MD Land Surveyor flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

NAD83 (2011)

The current horizontal datum realization used for Maryland surveying. Coordinates must state the datum and epoch, since NAD27 coordinates differ by roughly 100–200 meters in the mid-Atlantic region.

NAVD88

The vertical datum replacing NGVD29, referenced by benchmarks and used on topographic surveys and FEMA elevation certificates. In Maryland, the shift from NGVD29 is roughly 0.3 to 1.2 feet.

Maryland State Plane zones

Maryland has two Lambert Conformal Conic zones, Maryland North (FIPS 1901) and Maryland South (FIPS 1902). Scale factor equals 1.0 only along the standard parallels, not across the zone.

Combined factor

The product of the grid scale factor and the elevation factor. Divide grid distance by the combined factor to obtain ground distance; multiply ground distance by it to obtain grid distance.

Linear error of closure

The square root of the sum of squared latitude and departure misclosures. Relative precision is that linear error divided by total traverse length, expressed as a ratio 1:N.

Curvature and refraction correction

A correction subtracted from leveling rod readings, computed as 0.0206 times the sight distance in hundreds of feet squared, or 0.0675 times the distance in kilometers squared.

Two-peg test

A field procedure that detects collimation error in a level. It compares rod readings taken from midpoints and endpoints of a test line to isolate instrument error from earth curvature effects.

Prism constant

The offset between the prism's effective optical center and its mounting point. A mismatch between the instrument setting and the prism used introduces a systematic distance error on every shot.

Monuments over distances

The retracement hierarchy: natural monuments control, then artificial monuments, then courses and distances, then area. Area is the weakest evidence and yields when conflicts arise.

Proportionate measurement

The method for restoring a lost corner by distributing the discrepancy between record and measured distances along a line between found original corners, in proportion to record distances to each.

Adverse possession elements

Possession must be actual, open, notorious, exclusive, hostile, and continuous for the statutory period, generally 20 years in Maryland. All elements must be proven by the claimant.

Boundary by acquiescence

When adjoining owners treat a line as the boundary for a long period, mutual recognition and reliance on that location can bind them even if the record line differs.

Prescriptive easement

Use of another's land that is adverse, under claim of right, continuous, and notorious for 20 years. Unlike adverse possession, exclusivity is construed less strictly by courts.

Mean high water boundary

For tidal navigable waters in Maryland, the boundary between upland and submerged land is generally mean high water, determined from tidal records rather than a single observation.

Thread of the stream

The middle line of a non-tidal watercourse. A riparian deed boundary follows the thread unless the deed expressly limits the conveyance to the bank or another line.

Race-notice recording

Maryland's priority rule: a later purchaser who takes without notice of a prior unrecorded interest and records first prevails over that earlier unrecorded interest.

Shoelace area formula

Twice the area equals the sum over all boundary points of easting times next northing minus next easting times northing. Take the absolute value to obtain area in square feet.

Azimuth from coordinates

Azimuth equals the arctangent of change in easting divided by change in northing, adjusted to the correct quadrant and normalized to the range zero through 360 degrees.

Horizontal curve tangent

Tangent length equals radius times the tangent of half the central angle. This locates the point of curve and point of tangent from the intersection of the tangents.

Degree of curve, arc definition

The central angle subtended by a 100-foot arc. Arc length equals 100 times the central angle in degrees divided by the degree of curve.

Vertical curve high point

For an equal-tangent parabolic curve, the turning point lies at distance x from the beginning of curve equal to negative g1 times L divided by (g2 minus g1).

Error propagation in sums

Independent random errors combine in quadrature: the total standard deviation is the square root of the sum of the squared individual standard deviations, not their arithmetic sum.

Standard deviation of unit weight

Computed as the square root of the sum of squared residuals divided by the number of observations minus the number of unknowns. It measures least-squares adjustment fit quality.

Relative precision ratio

A dimensionless accuracy statement written 1:N, where N equals total traverse length divided by linear error of closure. A larger N indicates a more precise survey.

Maryland surveyor licensure

Land surveyors are licensed by the State Board for Professional Land Surveyors within the Department of Labor. Education, experience, and examination requirements are set under COMAR Title 09.

Seal and signature requirement

Licensed surveyors must sign, seal, and date plats and reports they prepared or directly supervised. Applying a seal to another's work is a violation of professional practice rules.

Plat content standards

Maryland regulations prescribe plat content: north arrow, scale, legend, boundary description, monument descriptions, basis of bearings, areas, and the surveyor's signed certification.

Continuing education requirement

Maryland licensees must complete continuing education units each renewal cycle as set by the Board. Failure to complete the required units blocks license renewal.

Plat recordation

Subdivision plats are recorded in the land records of the county where the land lies. The surveyor remains responsible for the accuracy of the recorded instrument and its certifications.

Three-year limitations period

Maryland's general civil statute of limitations is three years under Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 5-101, subject to the discovery rule for latent survey errors.

Monument tampering prohibition

Maryland law prohibits removing or altering another surveyor's monument without authority. A surveyor who finds a disturbed monument must document and report it, not quietly reset it.

Floodplain survey reference

Surveys supporting elevation certificates and tidal wetland permits must reference NAVD88 elevations and the applicable local floodplain ordinance, which may be stricter than state minimums.