FAQ
What is GPS, really?
It’s a system of satellites that tells us exactly where things are on Earth. In surveying, it’s way more advanced than the one in your phone — we’re talking pinpoint accuracy.
Why should I care about GPS in surveying?
Because even tiny errors in construction or land mapping can lead to big, expensive problems. GPS helps avoid that.
Is survey GPS different from my phone’s GPS?
Totally. Your phone gets you “close enough.” Surveying GPS gets it bang on — down to centimetres or even millimetres.
Do surveyors always use GPS now?
Pretty much. It’s a standard tool for most jobs, from marking land boundaries to setting out new builds.
Can GPS have issues?
Sometimes, yeah — things like buildings or weather can mess with signals. But surveyors know how to handle it and keep things accurate.
When most of us think of GPS, we picture our phones barking directions at us while we’re hopelessly trying to find parking in the middle of nowhere. But in the world of construction, civil engineering, and land development, GPS isn’t just about getting from A to B. It’s the backbone of some seriously complex and precise surveying work.
If you’ve ever wondered how a high-rise gets positioned perfectly or how a land boundary gets marked down to the last centimetre, GPS plays a massive role.
So, what is GPS?
GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It’s a constellation of satellites orbiting Earth that constantly send signals down to receivers. By picking up signals from at least four satellites, a GPS device can pinpoint its exact location on Earth – we’re talking latitude, longitude, altitude, and time.
Now, here’s where it gets clever: GPS in your phone is pretty good, but GPS in surveying? That’s like comparing a backyard BBQ to a full-on woodfired smokehouse setup. Surveying-grade GPS can get accuracy down to centimetres – sometimes even millimetres – thanks to high-tech tools like RTK (Real-Time Kinematic positioning) and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems). Yep, it’s a mouthful, but it’s all about that pinpoint precision.
Why GPS Is a Big Deal in Surveying
When you’re building a house, laying roads, or planning a new subdivision, even a few centimetres off can cause massive headaches (and cost blowouts). That’s why surveyors lean on GPS tech to make sure everything is bang-on.
1. Insanely Accurate Measurements
Thanks to GPS, surveyors can measure positions to within a few centimetres. East West Surveyors, for example, use this tech to get highly accurate data for boundary surveys, construction setouts, and subdivision mapping. That kind of accuracy just isn’t possible with tape measures and theodolites alone anymore.
2. Faster Turnarounds
Traditional surveying was slow, especially on larger or rugged terrain. GPS speeds everything up. A single surveyor with the right gear can cover massive areas in a day. That means faster project timelines, quicker approvals, and less waiting around.
3. It Works Pretty Much Anywhere
Unlike older tools that needed line of sight, GPS works even if you’re out in the bush or smack in the middle of a city with traffic and trees all around. Surveyors don’t need to hack through undergrowth or climb rooftops just to get the job done.
How Do Surveyors Actually Use GPS?
Here’s where things get cool. Surveyors don’t just walk around with a phone in hand. They use specialised gear: high-end GPS receivers mounted on poles, drones with GPS navigation, and software that interprets all the data in real-time.
Let’s say you’re building a block of units in Parramatta. Here’s what a GPS-powered survey might look like:
- Step 1: Pre-site planning. Surveyors load up GPS coordinates for design points.
- Step 2: On-site mapping. Using their GPS receiver, they locate and mark where structures like foundations, fences, and drainage need to go.
- Step 3: Data processing. All that GPS data goes into software that generates accurate plans, maps, and reports.
- Step 4: QA checks. With GPS, you can always cross-check everything to make sure it aligns perfectly with council regulations and building plans.
GPS in Everyday Surveying Jobs
East West Surveyors, who’ve been in the game for over 22 years, use GPS in just about everything they do:
- Detail and Contour Surveys: Understanding how land slopes and drains is essential. GPS makes it precise and efficient.
- Boundary Marking: Avoid property disputes – GPS ensures property lines are accurate to the centimetre.
- Construction Setout: Whether it’s a driveway or a skyscraper, builders need exact marks for where to lay foundations, walls, etc.
- Subdivision Planning: When you’re dividing up a block of land, every metre counts. GPS keeps plans tight and council-compliant.
GPS Challenges
Alright, we’re not saying GPS is flawless. Even with all its techy wizardry, surveyors still face a few hiccups:
- Signal Interference: High-rises, dense forests, or even heavy cloud cover can mess with GPS signals.
- Multipath Errors: This happens when signals bounce off buildings or surfaces, leading to dodgy data.
- Ionospheric Conditions: Sounds like sci-fi, but space weather (yep, it’s a thing) can impact satellite signals.
Luckily, the pros know how to work around it. Surveyors use correction networks, base stations, and post-processing techniques to clean up the data. Basically, they’ve got a GPS trick for every sticky situation.
GPS and the Aussie Landscape
Australia’s got some pretty wild terrain – from Sydney’s CBD to the Outback. GPS makes surveying across these different conditions possible without compromising accuracy.
In places like Newcastle, Wollongong, and even rural NSW, GPS allows surveyors to access areas that might have been impossible to reach or too expensive to survey manually. That’s a win for both urban developers and regional projects.
And with major infrastructure booms happening across NSW, especially in transport and housing, GPS-powered surveying is more relevant than ever.
What’s Next for GPS?
The GPS we know today is only getting better. The Australian government, in partnership with the likes of Geoscience Australia, is rolling out enhancements like SouthPAN – a new system that’ll boost GPS accuracy across Australasia.
Add to that emerging technologies like drone mapping, AI-powered analytics, and 3D modelling, and you’re looking at a future where surveying is faster, smarter, and even more precise.
East West Surveyors are already embracing these changes – investing in the latest tech and training to stay ahead of the curve.
Why You Should Care (Even If You’re Not a Surveyor)
You might not think about GPS until you miss a turn on the way to the servo, but here’s the thing: accurate GPS surveying touches almost every part of your life.
- That park you walk through? Surveyed with GPS.
- Your driveway, fence line, or granny flat? Set out using GPS.
- Major highways and tunnels? You guessed it – GPS played a key role in planning and building them.
Companies like East West Surveyors aren’t just measuring land – they’re shaping the future of our communities with every project they complete.
Wrapping It Up
So next time someone mentions GPS, don’t just think of Google Maps. Think of high-precision tech that’s helping Aussie surveyors transform landscapes, design smarter cities, and deliver projects with military-grade accuracy.
If you’re planning a build, renovating, or just curious about the lay of your land, it’s worth chatting with the experts. East West Surveyors have been leading the charge in GPS-based surveying across Sydney and beyond – and they’re just getting started.
Want to know more or get a quote for your next project?
Visit East West Surveyors and have a chat with our friendly team.