UAV-Based Pipeline and Corridor Monitoring: A Review of Current Practices and Emerging Technologies
Abstract
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as transformative tools for monitoring pipelines and infrastructure corridors, offering enhanced efficiency, safety, and data accuracy compared to conventional inspection methods. This review synthesizes current practices in UAV-based monitoring and explores emerging technologies shaping the future of corridor surveillance. Pipelines and utility corridors are critical assets that require continuous inspection to detect leaks, structural faults, vegetation encroachment, and unauthorized activities. Traditional monitoring techniques, including ground patrols and manned aerial surveys, are often labor-intensive, costly, and limited in spatial and temporal coverage. UAV systems equipped with advanced sensors such as high-resolution optical cameras, thermal imagers, multispectral sensors, and LiDAR provide detailed and timely data acquisition capabilities. These technologies enable precise detection of anomalies, including temperature variations indicative of leaks, terrain deformation, and vegetation growth within restricted zones. Integration with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) ensures accurate georeferencing, while real-time data transmission enhances situational awareness and rapid response. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) further support data integration, visualization, and spatial analysis, enabling informed decision-making for maintenance and risk management. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning have significantly improved automated data processing and anomaly detection. Deep learning models, particularly convolutional neural networks, are increasingly applied for object recognition and classification in UAV imagery, reducing reliance on manual interpretation. Additionally, cloud-based platforms facilitate large-scale data storage, processing, and collaborative analysis across stakeholders. Despite these benefits, several challenges persist, including regulatory restrictions on UAV operations, limited flight endurance, data processing complexity, and cybersecurity concerns. Environmental factors such as weather conditions can also affect data quality and operational reliability. Emerging innovations, including autonomous UAV swarms, edge computing, and hybrid power systems, are expected to address these limitations and enhance monitoring efficiency. This review highlights the growing role of UAVs in modern pipeline and corridor management, emphasizing their potential to improve operational efficiency, reduce risks, and support sustainable infrastructure development. Future research should focus on improving system integration, developing standardized frameworks, and enhancing real-time analytics capabilities to fully leverage UAV technologies in infrastructure monitoring applications.
Keywords
UAV, Pipeline Monitoring, Corridor Inspection, Remote Sensing, GIS, LiDAR, Thermal Imaging, Machine Learning, Infrastructure Surveillance, Geospatial Technologies.
Citations
IRE Journals:
Delali Dagodzo, Miracle Chiamaka Ahiaeke Patrick "UAV-Based Pipeline and Corridor Monitoring: A Review of Current Practices and Emerging Technologies" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 3 Issue 10 2020 Page 574-597 https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV3I10-1716084
IEEE:
Delali Dagodzo, Miracle Chiamaka Ahiaeke Patrick
"UAV-Based Pipeline and Corridor Monitoring: A Review of Current Practices and Emerging Technologies" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 3(10) https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV3I10-1716084
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