North Carolina Turnpike Authority Employs Drone LiDAR Technology for Enhanced Oversight of Complete 540 Project

Pilot Program Enhances Construction Monitoring in North Carolina

Drone-Based LiDAR Technology Improves Progress Tracking and Safety

As construction progresses on the final phase of North Carolina’s Complete 540 project, the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) is utilizing drone-based LiDAR technology to enhance construction monitoring while minimizing the need for personnel in active construction zones.

This initiative, launched in January 2026 in collaboration with engineering firm WSP, integrates monthly drone-based LiDAR surveys with cost-loaded Critical Path Method (CPM) scheduling. This method aims to provide project managers with a more precise understanding of construction progress compared to traditional surveying techniques.

The initiative supports Phase 2 of Complete 540, a 10-mile extension of the Triangle Expressway designed to complete the Interstate 540 loop around the greater Raleigh area. The project is anticipated to open in late 2028, aiming to improve mobility and alleviate congestion in North Carolina’s rapidly growing Research Triangle region.

Integration of Aerial Data and Project Scheduling

Streamlining Construction Monitoring

Conventional construction monitoring typically relies on field surveys and manual progress tracking, which can require survey crews to spend considerable time in active construction areas. This process often results in data collection that may take weeks to analyze.

To enhance efficiency, WSP conducts monthly drone flights over the construction corridor using a Harris Aerial Carrier H6E equipped with a RIEGL LiDAR sensor. The data collected is processed through the Propeller cloud platform, enabling engineers and project managers to access high-resolution terrain models and compare current conditions with design specifications.

The integration of LiDAR data with cost-loaded CPM schedules sets this pilot program apart from standard aerial surveying methods. By linking measured quantities and observed field conditions with scheduled construction activities, the project team can more effectively assess completed work, remaining quantities, and overall project status.

This combined workflow offers a more data-driven perspective on progress and can help identify potential scheduling issues earlier in the construction timeline.

Enhancing Efficiency and Safety

Benefits of Drone-Based LiDAR

According to WSP, the use of drone-based LiDAR significantly reduces the time required for field data collection compared to traditional surveying methods. This technology captures detailed topographic information across extensive areas during a single flight, enhancing the accuracy of quantity measurements and progress verification.

Additionally, reducing the number of personnel required to work near heavy machinery and active traffic is a key advantage. With much of the data collected remotely, survey teams can spend less time in potentially hazardous environments while still providing project managers with regular updates.

The approach aims to achieve several objectives:

• Reduce field time and accelerate data collection.
• Improve the accuracy of quantity tracking and construction progress verification.
• Increase worker safety by limiting time spent in active work zones.
• Provide clearer visibility into project status through integrated scheduling and measurement data.

Initial feedback from the pilot program has been positive, reinforcing the benefits of combining drone-based data collection with construction scheduling for large transportation projects.

A Model for Future Infrastructure Initiatives

Implications for Transportation Projects

Complete 540 represents one of North Carolina’s largest ongoing transportation investments. Upon completion, the final extension of the Triangle Expressway will create a continuous loop around the Raleigh metropolitan area, enhancing regional connectivity and supporting economic growth.

Moreover, the project exemplifies how drone technology is evolving beyond traditional surveying applications to become integral to modern infrastructure management.

As transportation agencies face increasing demands to deliver complex projects efficiently, the integration of drone-based LiDAR with project scheduling presents a scalable solution for construction oversight. Regular aerial data collection, combined with digital project management tools, can provide stakeholders with timely information while improving safety and facilitating informed decision-making throughout the construction process.

For agencies overseeing large transportation programs, Complete 540 illustrates the potential of drones, LiDAR, and cloud-based analytics to deliver a comprehensive view of project performance from inception to completion.