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Land Surveying Technology – Past to Future The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly of Automation

Presented by: Rick Harrison

Founder of:

Land Innovation, Inc. Site Comp, Inc.

Neighborhood Innovations, LLC.

Author of Prefurbia Creator of LandMentor Software

Holder of several Land Surveying related Patents.

Known for dozens of design innovations related to

planning and civil engineering.

“It’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce that counts.” - Zig Ziglar

PacSoft

HASP

UltiMap

Holguin

Eagle

Point

Plus 3

Land

Innovation

RoadCalc

Leaders today will be forgotten tomorrow

Site

Comp

The nature of disruption is obsolescence

1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

No significant change in the industry

Hand drawn plans with hand calculated trigonometry

Surveying: 1969 HP introduces first Electronic Distance Measurement The ‘digital age’ in development is born.

BC: Before Computerization…

1967 MIT Publishes ICES COGO. The Modern age of coordinate geometry is born.

Hewlett Packard, a precision instrumentation company, took the early lead in surveying field and office technology.

1976: HP’s 9815A was one of the first surveying applications that could assign coordinates by ‘point numbers’ and could store up to 50 pairs in memory.

Note: Going from point 1 to 50 was instant, but 50 to 51 required the next 50 coordinates to be loaded taking a few minutes. The mid-1970’s began the age of point

number based coordinate geometry

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Disruption: BC (before CAD)…

1970 1980 1983

Surveying 1981 HP introduces Large Scale Plotting. HP Collaborates with R.H. to develop next generation software after selling it’s surveying division to Wild Instruments

1975 Rick Harrison begins developing design & surveying applications

1982: Land Innovation(in Minnesota) is formed, (also first year AutoCAD release).

Significant Changes

1980: Dallas, Texas - Harrison Introduces HP-85 ‘CivilSoft’ – renames to SiteComp. Sells 20 ‘tapes’ to local surveyors at $2,000 each.

1975 Ronnie Hogan introduces HASP software

A few years after Karen Miller breaks off from HOLGUIN and forms PacSoft

Circa 1975 introduces HOLGUIN software

1969: Jack Dangemond of Redlands California founds Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI).

1978: Harrison purchases worlds first HP-41C at Neiman Marcus Dallas main store. Begins writing surveying applications on it. Same year Charlie Trimble purchases rights to GPS from HP.

1980: Keith Houseman develops the first HP-41C point number based data collector – later interfaces with HP-87 Site Computation & Design.

Until 1984, ALL software vendors

drafted using calculated

coordinates…

1981: HP-87 Site Computation & Design introduced – all inclusive for $895.00

Point number based coordinate geometry replaced manual coordinate entry.

Every vendor created their own drafting methods using calculated coordinates.

The advent of electronic distance meters combined with manually entering data into a handheld began taking shape, thus, the birth of Data Collectors.

NO common file format – some vendors collaborated – most did not.

A typical 1983 Site Computation System: HP-86 ($8,300), Software ($895.00), HP-7580 Plotter ($15,950) cables & printer ($2,000) = $80,000 in todays $$

Disruption: AC (After AutoCAD)…

1983 1990 1996

Significant Changes

Initially most software firms maintain own coordinate based drafting, some new players such as DCA, Carlson, and others built their applications on AutoDesk. Unlike HP, the IBM PC could not handle accurate calculations requiring a precision math processor board.

Dec. 1982: AutoCAD 1.0. Initially not impacting surveying and engineering, AutoCAD was to influence the consulting industry.

1996: AutoCAD acquires Softdesk (originally DCA) and now competes against ALL vendors committed to use AutoCAD as a drafting base. This was the beginning of the end for the majority of AutoCAD add-on’s.

1980’s: Every instrument company has their own software and hardware, Simplicity Systems and Tripod Data Systems (TDS) competed with a general data collector with their own unique formats. Eventually TDS became the standard, and was bought out by Trimble in 2000.

Over the next 5 years demand from architects for DWG format, along with software vendors no longer wanting to develop their own drafting strengthen AutoCAD. Many simply bought one CAD and used it on many computers – illegally.

1988: ‘The Software Alliance’ (software Police) was formed Illegal copies of CAD carried a huge fine. Overnight, AutoDesk became a massive and profitable company.

1994: SiteComp for HP-UX (Unix) introduces the first fully integrated ‘Windows’ based multi-tasking system.

Late 1980’s: GIS (Geographic Information System) market begins. UltiMAP is technical leader, but marketing fails.

Mid 1990’s ESRI begins gaining market share over competitors – convinces cities maps could be quickly traced and then later made accurate by ‘rubber sheeting’.

1987: Harrison forms RHSD Planning to develop new design methods – incorporating in 1993

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TDS Rw5 and Cr5 formats won the war of data collector formats.

Most vendors rely on AutoCAD to draft, separating drawing and geometry.

AutoCAD introduces own Civil solution.

SiteComp HP-UX introduces the Windows interface and multi-taking.

ESRI creates a ‘polygon’ based mapping & structure – no curves are created.

