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Work & surveying methods

Freedom of choice of method was introduced in the area of cadastral surveying in 1993. Since that date, it has been possible to apply a variety of data collection methods.

In order to be able to depict a building, a municipal border or the edge of a road in a plan, points have to be measured and their coordinates have to be calculated. Several methods and processes are available for this purpose, and the most frequently used are:

Terrestrial imaging

Graphic depiction of angle and distance measurement in terrestrial surveying

The oldest surveying method is terrestrial imaging, i.e. surveying from the ground. The most commonly used instrument for this purpose is the tachymeter, which measures angles and distances, and uses these to calculate the coordinates and height of the objects to be surveyed. The digital models in use today carry out these calculations directly. The data are stored in the device and can subsequently be transferred to the computer system in the office for further processing.

Terrestrial imaging

Graphic depiction of angle and distance measurement in terrestrial surveying

Levelling

Graphic depiction of levelling with the levelling instrument between two upright poles

This is a well-established and extremely accurate method of calculating height differences. The levelling device is set up between two upright poles, the target line of which is aligned horizontally. The variation between the two readings on the upright poles corresponds to the height difference.

Levelling

Graphic depiction of levelling with the levelling instrument between two upright poles

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS)

Graphic depiction of how satellites transmit their signals to the ground, where they are registered by special receivers

Positioning with the aid of satellites (GNSS) is also used in cadastral surveying. Navigation satellites orbit our planet and constantly transmit signals to the ground, where they are registered using special receivers. Distances can be measured with the aid of these signals and the position of the recipient can thus be calculated. Through the application of special measurement and evaluation methods, or the use of reference data from Switzerland’s automatic GNSS network (AGNES), it is possible to calculate coordinates and heights extremely accurately (to within a few centimetres) in just a few seconds.

STP_GPS_Messverfahren_EN

Graphic depiction of how satellites transmit their signals to the ground, where they are registered by special receivers

Photogrammetry

Graphic depiction of the photogrammetry method used in surveying: three-dimensional images can be produced by combining three aerial photos of a specific section of terrain

With the aid of photogrammetry the terrain is systematically flown over and photographed from the air. A special digital surveying camera is used for photographing from a manned aircraft or a drone. With the aid of special computer systems or evaluation devices, the images are subsequently merged to form a single picture so that the surface appears three-dimensional (stereo effect): mountains tower up before our eyes, and ravines appear to gape open. Objects can thus be recorded in three dimensions and contours can be evaluated.

Photogrammetry

Graphic depiction of the photogrammetry method used in surveying: three-dimensional images can be produced by combining three aerial photos of a specific section of terrain

Laser scanning

Graphic depiction of the laser scanning method: here an aircraft is scanning the terrain

For surveying purposes, laser scanning is carried out from the air. A laser device installed in an aircraft scans the terrain below. The distance from the ground can be calculated on the basis of the position of the aircraft and the duration of the signal, and this makes it possible to obtain information regarding the topography and structure of the terrain.

Laser scanning

Graphic depiction of the laser scanning method: here an aircraft is scanning the terrain

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