Totalarstöðvar

Totalarstöðvar, often translated as "total stations," are advanced electronic/optical instruments used in surveying and construction. They combine an electronic theodolite, which measures horizontal and vertical angles, with an electronic distance meter (EDM), which measures distances. This integration allows for the precise measurement of angles and distances simultaneously, making them highly efficient for mapping terrain and setting out construction points.

The operation of a totalarstöð typically involves a surveyor setting up the instrument over a known point or establishing a new point. The instrument then uses a prism or reflector mounted on a staff at another point to measure the angles and distances to that point. Modern totalarstöðvar can also measure distances without a reflector using a laser beam, which is particularly useful for inaccessible locations.

Data collected by totalarstöðvar is stored digitally and can be downloaded to a computer for processing and analysis using specialized software. This significantly reduces manual data recording and potential errors. They are essential tools for a wide range of applications including land surveying, engineering, construction layout, geological mapping, and archaeological investigations. The accuracy and speed of totalarstöðvar have revolutionized modern surveying practices.