Surveying and Mapping

Question 1

Tell me about your understanding and the importance of accuracy for mapping.

Answer 1

Errors can lead to impacts on valuation and legal issues

Question 2

Tell me about a data capture technique you have experience of using.

Answer 2

LandInsight
ProMap

Question 3

What are the knock on effects of this technique for accuracy and precision?

Answer 3

Area taken - apply density assumption to, will impact yield of homes applicable to the valuation

Question 4

How do you check that your instruments are accurate/calibrated?

Answer 4

Laser distometers are typically accurate to within 1.5mm or less over distances up to 200m, although this will depend on the device used. Annual calibration is important to ensure accuracy, typically by sending the laser distometer back to the manufacturer. Taking check measurements over a known distance can also ensure accuracy on a more frequent basis

Question 5

What is BIM?

Answer 5

Building Information Modelling - allows for 3d walkthrough model of the development to be created

Question 6

What is GIS?

Answer 6

Geographic Information System - A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer system for capturing, storing, checking, and displaying data related to positions on Earth’s surface

Question 7

What is digital terrain modelling?

Answer 7

What is a digital terrain model?
Digital Terrain Models (DTM) sometimes called Digital Elevation Models (DEM) is a topographic model of the bare Earth that can be manipulated by computer programs. The data files contain the elevation data of the terrain in a digital format which relates to a rectangular grid.

Question 8

What are digital elevation models?

Answer 8

A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is a representation of the bare ground (bare earth) topographic surface of the Earth excluding trees, buildings, and any other surface objects. 

Question 9

What are Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and how can they be used in land surveying?

Answer 9

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) include constellations of Earth-orbiting satellites that broadcast their locations in space and time, of networks of ground control stations, and of receivers that calculate ground positions by trilateration.

Question 10

What is GPS?

Answer 10

an accurate worldwide navigational and surveying facility based on the reception of signals from an array of orbiting satellites.

Question 11

What is a map?

Answer 11

a diagrammatic representation of an area of land or sea showing physical features, cities, roads, etc.

Question 12

What are the three main forms of mapping?

Answer 12

(1) general purpose - display natural and man-made features of general interest (widespread use)
(2) thematic - They highlight features, data, or concepts, and these data may be qualitative, quantitative, or both
(3) cartometric maps - Cartometrics, or cartometric analysis, refers to mathematical operations such as counting, measuring, and estimating—thus, cartometric maps are maps which are optimized for these purposes

Question 13

What are the main map scales used for HM Land Registry Plans or those used in your jurisdiction?

Answer 13

The scale of a title plan is usually 1:1250 in urban areas and 1:2500 in rural areas

Question 14

What is the Ordinance Survey?

Answer 14

Ordnance Survey (OS) is Great Britain’s national mapping agency. It carries out the official surveying of GB, providing the most accurate and up-to-date geographic data, relied on by government, business and individuals.

Question 15

Tell me about a digital mapping software you have used.

Answer 15

Landinsight, Promap

Question 16

What are the advantages of using digital mapping?

Answer 16

• the ability to dynamically change the topography and location of various objects;
  quick terrain scaling;
• higher accuracy and absence of distortions;
• possibility of digital marking and instantaneous search for the necessary object;
• automatic routing and control over deviations from the selected course;
• possibility of transferring digital maps via Internet.

Question 17

Where are OS maps generally used in your scope of work?

Answer 17

Boundary demarcation

Question 18

Tell me about a type of map you use in your role.

Answer 18

Google maps

OS Mastermap - location plan for planning application

Question 19

What is a title plan?

Answer 19

Outlines property interest (freehold or leasehold) that relates to the associated register

In addition to showing the land in a registered title, a title plan may contain other plan references which identify any parts of the land or adjoining land affected by entries in the register, such as easements, covenants or areas of land removed from the title.

Question 20

What is a vector map?

Answer 20

A vector map, like OS MasterMap, is basically a database of points, lines and polygons which collectively make up all the features on the map. It’s possible to assign each of these features extra information – perhaps demographic data and the age of the buildings for example

Question 21

What is the OS MasterMap?

Answer 21

It is a database that records every fixed feature of Great Britain larger than a few meters in one continuous digital map

Question 22

What is a topography layer?

Answer 22

Shows elevation and gradient

Question 23

Why is it important to keep maps updated?

Answer 23

To ensure that material changes to a site’s condition, location or situation are accounted for in reporting

Question 24

What is OS VectorMap Local?

Answer 24

A highly-detailed, customisable, street-level base map, OS VectorMap Local shows fences, building outlines, paths and street names, for the accurate lie of the land. A simple vector dataset at a nominal scale of 1:10000 covering the whole of Great Britain designed for creating graphical mappin

Question 25

Do OS Maps show legal boundaries?

Answer 25

OS maps don’t show legal property boundaries or ownership of physical features.

Question 26

Tell me briefly about your understanding of licensing in relation to mapping.

Answer 26

Licensing in relation to mapping refers to the legal agreements and permissions that govern the use, distribution, and sharing of geographic or cartographic data, as well as the software and tools used for creating, viewing, or manipulating maps

Question 27

What RICS guidance relates to the measurement of land?

Answer 27

RICS Professional Standard - Land Measurement for Planning and Development Purposes

Question 28

Who should apply this guidance in practice? (RICS Professional Standard - Land Measurement for Planning and Development Purposes)

Answer 28

It provides global best practice, but practitioners will need to be aware of any local jurisdictional requirements that may have superior authority.

Question 29

What are LIDAR and ISFAR?

Answer 29

LiDAR stands for Light Detection And Ranging

Question 30

What are the uses of aerial photography?

Answer 30

Mapping
Drone photography to show site condition
3D survey

Question 31

What is a DTM?

Answer 31

Digital Terrain Model: is a digital representation of the terrain or a structure (gathered by scanning) that can then be utilised within CAD software to undertake design for further construction works