Drone Mapping

Drone mapping provides an efficient way to document crash scenes and accident locations for use in photogrammetry and 3D modeling. Using a UAV such as the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, we can capture a series of high-resolution, overlapping aerial images of the roadway, vehicles, and surrounding environment. These images are typically collected through an automated grid flight plan to ensure consistent coverage and sufficient overlap. The large number of images allows photogrammetry software to identify common points between photographs and reconstruct the geometry of the scene.

The collected images are then processed in Agisoft Metashape Professional, which performs the photogrammetry workflow. The software aligns the photos, builds a sparse and dense point cloud, and generates a textured 3D model and orthomosaic of the crash scene.

Once the model is generated, it can be exported as a mesh, point cloud, or orthophoto and imported into Virtual CRASH 6. Within Virtual CRASH, the reconstructed surface provides an accurate digital representation of the roadway, terrain, and scene geometry. We can then place vehicles, analyze sight lines, measure distances, and simulate vehicle dynamics within the modeled environment.

By combining drone imagery, photogrammetry processing, and simulation software, we can produce a highly detailed and measurable 3D reconstruction of a crash scene. This workflow improves documentation accuracy, allows attorneys and jurors to revisit the scene virtually after it has been cleared, and creates visualizations that can be used for technical analysis, reports, and courtroom presentations.