DR. K.

JEYAPALAN~
Scl~oolof Engineering
California State University
Fresno, CA 93740

Numerical Cadastral Survey

A numerical photogrammetric method for determining the
coordinates of section and quarter corners, relocating and
restoring section corners and monuments, checking the
establishment of a subdivision, and determining the
coordinates of urban lots is described.
(Abstract appears on following page)

T HE OB,JECTIVE of a Cadastral Survey is to

determine the position of property cor-
ners and other information so as to establish
mapping accuracy is 0.02 feet or 0.6 cm.
Since 20.02 feet is soniewhat unrealistic, we
should select t 0 . 0 5 feet or t-1.5 CIII for sta-
ownership. This information, among other tion accuracy. A relative accuracy of 2 1.5 clll
things, is most useful for tax purposes. The and an absolute accuracy of 2 3 to 5 cm is a
position of property corners should be so realistic value for the position of lot corners.
determined that they may be restored on Given developments in analytical photo-
g r o ~ m din case of disputes. In the U.S.A. this grammetry and coinputer sofiware, it is ~ O S -
is ~nostlydone by dividi~lgthe country into a sible to get an accturacy of t 5 micrometres at
number of townships", each 36 square ~ n i l e s
in area, based on an initial point and a stan-
dard baseline. Each township is then di-
vided into 36 sections. Each section is di-
vided into 4 squares. The section corners are
established by the federal agency or repre-
sentative. The lot (property) corners in the
township are tied to t h e closest section
corner or quarter corner (Figure 1). The es-
tablish~nentof quarter and section corners,
though theoretically simple, presents practi-
cal problelns such as rough wooded terrain,
etc.

mfl
As development proceeds and subdivision
occurs, the plots or lnaps showing the sub- Subdlrlsion of
f 1 3i(ol
the Country

division and its distance and bearing from

the closest sectioxl or q11;1rter corner are filed
with the Record of Slurveys. In case of dis-
pute, the lot corner call b e located on the
I, ,*:P iz **'" c0.n.r

ground with tolerable accuracy. ie 11 16 15 14 13 ~ u ~ o ~ n z r rlrcLclter

.i p*,m

As these lots are further developed and ro z, 22 2, 24

beconle urban lots, they are re-stuveyed for

taxation, etc. ,O 29 28 27 zc 25 ?c::yV
S~bdi,..,.~ of a 5ect8on
In practice, the subdivision plots are usu- 3, 3z 33 34 35 36 fly 11C)
ally prepared at 1 in. = 100 ft scale and the
fig ofI i ba)
5ubd'""'~0"
distances are given to an accuracy of 0.01
feet and the bearing to one second. Thus, the

Lot 5 Lot 6

1 Now with the Dept. of Civil Engineering, Lot

7 a
~~t
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011. subdlrlsian OT a porrel
* Surveys also are performed b y metes and fig I ( d )

bounds. FIG.1. Cadastral survey system.

PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING AND REMOTE SENSING,

Vol. 45, No. 9, September 1979, pp. 1263-1279.
 PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING, 1979

KEY WORDS: Boundaries (property); Cadastral surveys; Coordinates; Inertial

navigation; Monuments; Relocation; Stereometric Measurement; Stereoscopic
map plotters; Surveys
ABSTRACT: A neglected field in the area of surveying in the U.S.A. is the
cadastral survey. The plentiful supply of land in the past caused this neglect. In
recent years, however, urban development has proceeded very rapidly and,
consequently, land IS becoming a scarce factor.
The objective of a cadastral survey is to locate boundaries of land parcels owned
by individuals, monument their boundaries, survey these boundaries, and
produce plans or plots whlch establish ownership and also give information and
relocate the boundaries if and when disputes arise. The numerical cadastral
survey assigns coordinates to the monuments defining the property boundary on
a national, state, or city system. The advantage of establishing such coordinates
is that they can be stored In computers and retrieved to plot plans on any
des~redscale. The coordinates can be also used to relocate the monuments or
corners, as well as to restore lost monuments or corners.
The normal method of establishing coordinates is by detail traversing from high
order control. This is both tedious and time-consuming. Photogrammetric and
Inertial survey methods can be used to establish these coordinates.
The objectives of this paper are to give (1)Such methods of determining the
coordinates of section and quarter corners. The section and quarter corners are
the intersecting points of a rectangular system used in the Cadastral Survey of
the U.S.A.; (2)methods of relocating and restoring sectlon corners and
monuments; (3)methods of checking the establishment of a subdivision and for
determining the coordinates of the lots in the subdivision; and (4)methods for
determining the coordinates of urban lots. 1 have developed a new system, the
stereoscipic digitiz~ng system, to reduce the burden of work involved in
determining t h e coordinates of lots in urban areas.
REFERENCE: Jeyavalan, K., "Nurncrical Cadastral Survey," Photogrammetric
Engineering and - p emote Sensing, Journal of the ~ h e r i c a n Society of
Photogrammetry, ASP, Vol. 45, No. AP9, September, 1979

