10 ACSM BULLETIN april 2012

In March 2010, members of the Wiscon-sin Society of Land Surveyors (WSLS) cel-ebrated National Surveyors Week with a

statewide survey project called “Survey Wisconsin in a Day”. It was to be the first event of its kind where land surveyors from around the state simul-taneously gathered GPS data by setting up their GPS receivers on various points throughout Wis-consin. This project was to be not only about the data or the “world record” of simultaneous GPS observation, but also of publicly demystifying the role of the surveyor and increasing awareness of the profession in order to foster a positive public image. The event suggested that a united front of land surveyors certainly could allow for a more accurate mapping of the world and stands to ben-efit everyone individually.

We observed how the data the WSLS collected was processed into a single precise latitude and longitude location for each point measured. Every point was precisely post-processed to within about 1 centimeter on the surface of the Earth. The members of WSLS plan to re-measure these same monuments in the near future in order to determine any shift in position. The idea of a large-scale surveying project in the interest of the pro-fession—both in terms of a unique set of data and in public relations—would become larger the very next year.

In March 2011, Survey USA was held, expanding the WSLS project, and further indicating the possi-ble success of a worldwide surveying event. Hun-

Scott Warner Justin Farrow Pete Fonseca

dreds of surveyors using GPS technology hit the fields across the United States to provide detailed positioning information for the online database maintained by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS). According to Joe Evjen, a geodesist with the NGS, Survey USA Day was a public relations event for the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS); however, the data submitted to the Online Positioning User Service (OPUS) contributed to the reference system that is the basis for most map-ping and surveying in the country.

The idea of a global surveying project would undoubtedly be of equal interest to surveyors. Seeing the success of both the Wisconsin event and the national event indicated that the timing was right for a worldwide surveying event. Plus, with thousands of professional Land Surveyors United members linked online, the Land Surveyors United platform would allow surveyors to easily collaborate for the global project. And so, the idea for Survey Earth in a Day was born.

In December 2011, Survey Earth in a Day was introduced on the Land Surveyors United website, and members considered what the event could mean in the larger sense of geodesy. Could the shape of the Earth be different during an equinox or a solstice? How could we manage to gather and process the data? Certainly, it would require a col-laborative effort between individual participants, and well established geospatial organizations such as ACSM / NSPS, NGS, and perhaps other groups whose members are interested in positioning.

april 2012 ACSM BULLETIN 11

The more we thought about it, the more we realized that if something like Survey Earth in a Day were to ever happen, Land Surveyors United would be the platform for organizing surveyors and sharing the data. With over 2,500 members, Land Surveyors United is the only global geospatial community online with representation in all seven continents (even Antarctica) and all 50 U.S. states, and it is the only platform with real-time communi-cation and zero language barriers.

All of the LSU members can, if they so wish, be in constant contact using social media tools avail-able through the site’s many regional forums. They can access the network on any mobile device from the field, and, as of this March, a number of new upgrades were made which will further improve communications via the LSU platform.

We already have an iPhone app ready for down-load and use and expect the upgraded Android and Tablet versions of the site to be available in April. Utilizing technology enabling professionals to communicate directly with their local represen-tative and fellow surveyors has always been a key goal for the network and, in recent days, we have begun to enjoy the freedom and advantage that comes with it across the globe. Mobile communi-cation has proved a valuable asset in our efforts to unite surveyors in local group forums.

Each location-based group forum is geolocated in such a way that each group on the LSU platform exists in the area which it represents. As a result, all information shared amongst professionals in a group is searchable in local search engines. Not only that, each group conducts its discussion in the native language of the area which it represents, and members have the ability to translate any page on the site with a single click.

Land Surveyors United utilizes web.2 tools to communicate on levels never before attempted in the land surveying industry. Not only do we have instant, direct communications through LSU around the globe, but the information shared on the LSU platform is indexed in all the social media, reaching potentially a wide pool of geospatial pro-fessioanals.

Because of the multi-faceted communications ability we have via the LSU platform, we origi-nally wanted to organize an International Survey-ors Week. But then we realized that a trully global communication accomplishment would be to host a global GPS convention in a single day—Survey Earth in a Day. Interest among LSU members in the

event grew exponentially as the enormity of the project sank in, as well as the potential it offered in terms of tying in geodetic data across the globe. GPS points collected and ost-processed to the highest level of precision possible would amelio-rate current knowledge about the Earth’s shape and surface.

And then it all became even more exciting, and more complex. What if one could design and build global “geodata” networks which Google Earth, for instance, could utilize to correct errors on its maps? And could collaborative mapping platforms use this geodetic information to provide a more precise condition on the ground during a natural disaster, for instance?

Certainly, the technology is there to create and maintain such geo-networks and use them to draw maps that are more correct in scale and pro-jection. Technology such as the National Geodetic Survey’s OPUS (Online Positioning User Service) makes it possible for surveyors to quickly post-process collected GPS data and incorporate them into a map. Mapping out these locations shortly after the data have been collected has become much more efficient thanks to the more powerfull hard drives now available on the market for storing data and mobile technology which enhances shar-ing of information.

Mobile devices are already being used for GIS-mapping based on data stored in geodatabases; and smartphones with a mobile enabled browser are routinely used by the public to access location information of interest to them. And experience has shown that producing actionable information from data is much enhanced if there is a network of databases with precise, and accurate, ground data.

All information needs to be periodically updated to remain relevant and useful to users. And in this lies the purpose of the proposed Survey the Earth in a Day event. The intent is to use the GPS data collected during the 24 hours of the event to update currently used GIS maps. This goal is fully in line with the mission of the land survey-ing industry, namely to ensure that maps depict-ing boundaries and fixtures on land are based on survey grade data.

The first Survey Earth in a Day event is scheduled to take place on the day of the Summer Solstice this year. More information about participating in the event can be found on LSU’s website, on Face-book and on Twitter.