Accuracy assessment of direct georeferencing UAV images with onboard global navigation satellite system and comparison of CORS/RTK surveying methods

Abstract

Abstract Inexpensive and small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) provide high-accuracy positional data and enable users to collect high-resolution aerial images. The analysis of images captured using UAVs in a specific reference system is traditionally accomplished using the georeferencing method with high-accuracy ground control points (GCPs). This study aims to test and compare the benchmarks and point clouds’ positional accuracy produced on three consecutive days with different flight combinations at 75 and 100 m flight altitude by means of network-based continuously operating reference stations and differential-based real-time kinematic georeferencing systems without using GCPs. A root mean squared error values were obtained 1–3 cm for the horizontal accuracy and 4–6 cm for the vertical accuracy values. Thus, the proposed system proved an acceptable positional accuracy level. According to the results of the proposed approach, it can be said that the evaluation and use of UAV data without using GCPs is within an adequate range for various mapping purposes.