accuracy of k1.5 cm will require a photo-

-
the ~ h o t oscale. This means that a rrround checked independently on the ground. Ifthe
1:3000 scale photos are used to plot a map at
graphic scale of 1:3000 This same photogra- the original subdivision map scale, the nec-
phy can also be used to produce 1in. = 100 ft essary check would be provided.
scale maps by a two-and-one-half times en- Recently, there has been increased em-
largement or 1in. = 50 ft scale maps by a five phasis on tying section corners to the state
times enlargement. Thus, plotting instru- plane coordinate system. When this is done,
ments such as Wild B8 and Kern PG2, which lot corners can also be tied to the state plane
have a maximuln enlargeinent factor around coordinate system. If both the section or
two-and-one-half times, or the Kelsh, Wild quarter corners and the lot corners are in the
A8, and other similar instruments, which same coordinate system, then any disputed
have an enlargement factor of 5, can be used. or lost corner can be reestablished by sur-
Also, two to three photographs at this scale veying fro111 the nearest section or quarter
will stereo-cover an eighth of a section. corner. By using the quarter corners as con-
In order to get a position accuracy in the 3 trol points, analytical photogrammetry can
to 5 cin range, a photograph scale ranging determine the coordinates of a lot corner
from 1:6000 to 1:9000 will be required. At a from 1:3000 scale photography.
scale of 1:8400, three photographs are suffi- The coordinates of the lot corners, those of
cient to provide stereo-cover for a section. the section corners and the quarter section
Using PG2, Kelsh, and other plotting in- corners, and such other relevant information
strulnents and a photographic scale of can be stored in the computer, retrieved at
1:6000, topographic maps at a scale of 1 in. = any time, and then used to plot the Cadastral
200 ft or 1 in. = 100 ft can be made. Such Survey nlap of the section at any desired
topographic maps can be used for earthwork scale using coiuputer graphics. The resulting
calculations in connection with ui-ban engi- map, together with the photographs and
neering work, such as laying pipe lines, con- topographic maps, call be used in the valua-
struction work, etc. tion of urban lots. In the valuation of urban
Usually the subdivision map or plot filed lots, an orthophoto of the section will be
with the Record of Surveys has not been most helpful.
 NUMERICAL CADASTRAL SURVEY

Photogram~netric methods also can be

used to determine the state plane coordi-
nates of the section corners (Brown, 1977).
The 1:6000 to 1:9000 scale photography can
be used to determine the State plane coordi-
nates of both section and quarter corners.
If at any time the section and quarter
corner are lost, they also can be re-located by
photogrammetric nlethods using 1:6000 to
1:9000 scale photography.
Two major problems in analytical photo-
graminetry are how to obtain accurate coor-
dinates of control points and how to identify
the control points and pass points on the
photographs. In order to obtain the best
pointing accuracy and avoid misidentifica-
tion, targeting should be done. Cadastral
surveys require the targeting of all points
and photographic exposures at predeter- 1 - Is% order trig stottons
mined positions. The type and size of targets 0 - Z4 order Tawnshtp Corners
depends on the ground surface and the re- o - 3vd O,~PT Sertlon corners
quired pointing accuracy. All this is both ex- FIG. 2. Triangulation, trilateration method of
pensive and time-consuming (Laffelty, 1971; establishing coordinates.
Laffeity, 1973). However, if the 1:3000 scale
photography is used, then inany fence cor-
ners can be identified, especially with a tion, etc., causes obstruction and delay.
zoonl stereoscope. Therefore, an alternative method for estab-
Processing large-scale photography re- lishing these coordinates is very desirable.
quires expensive coinputers and qualified The auto surveyor and analytical photo-
operators, both of which can be avoided by
graininetry are two such methods.
using an inexpensive digitizer attached to a
desk calculator.
This research study is organized ifi the THE AUTO SURVEYOR
following sections:
The auto surveyor is a new development
Determination of section and quarter sec- in the area of intertial navigation. After cor-
tion corner coordinates, recting for drift, etc., it is expected to give
Relocation of section and quarter corners the coordinates of a position with an accu-
and mining clainl monuments, racy of k10' cms (Brown, 1977). The obser-
Methods of checking the accuracy of a 20 vation procedures are similar to a traverse.
acre subdivision, and The systein is initialized at known station A
Procedure for deten~~ining the lot corner and transported to another known station B
coordinates of an urban system. in a motor vehicle via stations whose coordi-
nates are unknown. The vehicle is stopped
at these stations, and relevant information on
x, y, and z coordinates are recorded from the
on-board computer. The vehicle is also fre-
As mentioned earlier, each township of 6 quently stopped for ~lpdatingzero-velocity.
by 6 iniles is divided into 36 sections, one The closing errors obtained at station B are
square mile each. Ideally, the four corners then used to coinpensate the drift errors in
defining the township should be established the x, y, and z coordinates of the unknown
by second order triangulation from existing stations.
1st order triangulation points. The third Experiinents with the systenl have indi-
order triangulation procedure can then be cated that, over long distances, the accuracy
used to establish the section and quarter obtainable is of a second order traverse stan-
section corners (Figure 2). dard. Hence, it is suitable for establishing
When triangulation procedures are used to township corners but in its present state is
establish coordinates of township and sec- unsuitable for the short traverses used to es-
tion corners, urban development, vegeta- tablish section and quarter section corners.
1266 PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING, 1979

