5.4.2 GPS Static Surveying: Field Procedures

PARTY ORGANISATION & LOGISTICS

Depending upon the number of field parties, and the complexity of the GPS survey, there may be quite an elaborate field organisation employed. Each field party generally comprises of one or two members trained to operate the GPS and ancillary equipment, and well briefed on the observation plan (both in detail for each session: which satellites to track, when to start/stop tracking, etc.; as well as the general schedule of stations to occupy: where other field parties are, the contingency plans, etc.). The Plan must be flexible, in order to cope with changing and unforeseen circumstances during fieldwork.

The campaign manager, on the other hand, is responsible for carrying out (or at the very least supervising):

• The survey planning, the technical as well as the administrative tasks such as contacting the relevant authorities to gain station access permission; booking accommodation and transport; investigation of facilities such as communications, power supplies (for computers and receivers), etc.
• The pre-mission tasks such as logistical planning; testing and validating equipment; reconnaissance; site preparation; briefing of staff; etc.
• The day-to-day management of the field parties, including preparation of contingency plans in the event of instrument failures, etc.; and implementing changes to the observing schedule.
• The supervision of the field processing of GPS data to check data validity; perform a preliminary network adjustment as the survey progresses; recommend alterations to the schedule in order to reobserve sites, observe new stations, etc.

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© Chris Rizos, SNAP-UNSW, 1999