---
title: "Short note: Importance of GPS and GIS"
subject: "Surveying II"
chapter: 8
key: "semester_4/surveying_ii:gps-gis-importance"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/surveying_ii/gps-gis-importance
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Short note: Importance of GPS and GIS

Surveying II · Chapter 8: Field Astronomy and GPS

- Asked in: 2075 Baisakh, 4 marks
- Video: [GPS and GIS Presentation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3Ky0qnbPeM) — Topomatics
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/surveying_ii/gps-gis-importance
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_4/surveying_ii/chapter-8

## Question

Write a short note on the importance of GPS and GIS.

## Short answer

GPS provides quick, all-weather 3D positions globally without intervisibility, reducing survey time and cost, and supports navigation and deformation monitoring. GIS stores and analyses spatial data, enabling overlay analysis for site selection, route planning, and utility management, and aids decision-making in disaster and environmental planning.

## Answer

**GPS** (Global Positioning System) gives the three-dimensional position of any point on the Earth from satellite signals. **GIS** (Geographic Information System) is a computer system for capturing, storing, analysing and presenting spatially referenced data.

#### Importance of GPS
- Gives accurate position, height and time quickly, in all weather, day and night, with no need for intervisibility between stations.
- Reduces the time and cost of control surveys, topographic surveys and setting out.
- Useful for navigation, tracking, and monitoring deformation of dams, bridges and landslides.
- Gives positions in a global datum (WGS84), so surveys can be linked together.

#### Importance of GIS
- Stores large amounts of spatial and attribute data in one database that can be updated easily.
- Overlay and spatial analysis help in site selection, route alignment, and planning of utilities.
- Produces maps and reports quickly, and helps decision making in disaster management, environment and urban planning.
- Together, GPS supplies accurate locations for data collection and GIS analyses them, so the two are used together in modern surveying and planning.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. A GPS advantage:
   A. Needs line of sight between stations
   B. No intervisibility needed between stations
   C. Works only at night
   D. Needs chain
   Answer: B. Also works in all weather. (Key point: GPS advantage)

2. GPS positions refer to:
   A. Local datum only
   B. Sea level only
   C. No datum
   D. WGS84
   Answer: D. Global datum links surveys. (Key point: Datum)

3. GIS is:
   A. A satellite
   B. Computer system for capturing, storing, analysing and presenting spatial data
   C. A receiver
   D. A camera
   Answer: B. Overlay and spatial analysis support planning. (Key point: GIS definition)

4. How are GPS and GIS used together?
   A. GIS supplies signals
   B. GPS analyses overlays
   C. They are unrelated
   D. GPS supplies locations; GIS analyses them
   Answer: D. GPS collects accurate locations; GIS stores and analyses. (Key point: Together)

## Related in Surveying II

- [GPS principle and components, GIS applications](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsurveying_ii%3Agps-principle-gis-applications) — Surveying II, chapter 8, asked 2×