Case Study:

PRASA Walling Project

Role: Surveying & Setting-Out for Wall Construction

Client: Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)

Location: Gauteng – Priority Railway Corridors

Project Overview

As part of its infrastructure rehabilitation and modernization program, PRASA is implementing a large-scale walling project along key railway corridors in Gauteng. The initiative is aimed at preventing unauthorized access, reducing vandalism and theft, and improving commuter safety.
The project is integrated into PRASA’s broader security strategy, which also includes increased security personnel, upgraded signalling systems, and the refurbishment of stations and lines. The walling will form 3m-high reinforced concrete barriers along targeted sections of the network, with Geovantage contracted to provide full surveying services for construction accuracy.

Corridors & Scope

The walling program covers multiple priority corridors, with initial focus areas including:

Geovantage’s current scope involves surveying stretches totalling approximately 36km of wall construction across these corridors.

Challenges Faced

Operating in live railway environments with safety and access constraints.
Maintaining accuracy over long, continuous wall alignments.
Coordinating with multiple construction teams across dispersed work sites.
Surveying in varied terrain, including urban, peri-urban, and vegetated areas.

Our Approach

GeoVantage deployed a mobile survey team equipped with GNSS RTK rovers and total stations to handle the high-accuracy demands of wall setting-out. Our methodology included:

Establishing a unified control network for all wall sections.
Marking wall alignment and foundation positions at precise intervals.
Conducting as-built surveys after excavation and before concrete placement to confirm compliance.
Integrating survey data into PRASA’s construction records for quality control and project management.

Technology & Deliverables

Instrumentation:

Deliverables:

Outcome & Impact

By providing precise setting-out and verification over 36km of construction, Geovantage is helping ensure the PRASA walling project is delivered to design specifications, on schedule, and with the security performance intended.

This work supports PRASA’s long-term goal of securing its network, reducing incidents of theft and vandalism, and enhancing passenger safety — a critical step in restoring commuter confidence in South Africa’s rail system.