| Highway surveying is a specialized type of land | | | | highways are able to run perfectly straight along |
| surveying generally conducted for government | | | | their entire length. One of a surveyor's many jobs |
| agencies. A highway survey is often conducted | | | | during highway construction is to aid in the |
| during the highway planning stages. During the | | | | mapping of this route. The most challenging part |
| construction project, a highway construction | | | | of highway planning is often the necessity of |
| survey can ensure that the process is going as it | | | | bridges or tunnels. Surveyors provide input on |
| should and that the highway is located precisely | | | | their location, and also monitor the highway |
| where it should be. After the highway is built, a | | | | construction process to ensure that they are |
| highway survey can be used to provide an | | | | located correctly. |
| accurate layout of roadways, utilities, storm | | | | Once the dirt has been graded and leveled, a |
| drainage systems, overhead wires, nearby | | | | surveyor will again survey the area to ensure that |
| buildings, and other features of the landscape. | | | | the land has been correctly prepared according to |
| A construction surveyor is often involved in the | | | | the plans. Then, construction begins. Before the |
| placement process. This requires a survey of the | | | | advent of GPS technology, this involved the use |
| existing terrain to find the easiest route. Highway | | | | of surveying stakes to mark the road edges. |
| construction surveys are particularly concerned | | | | Today, GPS has eliminated this process, making it |
| with areas where dirt must be moved, noting to | | | | much easier to ensure that the road is aligned |
| what level and grade. Often the goal of this | | | | with the plans. |
| survey is to determine the appropriate route | | | | Once the road is built, surveys may be required |
| where the least amount of land will need to be | | | | for a wide variety of reasons, including road repair |
| moved. An engineer can use the survey data to | | | | or maintenance. Highway surveys are also used |
| determine where the dirt should be moved to | | | | during the process of accident reconstruction and |
| reduce the total amount of dirt relocation. | | | | investigations. The process of taking road |
| Not only do surveyors determine how the land | | | | measurements to construct a survey once |
| must be prepared before the highway can be | | | | required closing of the entire road so that the |
| constructed, but they also assist engineers in the | | | | surveying team could set up equipment on the |
| mapping of optimal routes. This includes not only | | | | road's surface. Today, specialized laser equipment |
| grading (slopes) but also curves and the creation | | | | allows this to be done from the roadside, virtually |
| of tunnels or other features along the highway | | | | eliminating the need for lane closures due to |
| route. It is necessary to understand the | | | | surveying. The highly accurate data delivered by |
| geographic restrictions and the layout of the area | | | | these systems allows for the creation of detailed |
| before attempting to determine the best route. | | | | 3D maps showing not only the roadway but also |
| Because of the natural landscape, as well as | | | | barriers, overhead wires, and other features. |
| existing buildings and other features, few | | | | |