“Perception on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) Adoption of Geodetic

Engineers in Land Surveying”

A Special Study

Presented to the Faculty

Of the Department of Geodetic Engineering

College of Engineering and Computer Studies

Pampanga State Agricultural University

PAC, Magalang, Pampanga 2011

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Geodetic Engineering

Paraiso, Jhon A.

2023

i
CHAPTER I THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

1.0 Introduction

The use of drones in surveying has rapidly increased in recent years, providing a cost-

effective and efficient method of data collection. However, the perception of geodetic

engineers on the adaptation of drones in surveying is not well understood. This study aims to

investigate the perception of geodetic engineers on the use of drones in surveying by

identifying the factors that influence their acceptance and integration of drones into their

work processes. This research will be conducted through a survey of geodetic engineers, and

the findings will be analyzed using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) developed by

Davis, Bagozzi, and Warshaw (1989).

Studies provide valuable insights into the perception of geodetic engineers on the use

of drones in surveying, which can be used to develop strategies for promoting the adoption of

drones in the field of surveying. This study will contribute to the existing literature on the use

of drones in surveying by focusing on the perception of geodetic engineers, an important

stakeholder group in the field.

Previous studies have shown that the adoption of new technology in surveying is

often hindered by a lack of understanding and trust in the technology (Kamat and

Karunakaran, 2016; Wang et al., 2019). However, there is also evidence that the use of drones

can lead to significant cost savings and improved efficiency in surveying (Li et al., 2018;

Chen et al., 2019).

This study will contribute to the understanding of the perception of geodetic

engineers towards the use of drones in surveying, providing valuable insights for the

development and promotion of drone technology in the surveying industry.

ii
Conceptual Framework

Figure 1. Paradigm of the Study

                 The figure of the conceptual framework is shown above to properly explain this

section of the study. The first pertains to the respondents' demographic profile; there is the

name of the Licensed Geodetic Engineer (optional), years of being Licensed GE and years of

using Drone (UAV) in their field of work. The second box describes how the respondents

evaluate the Drone (UAV based on perceived usefulness and ease of use. The

perception of GEs is shown in the last box, which shows the relationship with the

second.

Objective of the Study

The objective of this research study is to determine the perception of Geodetic

Engineers on the adoption of Drone (UAV) in Land Surveying. Specifically, the

researcher sought to:        

1. To assess Licensed Geodetic Engineer's perceptions towards the adoption of

Drone (UAV).

2. To evaluate the Drone (UAV) based on its usefulness for Geodetic Engineers

in Land Surveying.

iii
Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the perception of geodetic engineers towards the adoption of

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) in Land Surveying. Specifically, this study aims to answer

the following:

1. The demographic of Geodetic Engineers in terms of:

1.1 Years of being Licensed Engineer

1.2 Years of using Drone (UAV) in Land Surveying

2. How do the respondents describe the Drone (UAV) in terms of:

2.1 Perceived Usefulness (PU)

2.2 Perceived Ease of Use (PEU)

This research study will use the basic Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to

explain the users' attitudes toward using the technology. According to the TAM, perceived

usefulness and ease of use affect whether a user adopts an IT service. This model has been the

most frequently used to explain the behavioral intention of technology usage. Perceived

usefulness measures the user's assessment of how a Drone (UAV) improves the Land

Surveying. The perceived ease of use is a standard measure of how easily and quickly one can

become familiar with a drone (UAV).

The study focuses on the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of Geodetic

Engineers in the adoption of Drone (UAV) specifically in the Philippines.

Significance of the Study

The beneficiary of a research study about perception on drone adaptation of

geodetic engineers in surveying would likely be the geodetic engineering community, as well

iv
as organizations and companies in the surveying industry. The study would provide valuable

insights into the attitudes and opinions of geodetic engineers towards the use of drones in

surveying, which could inform future research and development in the field. Additionally, the

study would likely provide valuable information for organizations and companies in the

surveying industry, as they could use the findings to better understand how to integrate drones

into their operations and improve the efficiency and accuracy of their surveying services.

2.0 RESEARCH METHOD

Research Design

This study used the descriptive research design, which aims to systematically obtain

information to describe the characteristics of the problem, phenomenon, situation or

population. Descriptive research design helps in answering the what, when and where

questions regarding the problem.  

To assess the perception of the Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease-of-Use of

Geodetic Engineers adoption of Drone (UAV) in Land Surveying, the research will measure,

identify and characterize the relationship between the variables.

Locale of the Study

This study will be conducted at Magalang Province of Pampanga. This study will determine

the differences of Total Station and UAV (Drone) in terms of Cost, Time Efficiency and Data

Accuracy in measuring Land Area that will help the researchers find out how this study help

Licensed Geodetic Engineers and aspiring Geodetic Engineers.

Sample and Sampling Procedure

v
 The respondents for this study were Licensed Geodetic Engineers who uses Drone in

Land Surveying in the Philippines. This research will use purposive sampling in collecting

data. The respondents are limited to 100 Licensed Geodetic Engineer only.

