What is Geomatics Surveying? Applications and Uses of Geomatic Surveying

What is Geomatics?

Geomatics is a professional field as well as applied science. It is an applied science that entails an integrated approach to measuring, analyzing, managing, and displaying geographic and other spatial data.

Geomatics, as a professional field, have specialized skills, knowledge, and understanding to deliver services that satisfy societal demands and contribute to social and political stability, quality of life, and the management of natural heritage and resources.

Geomatics experts may be involved in activities such as surveying, geography, information systems, land development and planning, law, and commerce.

Geomatics specialists employ cutting-edge satellite, laser, acoustic, and information technologies, and they are constantly branching out into new and demanding areas of specialization, as demonstrated by the program streams listed below.

What is Geomatics engineering?

Geomatics engineering is the application of geomatics technologies and techniques to the design, construction, and operation of earth-orbiting and ground-based systems and networks for monitoring, communicating, detecting, and controlling natural resources (including but not limited to land, freshwater, mineral deposits, oil, and gas).

It focuses on developing geomatic information technologies needed by industries and governments to support sustainable development.

 Difference Between Geomatics and Surveying

Geomatics refers to using geospatial technology to gather, store, process, and present spatial data. The survey is the fundamental basis of all spatial information.

Surveying is the process of precisely measuring and recording information related to the three-dimensional position of points which define both natural and constructed features on the earth’s surface in order to establish a baseline to produce maps, plans, site plans, and other cartographic representations.

Surveyors are concerned with horizontal control networks. In the survey and geomatics, the horizontal is considered to be the x- and z-axes, while vertical is considered to be the elevation.

The Surveyor studies all forms of point clouds, surface networks, and geostatistics. Geophysicists have identified a new horizontal dimension: time, as there are many ways of defining events in space-time.

Surveying and Geomatics are in the process of merging, taking advantage of the sharing of Surveyor and Geophysicist (GS) expertise.

Geomatics Equipment

Geomatics equipment is used to gather data. Geomatics equipment is used to take pictures and record temperatures, pressures, altitudes, and atmospheric properties.

Geomatics hardware includes, but is not limited to:

• A digital camera that takes both photos and videos. Cameras can be hand-held or mounted on a tripod.
• A camera lens with a variety of focal lengths (28-300mm) is useful when using digital cameras for geomatics surveys.
• Camera lens with a flash and polarization filters.
• Accessories for use with cameras such as lenses, flashes, tripods, and bags for protection of equipment.
• Digital video cameras are able to record images in high resolution. A variety of lenses including wide-angle and macro lenses can be used on stand-alone digital video cameras.
• Digital storage devices that can record the pictures and videos captured by geomatics equipment, or data gathered by GPS receivers (memory cards).
• Data loggers that can record temperatures, pressures and altitudes.
• A variety of different computers from personal to workstations are used in geomatics to store, process, and display data; the features are not portable.
• Graphics tablets used in geomatics.
• Modem cables and wireless connections are used to connect computers to other computers or capture devices. Modem cables are necessary when downloading pictures at high speeds or receiving digital video over the internet. Wireless connections allow geomatics equipment to connect to networks and send and receive data.

There are two main ways to capture data in a geomatics survey.

Some surveys involve placing the cameras on tripods or having the surveyor hold the camera while taking pictures, while other surveys involve setting up a control point network (CPN) and having the surveyor take a series of GPS readings while taking video or photos.

Application of Geomatics Surveying

Geomatics surveying can be applied to many fields. Some examples include Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and remote sensing.

Geomatics surveying is used in the oil and gas industry and the energy field, which involves a lot of geomatics surveys due to the many pipelines that are in place throughout North America.

Geomatics surveying is also used for land development, engineering, construction management, dam monitoring, mine monitoring, and municipal planning.

Geomatics surveying is used in agriculture as well and is used in the form of aerial photography to map the land and determine crop health.

Also, geomatics surveying can be carried out by both individuals and companies for landowners.

Geomatics surveying involves many different equipment that uses high tech systems in order to ensure accuracy within a short period of time.

 The three examples below show how geomatics surveying is applied in different fields and industries.

