February 2022 Archives
The New Guy
Tim Burch takes over as executive director of NSPS Before we talk about NSPS moving forward, I think it’s right that we look back on the impact Curt Sumner had on the organization. I know you could write a lengthy paper on this, but in a few paragraphs can you sum up what Curt meant […]
Digital Twins Concept in a World Ruled by GIS
Digital twins bring together elements of the geospatial professions, resulting in smart cities of the future The concept of digital twins is not new in manufacturing and mechanical processes that can be monitored and, if necessary, rectified. But what is a digital twin? A digital twin is a computer-generated exact replica of a physical object […]
3D Models Above and Below
Aerial, terrestrial, and underground data tell the whole story Millions of miles of underground utilities provide U.S. communities with vital services, such as telecommunications, water, electricity, and natural gas. During construction projects, accidental damage occurs frequently due to inaccurate or non-existent documentation, a situation that can be exacerbated by inadequate research before excavation begins. Safety […]
That Scan-Do Spirit
Preserving heritage sites and objects is a race against time and elements. But thanks to scanning technologies, experts are now more confident humanity’s cultural legacy can be saved. One of the most iconic and visited landmarks in the world is the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. So, it came as a shock on the evening of […]
Rewriting Legal Descriptions
What’s up with rewriting legal descriptions? There seems to be a growing push from the title companies to have legal descriptions rewritten for little or no good reason. In my 38 years as a licensed surveyor I can remember but a few instances when rewriting a metes and bounds description was truly warranted and recommended, […]
Let’s Get Something Straight
In my last Dis-Located column I wrote about the historic, economic, and unusual impact of the Potomac River dividing Maryland and Virginia, saying no other state border impacted either side quite like it. While that is true, several readers pointed out that there are other oddities among state borders created by surveyors or surveying mistakes. […]