Application Strategies of UAV-GIS Digital Topographic Mapping

Abstract

: As the surveying, mapping, and geoinformation industry accelerates its digital and intelligent transformation, conventional manual surveying methods relying on total stations and GPS-RTK (global positioning system real-time kinematic) are increasingly inadequate for meeting the demanding requirements of high-precision and high-efficiency topographic data in domains such as territorial planning, engineering construction, geological exploration, and emergency mapping. These traditional approaches are commonly plagued by limited operational efficiency, poor adaptability to complex terrains, high labor costs, and untimely data updates. In contrast, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry offers exceptional maneuverability, low operational costs, and rapid map production, enabling efficient large-area topographic data acquisition. Meanwhile, geographic information system (GIS) technology excels in spatial data processing, analysis, storage, and visualization. The deep integration of these two technologies has become a mainstream paradigm for digital topographic mapping. Based on real-world production scenarios, this paper systematically reviews the technical principles and standardized workflows of UAV-GIS collaborative mapping, summarizes existing challenges in accuracy control, data fusion, and process management, and proposes practical optimization strategies derived from engineering experience. The aim is to further enhance the precision, efficiency, and practical value of topographic mapping products, thereby providing actionable technical references for the digital upgrading of the surveying and mapping industry.