Combining Python and Surveying Engineering

Source: Dev.to

Introduction

Hey fellow surveying and GIS enthusiasts! I’ve been diving deep into how Python can supercharge everyday surveying engineering tasks, and I wanted to share some insights, tools, and project ideas with this community—plus swap notes with anyone else who’s been experimenting with the same combo.

Key Python Libraries for Surveying

• NumPy and Pandas – lifesavers for organizing survey datasets (coordinate lists, traverse measurements, elevation points).
• PyQGIS – automate QGIS workflows directly from Python scripts.
• Fiona and Shapely – read/write shapefiles and perform geometric operations (distance calculations, polygon overlays).
• Laspy – parse and process LAS/LAZ LiDAR files to extract ground points or generate DEMs.

Example Project: Traverse Closure Automation

I recently built a small script to automate traverse closure calculations—something that used to take hours of manual number‑crunching in Excel. The script:

1. Imports raw field data from a CSV export of a total station.
2. Runs closure error checks.
3. Adjusts coordinates using the Bowditch method.
4. Outputs a clean report with all adjusted values.

It’s saved me a lot of time on class projects and fieldwork.

Community Discussion

I’m curious:

• What Python projects have you built for surveying engineering?
• Have you found any underrated libraries that deserve more attention?
• Are there any pain points you’re still trying to solve with code (e.g., automating CAD exports, validating geodetic datum transformations)?

Whether you’re a beginner just starting to learn Python for surveying, or a pro with a toolkit of custom scripts, let’s share our wins, fails, and tips!

Looking forward to the discussion!