INSTRUCTOR: Daniel Gillins, Ph.D., P.L.S., M.ASCE

Purpose and Background

Due to the rapid advancement of surveying technologies since the 1980s, the Surveying Committee of the Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute is developing a new manual of practice on surveying and geomatics engineering. Because of the need for surveyors to produce georeferenced products, the manual starts by introducing geodetic reductions, map projections, and coordinate transformations.  Solutions to common challenges, such as linear distortion or the "grid-to-ground" problem, time-dependent positioning and consideration of horizontal crustal velocities and displacements are given.  Information is presented on random error propagation and least squares adjustments. It also includes chapters on surveying technologies, including automatic levels, totals stations, global navigation Satellite Systems, digital photogrammetry, unmanned aircraft systems, and terrestrial, mobile, and aerial LIDAR. Lastly, the manual gives advice on survey record keeping, contracts, construction surveying, and data management, such as the use of computer-assisted drafting, geographic information systems, and building information modeling. This webinar discusses the topics covered in the new manual. It provides discussion regarding methods of geo-referencing surveying products.

Primary Discussion Topics

• Presentation of topics covered in a new manual of practice intended for today's professional survey engineers
• Discussion on methods for geo-referencing surveying products by establishment of geodetic control, minimization of linear distortion, and consideration of time-dependent positioning
• Introduction and advice on use of emerging or emerged surveying technologies, such as GNSS, LIDAR, and unmanned aircraft systems

Learning Outcomes

• Gain familiarity with information covered in a new manual of practice which should become a helpful reference for survey engineers
• Identify solutions to the so-called “grid-to-ground” linear distortion problem
• Discuss low-distortion map projections
• Describe available tools for establishing geodetic control and geo-referencing survey products
• Discover new survey technologies, including LIDAR and unmanned aircraft systems

Webinar Benefits

• Learn about a new reference manual aimed for professional survey engineers
• Examine possible solutions for producing georeferenced survey products for inclusion in geographic information systems or building information models
• Learn about the capabilities of new technologies that could significantly optimize topographic surveying, construction layout, and as-built surveying
• Consider available tools and resources for establishing high-accuracy geodetic control on a survey project
• Discuss how to avoid costly mistakes on the improper use of coordinates which may be irrelevant, incorrect, or simply outdated
• Examine the size of errors associated with various types of map projections
• Receive advice on best practices for managing and recording survey data  

Intended Audience

• Civil engineers (survey engineers)
• Land surveyors
• Land surveyors in training, engineers in training
• Geodesists
• GIS professionals

Webinar Outline

• Purpose of the new manual and the target audience
• Brief summary of the 15 chapters of the new manual of practice
• The need to learn basic geodesy
• Map projections, linear distortion, and low-distortion map projections
• Time-dependent positioning and horizontal velocities
• Tools for establishing control on a survey engineering project
• Overview on emerging Surveying Technology and how it can optimize a survey project
• Terrestrial, mobile, aerial LIDAR
• Digital photogrammetry
• Unmanned aircraft systems
• Advice on survey data management
• Concluding remarks

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