Aerial Survey

A survey utilizing photographic, electronic, or other data obtained from an airborne station, generally used for large scale projects.

As-Built Survey

A survey performed to obtain horizontal and/or vertical dimensional data so that constructed improvements may be located and delineated.

Boundary Survey

A survey made to establish or to re-establish a boundary line on the ground or to obtain data for constructing a map or plat showing a boundary line.

Condominium Survey

A survey performed for formal filing and recordation of a dividend interest in real property, where the division may be vertical as well as horizontal.

Construction Survey

The survey measurements made, while construction is in process, to control elevation, horizontal position and dimensions, and configuration; to determine adequacy of completion; and to obtain essential dimensions for construction pay quantities.

Control Survey

A survey which provides horizontal or vertical position data for the support or control of subordinate surveys or for mapping.

Geodetic Survey

That branch of the art of surveying, in which account is taken of the figure and size of the earth. Also called geodetic engineering. In geodetic surveying, prescribed precision and accuracy results are obtained through the use of special instruments and field methods, and equations based on the geometry of a mathematical figure approximating the earth in form and size.

Hydrographic Survey

A survey having as its principal purpose the determination of data relating to bodies of water, and which may consist of the determination of one or several of the following classes of data; depth of water and configuration of bottom; directions and force of current; heights and times of water stages; and location of fixed objects for survey and navigation purposes.

Land Survey

Land surveying is the art and science of: 1) reestablishing cadastral surveys and land boundaries based on documents of recorded and historical evidence; 2) planning, designing and establishing property boundaries; and 3) certifying surveys as required by statute or local ordinance such as subdivision plats, registered land surveys, judicial surveys, and space delineation. Land surveying can include associated services such as mapping and related data accumulation; construction layout surveys; precision measurements of length, angle, elevation, area and volume; horizontal and vertical control systems; and the analysis and utilization of survey data.

Land Title Survey

A survey and preparation of a plat of real property that meets the established standards as set by the American Land Title Association and American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ALTA/ACSM) to be used by a title insurance company for purposes of insuring title to said land free and clear of survey matters (except those matters disclosed by the survey and indicated on the the plat).

Mean High Water

The mean height of tidal high waters at a particular point or station over a period of time to such length that increasing its length does not appreciably change this mean. For tidal waters the cycle of change covers a period of 19 years and mean high water is defined as the average of the high waters over a 19-year period.

Mean High Water Line Survey

A survey to document the mean high water line by locating the tide line at a particular time and interpolating the mean high water location by comparing the elevation to the values established by a tidal record station over a 19-year period.

Percolation Test

A field test to assess the suitability of soils in a defined area for the subsurface disposal of sewage as described by Massachusetts 310 CMR (Title 5).

Right of Way Survey

A survey of a strip or area of land used or proposed to be used for the construction and maintenance, according to the designated use, of: public or private way for travel; railroads, drainage or irrigation canals; and any other public or private right-of-way.

Route Survey

For locating, designing, and constructing a railroad, highway, canal, pipe line, transmission line, or other linear facility. Route surveying comprises all reconnaissance surveys, the preliminary survey, the location survey, and surveys made during construction.

Surveying

1). The science and art of making all essential measurements in space to determine the relative position of points and/or physical and cultural details above, on, or beneath the surface of the earth and to depict them in usable form, or to establish the position of points and/or details. Also, the actual making of a survey and the recording and/or delineation of dimensions and details for subsequent use.

2) The acquiring and/or accumulation of qualitative information and quantitative data by observing, counting, classifying, and recording according to need. Examples are traffic surveying to determine the type, number, speed, relative positions, and origin and destinations of vehicles; and soil surveying to classify soil by types and measure and delineate their boundaries.

Special Purpose Survey

A survey performed for a purpose other than the purposes detailed in the other types of surveys listed here.

Topographic Survey

A survey which has for its major purposes the determination of the configuration (relief) of the surface of the earth (ground) and the location of natural and artificial objects thereon. Also, the designation of an organization making such a survey.