Ludlow Engineering and Land Survey

Several Aspects of SurveyingSurveying is the process of taking measurements of feature on and occasionally above and below the earth’s surface to determine their relative positions. It is a science of accurately determining the terrestrial position of points and the distances and angles between them. The practice may be more precisely described as land surveying to distinguish it from other forms of surveying like building surveying or quantity surveying.

The process of land and site survey, survey restricted typically to smaller areas of lands in comparison to land surveying, is important for purposes like:

Mapping, to establish land maps from knowledge of geographical features of the land,

Ownership issues, to establish boundaries and establish ownership over land masses,

Resolving disputes and encroachment issues over land,

New construction like buildings, marking off building areas,

Assess the archaeological sites in a landscape,

Mapping features of the bed of a water body,

Determining the soil types and properties of the soil cover,

Governmental purposes

Of the divisions within land surveys, engineering surveying and topographic surveying (representation of land features) are typically relevant to site survey while geodetic surveying (accounting for the Earth’s curvature) is relevant to survey of huge chunks of land masses.

The several methods involved in land surveys are described below:

1.For determining distances: Measuring of the areas with iron chains, steel and invar tapes taking into consideration horizontal and slope areas.

2.For determining angles: Use of compasses bearing magnets, scribed discs, telescopes with reticles.

3.For measuring heights: Use of altimeter or barometer using air pressure as indication of height

4.Global Positioning System (GPS): Advent of the technology has given rise to estimation of elevation derived with sophisticated satellite receivers.

5.Triangulation: With the method, which has outdated GPS, distances, elevations and directions between objects at great distance from one another can be determined with reasonable accuracy.

The set of tools or instruments needed for land surveys have not changed much over the years. Only they has evolved to provide greater accuracy. Apart from the tapes, chains and compasses, some of the equipments that are used in the survey of lands are: theodolite, tripod, electronic distance measurement device (EDM), set up for satellite positioning system for working of GPS, total robotic stations (in conjunction with theodolite), etc.

The land surveyors, who are typically engineering consultants, use elements of geometry, engineering, trigonometry, mathematics, physics and law in their work of surveys. Engineering, especially civil engineering, depends heavily on surveyors. The consultants establish the boundaries of legal descriptions whenever roads, railways, bridges, reservoirs, sustaining wall, buildings are to be built. They also provide advice and data for geographical information systems (GIS) which are computer databases that contain data on land features and boundaries marked in the land.

Though it may seem to be the work of a meticulous engineer who puts together the two and two to make a four, the work in land surveys involve a great amount of art. Some land masses may have problem like improper boundaries and miscalculations, while some may have been created from multiple divisions. The art in the matter lies in the fact that the surveyor has to put together the bits and pieces in solving a puzzle that remains hidden to naked eyes.

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The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, or ACSM, dates to 1941. It was founded as a non-profit organization to advance education in surveying, mapping, and related fields. ACSM encourages educational programs and publications to serve the professional and technical interests of such professions. As a professional organization, ACSM provides a way for those in the surveying and mapping professions to keep up-to-date with changes in the industry.

Today, this professional organization is open to land surveyors, map makers, and those in similar professions. Members may come from private industry, government, or academia. There are four independent member organizations that are part of the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping. These are the American Association for Geodetic Surveying, the Cartography and Geographic Information Society, the Geographic and Land Information Society, and the National Society of Professional Surveyors.

Since 2004, individuals no longer join the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping directly Instead, they join one of the member organizations. Students, however, join ACSM and are considered members all four organizations, giving them the greatest possible range to explore careers in this field. Over 8,000 surveyors, cartographers, and other professionals who deal with spatial data are members of ACSM though its four member organizations.

The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping holds an annual convention in the spring. Up to 2,000 members typically attend such gatherings. ACSM is currently working to respond to the challenges presented by new technologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Land Information Systems (LIS), and other ways of attaining and using spatial data using modern technology.

In addition to the meeting itself, continuing education opportunities are also available at this time. These continuing education programs allow opportunities for land surveyors, cartographers, and others to update their skills in response to changing technology. The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping is known for the ALTA/ACSM survey standards, produced in cooperation with the American Land Title Association. These standards provide a universally accepted method for surveying commercial properties and other areas where a boundary survey is required.

ACSM offers a way for members to keep up-to-date on crucial issues in their profession. A membership includes the bi-monthly ACSM bulletin and a subscription to either Surveying and Land Information Systems or Cartography and Geographic Information Systems. ACSM also runs continuing education programs for members; continuing education is required for land surveyors of many states in order to maintain their state licensing. ACSM also maintains a wide selection of book titles on surveying, cartography, and related subjects.

Full members of the ACSM member organizations must ordinarily have at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field of study, or four years of active professional experience in a related field. An Associate Membership is available to anyone with an interest in the topic, but without the necessary education or experience to become a full member. The National Society of Professional Surveyors generally requires that full members hold the appropriate state surveying license, although there are several ways to qualify for membership without it.

We at Point to Point Land Surveyors pride ourselves on accuracy, customer service and quality work delivered on time, guaranteed. Commercial land surveys are a specialty.