ANALYTICAL PHOTOGRAMMETRY subdivision of section 17,. 19,. and 20 of

Analytical photogrammetry uses aerial Township 2 north Range 15 east, Mt. Diablo
photographs taken along a predetermined base and meridian was undertaken. The
flight line at predetermined intervals using a section and some quarter corners were relo-
high-precision wide-angle camera. The film cated and targeted (Figure 3).The estimated
positions of center points and 1116th corners
is then carefully processed and glass
diapositives are made froin it. and lost quarter corners were targeted. The
The location of both known and unknown targets were black plastic squares 2 feet in
points are identified on the diapositives. The size. They were each marked at the center
with a white circle 6 inches in diameter. The
coordinates of these points together with the
fiducial inarks on the diapositives are mea- 6 inch diameter gave an iinage size of about
sured to 0.001 mm accuracy by a comparator. 50 inrn on the 1:3000 photographs.
T h e photography was taken at 1:6000
If the photo coordinates of the fiducial marks
(about 25 photos) and 1:3000 scales (about
are known, then these coordinates can be
transfornled into photo coordinates. Errors 100 photos). The targets were photo iden-
tified on the large-scale photos and an ana-
due to filin shrinkage, lens distortion, at-
lytical aerial triangulation was carried out
mospheric refraction, etc., are then corrected
and the plate coordinates are transformed using the small-scale photograph (22
into ground coordinates by analytical trian- photos).
gulation programs. Computer capability en- Table 1 shows the coordinates of the esti-
ables 1000 photographs to be processed at mated corner points obtained by analytical
one time. triangulation in section 19, and also the cal-
Experiments have shown that it is possible culated coordinates and the moves required
to set them on the ground. These inea-
to obtain ground coordinates to an accuracy
of 0.00,5 rnin at photo scale. Thus, if the sureinents were used to relocate or set the
ground control coordinates are accurate, points on the ground. The estimated accu-
then it is possible to deterinine the section racy of the new points is of the order o f 2 to 3
and quarter corner coordinates of sufficient feet. This large error is partly due to the fact
that the pass points were not premarked or
accuracy merely by choosing the appropriate
targeted and partly because of the use of
photo scale. The larger the photo scale, the
small-scale photography. If a higher accu-
more photographs that need to be processed
and the costlier the project. Since the coor- racy is desired, then large-scale photographs
should be taken after restoring the lost cor-
dinates of section corners require an accu-
racy of 3 to 5 cm, the 1:6000 to 1:9000 scale ners and setting subdivision points. Then an
aerial triangulation should be carried out
photographs can be used to determine these
coordinates. preferably with pass points also targeted.

In cadastral survey projects it is often nec-

essary to relocate the corners and, if they are
lost, restore them. The normal procedure of
restoring lost corners is to traverse from the
nearest relocated corner and establish a po-
sition either by single or double proportion.
An alternative method is to target all the
relocated section corners and the estimated
positions of lost comers and azimuth mark-
ers placed nearby. The coordinates of these
targets can then be determined by analytical
photogrammetry using 1:6000 to 1:9000
scale photography. By using the coordinates
of relocated corners, the coordinates of the
lost corners can be determined and estab-
lished by ground survey methods froin the A- c o n t r o l ,-,,ts l t o r g e t t c d )
estimated location by using the azimuth - Relocated Sectson Cornars (targeiCad)
marker for direction. o - Estzrnnted p o d s I t a r g e t t e d )
In order to test this alternate method, a FIG.3. Relocation of section and quarter corners.
 NUMERICAL CADASTRAL SURVEY

Coordinates Move
Points Triangulated Proportioned Bearing Distance

M.C.M.
43

M.C.M. (section comer 17, 18, 19, 20)

M.C.M.-Mineral Claim Monument

 PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING, 1979

"..
TRACT NO. 0 0 0 0
0,

M ELlFER HOMES NO. 00

~ E M OCCUNTY
U V m r D .*o rr.nc0
I S,.II.UOU
* ru."..,.,,.
-0 0 MI
.r .
STATE OF ULIFOIIYIA
M S c * .

