Developers Keep An Eye On Construction Sites

The pandemic-induced shift to remote working has acted as a catalyst for digital transformation across the property industry.

Tech companies, like aerial imagery and location data provider Nearmap, are enjoying the benefits of the accelerated trend for digitisation.

The home-grown, ASX-listed aerial imagery leader was founded 12 years ago with an idea to enable remote site inspection and analyses, which has proven to be critical during the pandemic and state-wide lockdowns.

Having an up-to-date and clear view of what’s on the ground has enabled developers and engineers to keep their businesses and projects moving ahead.

^{_{^ Source: Nearmap, Tuesday 29 October 2019 - Saturday 3 March 2020 - Thursday 17 September 2020}}

^{_{^ Source: Nearmap, Tuesday 24 October 2019 - Saturday 21 March 2020 - Thursday 17 September 2020}}

^{_{^ Source: Nearmap, Sunday 29 October 2019 - Friday 17 April 2020 - Thursday 29 October 2020}}

Nearmap provides frequently updated high-resolution 2D and 3D imaging of urban areas to organisations in fields such as construction, engineering, telecommunications, government, energy and insurance.

Nearmap does not use satellites—which are too high up to provide detail—instead using proprietary high-resolution cameras attached to aeroplanes to capture 89 per cent of Australian populated areas in high-resolution multiple times a year.

Images are then processed, stitched together and available within its highly-interactive and cloud-based platform, only a few days after captures.

“Nearmap aerial imagery and location data have helped customers access and survey work sites virtually, from wherever they are,” Nearmap chief executive Rob Newman said.

^{_{^ Source: Nearmap, Tuesday 29 October 2019 - Friday 28 February 2020 - Thursday 17 September 2020}}

^{_{^ Source: Nearmap, Panorama: Tuesday 22 October 2019 - Saturday 26 September 2020}}

“This has been especially helpful for our customers in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sectors.

“Amid the Covid-19 lockdowns and onset of social distancing requirements, our AEC customers have been using the Nearmap platform to keep their projects moving, while ensuring the safety and welfare of employees,” Newman said.

“In fact, our usage metrics grew during this period, as many businesses turned to Nearmap as a solution for business continuity.

Classified as an essential service, Nearmap has been able to continue to generate fresh mapping data to its wide range of customers.

Across the year, up to six rounds of aerial images have been captured across Australia, providing Nearmap subscription-based users with the most up-to-date geospatial mapping.

^{_{^ Source: Nearmap, Wednesday 2 October 2019 - Friday 3 April 2020 - Monday 9 November 2020}}

^{_{^ Source: Nearmap, Thursday 17 October 2019 - Sunday 3 May 2020 - Saturday 10 October 2020}}

“Context such as the surroundings of worksites, inclines of the land and neighbouring infrastructure is incredibly crucial for developers and construction,” Newman said.

These contextual factors aren’t always immediately obvious from the ground, but become readily assessable with the vertical, 3D and oblique views that our imagery provide. 

“Being able to visualise potential projects in 3D—just like in the real world—also enables better community consultation,” Newman said.

“We are continuing to see usage trend strongly, as many in the AEC space discover the ease and further benefits of using the Nearmap technology and platform when working remotely.”

The company currently serves its location data to 90 per cent of the nation’s tier-one construction companies and is investing heavily in technology development to continue delivering state-of-the-art location data to customers in Australia, New Zealand, US and Canada.

The Urban Developer is proud to partner with Nearmap to deliver this article to you. In doing so, we can continue to publish our free daily news, information, insights and opinion to you, our valued readers.