13-Mile Road Survey for Pre & Post-Condition Assessment

13-mi Road survey

Client

TG Engineers, PUI and DPW

Project Type

Inspection & Visual Mapping

Location

Various, Guam

Project Overview

To assess the pre- and post-conditions of a 13-mile roadway impacted by the transport of heavy equipment for an energy project in Guam, 2cofly partnered with TG Engineers to conduct a comprehensive drone-based survey.

Using high-resolution photogrammetry, 2cofly captured detailed aerial imagery of the entire route, while TG Engineers provided over 60 ground control points (GCPs) to ensure survey-grade accuracy. This collaboration enabled stakeholders to document the road conditions before and after the equipment transport, ensuring accountability and facilitating any necessary repairs.

The Challenge

Transporting heavy equipment over long distances can cause road surface degradation, cracks, and structural strain, which can lead to:

Liability disputes over road damage between contractors, transporters, and government agencies.
Uncertainty in assessing road conditions if no accurate pre-transport documentation exists.
Potential delays in the energy project if road conditions are deemed unsuitable or require major repairs.

Traditional road surveys, conducted manually, are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to inaccuracies. 2cofly’s aerial mapping approach provided a faster, more precise, and scalable alternative.

Approach & Methodology

Drone-Based Photogrammetry & Ground Control Integration

✔ High-Resolution Drone Survey – 2cofly scanned the entire 13-mile road stretch using photogrammetry, capturing high-definition imagery for detailed analysis.

✔ Survey-Grade Accuracy with 60+ GCPs – TG Engineers placed over 60 ground control points, ensuring that the drone-generated maps were precisely aligned with real-world coordinates.

Pre- and Post-Transport Condition Analysis

✔ Baseline Mapping (Pre-Transport) – Captured before-transport road conditions, establishing a reference dataset for comparison.

✔ Post-Transport Survey – Conducted a follow-up aerial scan to identify any new damage, structural changes, or deterioration caused by the transport process.

Deliverables Provided

✔ High-Resolution Orthomosaic Maps – Accurate, georeferenced maps of the road before and after transport.

✔ Digital Surface Models (DSM) – Elevation data to analyze road slopes, drainage, and surface deformations.

✔ 3D Point Cloud & Measurements – Data for engineers to assess road changes with precision.

Results & Project Impact

Accurate & Defensible Road Condition Documentation

By providing before-and-after datasets, 2cofly’s survey enabled stakeholders to:

✔ Clearly identify and quantify any road damage caused by the transport operation.

✔ Resolve liability disputes between contractors, transporters, and governing bodies.

✔ Ensure proper repair and maintenance planning before reopening the road for regular use.

Faster & More Cost-Effective Surveying

✔ Drone-based road surveying significantly reduced data collection time compared to traditional ground-based methods.

✔ The high-resolution, georeferenced imagery eliminated the need for time-consuming manual inspections, saving labor costs and project time.

Improved Planning for Future Transport Routes

✔ The dataset provided valuable insights into road strength, elevation changes, and weak points, enabling engineers to plan more efficient and less damaging transport routes for future energy projects.

Conclusion

This 13-mile road survey showcased the power of drone-based aerial mapping in transportation and infrastructure planning. By leveraging photogrammetry and precise ground control, 2cofly and TG Engineers provided a fast, accurate, and cost-efficient solution for documenting road conditions, mitigating liability issues, and optimizing transport planning for future projects.

For organizations and agencies requiring high-accuracy road surveys, infrastructure monitoring, or transport route analysis, 2cofly delivers industry-leading drone solutions that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making.

2cofly (pronounced Ecofly) is Micronesia's leading drone service and education provider. Our core competency lies in remote sensing via various sensing technologies such as photogrammetry, LiDAR, thermal and more.

Few key deliverables we can output with our drones & sensors: