Land Surveying

Surveying is the process of locating positions on, above or below the surface of the earth. Several methods of surveying exist to ensure positional quality while adhering to National Map Accuracy Standards, in most cases, governed by law. A few examples of types of surveys performed are boundary surveys, construction surveys, GPS surveys, title surveys, stake out surveys, and so forth. However, Surveying generally falls into one of two categories, plane surveying or geodetic surveying. Plane surveying is performed over relatively short areas assuming that the earth's surface is flat while geodetic surveying takes into account the earth's actual shape and size. In geodetic surveying, survey measurements, coordinates and locations are projected to the earth's surface (the spheroid).

In any survey project, similar approaches are taken and standards must be abided. Every survey starts with research, where surveyors frequent data facilities to access information such as historical maps, legal descriptions, survey plats, and local control. Any information that is relevant to a survey project is taken into account.

Data collection begins after research is translated into a plan of action to take place in the field. Surveyors use an array of precise instrumentation, yet choosing the proper equipment for the job is dependent to many circumstances, i.e., scope of work (accuracy), location, availability of resources, traffic density, local control, timetables, etc. All factors are considered, assessed, and a plan is derived to match the best-suited survey method to the job.
After a survey has been achieved, measurement computations are performed to the field data to insure the errors created in the survey have been taken into account. Drafting technicians use these results to readjust measurements from an unknown coordinate system or "paper space" to real world coordinates.

Once coordinates are computed, additional mapping proceedings can take place. Raw survey data is transformed into a map after datum and projections are assigned, coordinate geometry (COGO) procedures are executed to include building corners and land parcels, and annotation is added for description.

The final map product is exportable in multiple formats. Paper maps are resized to be plotted or minimized and added into reports. Through data conversion, digital information can be shared with multiple organizations and on various platforms.

Ultimately, survey data and the maps created by survey data are utilized in many of the industries supported by ESRI products, such as: civil engineering, electric and gas utilities, government, transportation agencies, forestry, agriculture, defense and intelligence, pipeline, and petroleum.

Click on the links below for information on specific surveys:

Boundary (Cadastral) Surveys

Topographic Surveys

Control / GPS Surveys

ALTA - Real Property Surveys