Plane table survey is a traditional land surveying method that involves the use of a plane table and alidade to determine the positions of survey points. It is a simple and effective method that has been used for many years to survey land, determine boundaries, and create maps.
In a plane table survey, the surveyor places a flat table or board on a tripod, and the table is leveled using a spirit level. The surveyor then sights the survey points through a telescope or alidade, and the angles and directions are measured on the table using a protractor or compass.
As the surveyor moves from point to point, the positions of the survey points are marked on the table using pegs or stakes, and the distances between the points are measured using a tape or chain. Once all the measurements have been taken, the surveyor can then use trigonometry to calculate the coordinates of the survey points and draw a map of the surveyed area.
Plane table survey is a flexible and versatile method that can be used to survey small or large areas, and it is particularly useful in areas with complex terrain or irregular boundaries. However, it requires a skilled surveyor and can be time-consuming compared to modern surveying techniques such as GPS and total stations.
Plane table survey is still used today in some parts of the world, particularly in remote areas where access to modern surveying equipment is limited. However, modern surveying techniques are increasingly being used in land surveying due to their higher accuracy and efficiency.
