Overview
A total station measures angles and distances from a known point, so it works where GNSS signals are weak: between buildings, under tree cover, inside cuttings and on busy urban roads. We tie every total station survey to DGPS control, so the drawing sits on the same coordinates as the rest of your project.
We use it for detailed site mapping, road and canal alignments, cross-sections, building and bridge setting-out, and as-built checks during construction.
Why it matters
Satellite positioning weakens near buildings and under trees. A total station keeps the survey accurate in exactly those places, and it is the standard tool for setting-out and detailed sections.
Our methodology
- Fix control from DGPS points and TBMs
- Run and close the traverse
- Survey details, levels and sections
- Process and draft in AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Check, report and hand over
Equipment & technology
Applications
Deliverables
- AutoCAD drawing (DWG) and PDF with levels
- Coordinate list (CSV / TXT)
- Cross-sections and L-sections
- Survey report with control and traverse closure
From our work
Total station work is part of most of our corridor projects. On a 120 km National Highway corridor survey in Uttar Pradesh, the dense urban sections were surveyed by total station from DGPS control fixed every 1 km.
Questions
When is a total station better than DGPS?
Near buildings, under trees and wherever millimetre-level detail or setting-out is needed. DGPS is faster in open areas, so most projects use both.
Which instruments do you use?
Leica TS06 and Sokkia CX-105 total stations, calibrated every year at authorised service centres.
Can the survey be on GPS coordinates?
Yes. We start from DGPS control, so the drawing can be in WGS-84 / UTM or in a local grid if your project needs one.