Ground-based land surveying remains the foundation of site measurement, including boundary verification, and construction layout. However, real-world site conditions can make data collection difficult, time-consuming, or unsafe. Precision survey data means that data collection must still take place, yet some site conditions can make that a challenge.
The following are examples of the conditions that may affect obtaining accurate survey data. For questions or additional help, please reach out to Aerial Land Surveying, today.
Common Environmental and Physical Challenges
A variety of environmental and terrain-related factors can limit accessibility and affect measurement precision. These include both natural and man-made conditions that interfere with line-of-sight measurements, GPS accuracy, or physical mobility across the site.
Typical field challenges include:
- Dense Vegetation – Heavy brush, tree cover, and undergrowth can block line-of-sight for total stations and create obstacles for survey crews, increasing time requirements and potential for minor injury.
- Irregular Terrain – Small variances in data can have significant implications. Strange terrain, such as steep slopes or uneven ground, increases the risk of these variants.
- Water and Flooded Areas – Any area with flooding or excess water (like a wetland) can both obscure survey markers and make traversing the terrain more difficult. Additional equipment is often needed.
- Rocky or Compacted Ground – Hard surfaces may prevent the placement of stakes or markers and require alternate reference points or mechanical drilling.
- Obstructions and Structures – Obstructions are a common challenge with land surveys, including manmade obstructions like fences and retaining walls. It’s not uncommon for these obstructions to slow down the collection of data.
- Underground Utilities – In urban or suburban environments, buried utilities create potential safety hazards, requiring additional locates and coordination before subsurface probing or staking can occur.
Each of these conditions can impact workflow efficiency and accuracy. In some cases, the hazards may affect worker safety as well.
Weather and Environmental Exposure
Land issues are not the only hazards that can occur during traditional land-based survey methods. Surveying requires extended outdoor work, which means that weather can also affect both safety and precision. Most survey instruments rely on stability, optical clarity, and consistent environmental conditions to capture accurate readings.
Weather-related complications include:
- High Winds – Wind movement can shift equipment, compromise laser stability, and make precise readings difficult during total station use.
- Extreme Temperatures – Heat distortion (mirage effect) and equipment expansion in high temperatures can alter readings, while cold weather may reduce battery life and affect motorized instrument performance.
- Rain and Humidity – Moisture can obscure lenses, soften terrain, or create safety risks on slopes. It can also affect the reflectivity of targets used in laser-based measurements.
- Limited Visibility – Several types of weather can affect optical clarity. Examples include fog, heavy rain, and low light conditions. Survey scheduling often accounts for these environmental factors, but Long Island can have some rapidly fluctuating weather patterns.
Weather issues can affect all types of survey data collection techniques. Yet some weather is more problematic than others.
Safety and Accessibility Hazards
Surveying often involves navigating difficult terrain, active construction sites, and natural obstacles. Physical safety is a critical concern, and professional teams must evaluate risk factors before beginning work.
Common safety considerations include:
- Active Construction Equipment – Ongoing site work introduces moving vehicles and heavy machinery, which may impact survey feasibility.
- Traffic and Roadways – Surveys near highways or active roads involve risk from passing vehicles and require additional traffic control measures.
- Slopes and Drop-Offs – Work near embankments, cliffs, or excavation zones can be a safety hazard for any survey workers.
- Insects, Wildlife, and Vegetation – Overgrown or wooded areas may expose crews to ticks, wasps, or poison ivy.
- Power Lines and Electrical Hazards – Overhead or buried lines present serious risks during pole placement, GPS use, or equipment setup.
Many survey companies are equipped to handle this type of risk, but it can increase costs or affect the speed of the survey. Some survey companies may also be hesitant to take on projects that put their staff at risk.
Technological and Logistical Limitations
Even in ideal weather, field surveys depend on technology that can be affected by environmental interference or topographic variation. Factors that can reduce accuracy or efficiency include:
- Limited GPS Signal – Tree cover, buildings, or terrain obstructions can block satellite visibility, reducing precision.
- Magnetic Interference – Steel structures or buried metal objects can interfere with compass readings and total station alignment.
- Time of Day Constraints – Sun position can cause glare or shadowing that reduces visibility for optical instruments.
Each challenge requires adaptive field strategies and sometimes supplemental technologies, such as UAV imagery or LiDAR integration, to complete data collection accurately.
When Aerial Surveys Become an Advantage
In many cases, aerial surveying offers a safe and efficient option for obtaining additional data when site conditions make ground access difficult. Drones can capture accurate elevation and topographic data without requiring surveyors to navigate hazardous terrain.
Aerial methods are particularly beneficial for:
- Steep or inaccessible areas
- Flooded or marshland sites
- Large parcels requiring rapid documentation
- Construction zones where safety restrictions limit foot access
Drone-based data can then be integrated with ground control points for legal or engineering-grade accuracy, ensuring a comprehensive view of the site while minimizing risk.
Maintaining Accuracy in Challenging Environments
Professional land surveyors adapt to environmental hazards through planning, technology integration, and field safety protocols. Understanding site limitations allows for realistic scheduling, accurate measurement, and reduced exposure to risk.
At Aerial Land Surveying, our field and aerial teams work collaboratively to manage these challenges – using a combination of GPS data, and UAV imaging to deliver precise, verifiable results across a wide range of land conditions. Reach out today to learn more.