Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) in Civil Engineering: The Role of Drones in Taylor Engineering's Coasts Guardianship and Conservation

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) in Civil Engineering: The Role of Drones in Taylor Engineering's Coasts Guardianship and Conservation

Taylor Engineering Embraces Drones for Civil Engineering Projects

Taylor Engineering, a civil engineering firm based in Jacksonville, Florida, took flight in 2017 when they purchased their first drone, a Phantom 4 Pro. This marked the beginning of their drone program, which has since expanded significantly. The initial results were so impressive that the drone program took off within the firm.

The firm's drone fleet now consists of various versions of the DJI Phantom 4 Pro, and they use these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for four major purposes: progress and monitoring, site mapping, topographic maps and stockpile volumetry, and marketing.

One of the projects Taylor Engineering works on is the Norriego Point Restoration Project. For the DU-2 Offloading Project, aimed at monitoring the offloading of dredged sediments from a dredge material management area in Duval County, Florida, the Florida Inland Navigation District was the client. Drones were used to monitor the contractor's offloading progress and to document pre- and post-offloading site conditions. Both oblique images and orthomosaics were used for tracking the project and for providing clear updates to the client.

An aerial shot showing progress on the Fort Pierce Shore Protection Project was produced using drone data, while an elevation map of the same project was created using the same technology. The Fort Pierce Truck Haul Shore Protection Project, a project aimed at protecting the shoreline in Fort Pierce, Florida, also benefited from drone-captured progress aerials.

Drones extend well beyond traditional construction and agricultural roles in civil engineering. They encompass advanced surveying, environmental and flood risk assessments, precise material management, infrastructure support, and enhanced safety in project execution. For instance, LiDAR-equipped drones can support flood mapping and detailed hydrological designs for civil works and infrastructure projects like dams and levees.

Taylor Engineering established a Remote Sensing Practice Area in 2018 for training remote pilots. Since then, the firm has grown from one Part 107-certified pilot to having eight FAA certified pilots on their team. This growth reflects the increasing importance of drones in their civil engineering projects.

In addition to construction, agriculture, and inspections, drones have several other use cases in civil engineering. These include project monitoring and management, flood mapping and water management, earthwork and material management, infrastructure and utilities support, safety and risk reduction, and surveying and mapping.

References: [1] "Drones in Civil Engineering: A Comprehensive Guide". DronesGlobe.com. [2] "How Drones Are Revolutionizing Civil Engineering". ForConstructionPros.com. [3] "The Role of Drones in Utility Inspections and Maintenance". UtilityDive.com. [4] "Flood Mapping with Drones: A Case Study". FloodMapping.com.

1. Taylor Engineering's initial drone purchase in 2017, a Phantom 4 Pro, marked the start of a drone program that has since expanded significantly.
2. Drones are used by Taylor Engineering for four major purposes: progress and monitoring, site mapping, topographic maps and stockpile volumetry, and marketing.
3. Drones were used on the Norriego Point Restoration Project to monitor the offloading progress and document pre- and post-offloading site conditions.
4. LiDAR-equipped drones can support flood mapping and detailed hydrological designs for civil works and infrastructure projects like dams and levees.
5. Taylor Engineering established a Remote Sensing Practice Area in 2018 for training remote pilots and has grown from one Part 107-certified pilot to eight FAA-certified pilots.
6. Beyond construction and agriculture, drones in civil engineering have use cases in project monitoring and management, flood mapping and water management, earthwork and material management, infrastructure and utilities support, safety and risk reduction, and surveying and mapping.

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