Geodetic survey with GPS is used to measure the position of a point on the earth’s surface; this point is referenced to a datum called the Geoid.

With the use of GPS and DGPS (Differential GPS) receivers, the surveyor is able to get very accurate coordinates that are used for mapping.

Geomatics Surveys in the Energy Industry

The energy industry uses geomatics surveys to gather data about the oil and gas pipelines in order to analyze them.

Geomatics surveying using GPS has been employed as a safe way to monitor these pipes throughout North America.

There are many reasons why geomatics surveying is necessary in the energy industry, such as safety of the people working for construction companies, safety of employees at oil and gas companies, monitoring leaks and even other damages such as drilling induced damage.

Geomatics Surveying in Safety

A great deal of surveying and mapping is performed by the oil and gas industry. Therefore, it is important to ensure that third party contractors are following all safety standards set by the specific company.

There are many different ways in which geomatics surveying can be used to ensure safety and meet all safety requirements of companies within the energy industry.

With the use of GPS coordinates and DGPS (Differential GPS), there are many ways in which geomatics surveys can be used to ensure that construction companies and oil and gas companies are keeping all regulations and safety standards.

Geomatics Surveying in the Oil and Gas Industry

Geomatics surveying is used in the oil and gas industry for many different reasons as noted in the examples below.

Construction companies must be able to monitor the placement of pipes and ensure that they are in the correct position.

There are many different ways that this can be done with geomatics surveying that incorporates GPS technology.

Differential GPS (DGPS) can be used to obtain real-time information about the location of an oil or gas pipeline.

With the use of geomatics surveying and DGPS, construction companies can get very accurate information and map the area around a site in order to ensure that there are no pipes in undesirable locations

 Geomatics Surveying Tools

The tools used in geomatics surveys can be computer software and hardware systems that employ remote sensing, GPS receivers, digital cameras, and many more.

Computer remote sensing involves the use of a camera in order to capture images and then editing those images using computer software to produce an accurate map.

The individual responsible for editing images is often referred to as an image interpreter. GPS is used to gather absolutely accurate coordinates of various locations through the use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

Digital image processing software is used in geomatics surveying, while high-resolution cameras and image editing equipment are also used.

Geomatics surveying is a crucial part of many industries and uses modern computer technology in the form of software to extract data that can be used to predict the terrain based on topography.

All of the data that is gathered through geomatics surveying can be used to study a mountain range, watershed or even individual parcels of land. All digital images and GPS readings are archived and stored in a digital format.

Geomatics Surveying Examples

The following examples show how geomatics surveying is used in different fields and industries.

Geodetic survey with GPS is used to measure the position of a point on the earth’s surface; this point is referenced to a datum called the Geoid.

With the use of GPS and DGPS (Differential GPS) receivers, the surveyor is able to get very accurate coordinates that are used for mapping.

Geomatics Surveying in Agriculture

The field of geomatics surveying is used in a variety of fields, including the agricultural industry. Geomatics surveying can be used to assist farmers in locating the areas where they store their crops, monitor the health of their crops and determine when a major crop should be harvested or planted.

Geomatics Surveying in Cities

Cities use geomatics surveying for several different reasons. Therefore, this makes geomatics surveying an important part of urban planning and development.

The goal is to use data from geomatics surveys to assist in urban planning and design. In some cases, geomatics surveying has been used to locate underground water systems.

Geomatics Surveying in Engineering

Engineering uses geomatics surveying for various reasons, including locating new roads and buildings, tracing the layout of electrical equipment, and determining the type of equipment that should be installed in a building or on a road.

Engineers use geomatics surveying to determine the exact locations of buildings and the exact placement of underground utility infrastructure.

Geomatics Surveying in The Landscape Industry

The landscape industry uses geomatics surveying in a wide range of applications. One application is to assist in determining site layouts, such as for parks and recreational areas.

This is used to ensure that the park layout does not cause undue environmental damage or damage to natural resources such as plants and wildlife.

Geomatics Surveying Technology

With advances in technology, and the growing importance of high-tech industries, such as aerospace and defense, geometrics professionals will play an important role in the development of future technology.

Geomatics professionals are also facing new challenges, though. These include the need to survey areas that are inaccessible or dangerous, such as remote regions or locations near active volcanoes.

