Plane Surveys - ANSWER Type of survey that disregards the curvature of the earth. Ap-
propriate if the area is small.
Geodetic Surveys - ANSWER Type of survey that considers the curvature of the earth.
Zoned Surveys - ANSWER Type of survey that allows computations to be performed as
if on a plane will accommodating larger areas.
State Plane Coordinate System - ANSWER Rectangular systems that use a partial lati-
tude/longitude system for baseline references
Stadia Survey - ANSWER Requires the use of a transit, theodolite, or engineer's level,
as well as a rod for reading elevation differences and a tape for measuring horizontal dis-
tances
Plane Table Survey - ANSWER Used in conjunction with a telescopic instrument. Used
in field compilation of maps and doesn't disturb the azimuth
Total Station Surveys - ANSWER Integrates theodolites, electronic distancing measure-
ment (EDM), and data recorders
Triangulation - ANSWER The positions of the survey points are determined by measur-
ing the angles of triangles defined by the points. Used primarily for geodetic surveys
1
,Trilateration - ANSWER Survey lines form triangles, but the lengths of the triangles
sides are measured
Photogrammetric Surveys - ANSWER Conducted using aerial photographs
Airborne LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) - ANSWER Aircraft mounted laser sys-
tems designed to measure the 3D coordinates of a passive target
NAVSTAR GPS - ANSWER Navigation Satellite Timing and Ranging Global Positioning
System; one-way satellite to receiver ranging systems. GPA determines position without ref-
erencing any other point
Inertial Survey Systems - ANSWER Determine a position on the earth by analyzing the
movement of a transport vehicle. Measures acceleration of the vehicle and converts that to
distance
Geographic Information System (GIS) - ANSWER A computer system that stores, or-
ganizes, analyzes, and displays geographic data. Contains spatial information, literal infor-
mation, and characteristics
Sexagesimal System - ANSWER Degrees, minutes, seconds
60 minutes make up a degree, 60 seconds make up a minute
Positions - ANSWER (a) latitude and logitude
(b) by rectangular (Cartesian) coordinates measured from a reference point
Benchmark - ANSWER The common name given to permanent monuments of known
vertical positions
2
,Control Stations (or Triangular Stations) - ANSWER Monuments with known horizontal
positions.
Datum - ANSWER Usually mean sea level, the point from where vertical elevations are
measured from
Gunter's Chain - ANSWER standard unit of distance measurement, which equals 66
feet.
Cut Chains - ANSWER 100' long tapes
Add Chains - ANSWER 101' long tapes
Tachyometric Distance Measurement - ANSWER Involved sighting through a small an-
gle at a distant scale
- Stadia method - angle fixed, length measured
- European method - length fixed, angle measured
Stadia Interval/Reading - ANSWER Interval between two rod readings on a distant sta-
dia rod
Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) - ANSWER Very accurate for short (~2 mile)
distances and relatively accurate for longer distances
Stations - ANSWER In route surveying, lengths are divided into 100' sections called sta-
tions [sta = units]
length: "the length of curve is 4 sta"
location: "the point of intersection is at sta 4"
3
, Stakes - ANSWER Usually laid down at full intervals, but if placed anywhere else (plus
station):
825' from 0+00 : 8+25
2896' from 0+00 : 28+96
Leveling - ANSWER The act of using an engineer's level (or other leveling instrument)
and rod to measure a vertical distance (elevation) from an arbitrary level surface.
Actual (Corrected) Rod Height - ANSWER ha = Robserved - hrc
hrc = (2.1 x 10^-8 1/ft)*x^2
Direct Leveling - ANSWER A level is set up at a point approximately midway between
the two points whose difference in elevation is desired
Differential Leveling - ANSWER The consecutive application of direct leveling to the
measurement of large differences in elevation
Indirect Leveling - ANSWER Does not require backsight
Meridian - ANSWER An arc drawn on a map between the North and South poles. (Ver-
tical)
Azimuth - ANSWER Given as a clockwise angle from the reference direction, either
from the north or from the south. May not exceed 360 deg.
ex: NAz 320 deg
4
propriate if the area is small.