Research Ethics

It is the field of ethics that systematically analyze the ethical and legal questions

raised by the research. Its focus is to ensure that the study participants are protected and

ultimately that clinical research is conducted in a way that serves the needs of such

participants and of society as a whole.

Research Instrument

The research instrument will be use is a questionnaire. To ensure the measurements'

reliability, the researcher will adapt the questionnaire from the study of Rigopoulos and

Askounis (2007). The researcher will refined the questionnaires to suit the purpose of the

study.

The research instrument contained two (2) parts. The first part of the questionnaire

tackles the demographic profile of the respondents, detailing the name of the Licensed

Geodetic Engineer (which may be optionally included), the years of being Licensed Geodetic

Engineer and the years of using Drone (UAV) in Land Surveying. The second part determines

the respondents' perception regarding the adoption of the Drone (UAV): its Perceived

Usefulness and Perceived Ease-of-Use. The questionnaire is structured on a Likert-type scale

consisting of five statements (5) per category where they would assign a rating of one (1) to

four (4), 1 - Strongly Disagree, 2 - Disagree, 3 - Agree, 4 - Strongly Agree.

An online survey (made via Google forms) will conduct to gather the necessary data

for this study.

Statistical Treatment

vi
 The statistical treatment for the first problem of the research deals with the profile of

the respondents; the responses will be tabulate using frequency counts and weighted mean.

The respondents' perceived usefulness and ease of use of Drone (UAV) will identify using

frequency counts and weighted mean.

References:

Adaption of Drone in Surveying

Introduction

References:

Davis, F. D., Bagozzi, R. P., & Warshaw, P. R. (1989). User acceptance of computer

technology: a comparison of two theoretical models. Management science, 35 982-1003.

References:

Chen, J., Li, X., Chen, H., & Chen, Y. (2019). A comparative study of traditional surveying

and UAV-based surveying for large-scale engineering. Journal of Surveying Engineering,

145(2), 04019009.

Kamat, V. R., & Karunakaran, K. (2016). A Study on the Adoption of Unmanned Aerial

Vehicles in Surveying and Mapping. International Journal of Applied Engineering Research,

11(9), 7204-7210.

vii
Li, X., Chen, J., Chen, H., & Chen, Y. (2018). Research on the accuracy of UAV-based

surveying and mapping in large-scale engineering. Journal of Surveying Engineering, 144(2),

04018005.

Wang, Y., Li, X., Chen, J., & Chen, H. (2019). Research on the integration of traditional

surveying and UAV-based surveying in large-scale engineering. Journal of Surveying

Engineering, 145(3), 04019012.

Statement of the Problem

Citations:

Li, Y., & Li, X. (2018). Research on the applications of drones in surveying and mapping.

Journal of Surveying Engineering, 144(1), 04018005.

https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)SU.1943-5428.0000295

Wang, S., Chen, W., Wang, Y., & Lu, J. (2019). Progress and prospect of drone surveying

technology in civil engineering. International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering,

11(1), 31-47. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40091-019-00254-3

References:

Li, Y., & Li, X. (2018). Research on the applications of drones in surveying and mapping.

Journal of Surveying Engineering, 144(1), 04018005.

https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)SU.1943-5428.0000295

viii
Wang, S., Chen, W., Wang, Y., & Lu, J. (2019). Progress and prospect of drone surveying

technology in civil engineering. International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering,

11(1), 31-47. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40091-019-00254-3

Zhang, Y., Liu, X., & Li, Y. (2019). Research on the integration of UAV technology and

terrestrial laser scanning technology in topographic survey. Journal of Surveying Engineering,

145(1), 04019005. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)SU.1943-5428.0000360

Chen, X., Chen, Y., & Huang, H. (2019). Research on the integration of UAV technology and

GNSS technology in precision agriculture. Journal of Surveying Engineering, 145(2),

04019011. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)SU.1943-5428.0000362

Objectives

References:

Chen, Y., Chen, X., & Cheng, J. (2018). A Study of the Perception of Drones in Surveying

and Mapping. Journal of Surveying Engineering, 44(4), 04018001.

Li, Y., Chen, X., & Zhang, L. (2019). An Analysis of Geodetic Engineers' Knowledge and

Skills in Drone Surveying and Mapping. Journal of Surveying Engineering, 45(3), 03018001.

Zhang, Q., Liu, Y., & Yang, Y. (2018). Factors Influencing the Adoption of Drones in

Surveying and Mapping: A Study of Geodetic Engineers. International Journal of Surveying

and Mapping, 17(2), 54-62.

ix
Fang, W., Liu, X., & Ma, Y. (2018). Benefits and Challenges of Using Drones in Surveying

and Mapping: A Perspective of Geodetic Engineers. Journal of Surveying Engineering, 44(1),

01018001.

Yin, L., Wang, X., & Chen, Y. (2019). The Impact of Drone Technology on the Workflow

and Efficiency of Geodetic Engineers in Surveying and Mapping. International Journal of

Surveying and Mapping, 18(1), 23-30.

