SP80 GNSS Receivers Increase Water Pipeline Survey Efficiency by 160%

The 155 km first leg used three conventional GNSS receivers and a total station, was completed in 25 days for productivity of 6 km per day. The second 75 km leg was completed in seven days using just two Spectra Precision SP80 GNSS receivers and a total station for productivity of almost 11 km per day – almost doubling survey speed. Both legs traversed rugged, heavily forested and mountainous terrain. The second leg with even denser foliage and semi-urban sections made it more difficult than the first leg, according to Valtinos. It had been estimated that the second leg would take 14 days, but because of the efficiency of the SP80’s, it was done in half the estimated time, and importantly, with fewer personnel. The first leg using conventional GNSS receivers employed seven people, one base and three rovers. While the second leg employing the SP80 required only five people, plus one base and just two rovers. The SP80 yielded an overall efficiency of 5.35 km/person/day compared to 2.06 km/person/day for the conventional GNSS receivers — for an overall efficiency gain of 160 percent.

Compared to the conventional GNSS receivers used on the first leg, “the SP80 receivers on the second leg were much quicker to fix positions and better able to store more points under trees in difficult, heavily-forested terrain and between buildings in densely populated areas to reduce delay,” said Valtinos. In addition, the need for the total station was almost eliminated “because the SP80 was so efficient in taking measurements to building corners and under trees, it dramatically reduced the use of the total station to further cut time on the job,” noted Valtinos. “The lighter weight SP80 also helped improve job speed,” added Valtinos.

The new pipeline will connect a new dam, Seta Manikia, currently under construction, to provide municipal water service to new areas of the island.

The Spectra Precision dealer in Greece, JGC Geoinformation Systems S.A., provided sales support and technical training to the survey team headed by Epameinondas Valtinos.