Published on 10 October 2022

Hammering to millimetre precision

Surveying is millimetre precision work. In addition to good material and functioning infrastructure, relevant expertise is crucial. At swisstopo, nine people are regularly out on the roads surveying Switzerland. But what exactly do surveyors do and what does their everyday life look like?

At the end of October, swisstopo's 2022 measurement campaign will be concluded. Over a period of around seven months, Graziano Palma and eight other geomatic technicians and engineers, also known as surveyors, checked all 220 geodetic points across the Swiss geodetic network. To do so, they set up a modern measuring device at each point to continuously record its position, with high precision, over a period of 48 hours.

Reliable and thorough

Organising and conducting measurement campaigns is a challenge. Surveyors need a wide range of knowledge and skills. Being tech-savvy, having good spatial awareness as well as a meticulous way of work and patience all contribute to the success of the campaign. Checking a geodetic point requires high accuracy at work. The measuring instrument is installed over the geodetic point with millimetre precision, checked 24 hours later and dismantled after 48 hours. Back at the office, Graziano Palma and his colleagues evaluate the collected data. The results provide information about shifts of these points (see article «The more, the better»)

«In our profession, we use the most modern measuring instruments available and constantly follow the technological development, which allows us to evolve continuously», Graziano Palma, geomatics technician at swisstopo.

Being able to help yourself

During a measurement campaign, swisstopo's experts are out on the road all over the country. Travelling through Switzerland not only brings freedom and adventure, it also requires great self-sufficiency. Since a surveyor is often on the road by himself, a healthy amount of improvisation is required in addition to experience and specialist knowledge. At times, old railway tracks or sledgehammers are used to fix and secure the measuring instruments.

Sun and storms

Storms, rain and snow not only make the surveyors' work unpleasant, they also bring extra work and dangers. «During storms or thunderstorms, you may have to stop and postpone surveying. The terrain becomes slippery and the measuring instruments become unsteady,» says Graziano Palma. Teamwork is required at any particularly exposed points. For safety reasons, the surveyors work in pairs and with the required safety equipment.

Grand Tour of swisstopo

For the measurement campaign, Switzerland is divided into different sectors (see map). Two swisstopo staff members are responsible for each sector and will survey the geodetic points in their area during one week. The route between the points depends on topography and the road network. Many points can be reached directly by car and are easily accessible. Other points require more effort. Sometimes passage permits have to be obtained, paths closed or places made accessible in contact with homeowners and municipalities. To undertake checks at the measuring point on Monte Generoso (TI), swisstopo even works together with the cog railway.

«In my role, I travel around the country, maintaining the Swiss geodetic control network and carry out the required measurements. This ensures the networks continued high quality.»

Graziano Palma - Geomatics Technician

Graziano Palma has been working as a geomatics technician at swisstopo since the beginning of 2020. He completed an apprenticeship as a geomatics technician and in 2018, he obtained the Federal Certificate of Competence in Geomatics Engineering. In total, nine surveying specialists work on the campaign. Unfortunately, there is currently no female team member. During this year's GNSS measurement campaign, Graziano Palma was on the road for 8 weeks, checking 57 geodetic points in total. Thanks to his work and that of his colleagues, the accuracy of geodetic measurements in Switzerland is assured for many years to come.

Read more about the GNSS survey 2022

• Good planning is half the survey
• Switzerland is moving
• The more, the better
• Hammering to millimetre precision