This study evaluated the accuracy and efficiency of cadastral surveying methods in numerical cadastral areas within the old triangulation regions of Daegu and Gyeongbuk. The conventional electronic total station surveying method was compared with the ...
This study evaluated the accuracy and efficiency of cadastral surveying methods in numerical cadastral areas within the old triangulation regions of Daegu and Gyeongbuk. The conventional electronic total station surveying method was compared with the VRS-RTK (Virtual Reference Station–Real-Time Kinematic) surveying method before and after site calibration. The analysis focused on the accuracy of cadastral control points and parcel boundary points, as well as the efficiency in terms of observation time, equipment, and manpower requirements. The results of this study are summarized as follows.
First, for cadastral control points, the RMSE of intersection closure was 0.048 m without calibration and 0.022 m with calibration, showing an improvement of 0.026m after applying calibration. The mean coordinate errors were X = 0.036 m and Y = 0.031 m before calibration, and X = 0.014 m and Y = 0.017 m after calibration. Although all results satisfied the legal tolerance limits, site calibration significantly improved measurement accuracy.
Second, for parcel boundary points, the maximum and minimum errors in the X-coordinate before calibration were −0.043 m and −0.013 m, and those in the Y-coordinate were −0.042 m and 0.011 m, respectively. After calibration, the X-coordinate errors ranged from −0.012 m to 0.000 m, and the Y-coordinate errors from 0.010 m to 0.007 m. Thus, site calibration effectively reduced coordinate deviations in both axes.
Third, when observing 29 control and boundary points, the total observation time for the conventional electronic total station method was approximately 1.5 times longer than that for the VRS-RTK method. This difference results mainly from repeated instrument relocation and network adjustment required in the total station method, whereas VRS-RTK surveying eliminates the need for traverse network construction and allows efficient measurement even near obstructions such as utility poles.
Fourth, regarding resource requirements, the total station method required about 1.5 times more equipment and more than three times the manpower compared to the VRS-RTK method. The mobility and single-operator capability of VRS-RTK significantly improved work efficiency.
Overall, the VRS-RTK surveying method demonstrated accuracy within the legally permitted tolerance and superior operational efficiency compared to the conventional electronic total station method in numerical cadastral areas of the old triangulation regions. The application of site calibration further enhanced coordinate precision. Therefore, it is suggested that the VRS-RTK method be expanded as a practical alternative for cadastral surveys in these areas, particularly in light of the recent completion of the geodetic datum transformation to the World Geodetic System. However, further research including diverse urban and mountainous environments with signal obstructions is required to provide more systematic and objective evaluations.