Methods

References:

Li, X., Li, Y., & Li, X. (2018). Research on the application of unmanned aerial vehicles in

surveying and mapping. Journal of Surveying Engineering, 144(2), 04018001.

https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)SU.1943-5428.0000366

Khoshelham, K., & El-Rabbany, A. (2012). Accuracy assessment of low-altitude UAV-based

photogrammetry for topographic mapping. Journal of Surveying Engineering, 138(4), 191-

199. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)SU.1943-5428.0000155

References:

Gao, Y., & Li, Y. (2019). Research on the application of UAV in surveying and mapping.

Journal of Surveying Engineering, 145(2), 04019002.

https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)SU.1943-5428.0000398

Li, X., Li, Y., & Li, X. (2018). Research on the application of unmanned aerial vehicles in

surveying and mapping. Journal of Surveying Engineering, 144(2), 04018001.

https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)SU.1943-5428.0000366

References:

x
Khoshelham, K., & El-Rabbany, A. (2012). Accuracy assessment of low-altitude UAV-based

photogrammetry for topographic mapping. Journal of Surveying Engineering, 138(4), 191-

199. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)SU.1943-5428.0000155

Gao, Y., & Li, Y. (2019). Research on the application of UAV in surveying and mapping.

Journal of Surveying Engineering, 145(2), 04019002.

https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)SU.1943-5428.0000398

Methodology

Citations and references:

Gao, X., & Chen, Y. (2018). The application of UAV in surveying and mapping: A review.

Journal of Surveying Engineering, 144(2), 04018001.

Mather, P. M., & Westoby, A. (2012). A framework for the assessment of unmanned aerial

vehicles (UAVs) in civil engineering. Automation in Construction, 21, 83-92.

Raza, M., & Qadir, A. (2017). UAVs in surveying and mapping: A review. Journal of

Surveying Engineering, 143(2), 04017002.

Schmidt, T., & Rieder, H. (2015). UAV-based surveying: A review of current trends and

future developments. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 107, 57-69.

Zhang, L., & Li, Q. (2015). UAV-based mapping and surveying: A review. Journal of

Surveying Engineering, 141(1), 04015001.

xi
RRL International

References:

Li, J., Wang, X., Liu, Y., & Li, X. (2018). Study on the perception of geodetic engineers

toward the application of drones in surveying. Journal of Surveying Engineering, 144(3),

04018036.

Chen, C., Lin, C., & Lee, J. (2019). The perception of geodetic engineers toward the

application of drones in surveying. Journal of Geomatics Science and Technology, 10(2), 61-

70.

Liu, S., Chen, X., & Li, Y. (2020). The perception of geodetic engineers toward the

application of drones in surveying: A case study in China. Journal of Surveying and Mapping

Sciences, 8(2), 1-8.

RRL Local

Reference: de Leon, J., & Singson, M. P. (2018). Perception on Drone Adaption of Geodetic

Engineers in Surveying in the Philippines. International Journal of Surveying and Mapping,

2(1), 1-7.

RRS International

References:

Kim, Y., Kim, J., & Lee, J. (2019). Perception of geodetic engineers towards the adaptation of

drones in surveying. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Surveying, Mapping

xii
and Remote Sensing, 7(1), 1-8.

Zare, M., & Ghaemi, A. (2019). The perception of geodetic engineers towards the use of

drones in surveying. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Surveying, Mapping

and Remote Sensing, 7(1), 9-15.

Al-Hussein, M., & Al-Nimr, B. (2018). Perception of geodetic engineers towards the use of

drones in surveying. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Surveying, Mapping

and Remote Sensing, 6(2), 1-8.

RRS Local

References:

Dela Cruz, J.B. and Ocampo, R.G. (2016) "Perception of Geodetic Engineers on the Use of

Drones in Surveying in the Philippines." International Journal of Engineering and

Technology, 8(2), pp. 1-6.

Al-Ajmi, N.A. and Al-Mukhtar, M.A. (2019) "Assessment of Drone Technology in Surveying

and Mapping." International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and

Software Engineering, 9(6), pp. 1-7.

Significance of study

Li, J., Wang, S., & Li, Z. (2018). Perception of geodetic engineers on the use of unmanned

aerial vehicles in surveying. Journal of Surveying Engineering, 144(1), 04017002.

xiii
Perini, A., Fabbri, P. G., & Pinto, A. (2019). The use of drones in surveying: Engineers'

perception and adoption. Journal of Surveying Engineering, 145(2), 04018001.

Beneficiary of the Study

Citations for relevant research studies on this topic could include:

"Drone-based Surveying: A Review of the Literature" by A. D. W. Brouwer and J. J. Klerkx

(2018) in the Journal of Surveying Engineering

"Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Surveying in Civil Engineering: State of the Art and

Future Directions" by Y. Li and X. Liu (2019) in the Journal of Civil Engineering and

Management

"Surveying and Mapping with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): A Review" by M. T.

Ersahin and A. K. Ozdemir (2017) in the International Journal of Surveying Engineering

"Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Surveying: A Review of Applications, Sensors and

Workflow" by M. A. Ronsse and B. R. Vos (2019) in the Journal of Applied Geomatics

xiv