Accuracy Assessment of UAV LiDAR Compared to Traditional Total Station for Geospatial Data Collection in Land Surveying Contexts

Abstract. Accurate surveying of vegetated areas presents significant challenges due to obstructions that obscure visibility and compromise the precision of measurements. This paper introduces a methodology employing the DJI Zenmuse L2 Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor, which is mounted on a Matrice 350 RTK drone. The DJI Zenmuse L2 sensor excels at capturing detailed terrain data under heavy foliage, capable of collecting 1.2 million points per second and offering five returns, thus enhancing the sensor's ability to detect multiple surface responses from a single laser pulse. In a case study conducted near a creek heavily obscured by tree coverage, traditional aerial imaging techniques are found insufficient for capturing critical topographic features, such as the creek banks. Employing LiDAR, the study aims to map these obscured features effectively. The collected data is processed using DJI Terra software, which supports the accurate projection and analysis of the LiDAR data. To validate the accuracy of the data collected from the LiDAR sensor, traditional survey methods are deployed to ground truth the data and provide an accuracy assessment. Ground control points (GCPs) are established using a GNSS receiver to provide geodetic coordinates, which then assist in setting up a total station. This total station measures vertical and horizontal angles, as well as the slope distance from the instrument to positions underneath the tree coverage on the ground. These measurements serve as checkpoints to validate the accuracy of the LiDAR data, thus ensuring the reliability of the survey. This paper discusses the potential of integrating LiDAR data with traditional surveying data, which is expected to enhance the ability of surveyors to map environmental features efficiently and accurately in complex and vegetated terrains. Through detailed procedural descriptions and expected outcomes, the study aims to provide valuable insights into the strategic application of geospatial technologies to overcome common surveying challenges.