Will AI Replace Surveying and Mapping Technicians?

Set out and recover stakes, marks, or other monumentation.

situated mobility — Field survey of land/water bodies

Search for section corners, property irons, or survey points.

data analysis — Computes coordinates from data deterministically

Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables.

data analysis — Coordinate computation from survey data

Enter Global Positioning System (GPS) data, legal deeds, field notes, or land survey reports into geographic information system (GIS) workstations so that information can be transformed into graphic land descriptions, such as maps and drawings.

data analysis — Code entry is routine data input

Adjust and operate surveying instruments such as prisms, theodolites, electronic distance measuring equipment, or electronic data collectors.

situated mobility — Land surveying requires field instrument work

Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.

decision support — Design quality evaluation needs engineering judgment

Collect information needed to carry out new surveys, using source maps, previous survey data, photographs, computer records, or other relevant information.

physical manipulation — Physical field survey requires hands-on measurement in situ

Record survey measurements or descriptive data, using notes, drawings, sketches, or inked tracings.

situated mobility — Field survey of land/water bodies

Conduct surveys to ascertain the locations of natural features and man-made structures on the Earth's surface, underground, and underwater, using electronic distance-measuring equipment, such as GPS, and other surveying instruments.

situated mobility — Field survey of land/water bodies

Prepare topographic or contour maps of land surveyed, including site features and other relevant information, such as charts, drawings, and survey notes.

visual inspection — Generates maps; cartographic accuracy and standards human

Supervise or coordinate activities of workers engaged in surveying, plotting data, drafting maps, or producing blueprints, photostats, or photographs.

interpersonal — Supervising engineers needs accountability and motivation

Compile information necessary to stake projects for construction, using engineering plans.

physical manipulation — Physical field survey requires hands-on measurement in situ

Identify and compile database information to create requested maps.

physical manipulation — Physical field survey requires hands-on measurement in situ

Monitor mapping work or the updating of maps to ensure accuracy, inclusion of new or changed information, or compliance with rules and regulations.

decision support — AI flags compliance deviations; human confirms in the world

Complete detailed source and method notes describing the location of routine or complex land parcels.

text generation — Draft technical design docs from provided details

Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.

situated mobility — Field survey of land/water bodies

Design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data.

text generation — Code generation strong; human architects and reviews

Research and combine existing property information to describe property boundaries in relation to adjacent properties, taking into account parcel splits, combinations, or land boundary adjustments.

physical manipulation — Physical field survey requires hands-on measurement in situ

Perform calculations to determine earth curvature corrections, atmospheric impacts on measurements, traverse closures or adjustments, azimuths, level runs, or placement of markers.

data analysis — Coordinate computation from survey data

Compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data.

data analysis — Arithmetic verification is deterministic and reliable

Provide assistance in the development of methods and procedures for conducting field surveys.

decision support — AI assists analysis; hands-on research human

Answer questions and provide information to the public or to staff members regarding assessment maps, surveys, boundaries, easements, property ownership, roads, zoning, or similar matters.

text generation — Explanatory content drafted; public engagement human

Compare topographical features or contour lines with images from aerial photographs, old maps, or other reference materials to verify the accuracy of their identification.

data analysis — Coordinate computation from survey data

Operate and manage land-information computer systems, performing tasks such as storing data, making inquiries, and producing plots and reports.

physical manipulation — Operating systems requires hands-on interaction

Produce or update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, or topographic features on various base maps or at different scales.

visual inspection — Generates maps; cartographic accuracy and standards human

Trace contours or topographic details to generate maps that denote specific land or property locations or geographic attributes.

visual inspection — Generates maps; cartographic accuracy and standards human

Analyze aerial photographs to detect and interpret significant military, industrial, resource, or topographical data.

physical manipulation — Physical field survey requires hands-on measurement in situ

Determine scales, line sizes, or colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters.

visual inspection — Generates maps; cartographic accuracy and standards human

Trim, align, and join prints to form photographic mosaics, maintaining scaled distances between reference points.

visual inspection — Generates maps from data; cartographic judgment human

Prepare cost estimates for mapping projects.

data analysis — Project cost estimation from given parameters