CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification Practice

Which of the following elements is critical to determining curve characteristics in surveying?

1. Length

2. Elevation

3. Station

4. Curve-Radius

The correct answer is: Curve-Radius

Determining curve characteristics in surveying is fundamentally linked to the curve-radius. The radius of a curve is essential because it directly influences the geometry of the curve, impacting how vehicles navigate through it and how accurately the survey can represent the land features alongside or around it. The curve-radius affects not only the design and safety of roadways, railways, or any curvature on a plan but also plays an important role in calculating various factors such as tangents, transitions, and superelevation when it comes to ensuring smooth movement along the curve. The smaller the radius, the tighter the curve, which requires specific consideration in terms of construction and safety standards. While length, elevation, and station are significant in surveying, they do not directly specify the characteristics of a curve as the radius does. Length may refer to how long the curve is, but without the radius, we cannot understand how sharp or flat the curve is. Elevation pertains to vertical positioning, and although it can impact how a curve is executed in the field, it does not define the curve's characteristics. Stationing pertains to measuring distances along a linear path, which is useful but not critical to defining the curve itself. Thus, the curve-radius is indeed the key element for understanding and determining the