I ?%%- .

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i.
.A-2,zs<,

U",~BO~",~~D
--,,
,-r,- L1YENU.F

ii

0 -*
,-w

-
TU, .
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*e-a.rX.
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:
--III..r-t.we#
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F+*,
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'=u+
w...**--.V-
M W h r C r u
Y W W W
*I,

...?
a
,.--.-,.&
"
-L)I. a
".- 0 -, hlUI.)M."M"
dm,. arxr,.." #. .

FIG. 4. Subdivision map prepared by ground

survey.

the maximum contrast and since the area is

In order to check the accuracy of photo- sandy, the 2 foot square black plastic target
grammetric survey results and solve the with 6 inch diameter of white dots at the
problem involved, a 20 acre lot was sub- center was again used. These targets were
divided from start to finish by field survey then placed over the lot corners and fixed to
methods. Initially, a contour map showing the ground with eight nails. The 2-foot target
one foot contours was prepared using plane gave an image size of 0.1 mm at the 1:6000
table methods. T h e subdivision was de- photo scale and the 6 inch white dot gave an
signed on a map at a scale of 1 in. = 100 fi image size of 0.05 mm at 1:3000 photo scale
and then the lot corners were set by ground photography. At places where the targets
survey methods to the accuracy specified by could not be positioned, two targets were set
the design map (Figure 4). Using the dis- in the neighborhood and offsets were mea-
tances and bearings shown on the map, the sured. Then photography at a scale of 1:3000
coordinates of the lot corners as well as those was taken to provide stereo coverage of the
of section corners were determined. area. Using a Wild A9 stereoplotter* the po-
Using the 1:6,000 scale photographs and sitions of the targets were plotted by photo-
Kelsh plotting instruments, a one foot con- grammetric methods and a subdivision map
tour map of the area was prepared which
compared satisfactorily with that by plane * The wide angle photograph was reduced to be
table method. Since black and white gives adopted in the Wild A9 stereoplotter.
 NUMERICAL CADASTRAL SURVEY

was prepared (Figure 5 ) . With the digitizer coordinates to one micrometre, was used.
attached to the Wild A9 the model coordi- The coordinates generated by the mono-
nates of the targets were obtained and then comparator were processed through two
transformed to give the ground coordinates. computer programs developed for this project.
Table 2 gives the results. The large errors The first program gives the coordinates
are due to computation blunders in ground by a sequential method and the other
survey methods, indicating the value of an program by a simultaneous least-squares
independent check. The snlall errors may be adjustment method. The standard errors ob-
due to setting errors in ground survey meth- tained using the residuals between the
ods. By eliminating the computation blun- ground control coordinates and coordinates
ders and then using the residuals between obtained by the sequential triangulation
the two methods, standard errors of 20.27 ft method are k0.36 ft in x and k0.46 ft in y.
in x and 20.38 ft in y were obtained. This The standard errors obtained using the re-
shows that photogrannlletric methods could siduals between the ground and simulta-
be effectively used to check the ground sur- neous triangulation method are +0.22 ft in x
vey and also to determine the position coor- and k0.26 ft in y.
dinates of the lot corners.
This project also was done using analytical
photogra~nmetrictechniques. T h e Kern In order to solve the problems involved in
monocomparator, which gives the plate the photogra~nmetricsurveys of a residential

I
M ELlFER HOMES NO. 00
FRESNO COUNTY STATE OF CALIFORNIA

us-
-6.

