Verifying Vegetation Management Performance with UAS Inspection
A UAS based inspection provided a fast, safe, and highly accurate way to verify vegetation clearing performance across 24 miles of right of way.
The Situation
A client hired a vegetation management vendor to clear 24 miles of pipeline right of way, but later suspected the work did not fulfilled the agreed upon scope. To verify, the client needed high-resolution, georeferenced visual documentation. However, physically walking 24 miles of mountainous right of way posed significant safety risks, scheduling challenges, and logistical limitations.
The Strategy
Percheron’s Surveying and Aerial Solutions Team deployed UAS technology to remotely assess the full length of the right of way. Over the course of three days, the team flew the entire 24‑mile corridor, capturing high‑resolution imagery and georeferenced data. The aerial inspection focused on identifying areas where vegetation had not been adequately cleared while also noting additional risks or anomalies along the corridor.
The Success
The UAS survey confirmed more than 50 locations where vegetation had not been cleared according to the project specifications. Each was documented with high‑resolution imagery and precise coordinates, giving the client clear evidence for vendor accountability. The aerial inspection also identified unrelated issues—such as exposed pipelines from erosion and hunting blinds—allowing the client to address additional risks. By using UAS, the client avoided hazardous fieldwork, reduced costs, and received detailed, actionable data to support remediation efforts.
