Assessment of the Viability of the Use of Unmanned Aircraft for the Elaboration of Multipurpose Cadastral Mapping

Abstract

Due to the costs of maintenance and operation of the Geographical Institute Agustín Codazzi (IGAC) aircraft, in the production of multipurpose cadastral and base cartography maps, and how time-consuming this activity is, there is a need to evaluate the viability of the use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for small regions. For this reason, in 2016, in a joint work between the Latin American Society of Remote Sensin Specialists and Space Information Systems (Capítulo Colombia), and the IGAC, a pilot project was carried out in the municipality of Cabuyaro, department of Meta. The research methodology included flight design, image capture with the UAV, photocontrol points, aerotriangulation, data processing, generation of cartographic products (Digital Surface Model, orthophotomosaic) and positional accuracy assessment, according to preestablished technical specifications, focused on a study area with an urban area of less than 300 hectares. From this experience, we found that an orthophotomosaic generated under conditions similar to those of this research (extension, orography, environmental and climatic aspects, among others), is a suitable product for updating cartography with a precision close to those obtained by means of a manned aircraft. This research is a first step for the IGAC regarding the evaluation of these new technologies in the elaboration and production of official cartography, as an alternative to the traditional methodologies of cartographic production.