,"r",
,'
I
"---*=
8
4lCNUC

FIG.5. Subdivision map prepared by photogram-

metry.
PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING, 1979

Listing of Transformed Model

and Ground Coordinates
Field Model
Latitude Latitude Residual

SE COR PROP
(SW COR PARK)
SE COR LOTS 15116
E COR LOTS 14115
E COR LOTS 13114
E COR LOTS 12113
E COR LOTS 11112
E COR LOTS 10111
E COR LOTS 9110
E COR LOTS 819
W COR LOTS 9110
W COR LOTS 10111
W COR LOTS 11112
W COR LOTS 12113
W COR LOTS 13114
W COR LOTS 14115
SW COR LOT 15
W COR LOTS 15116
(@ Cul de Sac)
CR LOT 16
S COR LOTS 16117
S COR LOTS 17118
S COR LOTS 18119
W COR 19IPARK
(@ Crime Lab)
S COR LOTS 20121
NW COR LOT 21
N COR LOTS 19120
(@ Cul de Sac)
N COR LOTS 18119
N COR LOTS 17118
N COR LOTS 16117
E COR LOTS 38139
E COR LOTS 39140
E COR LOTS 40141
E COR LOTS 41142
E COR LOTS 42143
E COR LOTS 43/44
E COR LOTS 44145
LOTS 30131144145
LOTS 31132143144
LOTS 32133142143
LOTS 33134141142
LOTS 34135140141
LOTS 35136139140
LOTS 36137138139
S COR LOTS 37138
SW COR LOT 37
W COR LOTS 36137
W COR LOTS 35/36
W COR LOTS 34135
W COR LOTS 33134
W COR LOTS 32133
W COR LOTS 31132
E COR LOTS 27128
E COR LOTS 26127
E COR LOTS 25126
E COR LOTS 24125
E COR LOTS 23124
 NUMERICAL CADASTRAL SURVEY

TABLE
2(A)-(Continued)
Listing of Transformed Model
and Ground Coordinates
Field Model
Latitude Latitude Residual
E COR LOTS 22/23
SE COR LOT 22
W COR LOTS 22/23
W COR LOTS 23/24
W COR LOTS 24/25
W COR OTS 25/26
W COR LOTS 26/27
W COR LOTS 27/28
E COR LOTS 27/28
W COR LOTS 31/32
LOTS 31/32/43/44
E COR LOTS 43/44
W COR LOTS 9/10
W COR LOTS 10111
W COR LOTS 11/12
W COR LOTS 12/13
W COR LOTS 28/29
E COR LOTS 28/29
W COR LOTS 30131
NW COR LOT 29
NE COR LOT 29
NW COR LOT 30
N COR LOTS 30145
N E COR LOT 45
NW COR LOT 8
W COR LOTS 718
(@ Cul de Sac)
E COR LOTS 718
SW COR LOTS 617
(@ Cul de Sac)
CR @ LOT 6
S COR LOTS 516
S COR LOTS 415
S COR LOTS 314
S COR LOTS 213
S COR LOTS 112
SW COR LOT 1
NW COR PROP
(NW COR LOT 1)
N COR LOTS 112
N COR LOTS 213
N COR LOTS 415
N COR LOTS 516
N COR LOTS 415
N COR LOTS 617
NE COR LOT 7

Calculation of standard error

sum of residuals = - 3.955
residuals squared = 6.284

Standard Error = ~ / 82
m3
 PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SGNSING, 1979

Listing of Transformed Model

and Ground Coordinates
Field Model
Departure Departure Residual

SE COR PROP
(SW COR PARK)
SE COR LOTS 15/16
E COR LOTS 14/15
E COR LOTS 13/14
E COR LOTS 12/13
E COR LOTS 11/12
E COR LOTS 10111
E COR LOTS 9/10
E COR LOTS 819
W COR LOTS 9/10
W COR LOTS 10111
W COR LOTS 11/12
W COR LOTS 12/13
W COR LOTS 13/14
W COR LOTS 14115
SW COR LOT 15
W COR LOTS 15/16
(@ Cul de Sac)
CR LOT 16
S COR LOTS 16/17
W COR LOTS 11/12
W COR LOTS 12/13
W COR LOTS 28/29
E COR LOTS 28/29
W COR LOTS 30131
NW COR LOT 29
NE COR LOT 29
NW COR LOT 30
N COR LOT 30145
NE COR LOT 45
NW COR LOT 8
W COR LOTS 718
(@ Cul de Sac)
E COR LOTS 718
SW COR LOTS 617
(@ Cul de Sac)
CR LOT 6
S COR LOTS 516
S COR LOTS 415
S COR LOTS 314
S COR LOTS 213
S COR LOTS 112
SW COR LOT 1
NW COR PROP
(NW COR LOT 1)
N COR LOTS 112
SW COR LOT 37
W COR LOTS 36/37
W COR LOTS 35/36
W COR LOTS 34/35
W COR LOTS 33/34
W COR LOTS 32/33
W COR LOTS 31/32
E COR LOTS 27/28
E COR LOTS 26/27
E COR LOTS 25/26
E COR LOTS 24/25
 NUMERICAL CADASTRAL SURVEY

