Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Photogrammetry vs. Total Station Sergeant Joseph Weadon, III Missouri State Highway Patrol
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ntroduction The use of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for crash scene mapping has taken the reconstruction community by storm. Many crash reconstructionists have begun using these aerial photography platforms in conjunction with photogrammetry software to capture scene evidence and roadway characteristics. Most, it seems, have relied on what they were told about the accuracy of the process in a short course and simply accepted its validity. We took a different approach. To determine the validity of the data and any potential error rate, we compared our results to another long-accepted method of measurement; the total station.
ethodology The testing took place at the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, located in Jefferson City, Missouri. We selected four sites along the course, which provided varying degrees of grade and super-elevation. Additionally, the sites were composed of a variety of surfaces. After the sites were identified, a total of 100 test points were painted on the different surfaces at each site. Test points were painted using a template comprised of offset 0.3-foot squares, which touched only at one corner. White paint was used to paint most test points and all points were numbered. Figure 1: Test Points shows a sample of the test points painted on asphalt and grass. 68 Collision Magazine - Volume 13 Issue 1
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