AIOS Integrated Land Systems

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Land Survey Measurement Equipment: In A Nutshell

Land surveying or assessing is the science of precisely ascertaining the surface or 3-dimensional spatial position of points and the lengths and angles between those points.  

Such coordinates are generally, but not always, connected to points on the Earth’s surface. These are typically used to determine land maps and perimeters for personal or governmental uses. Surveying experts utilize different forms of knowledge and equipment to achieve their aim.

Land Management Systems: Surveying Techniques

An altimeter or a barometer is the easiest way to measure height, through air pressure which serves as an indicator. However, surveying requires greater accuracy so multiple techniques for land management systems have been created like precise levels.

The calibration of levels offers an accurate plane through which the point concerned and the instrument’s distance between each other is measured. This is usually achieved with the aid of a measuring rod.

If the surveyor is aware of the horizontal length of the object, they can use the triangulation method. Otherwise, it can be calculated as informed by the triangulation article. This way, the height of a body can be computed through the angle between the horizontal axis as well as the line segment passing through that point at a known distance and the topmost aspect of the body.

For instance, the height of a peak should be calculated from the bottom-most level of the body, i.e., sea level - which will serve as the plane of reference, but in such situations, the distances can be huge and the peak may not be in view. Therefore, the calculations are made step-by-step, by first identifying the location of a single point, then reaching said point and completing a relative measurement. These steps are made until the peak is reached.

Use of Land Measurement and Surveying Equipment

Even until the 1990s, smaller distances were measured by tape measures - for planar distances - whereas x and y angles were taken with the help of a theodolite placed on a tripod, and a level to make out the change in elevations.

This process is begun using a coordinate with a known height and situation to uncover the angles and the length of an unknown coordinate. More recently, however, a total station is employed, which consists of an Electronic Distance Measurement or an EDM device along with a theodolite. It may also be implemented for leveling by setting it to the horizontal or x plane.

Ever since they were implemented, total stations made technological progress from existing as optical-mechanical instruments to becoming completely electronic, complete with an inbuilt computer and software.

These days, top-range total stations don’t need prisms or reflectors anymore, either, in order to return distance parameters. Moreover, they are totally robotic and can also relay captured information to the office computer or connect with satellite navigation systems, like the Galileo.

Although such kinematic sat-nav systems have improved the speed of surveying, they haven’t done so as much in terms of horizontal or vertical accuracy, both being around 20 mm and 20 to 40 mm respectively.

Total stations are still implemented on a regular basis, also in combination with other kinds of land surveying and measurement equipment. Their robotic, one person guided versions enable professionals to capture accurate measurements without the need for more people to take a glance at and move the telescope or take readings.

A quicker method of measuring big sections of land can be through a helicopter, fitted with a laser scanner and a GNSS such as the European global navigation satellite system to find out the location and height of the helicopter.

Their accuracy can be increased by placing beacons on the ground at a distance of around twenty kilometers. This technique brings accuracy to a range of centimeters based on the elevation of the flight.

Some of the devices used as land survey measurement equipment are:

● Levels ● Theodolites ● Total Stations ● Laser Levels ● Magnetic Locators ● Handheld GPS ● Tripods ● Staffs ● Prisms ● Prism Poles ● Nyclad Steel Tapes ● Flagging Tape ● Universal Markers ● Level Books and Transit Field Books ● Compasses ● Altimeters/Barometers

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Making Land Management Systems Selection Easier for Agencies

Choosing a land administration solution is a big decision for an agency no matter what the scale is. With the value of information management in today’s scenario, the undertaking will affect your institution considerably in the future as well.

The information that is generated via that system is likely to last longer than the use of the system, which is why in this blog, we will list a few tips to assist you in making sound choices in this decisive selection.

Support for Land Management Systems - Important Points to Think About

Potential clients looking for land management systems often have complaints about after-sales support, despite loving the sales and implementation personnel. In fact, support is just as important as the product, and it needs to be one of the main points to discuss with a vendor right from the start.

