetric techniques to obtain high-resolution data sets [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The main parameters in flight planning for UAVs are the definition of the area of interest, selection of the flight altitude above ground level (AGL), flight speed, forward and side overlap of successive images and parameters of the digital camera (sensor dimension, pixel resolution and focal length). All these parameters influence the ground sampling distance (GSD) of the images as well as the accuracy of the final results [7]. A comprehensive overview of mission planning techniques using passive optical sensors (cameras) is given in [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Manconi et al [7] developed a routine that divides the area of interest into several flight lines and each of which has a certain height, so that the average distance to the surface is maintained. The optical axis is perpendicular to the ground.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At the time of our survey flights (end of 2018), we found a single application for DJI UAVs with DTM import capabilities, namely Drone Harmony. According to [7] from 2019, UgCS was the only other commercial application that offered such possibilities at that time.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Optimization of UAV Flight Missions in Steep Terrain

2020

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Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry is one of the most effective methods for capturing a terrain in smaller areas. Capturing a steep terrain is more complex than capturing a flat terrain. To fly a mission in steep rugged terrain, a ground control station with a terrain following mode is required, and a quality digital elevation model (DEM) of the terrain is needed. The methods and results of capturing such terrain were analyzed as part of the Belca rockfall surveys. In addition to the national digital terrain model (NDTM), two customized DEMs were developed to optimize the photogrammetric survey of the steep terrain with oblique images. Flight heights and slant distances between camera projection centers and terrain are analyzed in the article. Some issues were identified and discussed, namely the vertical images in steep slopes and the steady decrease of UAV heights above ground level (AGL) with the increase of height above take-off (ATO) at 6%-8% rate. To compensate for the latter issue, the custom DEMs and NDTM were tilted. Based on our experience, the proposed optimal method for capturing the steep terrain is a combination of vertical and oblique UAV images.

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Section: Uav Over-terrain Flying In Steep Terrainmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Optimization of UAV Flight Missions in Steep Terrain

2020

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Talus slope geomorphology investigated at multiple time scales from high‐resolution topographic surveys and historical aerial photographs (Sanetsch Pass, Switzerland)

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Stal

et al. 2020

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Talus slopes are common places for debris storage in high-mountain environments and form an important step in the alpine sediment cascade. To understand slope instabilities and sediment transfers, detailed investigations of talus slope geomorphology are needed. Therefore, this study presents a detailed analysis of a talus slope on Col du Sanetsch (Swiss Alps), which is investigated at multiple time scales using high-resolution topographic (HRT) surveys and historical aerial photographs. HRT surveys were collected during three consecutive summers (2017-2019), using uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) measurements. To date, very few studies exist that use HRT methods on talus slopes, especially to the extent of our study area (2km 2). Data acquisition from ground control and in situ field observations is challenging on a talus slope due to the steep terrain (30-37°) and high surface roughness. This results in a poor spatial distribution of ground control points (GCPs), causing unwanted deformation of up to 2m in the gathered UAV-derived HRT data. The co-alignment of UAV imagery from different survey dates improved this deformation significantly, as validated by the TLS data. Sediment transfer is dominated by small-scale but widespread snow push processes. Pre-existing debris flow channels are prone to erosion and redeposition of material within the channel. A debris flow event of high magnitude occurred in the summer of 2019, as a result of several convective thunderstorms. While low-magnitude (<5,000 m 3) debris flow events are frequent throughout the historical record with a return period of 10-20years, this 2019 event exceeded all historical debris flow events since 1946 in both extent and volume. Future climate predictions show an increase of such intense precipitation events in the region, potentially altering the frequency of debris flows in the study area and changing the dominant geomorphic process which are active on such talus slopes.

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Geomorphological processes and landforms of glacier forelands in the upper Aktru River basin (Gornyi Altai), Russia: evidence for rapid recent retreat and paraglacial adjustment

et al. 2020

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The glaciers in the Aktru River basin of Gornyi Altai, Russia currently represent some of the fastest receding glaciers in the world. Formation of the morainic complexes closest to the contemporary glaciers in the Aktru River basin took place during the 17th -18th centuries with recession commencing at the end of the 18th century. Coupled with this glacial retreat, earth surface processes and vegetation succession are responding to shape the glacier forelands. This article presents the first geomorphological maps for the upper reaches of the Aktru River basin and focuses on the geomorphological landforms that occur in the rapidly changing glacier forelands. Geomorphological mapping is difficult in steep mountainous regions and, thus, mapping was completed using satellite imagery, field mapping and observations coupled with highresolution aerial photography obtained from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Critical steps of the procedure used to process UAV imagery and difficulties encountered in this mountainous terrain are noted. The acquired spatial data enable the mapping and classification of small-scale transient geomorphological features such as talus, glacial and glaciofluvial landforms. Their dynamics provide insights into supraglacial and subglacial processes of the glaciers of the Aktru River basin and subsequent paraglacial adjustment. The presented highresolution spatial data, which can also be obtained at high temporal resolutions in the future, can act as a reference frame for geomorphologists and ecologists studying the temporal evolution of glacier forelands of the Aktru River basin during paraglacial adjustment and subsequent colonisation and stabilisation by biota.

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Technical note: optimization of unmanned aerial vehicles flight planning in steep terrains

Cited by 21 publications

References 20 publications

Optimization of UAV Flight Missions in Steep Terrain

Optimization of UAV Flight Missions in Steep Terrain

Talus slope geomorphology investigated at multiple time scales from high‐resolution topographic surveys and historical aerial photographs (Sanetsch Pass, Switzerland)

Geomorphological processes and landforms of glacier forelands in the upper Aktru River basin (Gornyi Altai), Russia: evidence for rapid recent retreat and paraglacial adjustment

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