Mixed Deck — All LSIT Topics Flashcards

In the Public Land Survey System, how many acres are in a standard section?

Answer: 640 acres

A standard PLSS section is 1 mile × 1 mile = 640 acres; a township contains 36 such sections.

Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) primarily support:

Answer: High-accuracy GPS/GNSS positioning through continuous reference data

CORS stations provide continuous GPS/GNSS tracking data that surveyors access to perform high-accuracy positioning and control surveys.

Which of the following best describes a 'call' in a deed description?

Answer: Any element in a deed description such as a course, distance, monument, or adjoiner

A call is any element referenced in a deed description, including bearings, distances, monuments, and adjoiners, used to locate a boundary.

Meridian convergence (mapping angle γ) is defined as:

Answer: The angular difference between grid north and geodetic north

Meridian convergence is the angle between grid north and geodetic (true) north at a given point in a projected coordinate system.

The scale factor in a State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS) is applied to account for:

Answer: The difference between grid distances on the projection plane and geodetic distances on the ellipsoid

The grid scale factor converts ellipsoidal geodetic distances to grid (plane) distances used in SPCS computations.

What is the formula for slope distance to horizontal distance?

Answer: HD = SD × cos(vertical angle)

Cosine of the vertical angle converts slope to horizontal.

A surveyor must establish a point on a hillside using three-wire leveling. What is the primary advantage of this technique over single-wire leveling?

Answer: It provides a check on each rod reading and improves precision by averaging three stadia readings

Three-wire leveling reads the upper, middle, and lower crosshairs; the mean of the three readings reduces random errors, and the half-interval check detects blunders.

Which of the following is a common method for measuring horizontal angles in land surveying?

Answer: Using a theodolite or total station

Theodolites and total stations are specialized optical instruments designed for precise measurement of angles in surveying. A theodolite measures horizontal and vertical angles, while a total station integrates this with electronic distance measurement. These instruments provide the high accuracy required for establishing control points and mapping features in land surveying.

What is a traverse?

Answer: Connected series of lines with measured angles and distances

This creates a framework through connected measurements.

A 'cul-de-sac' shown on a subdivision plat is characterized by which geometric feature?

Answer: A dead-end street with a circular turnaround

A cul-de-sac is a dead-end street terminating in a circular bulb to allow vehicles to turn around.

In a PLSS description, Township 3 North, Range 5 East refers to what?

Answer: A 6-mile-square area located 3 tiers north and 5 ranges east of the principal meridian and baseline

Township and Range designations locate a 6-mile-square township relative to a principal meridian (east-west) and baseline (north-south).

The Combined Scale Factor (CSF) used to convert ground distances to grid distances is computed as:

Answer: Grid Scale Factor × Elevation Factor

CSF = Grid Scale Factor × Elevation Factor; it converts ground (surface) distances directly to grid distances.

What is the radius of curvature in route surveying?

Answer: The radius of the circle that defines a horizontal curve

Road curves are defined by the radius of an imaginary circle.

What is the SIT/LSIT role?

Answer: Gaining supervised experience under licensed surveyor toward licensure

This role involves learning under supervision.

What is a benchmark?

Answer: Permanent point of known elevation used as height reference

These reference points have precisely known heights.

What is differential leveling?

Answer: Determining elevation differences using backsight/foresight readings

This technique finds height differences between points.

What is the standard of care for surveyors?

Answer: Skill and care a competent surveyor would exercise in similar circumstances

The standard compares to what a competent peer would do.

What is 'total propagated error' (TPE) used for in precision surveying?

Answer: To estimate the combined effect of all identified error sources on the final measurement result

TPE combines individual error components (random and systematic) using root-sum-square or other methods to quantify the expected uncertainty of a final derived quantity.

What is the law of cosines used for in surveying?

Answer: Solving triangles when you know two sides and the included angle or three sides

This law works for any triangle, not just right triangles.

What ethical consideration is most critical when handling client information as a land surveyor?

Answer: Maintaining client confidentiality and using the information solely for its intended purpose

Client confidentiality is a cornerstone of ethical professional practice for land surveyors, just as it is in many other professions. Surveyors often handle sensitive information about property ownership, financial details, and personal plans. Ethically, they are obligated to protect this information, ensuring it is not disclosed without consent and is used strictly for the purpose of the surveying services agreed upon, thereby building trust and upholding professional integrity.