A Comparative Analysis of Point Clouds Acquired from UAV Photogrammetry and UAV-based LiDAR in Built Environment

Advancements in reality capture techniques have transformed the use of 3D datasets into a crucial resource for surveying and documentation in the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) field. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are widely employed in this domain, offering high- quality mapping data. However, issues related to volumetric measurement accuracy in UAV-based 3D models have been observed. In contrast, UAV-based Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology has emerged as a promising alternative, with superior coverage and accuracy. This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of point clouds acquired from a camera-equipped UAV and a LiDAR-equipped UAV. The findings reveal that UAV-based photogrammetry demonstrates less relative accuracy compared to UAV-based LiDAR, thus providing valuable insights for professionals in the AEC industry. The results of the study may help small and medium-sized construction companies that have limited resources for LiDAR investment.