Topographic surveyors establish the location and dimensions of physical features on Earth, providing 2D and 3D location information for civil engineering projects. They use fieldwork and technology such as total stations and GPS equipment to document and measure the land, presenting the information in a format such as a CADD file. A degree in civil engineering is not required, but professional registration is gained through work experience and passing an exam.
A topographic surveyor is a professional who specializes in establishing the location of physical features and dimensions on Earth. This can include things like waterways, roads, bridges, utilities, and terrain elevation. The surveyor’s enterprise lies not only in the actual survey work done in the field, often called fieldwork, but also in documenting the features in a format that can serve as a reliable basis for project documentation.
Most civil engineering projects rely heavily on the precise location of proposed project resources in the real world. For example, moving a road profile by just a few meters (less than 1 meter) can have dramatic impacts on the amount of dirt generated during construction. Similarly, land ownership can dictate where a project must be physically built. The value that a topographic surveyor can provide is derived from the two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) location information needed for the analysis and planning of nearly all civil engineering endeavors.
Topographic surveyors provide two important pieces of information. First, they are responsible for determining the physical configuration of the land. It consists of recording the elevation and physical characteristics of the land, examples of hills, washes, roads and fences. Although the topographic surveyor’s primary role is to document and measure the layout of the area of interest, legal ownership of land is also often verified.
Second, a topographical surveyor ensures that a design fits properly in the real world. As part of their job, topographical surveyors locate existing monument and control points, such as corners of sections, as well as define their own control points for use in the field. Existing research monuments are then registered as part of the field research work, so that they can be compared with previous documents that show their location. While the use of older survey instruments such as the theodolite and rod is not uncommon, the use of total stations and global positioning system (GPS) equipment is generally preferred.
Once the fieldwork is completed, the topographic surveyor is usually tasked with presenting the information in a format that can be used for design purposes. There are several types of text-based files capable of storing the data, but the most commonly used format is a Computer Aided Design and Drawing (CADD) file. These data types are capable of graphically storing information in 2D or 3D and can also be exported for use in geographic information systems (GIS) programs. In some cases, a topographical surveyor can provide more information than the CADD file by creating 3D surface models based on the survey data.
Those looking to become a topographical surveyor typically start with civil engineering study and an internship under a Registered Surveyor (RLS). A degree in civil engineering is not a requirement to become a surveyor, but employers often anticipate earning one. Like engineers, surveyors – including topographical surveyors – are able to gain professional registration once they have gained sufficient work experience and passed a state-sanctioned exam.
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