Topographic Survey — BC Interior Construction Site
The Challenge
The client needed an accurate topographic map of a complex 4.2-hectare site slated for new infrastructure. Traditional ground surveying was ruled out due to deep ravines, active heavy machinery crossing the site, and a tight 3-day deadline before breaking ground.
Accuracy requirements dictated ±3cm RMS max error for the subgrade volumetric calculations, and the final deliverable had to drop cleanly into their existing AutoCAD Civil 3D workflow without requiring coordinate transformations.
Our Approach
Control
Emlid RS3 base station over known NGS monument.
Flight
Mavic 3E. Terrain aware, 50m AGL, cross-hatch.
Fix
PPK workflow in Emlid Studio to fix image coordinates.
Process
Pix4Dmatic for DSM and orthomosaic generation.
The Results
Verified Accuracy
Exceeded the 3cm requirement. Verified via independent check shots.
Time on Site
Zero disruption to active heavy machinery traffic.
Turnaround Time
Full Civil 3D DXF contours delivered to engineers.