Qualifications of the Robotic Total Station Construction Monitoring Professional

The use of robotic total stations (RTS), also referred to as automated motorized total stations (AMTS), has become more and more prevalent in modern construction-related monitoring programs. This increase comes from realization by practitioners to the cost and efficiency benefits over manually survey monitoring as well as through contract specifications from owners and engineers to provide tighter tolerances and quicker response times. With the gap closing (or widening) between North American Professional Land Surveyors and Professional Engineers regarding the use of RTS units, questions arise as the necessary background and experience required for practitioners to effectively design, as well as run these systems and manage the data they create. Although this article should be of interest to all professionals involved in RTS technology and usage, it is particularly intended to guide owners, engineers and specification writers tasked with the preparation of specifications on projects where RTS technology will be utilized. In the early 21^st century, the improvements in telecommunications along with integration of robotics into the total station brought about the possibility of using these RTS units for remote monitoring. A total station that normally required a survey technician or transit man to run could now be controlled remotely and data sent to a remote location for plotting and analysis. With hardline communication and power connections an RTS unit could be installed in a location possibly inaccessible to a survey crew and no longer require untimely access in order to provide 3D survey monitoring information, see Figure 1. In addition to the access issues this system overcame, it introduced a level of high accuracy/ high volume measurements not previously available. Measurement cycles were completed and data returned for review within short minutes, and the process was completed electronically, heavily limiting the human error side of survey monitoring. Continuous changes in technology have led to the wireless alternative of the RTS, where a wireless cellular modem is used to maintain communications and solar panels are used to power the system.