Here is an interesting paper I came across that discusses using a digital terrain model to determine the SPR in a digital format. I think it is part of a PhD dissertation, but it is put together by someone with a good deal of survey experience.

Essentially there is a digital scanner that shoots the topography to be traversed, and a model created of the ground surface.

article

The paper also contains an interesting discussion of different methods used to measure courses. I just thought it was interesting reading, no great leaps forward for now.

Any thoughts?

Edited to make URL live.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Pete Riegel,

A quick scan of the article leads me to the conclusion that the authors believe you can do a better job of measuring using surveying tools and methods, but that it's more time-consuming. Unless I missed something I found nothing new. We have known this for a long time.