GPS VS CONVENTIONAL SURVEY
Like a surveyor’s Total Station, elevation for that position. This
an instrument that measures horizontal
and vertical distances, Global Position-
ing System (GPS) surveying equipment
is a state of the art measuring tool. It’s
a modern device that provides land
surveyors with an alternate method to
determine distances. That’s what
surveyors do!
What is GPS? satellites
GPS is a system of 24
orbiting satellites
continuously transmit-
ting positioning informa-
tion to observers on the
ground. For surveying,
a base station (set at a
known position) and a
roving receiver collects
data from the satellites. GPS
base station
The unknown x, y and z
coordinates are then calculated and
identified by the GPS receiver through
a rigorous triangulation process. The
objective is to obtain a horizontal and
vertical location of a position or series
of positions to produce accurate coordi-
nates (x, y and z values).
The conventional survey method
is limited to line of sight, where GPS
is not. Conventional survey methods
confine surveyors to existing terrain
and conditions. GPS survey only
needs a clear window to four or
more satellites.
When using conventional survey
methods, such as a Total Station, the
instrument is set at a known position
then angles and distance are measured
by sending an electronic signal to a
roving target prism. The prism reflects
a signal back to the station. This
will determine the coordinates and
SELLS specializes in Survey & Photogrammetry. For more information, contact an office near you or visit us at http://www.chashsells.com
method requires a line of sight and
due to the change in terrain, it also
requires the establishment of many
set-ups throughout the project area.
With GPS, the same results are
achieved, but the base station (GPS
receiver) can be located at one nearby
position, on- or off- site, and the
roving receiver roams the
entire area without
regard to line of sight.
Landfills are a classic
application for GPS
over conventional
methods because they
have extreme terrain
and are entirely open
GPS rover
to the sky.
Not all projects can
solely rely on GPS. Some project
areas will require survey by conven-
tional methods to obtain highly
accurate positions and elevations
under vegetation cover; for instance,
property line control base lines.
Whereas open areas (parking lot limits,
curb lines, parking striping, and light
poles) can be collected easier and
more cost effectively with a roving
GPS unit and a known base station.
ADVANTAGES OF GPS OVER CONVENTIONAL SURVEY APPROACHES:
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➛ RTK GPS provides the unknown
values instantaneously.
➛ Does not require line of sight.
between basestation and rover.
➛ Allows navigation to a
known position.
➛ Fieldwork can be completed at night.
➛ Not as sensitive to inclement weather.
With the advent of Real Time
Kinematic (RTK) GPS survey
techniques, crew chiefs are utilizing
both RTK GPS and conventional
methods on the same site to complete
projects in less time.
Our field crews have consisted
of three people surveying on-site at
one time. A two-person crew was
collecting data using the conventional
method, while the third person was
acquiring additional data with a
GPS backpack unit.
As time goes on, GPS equipment
and software prices will decrease and
more surveyors will have access to
this technology. This will result in
additional applications for GPS
survey techniques to be found
and put to use.
One unique application for
employing GPS is to scale and level
aerial photography. SELLS places
the roving unit in an aircraft that takes
precision aerial photography and
captures the position of each expo-
sure. This is known as Airborne
GPS. Truly a state of the art
measuring tool!
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➛ Some applications only require
one person to complete the project.
➛ Airborne GPS to scale & level
Aerial Photography
➛ The most notable advantage is
an expanded geographical area
can be surveyed much more
cost effectively.
PM07NC