A majority of vendors will offer support in multiple forms, such as via phone, email, videos, etc. Each of these are useful in various scenarios, and neither of these proves useful in every situation - that’s why the vendor should provide several modes of support. Discussing and knowing all there is to know regarding these modes is a must, and so is enquiring about the vendor support when you decide to contact their client references.

Normally, written and video support documentation should be accessible for assistance in all features of the software you avail. This is because certain functions can be better explained through videos, and will prove more beneficial for many users.

Sometimes documentation isn’t enough, which is when you might require the procedure to get in touch with a professional for additional support. When you do face such a situation, ask yourself the following questions:

● How does the vendor provide support such as email, call, screen sharing, and so on? ● Will I be charged for this support?, If yes, how much? ● Does my licensing agreement include any sort of user help? ● What is the minimum response time? ● Will I get help from trained professionals who have the technical and functional expertise to comprehend the business utility of the land survey measurement equipment or application?

A Few Tips to Follow When Choosing from Land Management Systems

Here are some of the most important tips to keep in mind in your search for the most efficient land management systems -

● When looking for the most well-suited land management systems for your organization or locality’s requirements, it is vital to consider both - the short as well as the long term effects. This is because the least costly alternative might prove much more expensive after a few years.

Therefore, pricing should always be considered with respect to the functions, such as the use of global navigation satellite systems, performance, and productivity.

● Product demonstrations are a great way to gain a sense of how a system functions. However, it is important to note that such demonstrations are generally based on ideal situations, and data seldom works out as perfectly as it does in the demos.  This is where client references prove handy in finding out how the land management systems really work.

● It is also necessary to remember that such systems lead to a relationship with the system provider for many years to come, possibly even longer than the system is actually used by your organization.

The information transferred by you to the next land management systems in the future could need help from one of the support staff, so ensure that you are comfortable communicating with the system as well as the sales and support teams that will subsequently be in your service after the transaction is complete.

● You need to take charge of the situation and remember one thing - complicated arrangements are often negotiable as well. Vendors often look for ways to earn more customers, and you can help yourself by telling them about your expectations and giving honest responses at the time of discussion.

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Land Measurement Equipment: Analyzing Various Types of Rods

Land surveying encompasses the procedures and occupation behind the identification of dimensions of the land. Through expertly designed tools, trained surveyors find out land contours to apply in a wide range of uses.

Among the most usual purposes for a person to gain the help of a surveying professional is to acquire a new section of land. This is where land measurement equipment plays a necessary role because it has to be legally ascertained where two adjoining properties have their boundaries so the owners can apply for government-issued deeds. Surveyors are also beckoned to collaborate with cartographers to design accurate maps.

Origins of Surveying

Surveying has been practiced around the world in several forms for thousands of years. In fact, it has been in existence for nearly the entire recorded history, perhaps even before. The greatest examples in history that are said to have been built with the accompaniment of a surveyor are the pyramids of Egypt and the English Stonehenge.

This is a science that has always been a vital aspect of a civilized community. Surveyors use their skills gained from the knowledge of mathematics, law, engineering, physics and satellite-based navigation system aviation or similar technologies. Through these, they can precisely measure 3-dimensional as well as flat points along with the angles being formed between them and how distant they are from each other.

Land Measurement Equipment and the Role of Surveying Rods and Tripods

Surveying rods are quite well-used by various land surveying and contracting professionals. Typically constructed from tough, versatile materials such as wood and aluminium, both alternatives come with their unique perks and shortcomings.

Despite there being a large array of rod types, each variant carries out the exact same task - measuring the length between two chosen points. These are used alongside a range of surveying instruments and often they are held by a professional while the other records measurements.

Some may have the question, why is security of tenure important? Those will find our other blogs written on this topic more relevant. This blog, however, focuses on specific land measurement equipment, specifically, rods.

Let’s take a look at the various kinds of rods available:

●     Level Rod

A leveling rod is generally manufactured from wood or aluminium. If handled incorrectly or carelessly, it can get damaged quite easily, and the small chips or dents can result in inaccurate measurements, so they need to be handled with care.