Listing of Transformed Model

and Ground Coordinates
Field Model
Departure Departure Residual
E COR LOTS 23124 10170.00
E COR LOTS 22/23 10170.00
SE COR LOT 22 10170.00
W COR LOTS 22/23 10050.00
W COR LOTS 23/24 10050.00
W COR LOTS 24/25 10050.00
W COR LOTS 25/26 10050.00
W COR LOTS 27/28 10050.00
E COR LOTS 27/28 10170.00
W COR LOTS 31132 10230.00
LOTS 31132143144 10230.00
E COR LOTS 43144 10470.00
W COR LOTS 9/10 10529.98
W COR LOTS 10111 10529.98
S COR LOTS 17/18 10441.23
S COR LOTS 18/19 10335.18
W COR 191PARK 10257.90
(@ Crime Lab)
S COR LOTS 20121 10170.00
NW COR LOT 21 10050.00
N COR LOTS 19/20 10307.70
(@ Cul de Sac)
N COR LOTS 18/19 10338.83
N COR LOTS 17/18 10390.00
N COR LOTS 16/17 10470.00
E COR LOTS 38/39 10470.00
E COR LOTS 39/40 10470.00
E COR LOTS 40141 10470.00
E COR LOTS 41/42 10470.00
E COR LOTS 42/43 10470.00
E COR LOTS 43144 10470.00
E COR LOTS 44/45 10470.00
LOTS 30131/44/45 10230.00
LOTS 31132143144 10230.00
LOTS 32133142143 10230.00
LOTS 33134141142 10230.00
LOTS 34135140141 10230.00
LOTS 35136139140 10230.00
LOTS 36137138139 10230.00
S COR LOTS 37138 10350.00
N COR LOTS 213 10230.00
N COR LOTS 415 10410.00
N COR LOTS 516 10410.00
N COR LOTS 415 10410.00
N COR LOTS 617 10589.99
NE COR LOT 7 10662.16
W COR LOTS 26/27 10050.00
Calculation of standard error,
sum of residuals = 12.494
residuals squared = 11.295
Standard Error = 2 V'-ii%%
77
= 0.38
1274 PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING, 1979

FIG.6. Cadastral survey map of an urban parcel

prepared by ground survey.

area, the position deterlninatio~lof about 15 Thus, black plastic targets with a white dot
lots in the tract Map 2363 of Fresno Couilty were placed near the fence lines and dis-
was undertaken. Figure 6 shows the re- tances to the lot corners were measured and
corded tract map. The first problenl was recorded in the field (Figure 7). On asphalt
targeting the lot comers. There were two surfaces 6 inch white crosses were used as
types of lot corners, one created by the inter- targets. Distances from at least two targets
section of fence corners and the other by the were measured to each lot corner. T h e
intersection of the fence lines which were pl~otogrammetricallyplotted fence intersec-
extended to meet the road. Fence lines tion on the map could provide the necessaly
could be plotted using plotting instruinents check on the position determined by the
and large-scale photography. However, the offsets froin the targets or vice versa.
intersection of fence lines may not be ideal Photography at 1:7,200 and 1:3,000 scales
for d e t e r n ~ i ~ l i nthe
g position coordinates. were obtained. The 1:7,200 scale photo-

Flcld Measurements From T a r g e t s

t o Fence C o m e r 5

White cvos=eb
o Targets

FIG.7. Field measurements to targets.

 NUMERICAL CADASTRAL SURVEY

FENCE LINE MAP

FIG.8. Cadastral survey map prepared by photo-

grammetry (drawn at a scale of 1 in. = 100 ft
using the Kern PG2).

graphs nearly cover the section and 1:3000 correctly identified and accurate coordinates
scale photographs cover the eighth of a sec- obtained by analytical methods. In practice,
tion. Now using the Kern PG2 plotting in- a large project will involve the observation
strument and 1:3000 scale photography, the of many photos using stereo-comparators.
fence line of the lots and position of the But on the other hand if we use 1:7,200 scale
targets were plotted at a scale of 1 in. = 100 ft photography then we will have to target
(Figure 8). The offsets from the targets and every lot corner which is again costly and
the intersection of the fence lines agreed time-consuming.
within plotting accuracy. This fence line
map showed agreement with the tract map.
Using the 1:7,200 scale photographs and In order to eliminate both problems, a new
the Kern PG2, the lot corners and the section method of observing photo coordinates
corners were plotted at a scale of 1 in. = 200 known as stereoscopic digitizing system was
ft (Figure 9). Then the coordinates of the lot developed. This system consists of a Wang
corners were determined by digitizing and digitizer, a Wang calculator, and a mirror or
transforming. The coordinates were found to zoom stereoscope. The mirror stereoscope is
have an accuracy of about * 2 fi. mounted on an aluminum framework in such
Increased accuracy of the position can be a way that it is freely movable along the
determined by using analytical photogram- frame. Two spot light lamps are attached to
metry, and the values obtained by plotting the framework. These lamps can be slid on
and digitizing can be used to check and the frame. The whole frame is free to move
eliminate blunders. in the y direction (Figure 10). Thus, a block
With the 1:7200 scale photography the of photographs can b e laid on the digitizer
coordinates of the lot corners were deter- and the points can be digitized, one photo at
mined by analytical photogrammetric meth- a time. These digitized coordinates can then
ods. The positions of well defined targets be transformed to photo coordinates by the
and points agreed well with the ground val- program in the Wang computer.
ues but those of lot corners such as fence T h e procedure of observing points in
intersection, etc., which cannot b e identified photo 22, strip 2 (Figure 11) consists in tap-
definitely because of the scale of the photo- ing photo 22 on the digitizer and laying the
graph, did not. adjoining three photos from strip 1and 3 and
If 1:3000 scale photography had been photos in strip 2 as shown. The fiducials
used, then all the points could have been marks in photo 22 are first digitized. Given
 PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING, 1979

