Topographical surveying is carried out to determine land measurements in 3D with the intent to depict the nature of topography for mapping and applications in engineering works. The key feature of topo-maps (maps plotted from topographical surveying data) is contours and spot heights to represent surfaces; another elevation representing technique is digital elevation models
Applications for topographical surveys include:
- Roads-Topographical surveying is used for determination of road levels and profiles representing them on a topo-map, this helps engineers make decisions on road design
- Powerlines-Topographical surveying is used for determining suitable corridors for power lines
- Sewer lines-Topographical surveying is used for determining optimal paths for sewer lines such that gravity is the key force that determines direction of flow
- Earthworks-Topographical surveying is used to determine measurements used for computations in earthworks, these includes volume of materials for quantity surveying
- Physical planning-Topographical surveying is used for determining contours used for physical planning, these are levels for roads, utilities and parcel boundaries
- Flow analysis-Topographical surveying is used to determine topography for use in analysis of flow of water and other fluids, among its applications is drainage systems