Glossary of Engineering Surveying Dictionary Words

Absolute Accuracy

A measure which indicates how closely the coordinates of a point in Ordnance Survey map data agree with the true National Grid coordinates of the same point on the ground. As the true position can never be known exactly, the statistic is quoted relative to the best known position determined by precise survey methods.

Absolute Coordinates

A coordinate pair or triplate measured directly from the origin of the coordinate system in which it lies and not to any other point in the system.

Abstraction

The process of selection, generalisation and aggregation.

Acre

It is a Unit of area measuring equal to 43,560 square feet.

Accuracy

The closeness of the results of observations, computations or estimates to the true values or the values accepted as being true. Accuracy relates to the exactness of the operation by which the result is obtained.

Accuracy Ratio or Error Ratio

Error ratio is a means of expressing the magnitude of the error of the survey in relation to the distance traversed by the survey. Intuitively, a unit of error is of greater importance in a short traverse than in a longer traverse. The error ratio is expressed as the quotient of the absolute value of the error and the distance traversed.

Add Tape

An add tape has an additional major division at the head, beyond the zero mark of the tape, which is subdivided into finer graduations, usually in tenths of a foot (or meter), sometimes in hundredths. The use of this tape requires that the minor reading be added to the major division reading.

Adjacent

Near to but not reaching or contacting.

Adjustments

Since all real measurements are imperfect, some amount of error will accumulate in the course of a survey. That error can be logically distributed throughout the survey by various adjustment procedures (i.e., manipulation of the data to produce a more logical result). Adjustments can and should be done with any set of measurements for which error can be assessed.

Aerial Photograph

A photograph taken by a camera mounted onto some form of flying object within the Earth's Atmosphere. The resultant images are used in GIS as a background layer or used by surveyors to digitize. It is called aerial photo or air photograph.

Aggregation

The grouping together of a "selected" set of like entities to form one entity. For example, grouping sets of adjacent area units to form larger units, often as part of a spatial unit hierarchy such as wards grouped into districts. Any attribute data is also grouped or is summarised to give statistics for the new spatial unit.

Aliasing

Visibly jagged steps along angled lines or object edges, due to sharp tonal contrasts between pixels.

Altitude

The vertical angle between the plane of the horizon and the line to the object which is observed. In photogrammetry, altitude applies to elevation above a datum of points in space.

Angle Right

Clockwise horizontal angular measure.

Angle Left

Counterclockwise horizontal angular measure

Aneroid barometer

An instrument used to obtain heights above sea level by measuring atmospheric pressure. Since atmospheric pressure varies with the height above or below sea level, the height can be read directly from the height scale on the barometer

Arc

A locus of points that forms a curve that is defined by a mathematical function.

Area

A bounded contiguous two dimensional object which may or may not include its boundary. Usually defined in terms of an external polygon or in terms of a set of grid cells.

Artificial and modified surfaces

A General cover category consisting of roads and right-of-ways, buildings, parking lots, farmsteads and ranch headquarters, urban and built-up areas, small built-up areas, rural transportation, and any other buildings that have a surface area greater than 1,000 square feet.

Archaeological record

The archaeological record exists as a repository. Inside lie the decaying material remains of ancient beings and civilisations. As archaeologists approach their work, they encounter raw data from the archaeological record that serves as the source of their evidence to interpret.

Astronomic North

North by celestial observation of Sun or stars.

ATS

The Automated Title System is the computerised legal register of freehold land, State tenure land and Reserve land in Queensland. The system also automates elements of the document receiving, lodgement, tracking and registration processes.