Total Station in Surveying – Operation, Uses and

Advantages
What is a Total Station?
Total station is a surveying equipment combination of Electromagnetic Distance Measuring
Instrument and electronic theodolite. It is also integrated with microprocessor, electronic data
collector and storage system. The instrument can be used to measure horizontal and vertical
angles as well as sloping distance of object to the instrument.

Capability of a Total Station

Microprocessor unit in total station processes the data collected to compute:

1. Average of multiple angles measured.

2. Average of multiple distances measured.
3. Horizontal distance.
4. Distance between any two points.
5. Elevation of objects and
6. All the three coordinates of the observed points.
Data collected and processed in a Total Station can be downloaded to computers for further
processing.

Total station is a compact instrument and weighs 50 to 55 N. A person can easily carry it to the
field. Total stations with different accuracy, in angle measurement and different range of
measurements are available in the market. Figure below shows one such instrument.
 Fig: Parts of total station

Important Operations of Total Station

Distance Measurement
Electronic distance measuring (EDM) instrument is a major part of total station. Its range varies
from 2.8 km to 4.2 km. The accuracy of measurement varies from 5 mm to 10 mm per km
measurement. They are used with automatic target recognizer. The distance measured is always
sloping distance from instrument to the object.
Angle Measurements
The electronic theodolite part of total station is used for measuring vertical and horizontal angle.
For measurement of horizontal angles any convenient direction may be taken as reference
direction. For vertical angle measurement vertical upward (zenith) direction is taken as reference
direction. The accuracy of angle measurement varies from 2 to 6 seconds.

Data Processing
This instrument is provided with an inbuilt microprocessor. The microprocessor averages
multiple observations. With the help of slope distance and vertical and horizontal angles
measured, when height of axis of instrument and targets are supplied, the microprocessor
computes the horizontal distance and X, Y, Z coordinates.

The processor is capable of applying temperature and pressure corrections to the measurements,
if atmospheric temperature and pressures are supplied.

Display
Electronic display unit is capable of displaying various values when respective keys are pressed.
The system is capable of displaying horizontal distance, vertical distance, horizontal and vertical
angles, difference in elevations of two observed points and all the three coordinates of the
observed points.

Electronic Book
Each point data can be stored in an electronic note book (like compact disc). The capacity of
electronic note book varies from 2000 points to 4000 points data. Surveyor can unload the data
stored in note book to computer and reuse the note book.

Uses of Total Station

The total station instrument is mounted on a tripod and is leveled by operating leveling screws.
Within a small range instrument is capable of adjusting itself to the level position. Then vertical
and horizontal reference directions are indexed using onboard keys.

It is possible to set required units for distance, temperature and pressure (FPS or SI). Surveyor
can select measurement mode like fine, coarse, single or repeated.
When target is sighted, horizontal and vertical angles as well as sloping distances are measured
and by pressing appropriate keys they are recorded along with point number. Heights of
instrument and targets can be keyed in after measuring them with tapes. Then processor
computes various information about the point and displays on screen.

This information is also stored in the electronic notebook. At the end of the day or whenever
electronic note book is full, the information stored is downloaded to computers.

The point data downloaded to the computer can be used for further processing. There are
software like auto civil and auto plotter clubbed with AutoCad which can be used for plotting
contours at any specified interval and for plotting cross-section along any specified line.

Advantages of Using Total Stations

The following are some of the major advantages of using total station over the conventional
surveying instruments:

 Field work is carried out very fast.

 Accuracy of measurement is high.
 Manual errors involved in reading and recording are eliminated.
 Calculation of coordinates is very fast and accurate. Even corrections for temperature and
pressure are automatically made.
 Computers can be employed for map making and plotting contour and cross-sections.
Contour intervals and scales can be changed in no time.

However, surveyor should check the working condition of the instruments before using. For this
standard points may be located near survey office and before taking out instrument for field
work, its working is checked by observing those standard points from the specified instrument
station.
Photogrammetry
A. General
Photogrammetry can be defined as the science of making reliable measurements by using
photographs or digital photo imagery to locate features on or above the surface of the earth. The
end result produces the coordinate (X, Y, and Z) position of a particular point,
planimetric feature, or graphic representation of the terrain. Photogrammetry has evolved into a
limited substitution for ground surveying. It can relieve survey crews of the most tedious,
time consuming tasks required to produce topographic maps and Digital Terrain Models
(DTMs). Ground survey methods will always remain an indispensable part of Photogrammetry
and are not replaceable by the photogrammetric process. That information may include
photographic mosaics, photo prints and enlargements, planimetric and topographic
mapping, DTMs, ortho-rectified imagery, and various other mapping related tasks to be
used for engineering and design purposes. The data may be obtained through ground
survey methods, photogrammetric methods, or both to produce a complete and accurate
representation of the topography as it exists. Increased information of existing terrain
conditions allows designers to explore alternative alignments without having to collect
additional field information. Surveys collected photogrammetrically, have both advantages
and disadvantages when compared with ground surveys.

1. Photogrammetric Advantages

 Aerial imagery provides a permanent record of the conditions as they existed at the time
the photograph was taken.
 Photos can be used to convey information to the general public, other state or
federal agencies, and other programs.
 Small scale images and/or mosaics can provide a broad overview of a project, identifying
both topographic and cultural features.
 Terrain data and mapping features can be extracted from stereo image models with little
effort and at a low cost.
 Mapping and digital terrain modeling of large areas can be accomplished quicker and at a
lower cost when compared to ground survey methods.
 Photogrammetry can be used in locations that are difficult or impossible to access from
the ground.
 An experienced survey crew can quickly target and control a proposed project scheduled
for photogrammetric mapping.
2. Photogrammetric Disadvantages

 Seasonal weather patterns that produce increased wind and cloud cover may hamper the
ability to perform the mission.
 Solar conditions such as sun angles less than 25° above the horizon will cast
long shadows. Sun angles greater than 45° will produce sun spots on the image.
 It may be difficult or not possible, to collect measurements where dark shadows,
dense vegetation, snow, overhangs, and water may exist.