●     Philadelphia Level Rod

This type of rod has a pair of sliding sections that are attached by a brass sleeve. It is used for measurements of up to thirteen feet and allows readings from a distance of a maximum of 250 feet.

●     San Francisco Level Rod

It resembles the Philadelphia rod, except that it has 3 individual sliding sections that can increase or decrease the length of the rod.

Rods are popular and well-used among survey instruments needed to calculate distance. Although they are quite essential, these are only one type of land survey measurement equipment that prove essential, either directly or indirectly, in various land-based activities such as land tax collection, cadastral mapping, surveying, and so on.

●     Direct Reading Rod

As the name suggests, a direct reading rod can be read straight from a telescope by the surveying professional. Because of this, it is also called a self-reading rod.

●     Direct Elevation Rod

This unique rod comes with a graduated band that moves around the rod with the aid of rollers. Its numbers are printed in reverse order and it is suitable for taking elevation readings without making extra calculations for foresight and hindsight.

●     Target Rod

A target rod consists of a target that helps the person holding the rod help the person taking the reading to double-check those readings as given by the prior person, who is using the said instrument.

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Land Administration Solutions for Government & Their Benefits

Land administration has seen significant improvement through the decades, with plenty of steps being taken and technology applying to create means to increase revenue collection and transparency.

The wide range of land-related services being provided by government agencies in hundreds of countries includes ways to attain sustainable economic development. Understanding the need of the hour, many agencies have designed innovative land administration solutions for government agencies so they can achieve all that they are planning at reasonable costs.

What Land Administration Solutions for Government and Authorities Include Such land management systems encompass all the components of administration such as -

●     Cadastre

●     Land registry

●     Valuation of land

●     Surveying using GPS equipment for land measurement

●     Taxation and rights concerning any minerals in the property

●     Natural resource management

●     Systematic land inventorization

And land administration solutions for government authorities that include these aspects are sure to enable local, state as well as national government agencies in any country to manage land with ease. With such systems, they can also keep pace with the newest technology and enhancements.

 Advantages of Land Administration Solutions for Government

 Land is not just a resource that supports man physically - it provides many valuable benefits to the people residing on it and the constituency it falls under.

When a well-structured land administration solution is implemented on it, government agencies are bound to gain multiple advantages from various perspectives, including increased land tax collection, inventory creation and other such perks as mentioned below -

●     Boost in Revenue

Such systems enable smooth and drastically increased land tax collection from all kinds of entities involved. They help determine and include recently formed IGR or Internally Generated Revenue sources with the help of paperwork and receipts from taxes, sales, and purchases, etc.

●     Supportable Economic Growth

The economic growth of a land is supported by activities like systematic land inventorization and property rights registration. Surveys have shown that recorded and documented land rights positively impact right to land access, food security, decreasing land disputes, and offering a means for sustainable social as well as financial development.

●     Improved Clarity

Today’s global surroundings have increased the need for transparency in demonstrative government processes like first-come, first-serve practice to avoid corruption.

Such practices ensure accountability by recording each payment and contract. Land administration solutions for government make such practices more convenient to carry out so that people can access real data wherever and whenever they require.

●     Enhanced Client Service

There are numerous stakeholders involved when it comes to land management. This is why government agencies need a rapid and efficient means of land tax collection and gaining access to cadastral map information, ownership documents, and other transactional data.

In other words, they need software and e-government systems that provide all of these and improve the way they conduct their tasks for greater ease and security. 

●     Optimized Procedures for Increased Productivity

The tasks may vary from data accumulation and supervision of statutory conformance to the elimination of unnecessary information and the management of land documents.

However, all of these can be performed in a streamlined manner through a properly implemented land administration solution for the specific government agency that integrates all of these into automated workflows and processes. This will save a lot of resources that can be allocated toward other important projects for greater revenue generation.

