UAV TOpography
Topographical and Revit Model for Danu Community Special School, West Dublin
Location: Donabate, Co. Dublin
Project Length (Km): 4km road corridor, 7km watercourses
Services Provided: Topographical Survey, Mobile Mapping, UAV Survey, Hydrographic Survey, Laser Scanning
Project Overview:
The project included a detailed topographical survey of 4km of the R132 road corridor, carried out using a combination of mobile mapping and conventional survey methods. In addition, approximately 7km of watercourses were surveyed, including cross sections, hydrographic data, and laser scanning of bridge structures in accordance with OPW FRAMs requirements.
An aerial survey covering 3,500 hectares was completed, producing a high-resolution 0.1m orthophoto in ITM format. Within this, a full 3D aerial topographical survey was delivered for 1,200 hectares surrounding Donabate Village to support detailed design.
The Donabate Transport Scheme Topographical and Aerial Survey was a large-scale, multi-disciplinary project delivered to support the planning and design of key transport infrastructure in North County Dublin. The scheme required the integration of mobile mapping, conventional survey methods, hydrographic surveying, and UAV aerial data capture across a diverse and challenging environment.
The project covered a combination of busy road networks, rural land, and sensitive coastal and estuarine areas. iO Geomatics was appointed to deliver a comprehensive, high-accuracy dataset suitable for detailed design, flood assessment, and infrastructure planning.
A key component of the project was the delivery of both corridor-level and large-area survey data, including high-resolution orthophotography and a detailed 3D topographical model. The works were completed within a tight 3.5-month programme, requiring careful coordination, efficient data capture, and robust processing workflows.
The project presented several challenges, including working safely along a busy national road, accessing watercourses in difficult terrain, and operating UAV surveys in coastal areas exposed to wind conditions. The proximity to Dublin Airport required strict airspace coordination and permissions from Air Traffic Control. In addition, the scale of the project required careful data management and efficient processing to meet programme deadlines.
iO Geomatics implemented a multi-disciplinary survey strategy to ensure efficiency, safety, and high-quality outputs across all elements of the project.
Mobile mapping was utilised along the R132 corridor to minimise time working in live traffic conditions while capturing dense, high-quality data. This approach significantly improved safety and productivity. Conventional total station surveys and double-run levelling were used to establish accurate control and validate all datasets.
Watercourse surveys were carried out using conventional methods, including detailed cross-section capture and laser scanning of bridge structures. All data was processed and delivered in accordance with OPW Flood Risk Assessment and Management (FRAMs) specifications.
For the aerial component, UAV surveys were conducted across 3,500 hectares, producing a 0.1m resolution orthophoto. A detailed 3D topographical model was generated for 1,200 hectares, providing a rich and accurate dataset for design teams. All UAV operations were coordinated with Dublin Airport Air Traffic Control to ensure compliance with airspace restrictions.
All control was established using total station and double-run levelling to ensure a high level of accuracy. Quality assurance procedures included cross-validation between mobile mapping and conventional survey data, as well as compliance checks against OPW FRAMs standards. UAV data was processed using ground control to ensure positional accuracy across the full survey area.
The project delivered a comprehensive, high-quality dataset that supports detailed design, flood modelling, and infrastructure planning for the Donabate Transport Scheme. The integration of multiple survey techniques enabled efficient data capture across varied terrain while maintaining safety and accuracy.
