Plan and Map Reading Flashcards

When interpreting a cross-section drawing on a road design plan, the 'template' refers to what?

Answer: The standard transverse shape of the roadway including lanes, shoulders, and slopes

A road template defines the cross-sectional geometry including lane widths, shoulder widths, and cut/fill side slopes.

On a land survey plat, what does 'POB' stand for?

Answer: Point of Beginning

POB stands for Point of Beginning, which is the starting and closing point of a metes-and-bounds description.

Which line on a topographic map connects points of equal elevation?

Answer: A contour line

Contour lines connect all points of the same elevation above (or below) a defined datum on a topographic map.

On a subdivision plat, 'R/W' or 'ROW' notation along a street boundary refers to what?

Answer: Right of Way

R/W denotes the right-of-way, which is the strip of land dedicated or reserved for street, utility, or transportation use.

A map scale of 1:24,000 means that one inch on the map equals how many feet on the ground?

Answer: 2,000 feet

At 1:24,000, one inch equals 24,000 inches on the ground, which converts to 2,000 feet (24,000 ÷ 12 = 2,000).

On a utility plan, the abbreviation 'INV EL' next to a pipe symbol refers to what?

Answer: Invert elevation of the pipe

INV EL denotes the invert elevation, which is the inside bottom elevation of a pipe or culvert at a given point.

On a USGS 7.5-minute quadrangle map, what does the primary contour interval typically represent in moderate terrain?

Answer: 40 feet

USGS 7.5-minute quads in moderate terrain commonly use a 40-foot contour interval, though this varies by terrain steepness.