Amazing Innovations in Land Surveying Technology and Equipment

Posted by Calvada on March 5th, 2016

The art and science of land surveying has experienced tremendous growth through the years. Land surveying today has gone from the simple tools and practices used by the earliest Egyptians to equipments and technological practices that are highly advanced. 

These latest innovations have made the job of land surveying more accurate and accomplished with speed and efficiency. Surveyors today are able to go into areas never imagined to be possible before. With these latest equipment and technology, the potential of land surveying seem endless. 

Examples of the latest equipment and technology in land surveying include the following: 

Satellite Positioning Systems:

Instead of the manual measurement of features and other relevant data, land surveyors today can do it more accurately and comprehensively with the use of satellite positioning systems. This means that measurements are taken from space using the facilities of satellites. The scope of coverage is so wide that work becomes efficient and at an incredible pace. Especially for large infrastructure projects which can be complex and complicated, the satellite positioning system becomes very essential. 

3D Laser Scanners:

One innovation that has become so valuable in land surveying is the emergence of 3D laser scanners. Through these devices, a 3D model may be developed showing details of the shapes, contours, and appearance of the land. These allow easy and accurate understanding and interpretation of this vital information. These data will come in very handy to architects who will be designing structures based on the data presented. They not only visualize the area where the building is erected but may also know any conditions that may have implications on the design. 

Total Stations:

These equipments allow land surveyors to perform the basic function of measuring distances with ease, speed, and great accuracy. Distances are calculated electronically at an accuracy of within variance of centimeters. An even better option would be the robotic version which allows land surveyors to do the work with as little help as possible. In fact, a surveyor may do the job on his own with the use of a remote control to operate the stations. 

Deep Tows:

Who would ever think that surveying would be done underwater? This has come to be a reality with the so-called Deep Tows which are deep ocean floor survey systems that are fitted with sonar devices or camera and towed through the water. These can be brought down to as deep as several thousand meters and provide the data required. 

About the Author: 

Armando Dupont, a professional land surveyor started his career in surveying in 1977 and has extensive experience in managing personnel and projects. His experience includes: topographic mapping, boundary surveys and analysis, construction and control surveying, preparation of tract and parcel maps, earth work calculation and quantities, targeting and control for photogrammetric, and land title surveys in accordance with the American Land Title Association and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping. Mr. DuPont founded Calvada Surveying, Inc. in 1989 and is a licensed Professional Land Surveyor in the State of California