Surveyors Board of Queensland RTK GNSS for cadastral surveys: guideline

The Surveyors Board of Queensland has recently become aware of some issues with the use of GNSS/GPS, particularly Real-Time Kinematic (RTK), on cadastral surveys. This document is designed to provide a summary of overarching principles that should govern how surveyors go about this task. It is not exhaustive: rather it is essentially an interim document designed to bring attention to some common errors in practice and will be later supplemented by more detailed guidelines. It is also designed to be read in conjunction with best practice guidelines such as SP#1 (refer to References). In this document RTK refers to the use of good quality geodetic receivers and antennas and not hand held mapping grade receivers, nor DGPS systems. Although this guideline primarily covers cadastral surveys where some aspects of the work will be carried out using RTK GNSS, these principles may be also applicable to engineering, topographic, and other surveys, particularly where local ground-based coordinates and dimensions are required. For completeness and clarity, parts of the document also may refer to GNSS observational techniques other than RTK. Logically, this guideline is not applicable when using conventional measurement techniques only. The document does not cover • legal traceability of measurement and survey integration – you should refer to requirements of the appropriate verifying authority for details on that aspect. • the general operational aspects of RTK GNSS – you should refer to manufacturers' specifications and other guidelines