Surveying
Atritec Atritec performs surveying for roads, railways and utility networks throughout Sweden. We survey existing conditions, document completed work and produce the documentation you need for design, quantity adjustment and as-built documentation. Our survey technicians work with total stations, GNSS/RTK, laser scanners, drones and vehicle-mounted surveying equipment, depending on the project’s requirements.
What is surveying?
Surveying means determining the position, height and shape of objects in reality and translating this into measurable data. The measurement is based on known points in a geodetic reference system — in Sweden, usually SWEREF99 horizontally and RH2000 vertically. Details are then surveyed: road edges, utility lines, manholes, bridge structures, terrain forms or whatever the assignment requires. The result is documented in maps, drawings, 3D models or point clouds.
In infrastructure, surveying plays a special role because the projects extend over long distances and have strict tolerance requirements. The documentation is used throughout the entire chain, from initial design to final documentation and asset management.
Our surveying services
Project measurement
We survey reality before the design work begins. Together with you as project manager, architect or structural engineer, we review what data and what level of accuracy the project requires. The documentation is delivered in the format and coordinate system that suits your software, for example AutoCAD, MicroStation or BIM tools.
As-built surveying
When the construction work is complete, we survey what has actually been carried out and document it in as-built documents. The documentation is used when handing over to the client and for future asset management, operation and troubleshooting. We survey both visible structures and document installed utility lines before backfilling.
Surveying for quantity adjustment
We carry out accurate surveys before, during and after earthworks in order to calculate volumes of excavation, filling and masses. The documentation is produced in accordance with AMA Anläggning and MER Anläggning so that it works directly with the contract’s regulatory framework.
Inventory of existing infrastructure
For municipalities, network owners and asset managers, we survey existing infrastructure and build up or supplement GIS documentation. This may involve road barriers and lighting columns along a road section, or cable manholes and utility lines in a network. Read more about our infrastructure inventory service. Asset Inventory.
When is surveying needed?
Methods and equipment we use
The method we use depends on the size of the project, accuracy requirements, access and schedule. Several methods are often combined in the same assignment.
Total station
The total station is our most common instrument for point-by-point surveying where high accuracy requirements apply to individual points. It measures both angles and distances and provides horizontal coordinates as well as elevations with millimetre accuracy over short distances. The method is suitable in densely built-up areas, for verification surveying and where GNSS reception is limited.
GNSS and RTK measurement
With GNSS receivers and RTK corrections via SWEPOS, we obtain position data in real time with centimetre accuracy. The method is fast over open areas and is suitable for surveying roads, ground and utility lines in open terrain. We adapt the reference system to the project, usually SWEREF99 and RH2000.
3D laser scanning
For complex objects or larger areas, we use 3D laser scanning. The scanner collects millions of measurement points per second and builds up a point cloud with complete geometry. The technology is suitable for bridges, tunnels, viaducts, industrial facilities and technology-intensive environments where manual point-by-point surveying would take too long.
Drones and airborne surveying
With drones, we survey larger areas in a short time, which is efficient for ground profiles, excavation volumes, overview mapping and environments where it is difficult or risky to walk. For large areas, power-line corridors or forest terrain, we use airborne laser scanning from aircraft or helicopter.
Vehicle-mounted laser scanning and mobile mapping
For linear infrastructure such as roads and railways, we use vehicle-mounted laser scanning and mobile mapping. The survey vehicle is driven at speed along the route and collects point clouds and image data without production or traffic needing to be stopped. The method covers long distances in a fraction of the time compared with manual surveying.
Read more
Deliverables and file formats
What you receive after a survey depends on the project’s requirements. Common deliverables are:
- Point clouds in formats such as LAS, LAZ, E57 and RCP
- CAD drawings in DWG and DXF
- 3D models and terrain models
- BIM models via Scan to BIM and Scan to Model
- PDF drawings and documentation
- Coordinate lists in Excel or CSV
- Web-based digital twins via Infra 360 Point cloud and
Infra 360 Panorama where you can measure directly in the web browser
We adapt coordinate systems, layer structure and coding to your requirements specification,
for example according to a municipality’s surveying instructions or the Swedish Transport Administration’s standards.
