NICET - Highway Construction Inspection Practice Exam

What aspect of positioning does geodetic surveying focus on?

1. Detailed local measurements

2. Relative positions of widely spaced points

3. Elevation of hills and valleys

4. Boundary locations

The correct answer is: Relative positions of widely spaced points

Geodetic surveying primarily concentrates on measuring the relative positions of widely spaced points on the Earth's surface. This branch of surveying takes into account the curvature of the Earth and is critical for establishing control networks that cover larger areas, which are essential for various applications, including mapping, land development, and navigation. In geodetic surveying, techniques such as GPS and triangulation are utilized to determine not only horizontal positions but also vertical positions with a high degree of accuracy over long distances. This aspect is vital for ensuring that data collected from different geographic locations can be integrated coherently. The focus on relative positions allows for the creation of a comprehensive framework that supports various engineering and construction projects, ensuring that measurements are consistent and reliable across different regions. Other options like detailed local measurements, elevation of hills and valleys, and boundary locations relate to more specific or localized surveying practices, where the precision of local features may not address the broader implications that geodetic surveying covers. Consequently, the emphasis on the relative positions of broadly spaced points is what sets geodetic surveying apart within the field.