However, this element of surveying has taken a turn towards technology, with computer guided systems becoming the norm. According to an entry in the Construction Blog, global positioning systems have taken over the reins of surveying equipment, making the process simpler for surveyors:
“The premise behind the technology is simple: just like using GPS in your car, a GPS machine control system tells excavators where to drive equipment. Additionally, these systems indicate the grade to excavate at. Depending on which version is being used, machine control systems either provide instruction on where to position the blade or automatically do it for drivers.”
The article goes as far as to say that GPS machine control systems “replace surveyors’ old jobs – especially staking.” The machine control relays the necessary data faster and more efficiently than the old process. However, this does not mean that your local CT engineering firm’s surveying team isn’t needed anymore – the opposite is actually the case:
“So if staking is no longer necessary, are surveyors still necessary? Absolutely. Historical roles like boundary resolution and topographic survey work cannot be automated, so surveyors will always be needed for these. But they are also the best people to take on more modern duties, such as managing the GPS machine control system.”
Some may think that this advancement in technology has taken a certain role away from the traditional surveyor, but it has actually given that surveyor more opportunity. With these technologies in place, surveying has become more than just staking properties – it has become an area of professional and mechanical growth!
