Use of drones at construction sites: Effectiveness demonstrated in inspection of facilities under elevated railway tracks
The challenges facing the construction industry and the solution of drones
In the construction industry, the aging workforce, the lack of young people entering the field, and the urgent need to strengthen measures against occupational accidents, including falls and slips, are pressing issues.
In addition, the aging infrastructure is driving a constantly increasing demand for inspection and maintenance. This necessitates performing tasks more safely and efficiently with limited personnel.
One solution that is attracting attention to address these challenges is the use of drones.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is also promoting the use of drones as part of its "i-Construction" initiative, and their introduction is progressing in various situations, such as inspecting bridges and tunnels, surveying exterior walls, and assessing the situation at disaster sites.
Among these, "indoor inspection drones," which can fly accurately even in environments where GPS cannot be used, such as indoors or underground, have been attracting attention in recent years. They can be effectively used for inspection work in places where humans cannot enter or where it is dangerous to enter.
Case Study – Introducing IBIS2 for inspecting the ceiling space beneath railway elevated tracks.
This time, we will introduce an example of ceiling space inspection in facilities under railway overpasses in the western Japan area.
● Background and history of implementation
Previously, another company had filmed the same space using an indoor drone, the "IBIS2," but it was a different location, and the footage did not include the areas that needed to be checked, so it was necessary to film it again.
The job involved inspecting the space above the railway overpass. Traditional manual inspections require 2-3 workers and 2-3 days.
A representative from the equipment company, who was consulted by the construction company in charge of the work, searched online and found our company. Because we had previously done business with them, they decided to entrust us with the project.
The "IBIS2" selected for this project is a drone specifically designed for inspecting extremely small indoor spaces. It can fly accurately even in environments where GPS is unavailable, such as indoors or underground, and can capture high-quality images even in confined spaces or dark areas. As it is available for rent, there is no need for a large initial investment.
● Examining the effects of implementation from three perspectives
1. Working hours
The number of working days was reduced to one-third of the conventional process, resulting in a significant reduction.
Traditional manual inspection: 2-3 days (2-3 workers)
- Inspection using IBIS2: Completed in 1 day
We've received positive feedback from those on-site, who say it's "fast."
2.Cost
Your comments regarding direct costs are frank.
"That's expensive. It would be cheaper to have 3 or 4 workers do the job."
Certainly, if you only consider labor costs, drone rentals are more expensive. On the other hand, safety measures and the risk of accidents should also be taken into consideration.
3.Safety
We also received the following comment from the person in charge:
"There's a high risk of the ceiling collapsing if workers are in the space above. It was good that we were able to avoid that risk."
The introduction of drones allowed inspections to be completed without workers having to enter dangerous environments. This was evaluated positively from the perspective of avoiding workplace accidents.
Since it's a rental, the barrier to entry is low.
When purchasing a drone, various costs and hassles are incurred not only for the equipment itself, but also for maintenance, insurance, storage, and pilot training.
With rentals, you can use the latest equipment with zero initial investment, and you can rent it only when you need it and for the duration you need it.
In addition to renting the aircraft alone, if you choose a rental package that includes an operator, as in this case, the pilot will accompany you to the site and handle everything from preparation to flight and withdrawal. Since an experienced pilot will be operating the aircraft, the risk of accidents during flight is also reduced.
As a first step in implementing construction DX, consider renting as an option in addition to purchasing.
Equipment used in this case study: Ultra-compact space inspection drone "IBIS2"
- With its unique dustproof motor and IP51 standard, it can fly even in dusty or wet environments.
- High-sensitivity image sensor, clear images in light close to natural light
- The industry's smallest size allows it to enter tight spaces
- A unique flight control system and rounded shape maintain a stable flying posture
- There are two rental plans: one for the main unit only, and another that includes an operator and inspection service.
Summary – Towards a balance between safety and efficiency
The construction industry faces challenges such as labor shortages, safety management, and operational efficiency. One solution gaining traction is the widespread use of drones.
In the railway overpass facility example we presented, we were able to reduce the number of work days by one-third and complete the inspection while ensuring the safety of the workers. Drone rental is a practical option that can achieve these results.
If you're having trouble with on-site work that's inaccessible or dangerous for humans, such as inspecting attics, surveying high places, or checking confined spaces, please consider drone rental as an option.