By the mid -1990’s disruption replaced by stagnation.

1994 Site Computation System: HP-735 ($15,000), Software ($10,000.00), HP-7580 Plotter ($3,995) cables & printer ($3,000) = $52,000 in todays $$

Vendors relying on CAD for drafting

Stagnation: Regression of Land Surveying Industry

1996 2016

Changes that began to make things worse – not better

2004: LiDAR is used to measure impact and changes in Mt. St. Helens – the beginning of spreading its use. Excess data eventually suffocates software calculations and spastic linework somehow becomes an acceptable norm.

2004: After AOL purchases MapQuest it starts to make public aerial information easy and quick to download. Public perceives this data and GIS data to replace the need for the land surveyor

2000: SketchUp introduced creating the first very simple 3D software. Acquired by Google in 2006, then Trimble in 2012

2001: Harrison sells controlling interest in SiteComp after a $1 million software sale to the Military.

2005: Harrison & Keith Willenson start working on a new generation core technology to solve many of the problems in the land development consulting industry while elevating the Land Surveying perception.

2014: Drones becomes the rage. Danger again, will the public think this technology can replace the land surveyor?.

2016: Oculus Rift promises a new future of Virtual Reality. First used for land development approvals by RH in several cities. The Beta systems worked on affordable computers, the market unit is over priced for market acceptance.

Milestones: Public assumes (including most Architects, Students, and Planners) easily

accessed map data can replace survey accuracy.

Point number based geometry from the mid 1970’s burdens production.

Software continues to be overly complex & cumbersome – still command based.

Data overload continues to get worse: i.e. polygon based maps and LiDAR.

Deliverables look exactly the same as 1960’s – with same little useful information!

Subscription based software is a scheme that benefits supplier, not user!

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Understanding the Problems

The significant problems we face cannot

be solved at the same level of thinking

we were at when we created them."

— Albert Einstein

I cain’t see no point numbers

Before computers existed, surveying did NOT HAVE POINT NUMBERS.

#1 Problem: Point Number Management

1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

No significant change in the industry Stagnation Era Significant Changes

Point Number based Calculations

#2 Problem: Plat (& survey plan) communication progress…

Actual Recorded Plats

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115 years?

2017: Is this really the best

we can do?

Who does not possess a color

printer or plotter today?

A ‘hook’ is connected to a block of information containing: Point Number Northing Easting Elevation Description Coordinate geometry is done on the ‘blocks’ which are hooked to the drawing!

#3 Problem: CAD based drafting

Graphics such as corner circles are likely to change the physical length of lines and arcs rendering them useless for geometry... …. The hooked blocks remain at a location where the circles are.

#3 Problem: CAD based drafting

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Obtaining Area, is done by creating a ‘polyline’. Area is NOT saved in a way that can be for intelligence, thus CAD is not a GIS alternative.

#4 Problem: CAD based drafting disconnect from spatial data

Geographic INFORMATION Systems create a central core of data that could be tied to a map. GIS maps are often done by the lowest bidder, with vague information to work from. It is the data base that is primary, and map accuracy (if any) is secondary.

#5 Problem: Polygon (no curves) GIS data structure

When first introduced in the 1970’s, GIS needed to generate a city map (a whole lot of lines and arcs) fast. Lines and polylines were able to display fast, but curves took time, thus, the solution was to eliminate curves.

May have made sense 40 years ago, but not today.

#5 Problem: Polygon (no curves) GIS data structure

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How many points does it take to draw these 9

lots in Pontiac, Michigan with ESRI?

670 points!

This small area: Over 160,000 points, and not a single accurate line!

#6 Problem: Excessive Topographical Data – Typically LiDAR

#6 Problem: Excessive Map Data – Innacurate

LiDAR:

Why is this even

remotely acceptable?

Centerline of street

Edge of pavement Edge of pavement

91,122 Points to be manually edited!

#6 Problem: Excessive Topographical Data – Typically LiDAR

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LiDAR:

‘Filtered” topo on a 40 acre site

in Lino Lakes 908,522 Points!

#6 Problem: Excessive Topographical Data – Typically LiDAR

Before CAD: All survey ‘systems’ were coordinate geometry based. After CAD: Core ‘system’ intended for varied markets: Manufacturing, Product Prototyping, Architecture, Automotive and Aviation… Land Surveying is an itsy bitsy slice of this huge pie.

#7 Problem: A ‘Jack of All trades’ core technology

Trade Secret from a software developer: The Business Model…

…The more complex and confusing – the more income from support, update & training.

#8 Problem: Complexity, external files, and lack of integration

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Law of Technology

Solving these Problems

“You never change things by fighting the

existing reality. To change something,

build a new model that makes the existing

model obsolete.”

― Buckminster 'Bucky' Fuller

#1 Problem: Point Number Management

In the 1970’s when plans were simple, there were few coordinates on a typical job – and there was little memory to use point descriptions.

Today (and tomorrow) plans will get more comprehensive – and managing data by point number is cumbersome.

