Surveyors use various methods to measure land, establish property boundaries, and create highly accurate maps. While more traditional equipment has served the industry for generations, modern technologies – like GPS survey technology – have revolutionized the field, offering new levels of precision and efficiency. But what exactly is GPS surveying, what are its advantages, and how does it compare to traditional equipment?
What Is a GPS Survey?
GPS (Global Positioning System) technology is known for its everyday use in navigation. However, in land surveying, surveyors utilize GPS technology to determine precise locations on the surface of the Earth through a network of satellites. When surveyors use GPS equipment, they collect data with a high degree of accuracy, including longitudinal and latitudinal data.
There are different techniques of GPS surveying that a surveyor might use depending on the project, including:
- Static
- Fast-Static
- Kinematic
- OPUS
Unlike traditional surveying methods, which often require more extensive fieldwork for the surveyor, GPS surveying techniques can deliver results more efficiently and with far less hassle.
What Are the 4 Advantages of GPS Surveying?
1. GPS Technology Improves the Accuracy of Surveys
One of the most significant benefits of GPS technology in surveying is its improved level of accuracy. Modern GPS equipment can measure locations with impressive accuracy, which is essential for the success of many projects both in the present and long term. For example, when a land surveyor OKC performs a boundary survey using GPS equipment, they can provide highly precise coordinates that reduce the risk of property disputes down the line.
2. GPS Technology Increases the Speed and Efficiency of Land Surveying
GPS technology reduces the time required for a surveyor to conduct fieldwork. With traditional surveying methods, they would have to manually measure distances across sometimes difficult terrain, which could extend a project timeline by days or even weeks, depending on the scale of the project. In contrast, a surveyor using GPS technology can collect all the necessary data in a quicker time frame.
3. Some GPS Surveys Provide Real-Time Data Collection
Some GPS technologies have the ability to collect survey data in real-time with wireless communication. This cuts down on the amount of time it takes to receive results, which helps keep the project on track. However, it is important to note that not all GPS surveying technology provides this feature.
4. GPS Technology Has Fewer Constraints With Visibility
A land surveyor OKC using traditional methods and equipment is more likely to run into issues regarding line-of-sight visibility. However, as long as there is a clear view of the sky, GPS technology can operate successfully and at greater distances than traditional equipment. There are fewer constraints on the surveyor, making the process more efficient.
Will a Land Surveyor OKC Still Use Traditional Methods and Equipment?
Despite the many advantages of GPS technology, traditional equipment and methods are not obsolete! When used by a professional land surveyor, both can provide highly accurate land data needed for a variety of projects. Likewise, there are still situations where a land surveyor might use traditional surveying methods over modern ones. For example, GPS technology may struggle in areas with signal interference, such as tunnels or dense forests. In these cases, traditional surveying equipment may be used instead.
Increased Accuracy and Efficiency With Sisemore & Associates
The technologies and tools used in land surveying are only as effective and efficient as the professionals who use them. This makes choosing a surveying company with a good reputation, like Sisemore & Associates, all the more important.
At Sisemore & Associates, we have a reputation for providing high-quality surveying, engineering, and land planning services to clients in the Tulsa Metro and beyond. Our team of experienced land surveyors utilizes both traditional and modern surveying techniques and equipment, including GPS. Whether your project involves real estate, land development, or commercial construction, we have the expertise needed to get the job done right.
Please reach out to start your project with us.