Just like almost any other job, land surveying has rapidly evolved over the past several decades due to new technological advances. What used to be a long and arduous process can now be completed in a fraction of the time thanks to inventions like global positioning systems. These advances benefit both surveyors and their clients, and the job is continuing to change as new and improved technology is made available each year.
By using a GPS system, a land surveyor can take accurate measurements from a large area of a land. With this technology, a single survey can do what used to take an entire team of people to accomplish, and they can complete the task in half the time, if not less. While GPS is used in a wide variety of industries, land surveyors were some of the first to take advantage of and realize the full potential of the technology.
Another piece of technology that has changed the profession is robotic total stations. These remote control devices allow surveyors to measure angles, distances, and more without traveling to each point themselves. This can save time and money, and also cuts down on the amount of workers needed and the manual labor that the job typically requires.
While technology has cut down on the need for workers in some industries, land surveyors are still in high demand. Smart, capable people who understand this technology and can use it to get the job done are always needed, so this technology isn’t hampering growth in the field. It is just changing the way the job is performed, and providing a better experience and results for surveyors and clients alike.
Source: http://thegazette.com/subject/news/business/land-surveying-transforms-along-with-technology-20150307