Many individuals may not be aware but the world’s second-oldest profession is land surveying. Land survey is simply the art and science of mapping and measuring land. Land survey is vast in scope but truly comes down to people’s land boundaries and where they are located. Land surveys are critical for buildings, railroads, skyscrapers, airports and bridges. A prime example of when a land survey is necessary is when a fence is added to a yard. Without knowing exact boundaries the fence permit will never happen so in this case as in many a land survey is needed.
Boundary surveys are a vital part of the design and construction element of any projects. A boundary survey is conducted to give a precise location to the property that is in question. A land survey professional will come and inspect the topography of the land for many reasons. First the engineering design needs precise land surveying results for the main purpose of designing. A key element in site design is to ensure that the land in question is elevated to prevent building floods.
A title survey helps to facilitate any type of real estate transaction and certifies that a dwelling is built according to the design that was approved. Surveying is needed for so many different activities. For instance in order to dredge a river bottom or other body of water a map (survey) must be taken to pinpoint precise locations to avoid unnecessary complications. Another prime example of how a land survey is beneficial is when mapping out property for public use such as tunnels, roadways, air traffic and air ports, pipes, cabling and railways. A land survey also is necessary when splitting a parcel of land into several smaller lots.
The basics involved in field surveyor’s duties include elements involving measuring, mapping and observing the land. A tool known as a total station helps land surveyors. Land surveyors derive elevations of the land using total station along with geometry, angel measurements as well as distances along with GPS that shows intersections from space satellites. A surveyor will report data in a concise manner into the office which will then pass info on to a client. Contractors rarely work directly with a land surveyor yet coordinate plans with office staff.
In order to have success as a surveyor basic knowledge regarding zone, building and planning regulations must be know and changes should be kept up on. It is also important to know health policies, wetland regulations and rules regarding general land use. You must be able to apply previous learned techniques together with the latest in technology advances to measure land. It is essential to the success of the land surveyor that their equipment is kept up to date including computers, lasers and satellite technology.
Land surveying is critical in the world we live in today. A professional land surveyor can help to eliminate issues that arise because of land boundaries. They are also the first people to be called in when advances and improvements are being made to public spaces and land we all use regularly. It is important to recognize that only one job of a surveyor is boundary line management the many other hats they were ensure public safety and allow us modern day conveniences such as bridges, roads and airports.