Standards Definitions for Land Surveyors

standard- 1 An exact value, or concept thereof, established by authority, custom, or common consent, to serve as a rule or basis of comparison in measuring quantity, content, extent, value, quality, and capacity. 2 The type, model, or example commonly or generally accepted or adhered to; criterion set for the establishment of a practice or procedure.

standard corner [USPLS]See corner; standard [USPLS].

standard deviation—The quantity whose square is equal to the sum of the squares of the residual errors divided by the number of those errors less one. It is an indication of the precision of any single observation in a series of measurements and is a function of the accidental errors attending the individual observations. Also called “mean square error or “root mean square error.”

standard elevation—See elevation, standard.

standard error—See error, standard.

standard line [USPLS]—Any base line, standard parallel, principal meridian, or guide meridian.

standard of length—A physical representation of a linear unit that is approved by competent authority.

standard of surveys—See control survey classification;

standard parallel [USPLS]—See parallel, standard [USPLS].

standard survey—See survey, standard.

standard time—See time, standard.

standardization-1 To make standard or uniform; cause to be without variation or irregularities. 2 To compare an instrument or method with, test by, or adjust to a standard to determine its value or validity. See also correction rod [LEVELING].

Standards, Geospatial Positional Accuracy—A set of specifications compiled by subcommittees of the FGDC, defining accuracy standards for reporting methodology; geodetic networks; spatial data architecture, engineering, construction and facilities management; and nautical charting hydrographic surveys.

Standards, United States National Map Accuracy- 1 Horizontal accuracy: For maps at publication scales larger than 1:20,000, ninety percent of all well defined features, with the exception of those unavoidably displaced by exaggerated symbolization, will be located within 1/30 inch (0.85 mm) of their geographic positions as referred to the map projection; for maps at publication scales of 1:20,000 or smaller, 1/50 inch (0.50 mm). 2 Vertical accuracy: 90 percent of all contours and elevations interpolated from contours will be accurate within one-half of the basic contour interval. Discrepancies in the accuracy of contours and elevations beyond this tolerance may be decreased by assuming a horizontal displacement within 1/50 inch (0.50 mm). Commonly referred to as “map accuracy standards.” See also Appendix C, National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy

Source: NSPS “Definitions of Surveying and Related Terms“, used with permission.

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