LandXML DATA EXCHANGE FORMAT

Landonline Stage Two makes provision for digital submission of cadastral survey data. This enables the survey data in the surveyor's software to be loaded into Landonline. The survey will still be processed on the surveyor's system, similar to the current standard (Landonline is not a survey calculation package). An industry open standard data exchange format, LandXML, will be used for transferring data between the surveyor's software and Landonline.

The LandXML data exchange format will also be used for downloading survey data from Landonline onto the surveyors' computer systems for use with LandXML compatible survey software. Searching and viewing land information with Landonline does not involve the use of LandXML.

LandXML has been developed by Autodesk in consultation with other software developers, vendors and users involved with civil engineering and surveying for land development. It is based on the XML (eXtensible Markup Language) specification. XML is now used extensively for the exchange of data between a wide variety of computer applications, via the Internet. LandXML will be used for a wide range of survey and other land-related applications, such as engineering, not just for the creation and submission of e-surveys.

LINZ has been working in conjunction with the LandXML developers so that the LandXML Schema incorporates cadastral survey elements required for e-surveys in Landonline.

LINZ has actively promoted an initiative aiming to see LandXML recognised as the industry wide standard for managing and communicating survey data.

It may not be possible for all third party software developers to initially be able to supply the full range of LandXML data elements required by Landonline. This is due to differences in survey software. Landonline will include an on-line cadastral survey capture tool (CSC) which will allow surveyors to import the LandXML data generated by their software and to interactively capture any further data required by Landonline for the lodgement of the survey. There will also be a facility to pre-validate data, using the Landonline automated business rules, prior to digital lodgement.

Digital submission will not be mandatory, therefore surveyors will have the option of submitting manual plans as they do currently.

The LandXML data elements used by Landonline, and Landonline survey concepts, are outlined in the Office of Surveyor-General Standard 12 Cadastral Survey Data Exchange Format - LandXML. This document and sample LandXML data files are available on the Landonline website.

Refer: LandXML