The introduction of the Global Positioning System changed and advanced the practices of many professions, notably the surveying industry. Land planning, engineering, and surveying firms have implemented this technology into GPS survey Tulsa services, allowing technicians to quickly and accurately calculate specific heights, distances, latitudes, and longitudes.
What Technology is Used for Oklahoma GPS Surveys?
Many variations of GPS technology can be used in Oklahoma GPS surveys. This is partially due to the many types of techniques that surveyors use, as some procedures require specific equipment capabilities and parameters. Four primary methods are static, fast-static, kinematic, and OPUS.
Static
Technicians use static positioning procedures to establish and record baselines between stationary GPS units. These procedures involve a network of multiple units or a multiple baseline approach. The GPS survey creates accurate results because it involves long observation times, various sessions, and notes of any observational redundancies.
Fast-Static
These GPS survey methods also establish the baselines between multiple units; however, this survey is sometimes preferred as the observation period is shorter than that of static procedures. The technician will use advanced equipment with a network technique, radial baseline technique, or a combination of both to get accurate results quickly and efficiently.
Kinematic
For kinematic GPS survey methods, technicians utilize both stationary and portable units. At least one fully stationary unit is set over a pre-established station. The other unit, or multiple units, will move from station to station. Technicians conduct both continuous kinematic surveys and “stop and go” kinematic surveys. There are also real-time kinematic (RTK) surveys, which utilize specialized equipment to provide real-time results.
OPUS
While OPUS GPS surveys do not produce final coordinates, the data can help verify other procedures. For this, a technician submits GPS data files to the National Geodetic Survey’s Online Positioning User System (OPUS). Once submitted, OPUS processes the files according to regulations that ensure data accuracy and reliability. These coordinates can be accessed from the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS).
What to Know Before a GPS Survey Tulsa
When looking for a “surveying company near me,” it is important that the technicians have the expertise and equipment to conduct the specific GPS survey that you need. For example, if you can get the right data from a static survey, the company needs multiple stationary units. If your project needs data more quickly, the company needs at least one stationary unit and at least one portable unit to conduct a kinematic survey.
As such, before you schedule a GPS survey, it helps to know what your project requires regarding accuracy, speed, and information shared in the resulting data. If you are unsure about which type of GPS survey method you need, the experts at the surveying company should be able to assist you.
Looking for a Surveying Company Near Me?
As one of the Tulsa metropolitan area’s top civil engineering and land surveying firms, Sisemore & Associates can get accurate survey results when and where you need them. To learn more about our services, including GPS surveys, please contact us.