Distance Measurement

Distances between two points can be horizontal, slope, or vertical and

are recorded in feet
or in meters (Figure 1.2).
Vertical distances can be measured with a tape, as in construction work.
However,
they are more usually measured with a surveyor’s level and rod (Figures
1.3 and 1.4) or
with a total station (Figure 1.6).
Horizontal and slope distances can be measured with a fiberglass or
steel tape

(Figure 1.5) or with an electronic distance-measuring device (Figure

1.6). When survey-
ing, the horizontal distance is always required for plan-plotting purposes.