This is why there are metal plates in the ground in Zoetermeer

Have you ever noticed that there are metal plates in the sidewalk? Perhaps you have already seen that it has the word ‘measurement point’ on it. But what are these measuring points actually for?

You have the measuring points in different types, sometimes it is just a ‘nail’ and in other places there are also markings around that point.

Measuring nails and measuring nails

The correct name for these metal measuring points is a measuring nail or measuring nail. Such a nail is made of stainless steel, bronze or brass and can be hammered between paving stones or in asphalt. After that, this measurement point is used to, you guessed it, take measurements.

Right place

The nail serves to place the measuring equipment exactly in the right place to make exact measurements. It is used for maps, building roads, mapping the landscape and drawing underground sewer, gas or water pipes.

From the sky

Such a measuring nail is easy to see when you’re standing on the ground, but if you want to take measurements from an airplane, it becomes more difficult. That is why you sometimes see a measuring point with a white and black ring around it. That’s called a flying disc. The flying disc is fitted for aerial photography. This way drones can easily see the measuring points from the air.

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Daily use

Nowadays a lot of people work with infrared and lasers to do the measurements, and the flying discs are a bit dated. The measuring nails, on the other hand, are still used daily by surveying bureaus or contractors for construction projects.