Surveying vs setting out
Surveying and setting out are two sides of the same coin and are often used in the same project:
- Surveying documents where something is located in reality.
Example: an excavation has been carried out and the surveyor documents its exact
position and depth for the as-built document. - Stakeout transfers a point from the drawing to reality.
Example: a setting-out engineer marks where the excavation is to be dug and where
existing utility lines are located so that they are not damaged.
Both processes are based on the same control network and known reference points. We
often carry out surveying stakeouts in the same assignment because the same
surveying technology and equipment are used.
Surveying for roads, railways and utility networks
Surveying for railways
Railways have tolerance requirements at millimetre level and require special safety training
in order to work within the track area. Our survey technicians have Class 1 surveying
authorisation and relevant safety training for work near tracks.
We have previously carried out assignments for the Swedish Transport Administration,
NRC Group, Infrakraft, Infranord and Strukton. Read more about our work with railway surveying.
Surveying for roads
In road projects, we survey the existing road structure, surrounding terrain and
installations as documentation for reconstruction or new construction.
For linear sections, we often use vehicle-mounted laser scanning to reduce both time in
the field and the impact on traffic. Previous clients in roads include the Swedish Transport,
Administration, NCC and PEAB. Read more about our work with road surveying.
Surveying for utility networks
When installing and documenting utility networks, we survey buried infrastructure before
backfilling and build up documentation for utility maps and GIS systems.
We have experience of fibre, electricity, district heating, water and wastewater and have
worked with IP Only, Transtema, Fiberstaden and Öckerö Nät. Read more about our work with
surveying utility networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between surveying and setting out?
Surveying documents where something already exists in reality. Setting out marks where something is to be placed according to a drawing. Both processes are based on the same control network and known reference points and are often carried out by the same survey technician.
How accurate is a survey?
It depends on the method and the conditions. A total station provides millimetre accuracy over short distances. GNSS with RTK provides centimetre accuracy in open terrain. Drone surveying usually lands within a few centimetres depending on flight height and control points. We adapt the method to the project’s tolerance requirements.
Which coordinate system do you use?
We work in the reference systems required by the project. The most common are SWEREF99 — TM or local zones — horizontally and RH2000 vertically. We can also deliver in other project-specific systems if the client has their own coordinates.
Which file formats can you deliver in?
We deliver in the formats you need. Common formats are DWG, DXF, LAS, LAZ, E57, RCP, IFC, PDF, Excel and CSV. Layer structure and coding are adapted to your surveying instructions or standard.
How long does a survey take?
The time required depends on the size of the object, accuracy requirements and the method used. Vehicle-mounted laser scanning of one kilometre of road can be done in hours, while equivalent manual surveying of the same section can take days. Post-processing includes registration, cleaning and delivery according to the agreed standard.
Do I need a surveying consultant or a cadastral surveyor?
For property matters such as plot boundaries and property determination, a cadastral surveyor is required via Lantmäteriet or a municipal cadastral authority. For surveying of infrastructure, civil engineering works, utility lines and structures, you hire a surveying consultant such as Atritec. Atritec.
Where do you work?
We have our head office in Gothenburg and carry out assignments throughout Sweden. A large part of our operations are in Stockholm, Gothenburg and corridors where railway and road projects are ongoing, but we take on assignments throughout the country.
Why Atritec
Rapid technological development
Time-efficient methods
The market's leading measurement services
Experienced measurement technicians
Get help from us at Atritec
Do you need professional laser scanning? Book a consultation with our experienced surveying technicians.
Contact details
- Linus Olsson
- CEO
- +46 73 808 90 73
- linus.olsson@atritec.se