How is the surveying and mapping profession evolving and why?
Just like many other professions, the role of the surveyor and mapper continues to evolve into a technology-driven competency with more geospatial applications than ever before
Change is a constant in the world of science and for a profession that has been around for several thousands of years, surveying and mapping have evolved with the times—reinventing itself to remain relevant by harvesting the advanced technologies and knowledge of the 21st century. So, you could easily say that surveying and mapping have transcended into a world where reality and virtual environments intersect to create new perspectives—and a brighter future.
Since 1988, Allen & Company has been paving the way to deliver relevant and advanced solutions in surveying, mapping, and geospatial services. With over 100 team members specializing in a wide range of surveying and mapping competencies and applications, this Central Florida firm continues to act on its strategic plan to remain active and evolving as the profession continues to tread away from traditional techniques to advanced technologies.
Let’s explore some ways in which the surveying and mapping profession is evolving to futureproof its engagement with the next generation of construction, development, and architectural achievements.
From the Frontlines
‘When you see a project go from nothing to a bunch of coordinate points, to a finished topography and then to a completed subdivision or commercial building there is a sense that you are part of something.”
Brice Hellstrom, P.S.M.
Senior CAD Technician
Surveying is an Evolving Profession
Over time, the surveying tools have become more sophisticated—and expensive—as they integrate calibrated optics, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and geospatial technologies that were not available a decade or two ago. The use of aerial photogrammetric mapping using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), LiDAR, Subsurface Utility Exploration, or 3D laser scanning are clear examples of how traditional surveying evolved into advanced geospatial technology applications.
The Certified Surveying Technician (CST) designation and the licensing of Professional Surveyors and Mappers show how this profession presents opportunities that can ensure employment for decades to come. In addition, the fields of Modeling and Simulation (ModSim for short) along with Augmented Reality (AR) and other virtual-world applications will fall on the skill of geospatial experts like surveyors, who will propel their real-world applications into mainstream uses.
Allen & Company has seen and lived the evolution of the surveying and mapping profession. Over the past decade, the company has been planting the evolutionary seeds that also futureproof its relevance to not only the construction and development industry, but also municipalities and corporate clients who need surveying solutions. And as the advanced technologies continue to evolve, the company has made a commitment to train team members in 3D laser scanning and FAA Part 107 drone pilot licensing, among other skills.
Diversity Fuels Innovation and Expansion
There used to be a time when most surveyors were white males who chose this career path as an alternate option to working in construction or other back-breaking work for working-class individuals. Becoming a surveyor used to be a profession for those who didn’t want to attend college and wanted a quick and clear path to making a decent living outdoors and without the constraints of an office building.
However, the evolution to a technology-driven surveying and mapping profession opened up opportunities to individuals whose technical aptitudes and affinity for innovative technologies—many of whom are from ethnic minorities and women who see the opportunity to be a part of an evolving field of work.
Case in point, not all work performed by surveyors and mappers is limited to fieldwork. At Allen & Company, we have staff across a broad range of specialties, including CAD drafting, project planning, and other office-bound roles that require a certain level of competency and skill proper of many engineering and architectural firms. So you can see that, truly, the surveyor of the 21st century is a man or woman who values the skill, knowledge and accuracy demanded by the industry.
Looking for a Job in Surveying?
Allen & Company is always looking for people who want to grow a successful career in surveying, mapping, geospatial service, and related specialties such as CAD techs, project managers and more.
More Efficient and Effective Than Ever Before
In the old days, a surveying crew involved two or more people who would head out to a location to be surveyed, spending time evaluating, setting up, measuring, calculating, and other tedious tasks limited by the technology—or lack thereof—available. Today, the surveying and mapping career uses the latest technology in total stations, levels and theodolites to quickly establish a point of beginning and produce the work in less time than ever before. Speed, accuracy and correctness all work to create a new advantage in surveying and mapping.
However, that is all changing all over again. The introduction of advanced technologies to measure from an unmanned aerial vehicle armed with the latest photogrammetric and optical tools are allowing surveyors to deliver results faster than ever before—and with increased accuracy. The introduction of LiDAR and 3D scanning are also contributing to the evolution of surveying and mapping, cutting down the amount of time it takes to measure land and produce results based on data points with high degrees of accuracy.
Surveying and mapping are no longer a task-level effort. It is rather a strategic competency that leads to tactical advantages that exceed the expectations of customers by delivering exceptional sophistication. And if that isn’t enough, the ability to produce solutions based on data pleases customers who can now do more with the information collected and processed—effectively increasing their own efficiency.
At Allen & Company, we are taking an active role in the evolution of surveying, mapping and geospatial services. Every project we take is carefully planned and we assess the advanced technologies that can best support our clients’ needs. After all, their satisfaction is driven by our performance and if we can produce a more accurate and effective result, they will continue to procure our services for years—and decades—to come.