Solution: Create a ‘description’ based coordinate geometry protecting ‘surveyed’ points and populating the newly computed points using the layer naming scheme.

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Land Surveying is all about object and spatial data – historically monochrome represented by simple lines, arc, text, and dimensions.

The surveyors task is to define natural and man made elements – typically spatial ownerships i.e. ‘surfaces’.

Solution: Develop an intelligent precision surface based core technology that can (almost) effortlessly compile natural and manmade ‘surfaces’ and objects and communicate these surfaces in color and texture.

#2 Problem: Plat (& survey plan) communication progress…

#3 Problem: CAD based drafting

Solution:

Eliminate CAD Drawing is generated from raw

coordinates at every screen refresh and plot

Precise surface data can be then used to communicate information that was never before part of a land survey. Elevating the surveying industry.

Surfaces defined directly from precision coordinate geometry embellish the deliverables and provide a communication basis.

Solution: Define each ‘surface’ as to it’s environmental impact and it’s relationship to decision making… …Then develop a method of understandable communication…

#4 Problem: CAD based drafting disconnect from spatial data

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Precise surface data can be then used to communicate information that was never before part of a land survey. Elevating the surveying industry.

Surfaces are derived by lines and arcs that are derived directly from the coordinate geometry, thus surfaces are the geometry.

Solution: Use the surfaces to automate complex tasks… …Such as legal descriptions…

#4 Problem: CAD based drafting disconnect from spatial data

By integrating a full time DTM (actually multiple DTM’s) into the single file, the ground surface becomes a communication vehicle.

Surfaces are legal horizontal area definitions, but the underlying ground is not – thus, the topography becomes an instrument of communication.

Solution: Integrate the DTM… …An integrated DTM eliminates excess data while providing a wealth of information…

#2 Problem: Plat (& survey plan) communication progress…

Surfaces define manmade or natural elements, and with the varied natural terrain below, one button press converts data to a video game.

Nothing communicates better than 3D and Virtual Reality. But CAD 3D is far too complex, time consuming, and cumbersome.

Solution: Use Video Gaming… …Easy to learn 3D with the FREE Virtual Viewer provides your clients with interactive access to your work - with easy SketchUp model integration…

#2 Problem: Plat (& survey plan) communication progress…

Nothing communicates better than 3D and Virtual Reality. But CAD 3D is far too complex, time consuming, and cumbersome.

Solution: Use Video Gaming… …Easy to learn 3D with the FREE Virtual Viewer provides your clients with interactive access to your work - with easy SketchUp model integration…

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#5 Problem: Polygon (no curves) GIS data structure

Solution:

When reading in ESRI .shp file test to see if the lines along an arc is

actually circular – if so convert the excess data to a curve

LiDAR:

‘Filtered” topo on a 40 acre site

in Lino Lakes 908,522 Points!

Corrected LiDAR:

10,463 Points! 1.1% of original

Red = Lower ground

Green = higher ground

This level of detail to 20 decimal place accuracy: How many Total Points?

20, 169

#6 Problem: Excessive Topographical Data – Typically LiDAR

#7 Problem: A ‘Jack of All trades’ core technology

Solution:

Create a new (patented) form of user interface that is I-Phone simple - eliminating complexity (no commands) while allowing Architects and Planners to use a precision tool that teaches the basics of surveying and engineering!

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Copyright 2014

Copyright 2014 Rick Harrison Site Design Studio

Architect

Engineer

Surveyor

Land Planner

The consulting industry is Non-Collaborative : Sustainability is not possible in an industry lacking communication.

Thus, Tearing Down Communication Barriers

Copyright 2014

Copyright 2014 Rick Harrison Site Design Studio

Architect

Engineer

Surveyor

Land Planner

Design professionals MUST collaborate. Training MUST provide a common knowledge base with an easy to use communication tool.

Thus, Tearing Down Communication Barriers

Copyright 2014

Copyright 2014 Rick Harrison Site Design Studio

Architect

Engineer

Surveyor

Land Planner

Solution: Create a technology that also educates and empowers municipalities, consultants, developers, builders, and educators.

Thus, Tearing Down Communication Barriers

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#8 Problem: Complexity, external files, and lack of integration

Solution:

Integrate Land Surveying, Civil Engineering, Land Planning, and Site Architecture into a single core with a single file format – no external data.

Disruption: Elevating the Land Surveying Industry

2016 2020

Changes that will make things better for the Land Surveying Industry

2019: Expand marketing to the consulting industry, while adding full GIS database capability.

1st Q 2017: LandMentor Initial target markets: Schools, Surveyors and Governmental entities (cities) - limited marketing to consultants and developers.

2017: Microsoft $295 Virtual Reality Headset will provide affordable and flexible access.

2020: Assuming full color 3D printing becomes affordable, support of 3D printing becomes a major benefit.

2020: LiDAR solutions requiring a disruptive change in deliverables, or newer technologies that solve todays problems (possibly integrated into LandMentor)

1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2016

Making the Land Surveying Profession important and exciting …

2017