Land surveying has undergone a lot of changes over the centuries, but perhaps not as rapidly as within the last 20 years.

Most significantly, the introduction of global positioning systems and robotic technology have had a strong influence on the how that surveyors actually do their jobs.

Land surveyors work with land owners, developers, commercial interest groups and government entities on a wide range of projects. They traditionally survey topography and boundaries for construction projects.

Survey work often is required when land is divided, purchased or sold, as well as when planning construction on a site.

‘Land surveyors were among the first professionals to be called right after the Cedar Rapids floods of 2008,” said Stephen Scott of Scott Survey Inc. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the city ‘required property owners in the flood plain to have elevations certified prior to applying for reconstruction permits.”

Even some six years later, surveyors are being called on to provide elevation information needed to meet requirements for reconstructing in floodplains.

Which bring us back to those advancements. New technology has made the surveying practice a much quicker process.