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Surveying and the future:

Where is technology going?

By Tim Burch, LS

In early 2021, we (GPS World) looked back at 2020 Devices and methods for
and reviewed how surveying has dealt with the measuring distances
worldwide pandemic while adapting to the new tools
and technology being created. We discovered the need Tools for measuring distances
for surveyors did not diminish during this crisis, and have been around for centuries.
in many places the demand has gone up significantly. The Egyptians are famous for
Instruments, computers and measuring methods their “rope stretchers,” while early
continue to increase in capability and complexity surveyors in Europe and the New
to help with the shortage of qualified field crews, yet AGA Geodimeter NASM-2A. Colonies were known to use the
we still need to expand our efforts to find the next (Photo: NOAA) Gunter’s chain and a measuring
generation of surveyors. wheel. In the early 1800s, steel
tapes were invented to replace the chain. These measuring tapes
How do we find those future geospatial experts, data continued to evolve well into the 20th century with varying metals,
collectors and surveying professionals? The answer fiberglass and nylon-coated plastics.
is right under our noses, and our current group of
practitioners needs to get the word out. In the mid-20th century, scientists and physicists began to experiment
using light waves as a means of measuring terrestrial distances. These
What is the word, you ask? experiments led to the development of the first electronic distance meter
Technology. (EDM), commercially produced by the Swedish company Svenska
Younger generations understand technology better Aktiebolaget Gasaccumulator (AGA) in the early 1950s. Other methods
than most practicing surveyors. New devices, methods of electronic measurement, including microwave and infrared wave
and operations are being invented at a fast pace, and technology, were also developed in the years following the introduction
our best and brightest should be considering using of the lightwave EDM.
that technology in a rewarding career. Before we make For many years, the EDM was used independently from transits or
the big pitch to them, however, we should refresh our theodolites to measure long distances. For those who needed to
understanding of recent surveying history to better consistently measure long distances, the invention of the EDM was
understand why technology is a good thing.
not just a time saver, but also provided much higher accuracy than
How did we get here? manual measurements.
A short historical look at measuring Other technologies were developed in the latter part of the 20th century,
The measurement methods, devices and instruments introducing the surveyor to laser scanning, but we can defer this topic
used by surveyors have radically changed in the past until later in this column.
50 years, and we have covered their evolution in past
columns (Survey Scene May 2016, May 2017 and Devices for measuring angles
Sept. 2019). The surveyor, like the astronomer,
has consistently been at the forefront
Instruments and devices used by surveyors vary in their of developing optical instruments.
function and output of information. Some are used to
physically measure the distance from a stationary point The key has been combining high
to another, determine horizontal and vertical angles optical quality with a means of
at a specific location, or determine grade differentials measuring horizontal and vertical
between various points. Other instruments are used to The T3 theodolite was angles within the instrument. The
determine horizontal or vertical positions to establish introduced in 1925. With creation of the theodolite and the
its 10.5-inch telescope, this
locations and elevations. All these instruments are being theodolite had a range of up transit revolutionized the ability of
used to gather positional data on any number of items, to 60 miles. It saw heavy use the surveyor to accurately measure
but the quality of the information may vary depending between 1952 and 1984. angles and apply trigonometric
on the technology and method used. How? (Photo: NOAA) functions to determine mathematical

24 EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 58 • NO 2 / 2022 • MARCH/APRIL