As new technologies become available geomatics professionals will need to learn how to make use of them.

Geomatics Surveying Safety

 Workplace Safety

Geomatics surveying is a field that requires professionals to work hard but take the proper safety precautions at all times.

This is necessary in order to reduce workplace accidents and injuries and to keep equipment in good working condition.

Working with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) may be especially dangerous for geomatics surveyors because of the use of electronic equipment.

Safety measures that geomatics professionals should take include:

1. Concealing survey equipment from view to prevent tampering.
2. Keeping all survey equipment in secure areas at the end of the workday or after use for each project.
3. Having geomatics professionals keep a security log. The log should include the serial number, model number, make, and any other unique identifying details about their survey equipment. This information will help geomatics professionals if any survey equipment is stolen or damaged and also helps them when trying to get insurance coverage on their equipment.

Geomatics Surveying FAQs

What is surveying and geomatics engineering?

Surveying and Geomatics Engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering where they are involved in mapping and surveying on construction sites, civil engineering, and civil engineering such as engineering of dams, bridges, roads, railways, etc.

Surveying and Geomatics professionals measure and map the surface of the earth, airspace, waterways and establish official boundaries inland while using the latest software, satellite, sonar, 3D scanning, and drone technology.

Surveying and geomatics engineering as a profession?

Surveying and geomatics engineering is the profession concerned with surveying for construction, flooding, landslides, erosion, and other purposes.

It involves determining measures of properties of the Earth’s features. This includes horizontal location (x-axis), vertical elevation (y-axis), area size (length squared), and volume.

Surveying work is usually performed by surveyors or engineers in their respective fields under the responsible charge of a licensed Professional Land Surveyor who may take measurements themselves or supervise other people who take them.

Surveying is often performed by on-site field surveyors, which are typically referred to as “surveyors” or “construction surveyors”.

In surveying, the use of Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) is commonly used. These are computerized models of terrain and can be merged with CAD data.

The software used to create DTMs are known as “survey CAD” which is also a common term used to refer to surveyors who use the programs.

The geomatics engineering profession involves the collection, processing, management, distribution and presentation of geo-spatial information.

It includes surveying, remote sensing and spatial data infrastructures. Geomatics engineers are responsible for gathering information on the land and features they study from aerial or satellite photography as well as from instruments placed on the ground or water.

Geomatics engineering can be involved in any aspect of engineering which requires knowledge of the Earth’s surface, whether for civil, commercial, or military purposes.

Geomatics engineering can be applied in any industry where large geographic areas are involved.

It is mainly used by companies and organisations who need detailed knowledge of their surroundings to provide services, such as retail outlets, builders, surveyors and utility companies.

In both surveying and geomatics engineering, the work is involved with data collection and analysis.

The data collected can be presented using maps, graphs, charts or on a computer screen. The land surveying data is usually presented in drawings which may show the boundaries of the area being surveyed and buildings, roads or other items within the area.

The information from the survey can also be used to draw large-scale maps that show more detail of roads and other features.

What are the advantages of geomatics surveying?

The advantages of geomatics surveying are:

1. Geomatics surveying can be used to acquire a variety of different types of information. For instance, using geomatics surveying data to determine the location and position of pipelines, buildings and other fixed infrastructure is a very useful application for engineers.
2. Accurate mapping allows geomatics surveying professionals to produce accurate maps and charts. Accurate maps help companies to understand the structure and layout of their buildings as well as external structures such as roads and bridges.
3. Accurate maps and charts can also be used in emergency situations, such as natural disasters, to help determine where the greatest amount of damage has taken place.

What are the limitations of geomatics surveying?

The limitations of geomatics surveying are:

1. Geomatics surveying professionals need to be licensed if they wish to work in the field of geomatics surveying.
2. Some geomatics surveying is done on a limited scale and may, therefore, have limited applications.
3. Geomatics surveys are usually conducted by engineers or surveyors who are trained in the use of technology.
4. Geomatics surveying professionals are limited to the capabilities of their equipment and software.
5. The limited number of applications for geomatics surveys means that many geomatics surveying jobs may not require a degree or certification.

