When sampling transportation units, how should the unit be divided?

When sampling transportation units, dividing the unit into quarters is an effective method because it allows for a representative sampling of the entire volume of material. This approach helps to ensure that the samples collected accurately reflect the overall characteristics of the material being transported. By dividing the load into quarters, inspectors can take samples from different parts of the transportation unit, which helps to minimize the risk of bias in the sampling process. This method acknowledges that materials may not be uniformly distributed, especially in larger loads, and helps to capture variability across the entire load, leading to more reliable and valid test results.

In contrast, dividing the unit into halves may not capture enough variability, while taking samples from single locations could lead to unrepresentative samples. Dividing into random segments may also introduce unintended biases depending on how those segments are defined. By opting for quarters, inspectors enhance their ability to obtain samples that truly represent the material in question.