t l 7 l l l ~ ~ + + +
c- +<5ri.a*rn
;:L7tA'F
+ ~?UOOOE

f 17.4WC

@$p'E2 ,#j?$$P
i;*z+df+ + +c +
ez-
Mi5-
aLuL ,%,aw
COORDINATE MAP
\

FIG.9. Cadastral survey map prepared by photo-

grammetry (drawn at a scale of 1 in. = 200 ft
using the Kern PG2).

the fiducial point coordinates, the program ure 12). Then, by placing the point transfer
in the Wang computer determines t h e device on the other plate, the same point can
transformation parameters. Any points be point transferred or vice versa. In practice
whose photo coordinates in photo 22 are re- one has to premark a point on one plate only,
quired are identified under stereovision in which case the marker on the cursor can
either using ~ h o t o21 or 23. The cursor is be placed on the exact point under stereo-
placed over the point and the reference mark scopic observation. Once the reference mark
on the cursor is then centered over the point on the cursor is placed exactly on the point,
using the attached x screw and y screw (Fig- then it can be digitized and the program in

FIG.10. Stereoscopic digitizing system. FIG.11. Cursor.

 NUMERICAL CADASTRAL SURVEY

st.. 1

[-7 n
strip 2

1
7 c c *- pass p o ~ n t s

FIG.12. Observation procedure.

the calculator will transform it to photo coor- An estimated standard error of k0.2 fi at
dinates. the control points using monocomparator
data indicates that precision coordinates can
be obtained by anaIytical photogrammetry.
The large error o f 4 ft at the lot corner, which
The 1:3,000 scale photography was dig- is due to an identification problem, could be
itized using the Wang digitizer. Since the minimized, if necessary, by using large scale
least count of the digitizer was only 0.01 photography.
inches, a point was digitized four times and The stereoscopic digitizing system gives a
the mean coordinate was used in analytical standard error of -1.5 ft at the control points.
triangulation. Again, since the digitizing This compares well with the expected accu-
system is only good to about 0.25 mm, a racy of a 1.3 ft for a measurement accuracy of
paper print was used instead of a glass 0.01 inches on the photograph. The standard
diapositive. Table 3 shows the comparison error of k2.8 ft for stereoscopic digitizing
between the results from monocomparator system against k 2 . 2 A. for t h e mono-
observations, PG2 observations, and the comparator (Table 3), the standard error of
S.D. system. Table 4 gives the difference 21.8 fi. for stereoscopic digitizing system
between lot corner coordinates obtained by against 21.1 ft for the monocomparator
analytical triangulation, and that obtained (Table 4), and the standard error of a3.96 ft
using the coordinates computed from nearby for stereoscopic digitizing system against
targets and distances measured to the lot k2.02 ft for the monocomparator and of
corner. The coordinates of the targets were k1.44 ft for the PG2 (Table 5) indicate that
also obtained by analytical triangulation. the stereoscopic digitizing system is a work-
The residuals in x, as well as in y, are given able system. Its accuracy, of course, can be
for both sets of data from the stereoscopic increased by using a more accurate digitizer
digitizing system and the monocomparator and better viewing system such as a zoom
system. stereoscope. It should be pointed out that

