Drones in AEC Industry: Tackling Four Critical Issues

Railways | September 2024

How Drones are Redefining Railway Projects

Introduction

We’re delving into the transformative impact of drones on railway operations. From planning to emergency response, drones can streamline the majority of a railway project, enhancing efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness. In the planning phase, drones create a ‘digital twin’ of the proposed railway area, providing comprehensive visual data. During execution, drones capture real-time video footage, enabling project managers to track progress.

For regular inspection, AI-equipped drones autonomously navigate railway tracks, identifying potential issues. In emergencies, drones swiftly access the affected area, aiding in swift decision-making. Join us as we explore how drone technology is driving innovations in the railway industry.

Planning: Creating a Digital Twin with Orthomosaic, DEM & 3D Models

In the planning phase of a railway project, drones have emerged as a transformative force, playing a pivotal role in surveying the proposed railway area. These high-flying devices capture high-resolution aerial images, which are then used to create orthomosaic maps, Digital Elevation Models (DEM), and 3D models of the terrain.

This comprehensive visual data provides a detailed overview of the construction site. It aids in identifying suitable spaces for installations, evaluating vegetation around tracks, and calculating the volume of materials needed for the project. This process significantly enhances the efficiency of the planning phase, making it more accurate and cost-effective.

The 3D models, in particular, serve a crucial function. They effectively create a ‘digital twin’ of the proposed railway area. This digital twin is a virtual replica of the physical railway area, providing a real-time digital counterpart of the physical world. It serves as a valuable tool for accurate project estimations and efficient resource allocation, paving the way for more precise and streamlined railway operations.

Progress Monitoring - Leveraging Video Evidence

Drones are instrumental in monitoring the progress of railway construction projects. Equipped with high-definition cameras, they capture real-time video footage of the construction site. This visual evidence provides a clear and up-to-date overview of the project, enabling project managers to track progress, identify potential issues, and make informed decisions.

The use of drones for progress monitoring reduces the need for on-site visits, saving time and enhancing operational efficiency.

Inspection - Harnessing the Power of AI-Driven Drones

For regular inspection of railway infrastructure, drones equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) offer a significant advantage. These AI-driven drones can autonomously navigate along the railway tracks, capturing high-resolution images and identifying potential issues such as track deformities, vegetation encroachment, or equipment malfunctions.

The use of AI enables more accurate, efficient, and frequent inspections, contributing to improved safety and maintenance of the railway infrastructure.

Emergency Damage Assessment

In the face of emergencies, drones emerge as a critical asset. Be it a natural disaster, an accident, or a system failure, drones can swiftly access the affected area, serving as the eyes on the field when every second counts. They capture real-time aerial images and additional data, such as thermal images, providing a comprehensive view of the incident.

This immediate and detailed damage assessment is invaluable in aiding swift decision-making. It provides evacuation and other support teams with crucial information, enabling them to plan and execute a smooth and effective operation.

By offering a bird’s eye view of the situation, drones facilitate quicker response times and more efficient management of emergencies, ultimately contributing to the safety and well-being of all involved.

Streamlining Railway Project Monitoring with Indrones: A Case Study

Introduction : In the realm of drone solutions, Indrones is striving to establish itself as a leading innovator. Since 2020, Indrones has been part of a collaboration with the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC). The objective of this partnership was to bring about a paradigm shift in the way significant rail projects are monitored, thereby setting new benchmarks in the industry.

Challenge : The MRVC was faced with an enormous challenge. They were tasked with the responsibility of tracking the progress of two major railway routes - Virar-Dahanu, spanning 62 kilometers, and Panvel-Karjat, covering a distance of 28 kilometers. The traditional methods employed for monitoring were fraught with difficulties.

Not only were they extremely time-consuming, but they also presented considerable challenges when it came to accessing all areas of the expansive project. The need for a more efficient and effective solution was evident.

Solution: Recognizing the need for a more innovative approach, Indrones introduced a transformative solution - Sigma25. This survey-grade drone was deployed over a contract period of 5 years. During this time, Indrones provided the MRVC with Orthomosaic Photos and 4K Videos. These high-resolution assets offered a detailed and comprehensive view of the project’s progress.

This was a significant improvement over traditional methods, which were limited in their scope and detail.

Benefit: The introduction of drone technology into the rail infrastructure development monitoring process brought about a dramatic reduction in the time taken for surveying. Traditional methods, which would have taken nearly 2 months to cover certain patches of the project, were replaced by the Sigma25 drone, which accomplished the same task in just 8-10 days.

This marked improvement in efficiency had far-reaching implications. The MRVC was now able to communicate the progress of the project to its higher stakeholders and investors in a timely and effective manner. This ensured that project management was seamless and well-coordinated.

Conclusion: The collaboration between Indrones and the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has proven to be a resounding success. It has not only resulted in significant time savings but has also greatly enhanced the efficiency of the rail network expansion monitoring process.

This case study serves as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of drone technology. It underscores how innovative solutions can overcome the limitations of traditional methods, paving the way for new standards in project monitoring.

Conclusion

Drone technology is revolutionizing railway construction, from planning to emergency response. The case study of Indrones and the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) exemplifies this transformation. The Sigma25 drone has significantly reduced surveying time and enhanced project monitoring efficiency. This collaboration highlights how drones can overcome traditional method limitations, setting new standards in project monitoring.

As drone technology evolves, it promises to drive more innovations in railway operations, enhancing efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness. The future of railway operations is here, and it’s soaring high with drones.

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