When people in the street use those tripod things, what are they doing?

[manlymatt83]

There are usually two of them... and one guy stands at one part of the road and the other at another. Is it something with angles?

 

[Tu13erhead]

They're telescopes. They're looking for aliens.

 

[vi edit]

Surveyors.

 

[Kelemvor]

Yes. they read difference in height from one place to another. Usually when they are planning some sort of road repairs or things like that.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Surveyors.

I always assumed that as well. I guess they are just more modern versions of the old plane table alidades and stadia that used to be used.

 

[vi edit]

Usually they are measuring property lines. They'll come out and stake off boundaries and easements.

 

[redfella]

Originally posted by: Linflas

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Surveyors.

I always assumed that as well. I guess they are just more modern versions of the old plane table alidades and stadia that used to be used.

They use digital equipment w/ laser-guided stuff that is mounted on the tripod nowadays.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead
They're telescopes. They're looking for aliens.

AHAHHAH

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Surveyors.

This is the correct answer

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Surveyors.

Measuring distances on roads. They do a criss cross pattern and use geometry to estimate the road length.

 

[l Xes l]

you guys are over analyzing it.. it's just two guys taking picture..

 

[SaturnX]

The device is called a transit, and yes, they're surveyors, obtaining measurements about the landscape.

--Mark