TABLE
3. COMPARISON
OF COORDINATES
FROM DIFFERENT
METHODS
S. digitized S. digitized Monocomparator
coordinate & coordinate & coordinate &
sequential method simultaneous method simultaneous method
with large-scale with large-scale with small-scale
photograph (l:3000) photograph (l:3000) photograph (1:6000)
Standard Error in comparison
with PG2 (ft) -t 3 k2.8 22.2
(estimated accuracy of Coordinate from PG2 is 22 ft.)
Estimated Standard Error at
the control pts. (ft) k4.5 2 1.5 20.2
Estimated Standard Error at
the target pts. (69-100) - - 22
Estimated Standard Error at
the lot corners pt. (31-68) - - 24
 PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING, 1979

and the positions of the lost corners. The lost

corners can b e restored by targeting the es-
S.D. System Monocomparator timated point and an azimuth marker. In
System order to obtain maximum accuracy, not only
Point the control points but also the corners and
54 pass points should be targeted.
55 The 1:3000 scale photograph can be used
56 effectively to check the accuracy of setting
64 out a subdivision. This procedure may be
67 used either by surveyors to check their work
68 or by cities and counties to check the work of
40 surveyors.
The stereoscopic digitizing system is very
good to determine the coordinates of lot cor-
ners in an urban area. This is simple, inex-
the results of the PG2 are good mainly be- pensive, and fast. The system does not re-
cause of the resolution obtained in the quire specialized operators.
viewing system. Finally, it is necessary to emphasize that
Results in Tables 3 and 4 indicate that the coordinates of lots and section corners
fence corners can be satisfactorily used for should be determined and stored so that
plotting and checking purposes; thus, they may be retrieved when required and
targeting may not be required. Table 5 com- plotted at any desired scale or used to com-
pares the lot sizes as given in the record of pute area, etc. It is best if the responsibility
deeds to those obtained by inversing the to establish the coordinates of the section
coordinates of the lot corners obtained by all and quarter corners b e assigned to t h e
three methods. Bureau of Land Management or United
States Geological Survey and the responsi-
bility of establishing the coordinates of the
Photograminetry can be used effectively lot corners be assigned to the cities and/or
in numerical cadastral survey if good control, counties.
targets, and large-scale photographs are
used. The 1:6000 to 1:9,000 scale photo-
graphs can be used to determine the coordi- Many people have aided me in this re-
nates of the section, quarter, 1116th corners, search. I am indebted to the late Mr. E d
and center points together with the esti- Griffin of the Bureau of Land Management,
mated positions of any lost corners or points. Sacramento for providing me with the aerial
The 1:3000 scale photographs can be used to photographs and establishing ground con-
determine the coordinates of the lot corners

Wang Digitizer Data Comparator Data PG2 Plotted Data Record Distance
Line Dist. Vd Dist. Vd Dist. Vd in feet
( ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft)
 NUMERICAL CADASTRAL SURVEY

trol. Messrs. R. Altenhofen and Randy Olson REFERENC~S

of the U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park Brown, Duane C., 1977. Densification of Urban
helped m e to obtain access to the computer Geodetic Nets, Photogrammetric Engineer-
facilities. My thanks are also due to the fol- ing and Remote Sensing, Vol. 43, No. 4, pp.
lowing former students: Messrs. W. Ander- 447-467.
son, R. Berringer, P. Enneking, G. Misersky, Bureau of Land Management, Manual of Instruc-
M. Sanchez, and W. Strong. I am also in- tions.
debted to Messrs. W. Wilkinson and D. Bick- Jeyapalan, K., 1972. Some methods of obtaining
ner of the support staff of the School of En- approximate values of the parameters and
g i n e e r i n g . W e s t e r n Aerial Photo Inc., detecting blunders in si~nultaneousblock tri-
Bakersfield also assisted me in this project angulat~on,presented at the ASP Fall Techni-
cal Meeting, Columbus, Ohio.
by doing the aerial photography at a nominal Lafferty, Maurice E., 1971. Photogrammetric
cost. Control for Subdivision Monumentation, Pro-
This research was partly funded by a grant ceedings of the ACSM-ASP Fall Convention,
from the Research Cimmittee of the school San Francisco.
of Engineering and I am very grateful to the , 1973. AccuracyiCosts with Analytics,
committee for this encouragement. Last, but Photogrammetric Engineering, Vol. 39, No. 5,
not least, I would like to thank Mr. Morris pp. 507-514.
Mckenzie, uscs, Reston, Virginia for re- (Received March 4, 1978; reviqed and accepted
viewing the paper. February 28, 1979)

First Announcement

14th lnternational Congress

l5P
HAMBURG
of the
1980
International Society for Photogram metry
Hamburg, Federal Republic of Germany
July 13-25, 1980

The 14th International Congress, to be held in the Congress Centrum Hamburg, will
include technical conferences, exhibits, technical tours, excursions, and social events. For
further information please write to

The Secretariate
ISP Congress 1980
c/o Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH
Congress-Organisation
P.O. Box 30 23 60
D-2000 Hamburg 36
Federal Republic of Germany