What does "staff reading" refer to in surveying?

"Staff reading" refers specifically to the measurement taken from a leveling rod, which is also known as a survey rod, at a certain point in time during the surveying process. In leveling, the surveyor aims to determine the height of the rod above a set reference point, typically using an optical leveling instrument. The staff reading provides direct information about the elevation at the point where the rod is placed, allowing surveyors to establish height differences and create accurate topographic maps.

While GPS units and measurement tapes are valuable in surveying, they pertain to different types of measurements that do not involve reading levels from a leveling rod. The distance measured using survey tape looks at horizontal distances, and the total height difference between points is a conclusion drawn from multiple readings rather than a specific staff reading itself. Therefore, the definition of "staff reading" is distinctly linked to the leveling process involving the rod.