NICET - Highway Construction Inspection Practice Exam

What type of survey ignores the curvature of the Earth?

1. Geodetic Survey

2. Terrestrial Survey

3. Precision Survey

4. Plane Survey

The correct answer is: Plane Survey

The type of survey that ignores the curvature of the Earth is known as a Plane Survey. In this method, the Earth's surface is treated as flat for the purposes of measuring angles and distances over small areas. This is a practical assumption for small-scale projects, where the curvature has little impact on the overall results. Plane surveys are commonly used in various construction and engineering projects where high precision over short distances is required, such as in the layout of a building or the development of detailed topographic maps. Due to this simplification, calculations are much more straightforward, allowing surveyors to use basic geometric principles without accounting for the Earth's curvature. In contrast, geodetic surveys take into consideration the curvature of the Earth, as they aim to measure large areas and are concerned with more accurate location and geographical data. Terrestrial surveys are typically focused on features or objects on the Earth's surface without specifically ignoring curvature, and precision surveys refer to extremely accurate measurements which may involve curvature considerations depending on the scale.