The ability of GPS to provide real-time submeter- and centimeter-level accuracy in a cost-effective manner has significantly changed the civil engineering industry.
Construction firms are using GPS in many applications such as road construction, Earth moving, and fleet management.
In road construction and Earth moving, GPS, combined with wireless communication and computer systems, is installed on board the Earth-moving machine.
Designed surface information, in a digital format, is uploaded into the system. With the help of the computer display and the real-time GPS position information, the operator can view whether the correct grade
has been reached.
In situations in which millimeter-level elevation is needed, GPS can be integrated with rotated beam lasers.