The Use of Laser Scanning and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Construction Surveying in the Light of Legal Regulations in Poland

Abstract

Construction surveying consist in overall surveying works performed at every stage of the construction and use of a building structure. The surveyor participates in the processes of designing, direct implementation, maintenance and use, as well as demolition of a building structure. Advanced surveying techniques, such as laser scanning and UAV photogrammetry, are being increasingly used to perform the surveyor’s tasks. The aim of this research paper was to analyze the Polish legal regulations for the possibilities of applying the above-mentioned techniques to carry out the surveying works which are subject to the obligatory submission to public administration authorities. The primary focus was placed on the type of the works associated with construction surveying. The conducted research studies confirmed the lack of appropriate guidelines that would clearly define the scope and method of using laser scanning and UAV photogrammetry in construction surveying. At the same time, it was demonstrated that both these techniques of spatial data acquisition were sufficiently accurate to perform plane and vertical land surveys pursuant to the legal acts currently in force in Poland, and they can be used at selected stages of construction surveying. Finally, the authors proposed some solutions that would make it easier for the surveyors to use laser scanning and UAV photogrammetry in standard surveying works.