Deliverables determine requirements
Before selecting a method, define the object, project tolerances, reference and final products. A visualisation model and geometric verification deliverable do not necessarily require the same checks or detail.
Density, completeness, relative precision and reference-system accuracy are distinct requirements. Comparison should avoid reducing them to a single promise of “high precision”.
Access and geometry before productivity
Static and mobile acquisition address different route and visibility conditions. SLAM may reduce repositioning in complex spaces, but drift, repetitive geometry and required checks can affect the final benefit.
UAV LiDAR and photogrammetry offer aerial perspectives but remain constrained by coverage, occlusion and operational feasibility. Field time is not the sole criterion: processing, verification and repeats are part of the technical cost of data.
Choose consistent checks
The matrix is qualitative and assigns no numerical precision to methods. Final selection should state how reference, local quality and global consistency are checked, reserving independent points or measurements for verification.
Internally coherent data may be displaced or deformed in the project reference. SLAM loop closure and static registration do not automatically replace external checks.
A justified combination, not a catalogue
Methods are combined when one adds a missing view, required detail or a check. Areas with different quality should be stated without assigning the precision of the best-checked zone to the entire cloud.
Useful assessment requires objectives, extent, environments, access, existing documentation and required products. The proposal may include preliminary checks under representative site conditions.
Comparison by survey objective
| Method | Typical contribution | Considerations and checks |
|---|---|---|
| Static | Detail from fixed stations | Occlusions, registration and survey reference |
| Mobile SLAM | Dynamic acquisition along routes | Drift, loop closure, weak geometry and independent checks |
| UAV LiDAR | Aerial coverage using laser ranges | Flight geometry, strips, vegetation and checkpoints |
| Photogrammetry | Geometry and visual information from images | Overlap, texture, scale and metric verification |
| Integrated | Complementary views and checks | Common reference, transitions and non-uniform quality |
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
- Which method is most precise?
- Precision depends on the system and checks. Controlled static surveying can offer a useful local reference, but no absolute comparison applies to every project.
- Can speed alone determine selection?
- No. Quality, coverage and intended use need checking, including processing and verification time.
- When should an integrated survey be selected?
- When perspectives, detail or checks require complementary contributions justified by a shared objective.
What information does your project need?
Share the objective, site constraints and required deliverables so we can assess an appropriate survey strategy.
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