What are the main risks of geomatics surveying?

The main risks of geomatics surveying include:

1. The risk of injury and death from construction, excavation, equipment failure or other injury.
2. The risk of structural damage from faults and earthquakes.
3. The risk of pollution and environmental degradation.
4. The risk of theft used in connection with surveying equipment and GPS devices.
5. The risk of the use of a surveying vehicle or equipment in the wrong place which could lead to accidents or other risks to life or property.
6. The risk of damage caused by vandalism or theft.
7. The risk of getting lost due to GPS signals being blocked or problems using GPS in remote areas, such as mountains and dense forests.

What is Geo-simulation?

Geo-simulation is a method used by geomatics surveying professionals to establish the relevance and accuracy of information obtained through various techniques and equipment used in surveying.

Satellite GPS technology is one example of a geo-simulation method that geomatics surveyors use.

With the use of GPS, geomatics surveyors can get very accurate results and therefore have a high level of confidence that their data is accurate.

How does geo-simulation work?

Through geo-simulation, geomatics surveying professionals can use several methods to determine the accuracy of their data:

1. Through satellite GPS, geomatics surveying professionals can determine the exact location of a point on a map to within 100 meters (109 yards).
2. With the use of satellite technology, geomatics surveyors are able to determine their current position accurately.
3. Through geo-simulation, geomatics surveyors are able to determine accurate locations for buildings or other fixed infrastructure using data obtained from satellite GPS technology.
4. Geomatics surveyors will also use geo-simulation software to establish points on a map.
5. The process of geo-simulation is used by geomatics surveyors to determine the accuracy and relation of GPS signals.
6. The process of geo-simulation is used by geomatics surveyors to establish whether their equipment has been tampered with or damaged.

The most important part of geo-simulation is the use of GPS. When using GPS, the software being used may be able to determine or predict how accurate the information being collected is. This allows geomatics surveyors to plan their work accordingly, helping them to get accurate results.

What is a Geo-Imagining?

A geomatics imagining (pronounced “geo-i-MAAGING”) is a method used by geomatics surveyors to determine the accuracy of information obtained through various techniques and equipment used in surveying.

Geo-imagining is one method of geo-simulation that geomatics surveyors use. With the use of GPS, geomatics surveyors can get very accurate results and therefore have a high level of confidence that their data is accurate.

How does geo-imagining work?

Through geo-imagining, geomatics surveyors can use several methods to determine the accuracy of their data:

1. Through satellite GPS, geomatics surveyors can determine the exact location of a point on a map to within 100 meters (109 yards).
2. With the use of satellite technology, geomatics surveyors are able to determine their current position accurately.
3. Through geo-imagining, geomatics surveyors are able to determine accurate locations for buildings or other fixed infrastructure using data obtained from satellite GPS technology.
4. Geomatics surveyors will also use geo-imagining software to establish points on a map.
5. The process of geo-imagining is used by geomatics surveyors to determine the accuracy and relation of GPS signals.
6. The process of geo-imagining is used by geomatics surveyors to establish whether their equipment has been tampered with or damaged.

The most important part of geo-imagining is the use of GPS. When using GPS, the software being used may be able to determine or predict how accurate the information being collected is. This allows geomatics surveyors to plan their work accordingly, helping them to get accurate results.

How do you become a geomatic surveyor?

Geomatic Surveyors are specialists with advanced training in the science, technology, and art of measuring and representing features on the earth’s surface. There are many different routes to becoming a geomatic surveyor that ranges from higher education to on-the-job training.

What is the future of geomatics surveying?

The future of Geomatics Surveying will be greatly affected by developments in technology.

The ability to accurately measure and map the surface of the world (down to a single centimeter) and produce high-resolution images is an important asset for engineers as well as project viewers.

With the development of drones, drones will be used for surveying and mapping applications, allowing them to survey areas quickly and economically.

The use of 3D Software may allow geomatics surveying professionals to create more accurate models in a faster amount of time.

Geomatics surveyors will also be affected by the evolution of technology in the near future. The use of electronic maps will become more popular, allowing for GPS units to be used using mobile devices.

The evolution of the internet and cloud-based computing systems may allow more information to be shared electronically.