The land surveying industry has existed for centuries, dating back to at least 1,400 BC when ancient Egyptians used surveying techniques for the taxation of plots of land. In those early times, surveyors used measuring ropes, plumb bobs, and other rudimentary instruments to complete the job. Over the centuries, developments in modern technology have transformed the surveying industry, resulting in significant improvements in both accuracy and efficacy.
Times will continue to change, and the land surveying industry must change with it. Read on to learn more about the current state of the land surveying industry and what the future may hold for it.
From knotted measuring ropes to modern tape measures, the tools of the land surveying industry have changed greatly over time. Though the basic principles of measurement have remained the same, modern technology has resulted in the development of new and improved tools. Global positioning systems (GPS), laser scanners, Geographic Information System (GIS) software, and more have transformed the way land surveyors do their jobs and continues to propel the industry into the future.
The largest growth spurt in surveying equipment in recent years has been in the theodolite and total stations segment. These accounted for the largest share of the land surveying equipment market in 2017 and their use continues to grow with the adoption of electronic technology in modern land surveying practice. Whereas early theodolites required two surveyors, one to hold the target and another to operate the instrument, electronic models can be operated single-handedly and offer accuracy within ¼ inch.
The modern land surveying industry has also come to rely more and more on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and GPS technology. Traditional surveying methods relied on measurements from known locations such as landmarks which tend to change with time. Using modern GNSS technology, land surveyors are able to determine the precise location of objects anywhere on the planet, regardless of weather and difficult terrain. GPS technology enables surveyors to make complex calculations very quickly, adding to the increased accuracy offered by GNSS technology.
According to new market research, the market for land survey equipment is projected to grow from just over $6 billion in 2017 to $8.7 billion by the year 2022. The modern land survey equipment market is driven by several factors. Smart cities are being developed around the globe and areas are being rapidly urbanized which has increased construction activity all over the world. The need for ever more precise measurement has resulted in an increased demand for modern surveying technology.
The construction software segment is projected to grow at the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between now and 2022. The key factors driving this growth center on increased demand for higher productivity and accuracy within the construction industry. Surveying software is expected to develop quickly, keeping up with the growing demand for the AutoCAD Building Model in both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional applications.
Another segment of the surveying industry that is expected to grow within the forecast period is the commercial segment. Modern technological advancements like the development of GNSS technology has resulted in the adoption of land survey equipment for a variety of commercial purposes including mining, agriculture, and construction. Over the next several years, this growth is expected to contribute greatly to the growth of the global land survey equipment market.
Though advancements in land surveying equipment and technology have eliminated the risk of human error in many applications, the land surveying industry as a whole continues to rise.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for land surveyors in 2017 was just over $61,000. The job market for land surveyors is expected to grow by 11% by the year 2026, a rate much faster than the average market for other jobs is expected to grow during that same period. This growth is closely tied to the construction industry, so as the global construction industry continues to rise, so will the market for land surveying equipment and the need for qualified land surveyors themselves.
Every industry can be expected to change over time. Unfortunately, the change for many markets trends downward as modern technology eliminates the need for human operators. In the land surveying industry, however, there will always be a need for qualified professionals to operate technology and to form a bridge between numerical data and manual applications of that data.
