Total Station
Total Station Survey Workflow
Summary
A total station combines an electronic theodolite and EDM to measure horizontal angles, zenith angles and slope distances. A reliable workflow is: check the instrument, set up over known control, orient to a backsight and check a second point, observe on both faces, reduce the observations, then compute and check coordinates before leaving site.
Definition
Total station: an instrument that measures horizontal and vertical angles and slope distances electronically and computes coordinates.
- Observe face left and face right
- Check a second known point
- Record HI and target height
- Set prism constant and ppm
Before going to site
- Check collimation, trunnion axis and compensator index; calibrate the EDM on a baseline.
- Load control coordinates in the correct CRS and units.
- Set the prism constant and atmospheric ppm (or enter temperature and pressure).
Setup and orientation
- Centre and level over the control point; measure instrument height.
- Backsight a second control point and set the orientation.
- Measure to a third known point as a check; compare coordinates against tolerance.
Observing
For control, observe each direction on face left and face right and average the readings to cancel collimation and trunnion axis errors. For detail pickup, a single face is usually acceptable. Use consistent point codes so CAD linework can be generated automatically.
After observation
Reduce slope distances (see distance reduction), compute and adjust traverses in the Traverse Adjustment tool, and import points into the CAD / GIS Workspace for drafting.
Step by step
- Check the instrument. Perform two-face checks and EDM calibration.
- Set up. Centre, level and measure HI over control.
- Orient. Backsight known control and check a third point.
- Observe. Measure angles and distances; two faces for control.
- Close. Re-observe the backsight at the end of the setup.
- Process. Reduce, adjust and export coordinates.
FAQ
Why measure on two faces?
Averaging face left and face right cancels the main instrumental errors: collimation, trunnion axis tilt and vertical index error.
How often should I check the backsight?
At the start and end of every setup, and after any disturbance to the instrument.
Related tools and articles
Tools
- Field Visit SurveyRecord and check field observations.
- Traverse AdjustmentBowditch and Transit adjustment with closure report.
- CAD / GIS WorkspaceView, edit and export CAD and GIS data.
Articles
- Distance Reduction: Slope to Horizontal to GridA total station measures a slope distance. Surveys on a map projection need the grid distance: first reduce sl…
- Traverse Adjustment: Complete Guide for SurveyorsA traverse adjustment turns measured angles and distances between control points into a consistent set of coor…
- Control PointsReference topic
- Construction Stakeout (Setting Out)Stakeout (setting out) transfers design coordinates from drawings to the ground. The surveyor checks control, …
References
- Uren, J. & Price, W. F. Surveying for Engineers, 5th ed., Palgrave Macmillan, 2010.
- Ghilani, C. D. & Wolf, P. R. Elementary Surveying: An Introduction to Geomatics, 15th ed., Pearson, 2018 (traverse computations and adjustments).
Cite this page
GeoCAD Bridge. “Total Station Survey Workflow.” GeoCAD Bridge Knowledge Center, updated 2026-10-05. https://www.geocadbridge.com/knowledge/survey-total-station-workflow/