Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The integration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology presents a promising approach for enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of mapping and monitoring urban environments. This thesis explores the potential of UAVs equipped with LiDAR sensors to collect high-resolution spatial data for urban planning, infrastructure management, and environmental monitoring. The research focuses on addressing the challenges associated with traditional mapping methods and aims to demonstrate the advantages of using UAVs and LiDAR technology for urban applications. The introduction provides a background of the study, outlining the increasing demand for precise and timely geospatial information in urban areas. The problem statement highlights the limitations of traditional mapping techniques in urban environments and emphasizes the need for innovative solutions to improve data collection and analysis processes. The objectives of the study are defined to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating UAVs and LiDAR technology for urban mapping and monitoring. The literature review chapter explores existing research and developments in UAV and LiDAR technology, emphasizing their applications in various fields such as agriculture, forestry, and disaster management. The chapter also discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating UAVs and LiDAR for urban mapping and monitoring, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art. The research methodology chapter outlines the approach taken to conduct the study, including the selection of study areas, data collection methods, and data processing techniques. The chapter describes the UAV and LiDAR systems used, as well as the flight planning and data acquisition procedures employed in the study. The chapter also discusses the data processing and analysis methods used to extract meaningful information from the collected data. The findings chapter presents the results of the study, including the accuracy assessment of the UAV and LiDAR data, the 3D modeling of urban environments, and the identification of key features for urban planning and monitoring. The chapter discusses the benefits of using UAVs and LiDAR technology for mapping and monitoring urban environments, highlighting the improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional methods. The conclusion and summary chapter provide a comprehensive overview of the research findings and their implications for urban planning and management. The chapter discusses the significance of the study in advancing the use of UAVs and LiDAR technology for urban applications and highlights the potential for future research and development in this field. In conclusion, the integration of UAVs and LiDAR technology offers a promising solution for efficient mapping and monitoring of urban environments. This thesis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the application of UAVs and LiDAR technology in urban contexts, demonstrating their potential to revolutionize data collection and analysis processes for urban planning and management.

Thesis Overview

The project titled "Integration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and LiDAR Technology for Efficient Mapping and Monitoring of Urban Environments" aims to explore the synergistic use of UAVs and LiDAR technology to enhance the mapping and monitoring of urban environments. This research seeks to address the increasing demand for accurate and up-to-date geospatial data in urban planning, infrastructure development, disaster management, and environmental monitoring. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, offer a flexible and cost-effective platform for collecting high-resolution aerial imagery and other remote sensing data. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, on the other hand, enables the generation of precise 3D elevation models and detailed point cloud data. By combining these two technologies, this project aims to overcome the limitations of traditional mapping methods and provide a more efficient and accurate solution for mapping and monitoring urban environments. The research will involve the design and implementation of a methodology that integrates UAVs equipped with LiDAR sensors to capture data over urban areas. The collected data will be processed and analyzed to generate detailed 3D models, terrain information, and other geospatial datasets. The study will also explore the potential applications of the integrated UAV-LiDAR system in various urban planning and management tasks, such as land use classification, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response. Through this research, the project seeks to contribute to the advancement of surveying and geo-informatics by showcasing the capabilities of UAVs and LiDAR technology in enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of mapping and monitoring urban environments. The findings of this study are expected to benefit urban planners, government agencies, environmentalists, and other stakeholders involved in urban development and management by providing them with valuable insights and tools for decision-making.