What challenges are commonly faced in urban surveying?

What challenges are commonly faced in urban surveying?
What challenges are commonly faced in urban surveying?

Urban surveying is essential to establish accurate and reliable elevations, measurements, and coordinates for mapping, engineering, construction, and boundary determination. Surveying in urban areas poses unique challenges, requiring careful planning and execution.

Obstructions

Obstructions and interferences can seriously impact visibility and accuracy. Obstructions include trees, bridges, buildings, traffic, power lines, and even pedestrians, while interferences can range from atmospheric disturbances to electromagnetic interferences.

At MB Survey Solutions, we use careful planning when it comes to urban surveying to reduce the risk of challenges, such as choosing an optimal location at a time that avoids busy times and congestion. We also use a range of advanced technologies including 3D laser scanners, digital levels and GPS receivers to ensure accurate data collection. We also apply corrections, quality checks, and adjustments to the survey data to ensure accurate results at all times.

Regulatory and Legal Issues

When we carry out surveys in urban areas, we comply with all the regulatory and legal requirements. In order to address any issues, we conduct thorough research on applicable laws and regulations before we start the surveying process, obtaining necessary approvals or documents from your local authority.

Coordination

Coordination and integration are major challenges faced when carrying out urban surveys. In order to address any issues, we ensure the use of appropriate tools and computer software to convert or transform the survey data. We verify and validate the accuracy of other information sources, identifying any errors in data.

Weather

As professional land surveyors, we work in all weather and climate conditions, but at the same time, these can negatively effect measurements and equipment. If we need to carry out a survey on a wet or snowy day, we face reduced visibility, wet and slippery surfaces, along with the risk of data errors. We overcome these challenges by planning ahead, checking the local weather forecasts, and planning accordingly, while calibrating our equipment to ensure the best and most accurate results.

Accessibility

Accessibility is often a major challenge we face in urban surveying. We work in different locations and on different properties, and they are not always safe or accessible. In order to overcome any accessibility issues, our team work to secure necessary permissions from neighbours if we need to access their property, to securing necessary permits.

Conclusion

While urban surveying comes with its fair share of challenges, there are ways we can overcome them, ensuring you receive accurate surveys that you can use for the planning and execution of your building project. Contact MB Survey Solutions to find out more.