A professional surveyor’s job is to determine property boundaries and map a parcel of land. Since this field involves measurements and calculations, accuracy is very crucial. For surveyors, inaccurate data will significantly affect the results of the survey. Inaccurate land surveys can lead to various problems like boundary disputes and legal issues. This might also damage their reputation as land surveyors in the industry.
In this blog, we will explore the reasons why accuracy is important in land surveying and what steps should be taken to minimize errors.
Difference Between Accuracy and Precision
Many people use these two terms interchangeably because they are both ways to measure results. But in land surveying, accuracy and precision refer to two different concepts.
Accuracy refers to how close the measurement is to the true value. During the survey, the measurements of property boundaries and land features need to be accurate. When the measurements are not accurate, the credibility of the data is compromised. In general, accuracy is reported as a margin of error or uncertainty. The smaller the margin of error, the more accurate the measurement.
On the other hand, precision refers to how consistent the measurement is. A highly precise measurement may not be accurate if it’s not close to the true value. Land surveyors need to strike a balance between accuracy and precision when measuring a property boundary.
Factors That Affect Land Surveying Accuracy
Several factors can impact the accuracy. Physical factors like weather conditions and terrain can make it difficult to obtain accurate measurements. Likewise, human errors like miscalculations or failure to calibrate equipment can lead to inaccuracies. Below is a list of the most common factors affecting the accuracy of land surveying measurements:
- Equipment Used
- Purpose and Type of Land Survey
- Type of Terrain
- Planning and Preparation of the Survey
- Human Error
- Survey Control Points
- Geography or Topography of the Site
- Weather or Atmospheric Conditions
Consequences of Inaccurate Land Surveying
Inaccuracies in survey results have real-life consequences. Some of these include boundary disputes and structures being built on the wrong site. Here are the potential consequences of inaccurate land surveying:
- Incorrect Property Boundary
- Legal Issues Between Neighbors
- Construction Delays
- Errors in Construction Projects
- Safety Hazards
- Environmental Damage
Techniques for Improving Accuracy
Since a lot of problems can arise due to inaccurate measurements, land surveyors need to employ different techniques to improve accuracy. Aside from rigorous training and certification, they take extra steps to conduct accurate surveys:
Use the Latest Equipment
In order to make accurate and precise measurements, land surveyors need to use different types of surveying equipment. They utilize compasses, theodolites, level rods, and more. Depending on the purpose of the survey, they combine GPS with traditional tools and techniques.
While having the right equipment is essential, regular maintenance is crucial. Equipment maintenance and calibration are also necessary to ensure accurate measurements.
Follow Quality Control Procedures
Verification and quality control are important parts of land surveying. To improve accuracy, professional surveyors need to cross-check and verify collected data. Checking the measurements allows them to identify errors and ensure the highest level of accuracy. Failure to implement quality control measures can lead to miscalculations and inconsistencies.
Conduct Land Surveys Under Suitable Conditions
Since weather and other environmental factors can greatly affect accuracy, it’s recommended to conduct surveying under desirable conditions. The ideal time for a land survey is during springtime when the weather is nice and weather. During spring months, there’s minimal rainfall or snow that can disrupt the survey operations. Wet conditions can make it difficult to access the site, especially since land surveyors need to carry a lot of equipment.
To produce more reliable results, it’s better to perform surveying during the daytime rather than at night. There is good visibility during daylight hours, which means they can accurately measure distances and identify any potential hazards.
Conclusion
These are just some of the techniques that a licensed land surveyor can take to ensure accuracy. If you’re looking for a reliable team, Pittsburgh Land Surveyors has you covered. As experts in the field, we always put great emphasis on accuracy and attention to detail. By using advanced equipment and tools, our team ensures that our survey results are as accurate as possible. You can turn to us for construction surveys, flood elevation certification, ALTA surveys, and more. Give us a call today!
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