●     Reduced Unlawful Activities and Maintain Abidance

The tasks of government agencies that are in charge of natural resource management include the implementation, assessment, allowing and observing of extractive-based permissions and their respective documentations. They can handle all of this well with the help of the right land administration solutions for government agencies and protect public land from unlawful operations by making sure that commercial entities are in compliance with the concerned laws.

●     Protected Land Data

Such solutions allow data to be stored electronically so that officials no longer have to monitor and store paper trails of information such as transactional data and agreements. This is important because paper-based data is vulnerable to damage by human error, natural calamities or other dangers. Also, digital data is easily traceable and lasts longer.

●     Decreased Mistakes in Land Data Collection and Repetition

The data that is collected from automated land administration solutions for government agencies is far less likely to be redundant or incorrect. This reduces the need to rework information and facilitates easier data sharing. Moreover, the automated processes boost efficiency and reduce the chances of human error.

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The Challenges of Land Administration & Land Governance

The land sectors of certain countries do not have sufficient land laws. Land management and administration are also existent upon multiple complexities that were established many decades ago.

Combined with the colonial era regulations and the dual system, there are quite a few challenges of land administration system in such countries that also includes the efficient management of citizen’s rights - both as individuals and as a community - and the sustainable management of natural resources.  

 Discussing the Challenges of Land Administration System in Brief

Many countries have had no problems in the past regarding land management, with local land-tenure systems offering land access to their people for hundreds of years. Such systems with community-acknowledged traditions have faced struggles since colonial rule, followed by post-independence government interruptions.

Additional burdens include a variety of different factors like population increase, cultural diversity and dealings, socio economic reforms, and political interventions. However, if such countries are stable politically, then steps can be taken to adopt modern technology, like understanding surveying equipment & their uses, and taking more steps toward overcoming these challenges. 

Key Obstacles in Reforming Land Use Include:

Political     System - Insufficient political will at the highest levels is one of the     biggest hindrances in the path of land administration and overhaul. The     fact is that many countries require initiatives to evolve property rights     but such measures are a threat to current constructs that benefit from     deforestation.

Existing     Economic Benefits - Moreover, unregulated and unsustainable practices     against forests result in huge profits that one or more parties benefit     from at present, and land reforms are sure to interfere with these profits.     Therefore, forest land that requires good governance faces many challenges of land administration, whereas non-land sections suffer from     overlapping and over-complicated laws that prevent tenure claims from     getting resolved.

Furthermore,     there is a lot of confusion over which land areas are covered in forests     and which are not, due to a lack of reliable means of mapping and land     data collection. This affects progress in land tenure and its security but     it can easily be overcome by investing in cutting-edge surveying equipment     near me and making use of such technology. 

Initiatives to Overcome Challenges of Land Administration

The governments can, and have, undertaken many measures at different scales to concentrate on and eliminate redundancies. Also, they have tried to make legal procedures less complicated, aside from improving land tenure security and strengthening organizational structures for land administration. Some of them are:

Setting Up of Policies to Ensure a Standard Set of Mapping

Countries need to be able to rely on one standard set of rules that offers cadastral data which can be recorded using surveying equipment near me. This provides information about the location of land parcels, their demarcations, ownership, and the rights pertaining to those parcels.

 All of this data, when compiled into a nation-level data warehouse and implemented through various technologies, can result in several changes in terms of the official and unofficial balance of power between the government agencies at the central and divisional levels. It will also help them determine the apportionment of land to forestry and other purposes throughout different geospatial plans.

Bottom-up Involvements through Societal Outreach 

 Bigger land administration changes need the support of civil society groups, not just government agencies at the local level. This helps the government to bring in resolving the challenges of land administration through participatory land utilization and planning in lands that are surrounded by forests. 

This, combined with a standard reference set of mapping, can be scaled up to encourage both bottom-up support and backing from higher levels. Governments are also growing more aware and supporting certain tenure policies, like recognising Indigenious People and offering them community titling on the basis of community maps created by appropriate registry in areas reserved for Ancestral Domain.

In certain countries, governments have also decided to approve of community maps for Indigenious People living in Ancestral Domain areas, for which such cartographic drawings have been created.