Generating Your First Survey Plan — Step by Step

Overview

A survey plan is the formal output of a cadastral survey. It is submitted to the Land Registry as part of a registration transaction (subdivision, change of lease, new title). METARDU generates a professional PDF plan that meets Survey of Kenya submission standards. This guide walks you through the complete workflow.

Step 1 — Create Your Project

1. Sign in to METARDU and go to New Project.
2. Set the project name, location, UTM Zone (e.g. Zone 37S for Nairobi), and datum (Arc 1960 / UTM WGS84).
3. Select the survey type: Closed Traverse, Radiation, or other method.
4. The project is now ready to receive survey data.

Step 2 — Enter Survey Data

There are three ways to enter data:

1. Manual entry: Add points one by one with coordinates.
2. Field Book: Use the Field Book to record traverse or radiation data in the field.
3. CSV Import: Upload a CSV from your data collector. Supported formats include total station CSV exports.

Step 3 — Run Traverse Adjustment (if applicable)

For closed traverses, run the adjustment in Traverse Calculator:

• Select Bowditch Rule (most common for land surveys).
• Enter your known control point coordinates and field observations.
• Click “Calculate Adjustment”.
• METARDU will display adjusted coordinates, precision ratio, and an RDM 1.1 accuracy badge.
• Click “Copy” to copy the adjusted coordinates back to your project.

Step 4 — Run a Level Run Check (if applicable)

If your survey includes elevation data, use the Levelling Calculator:

• Enter your BS, IS, and FS readings.
• METARDU automatically checks ΣBS − ΣFS = ΣRise − ΣFall.
• If misclosure is within RDM 1.1 allowable limits, the arithmetic check passes.
• Reduced levels are distributed across turning points automatically.

Step 5 — Draw the Parcel

In your project workspace, use the parcel builder to outline the land parcel on the map. METARDU will calculate the area automatically using the Gauss-Euler (shoelace) formula from the adjusted coordinates.

Step 6 — Generate the Survey Plan

1. In your project, click Generate Survey Plan.
2. Fill in the plan details: surveyor name, job number, parcel description, field conditions.
3. Select the survey methods and equipment used.
4. Add any difficulties encountered in the field.
5. METARDU generates a PDF report containing:
• Adjusted traverse coordinates table
• Precision statement (RDM 1.1 accuracy class)
• Level run arithmetic check results
• Computed area and perimeter
• Parcel sketch (if available)
• Certificate of accuracy for surveyor signature

Step 7 — Sign and Submit

After generating the plan:

• Download the PDF from METARDU.
• Have it counter-signed by your supervising surveyor (if you are a graduate surveyor).
• Submit to the Land Registry through the relevant portal or physical submission.
• METARDU also supports DXF export for submission to digital cadastre systems.