Common Survey Data Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Data accuracy plays a pivotal role in surveying and is the foundation of successful construction, land development, and infrastructure projects. Surveying mistakes can significantly impact the success of your projects, leading to costly rework, project delays, and compliance risks.

In this blog, we outline some of the most common survey data mistakes that even experienced surveyors can fall for and the best practices to avoid them.

Incorrect Equipment Calibration

Ever wonder why calibration is so important? Without proper calibration, surveyors may be compromising the success of an entire project. Calibration in surveying refers to ensuring and checking whether the equipment is giving accurate data. Without proper calibration, the data could be really off, doing more harm than good.

Surveyors must ensure their devices are regularly tested and undergo regular calibration checks to avoid any errors. Regular use causes wear and tear, even in high-precision devices.

Another mistake people often make is assuming that a new device won’t need checking. Well, unfortunately, that is not true. Sometimes, even a new device, fresh out of the box, can be incorrectly calibrated, and therefore, surveyors must ensure their devices, whether old or new, are calibrated before use.

Best practices:

• Establish a regular calibration schedule.
• Checking equipment before major projects can help avoid issues later.
• Create a checklist to ensure nothing is overlooked.
• Recording checks can help in maintaining accuracy in the long run.

Inadequate Field Data Collection

Data collection is the foundation of any surveying project. Inaccurate data, missing data points, or poor documentation, therefore, can impact your project negatively. For instance, in the case of aerial data collection, if the images are not correctly aligned or stitched, measurements can be distorted, making the data ineffective. Missing sections in aerial data also make it impossible to create a complete and efficient survey model.>/span>

Best practices:

• Create a systematic approach to data collection.
• Double-check all measurements and ensure data points are recorded accurately.
• Use Ground Control Points (GCPs) to anchor your survey data to real-world coordinates.
• Pre-plan data flight plans, in the case of aerial data collection, to ensure full coverage.

Inaccuracy During Ground Data Collection

Relying completely on drone GPS data without GCPs can cause significant financial and even legal complications. Accurate boundaries define property lines and guide construction, which are extremely important in land surveying.

Outdated maps or poor initial surveys can often lead to misinterpretation of data. With evolving landscapes, reliance on outdated reference points can cause massive discrepancies in data collection.

Best Practices:

• Opt for a survey firm that incorporates modern technology and shares data while being transparent.
• Always use the most up-to-date maps and data, and consider a peer review for critical projects.
• While using GCPS, ensure they are deployed strategically and are well-distributed across the survey site.
• Using high-contrast visible markers for aerial data collection makes the process more efficient.

Failure to Meet Legal Compliance

Different regions require different permissions for different types of surveys. Therefore, it is paramount for a surveyor to be aware of the legal framework and requirements around their job. For instance, certain regions may require specific permits for certain kinds of surveys. Failure to adhere results in delays, penalties, and legal challenges as well.

Best Practices:

• Keep up-to-date with any changes in the law and regulations of your region.
• Have regular training on legal standards for your team.
• Ensure you are aware of the restrictions, such as zoning, environmental laws, and building codes, for the area of operation.

Ignoring Environmental Factors During Survey Data Collection

Weather, terrain, and visibility are key factors that can impact your data on the day of the survey. Heat, rainfall, or gusts of wind can cause a change in the attributes to be measured or displace your GCPS, leading to inaccurate data collection. Ignoring environmental factors can compromise both the data and the safety of your team.

Temperature fluctuations can also have an adverse impact on the precision of your instruments. Being unfamiliar with the terrain can skew the data if not accounted for in the pre-planning stage.

Ignoring the terrain and the weather forecast is like having a big outdoor event without knowing it’s going to rain.

Best Practices:

• Always check the weather forecast in advance and on the day of the survey to make sure you capture accurate data.
• Use terrain mapping tools to understand the landscape you’re working with.
• Check the skies for shadow cast or sun glares during data collection.
• Use alternative methods (e.g., terrestrial LiDAR or manual checks) for obstructed areas.

Lack of Communication

Too many cooks might spoil the broth, but in surveying, too many team members without proper communication will definitely spoil the project. Surveying calls for the use of different teams, from engineers to architects, to surveyors to project managers, each person has a key function to play. Therefore, it is imperative to have a clear channel of communication to avoid any errors or misunderstandings.

While unclear instructions can lead to incorrect data collection, failing to share updates can result in duplicated efforts and wasted time. Such errors can compromise the accuracy of the survey data.

Best Practices:

• Set clear goals with clients and project teams before fieldwork begins.
• Share preliminary data to confirm that the data aligns with the expectations.
• Use project management software for alignment and structure.
• Schedule regular meetings to ensure team alignment.
• Share reports with stakeholders in an easy-to-interpret format, such as maps, 3D models, etc.

Prevention is always better than a cure. Avoiding these common survey mistakes helps projects run more efficiently, keeps teams aligned, and saves time and money. Survey accuracy is non-negotiable; it’s what keeps projects on track and stakeholders confident in the results.

At South West Surveys, we use the latest technology and years of expertise to deliver accurate, reliable results every time. If your project needs precision, get in touch with our team today.