Geodetic Surveys - ANSWER Type of survey that considers the curvature of the earth.
Zoned Surveys - ANSWER Type of survey that allows computations to be performed as
if on a plane will accommodating larger areas.
State Plane Coordinate System - ANSWER Rectangular systems that use a partial lati-
tude/longitude system for baseline references
Stadia Survey - ANSWER Requires the use of a transit, theodolite, or engineer's level,
as well as a rod for reading elevation differences and a tape for measuring horizontal dis-
tances
Plane Table Survey - ANSWER Used in conjunction with a telescopic instrument. Used
in field compilation of maps and doesn't disturb the azimuth
Total Station Surveys - ANSWER Integrates theodolites, electronic distancing measure-
ment (EDM), and data recorders
Triangulation - ANSWER The positions of the survey points are determined by measur-
ing the angles of triangles defined by the points. Used primarily for geodetic surveys
1
,Trilateration - ANSWER Survey lines form triangles, but the lengths of the triangles
sides are measured
Photogrammetric Surveys - ANSWER Conducted using aerial photographs
Airborne LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) - ANSWER Aircraft mounted laser sys-
tems designed to measure the 3D coordinates of a passive target
NAVSTAR GPS - ANSWER Navigation Satellite Timing and Ranging Global Positioning
System; one-way satellite to receiver ranging systems. GPA determines position without ref-
erencing any other point
Inertial Survey Systems - ANSWER Determine a position on the earth by analyzing the
movement of a transport vehicle. Measures acceleration of the vehicle and converts that to
distance
Geographic Information System (GIS) - ANSWER A computer system that stores, or-
ganizes, analyzes, and displays geographic data. Contains spatial information, literal infor-
mation, and characteristics
Sexagesimal System - ANSWER Degrees, minutes, seconds
60 minutes make up a degree, 60 seconds make up a minute
Positions - ANSWER (a) latitude and logitude
(b) by rectangular (Cartesian) coordinates measured from a reference point
Benchmark - ANSWER The common name given to permanent monuments of known
vertical positions
2
,Control Stations (or Triangular Stations) - ANSWER Monuments with known horizontal
positions.
Datum - ANSWER Usually mean sea level, the point from where vertical elevations are
measured from
Gunter's Chain - ANSWER standard unit of distance measurement, which equals 66
feet.
Cut Chains - ANSWER 100' long tapes
Add Chains - ANSWER 101' long tapes
Tachyometric Distance Measurement - ANSWER Involved sighting through a small an-
gle at a distant scale
- Stadia method - angle fixed, length measured
- European method - length fixed, angle measured
Stadia Interval/Reading - ANSWER Interval between two rod readings on a distant sta-
dia rod
Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) - ANSWER Very accurate for short (~2 mile)
distances and relatively accurate for longer distances
Stations - ANSWER In route surveying, lengths are divided into 100' sections called sta-
tions [sta = units]
length: "the length of curve is 4 sta"
location: "the point of intersection is at sta 4"
3
, Stakes - ANSWER Usually laid down at full intervals, but if placed anywhere else (plus
station):
825' from 0+00 : 8+25
2896' from 0+00 : 28+96
Leveling - ANSWER The act of using an engineer's level (or other leveling instrument)
and rod to measure a vertical distance (elevation) from an arbitrary level surface.
Actual (Corrected) Rod Height - ANSWER ha = Robserved - hrc
hrc = (2.1 x 10^-8 1/ft)*x^2
Direct Leveling - ANSWER A level is set up at a point approximately midway between
the two points whose difference in elevation is desired
Differential Leveling - ANSWER The consecutive application of direct leveling to the
measurement of large differences in elevation
Indirect Leveling - ANSWER Does not require backsight
Meridian - ANSWER An arc drawn on a map between the North and South poles. (Ver-
tical)
Azimuth - ANSWER Given as a clockwise angle from the reference direction, either
from the north or from the south. May not exceed 360 deg.
ex: NAz 320 deg
4
