Traverse and Traverse

Computation
Definitions

Traverse
• Series of straight lines connecting survey
stations (begin at known points as baseline)
Traversing:
• Determination of horizontal coordinates by
measuring horizontal angles & distances
Classification: closed vs. open
• Open traverse: does not end at a known point.
Example of Traverse
CLOSE TRAVERSE

4 L34
3
L4A 4 3
A 5 L23

LAB 2
2
1
LB2
B
Example of Traverse
OPEN TRAVERSE

1 3

B 2 2
4 C
L1 L2 L3 L4
1 3
Methods in Traversing
INTERIOR ANGLE TRAVERSE
Methods in Traversing
DEFLECTION ANGLE TRAVERSE
Methods in Traversing
ANGLE TO THE RIGHT TRAVERSE
Methods in Traversing
AZIMUTH TRAVERSE
Choosing location of traverse stations

Some practical guidelines:

1. Min. no. of stations (each line of sight as long
as possible)
2. Ensure: adjacent stations always inter-visible
3. Stable & safe ground conditions for instrument
4. Marked with paint or/and nail; to survive
subsequent traffic, construction, weather
conditions, etc.
Choosing location of traverse stations

5. Include existing stations / reference objects

for checking with known values
6. Traverse must not cross itself
7. Do the above w/o sacrificing accuracy or
omitting important details
Traverse Computation
◼
 Error of Closure
Given in the tabulation below are notes for an open traverse. Determine
the latitude and departure of each course and tabulate observed and
computed values accordingly

COURSE DISTANCE BEARING COURSE DISTANCE BEARING

AB 550.30 m N28°10’E DE 631.22 m N50°00’E
BC 395.48 S69°35’E EF 340.05 S25°05’E
CD 462.70 S27°50’E FG 275.86 Due East
 Error of Closure
Given in the accompanying tabulation are the observed data for a closed
traverse obtained from a transit-tape survey. Determine the following
quantities: latitude and departure of each course, linear error of closure,
bearing of the side of error, and the precision of measurements.
Tabulate observed and computed values according to the usual format

LINE LENGTH AZIMUTH LINE LENGTH AZIMUTH

FROM FROM
NORTH NORTH
AB 233.10 M 122°30’ DE 234.46 M 333°35’
BC 242.05 85°15’ EF 270.65 254°08’
CD 191.50 20°00’ FA 252.38 213°00’
 LINE AZIMUTH FROM EQUIVALENT BEARING
NORTH
AB 122°30’
BC 85°15’
CD 20°00’
DE 333°35’
EF 254°08’
FA 213°00’
Traverse Adjustment
Compass Rule
◼ The Compass Rule distributes closure
error based on the proportion of a
line's length to the entire distance
surveyed.
◼ The compass or bow ditch rule which has
named after the distinguished American
navigator Nathaniel bow ditch (1773-1838)
◼ The compass rule is based on the assumption
that all lengths were measured with equal
care and all angles taken with approximately
the same precision. It is also assumed that
the errors in measurement are accidental and
that the total error in any side of the traverse
is directly proportional to the total length of
the traverse.
Adjusted Lengths and
Directions
◼
Example
◼ Given the accompanying tabulation are the observed data for a traverse
obtained from a transit-tape survey. Determine the latitudes and departures of
each course and balance these quantities by employing the compass rule. Also
determine the linear error of closure, bearing of the side of error and the
relative error of closure. Tabulates values accordingly
Compute Latitudes & Dep
◼ Lat = length x cos α
◼ Dep = length x sin α
 Determining Total Closure in
Latitudes and Departures

◼ ∑NL = +493.57 + 590.53 + 377.19

= +1461.29m (summation of north latitudes)
◼ ∑SL = -325.53 – 996.99 – 121.96
=- 1444.48m (summation of south latitudes)
◼ ∑ED = +47.53 + 612.23 + 791.09 + 219.51
= +1670.36m (summation of east departures)
◼ ∑WD = -1110.58 – 541.70
=- 1652.28 (summation of west departure)
◼ CL = ∑NL + ∑SL = +1461.29 + (-1444.48) = +16.81 m
◼ CD = ∑ED + ∑WD = +1670.36 + (-1652.28) = +18.08m

D = d1 + d2 +d3 +d4 +d5 + d6

D = 495.85 + 850.62 + 855.45 + 1020.87 + 1117.26 +
660.08
D = 5000.13 m (length of the traverse)
Determining the linear error of
closure, bearing of the side of error
and relative error of closure
◼
◼
◼
Adjusting the Latitudes and
Departure
◼ ADJ LAT= COMPUTED LAT ± Cl
NOTE: SINCE THE SUM OF NORTH LATITUDES EXCEEDS
THE SUM OF SOUTH LATITUDES. LATITUDES CORRECTIONS ARE
SUBTRACTED FROM THE CORRESPONDING NORTH LATITUDES
AND ADDED TO CORRESPONDING SOUTH LATITUDES TO
DETERMINE THE ADJUSTED LATITUDES.

◼ ADJ DEP= COMPUTED DEP ± Cd

NOTE: SINCE THE SUM OF EAST DEPARTURE EXCEEDS
THE SUM OF WEST DEPATURES, THE DEPARTURE CORECTIONS
ARE SUBTRACTED FROM THE CORRESPONDING EAST
DEPARTURES AND ADDED TO CORRESPONDING WEST
DEPARTURES TO DETERMINE THE ADJUSTED DEPARTURES.
Tabulated Solution
 ADJUSTMENTS OF LENGTH
AND BEARING
◼
◼
Tabulated Solution
Area
Area of Polygon (Coordinate
Geometry)
◼ A method for finding the area of any
polygon when the coordinates of
its vertices are known.
The vertical bars mean you should make the result positive even if it calculates out as
negative.
Notice that the in the last term, the expression wraps around back to the first vertex
again.
LINE DISTANCE BEARING LATITUDE DEPARTURE

1-2 2m Due North 2 0

2-3 4 Due East 0 4

3-4 2 Due South -2 0

4-1 4 Due West 0 -4

LINE DISTANCE BEARIN LATITUD DEPARTU
G E RE
1-2 2m Due 2 0
North
2-3 4 Due East 0 4
3-4 2 Due -2 0
South
4-1 4 Due West 0 -4
LINE DISTANCE BEARIN LATITUD DEPARTU
G E RE
1-2 2m Due 2 0
North
2-3 4 Due East 0 4
3-4 2 Due -2 0
South
4-1 4 Due West 0 -4
STA X Y

1 0 0

2 0 2

3 4 2

4 4 0

1 0 0
 LINE DISTANCE BEARIN LATITUD DEPARTU
G E RE
1-2 2m Due 2 0
North
2-3 4 Due East 0 4
3-4 2 Due -2 0
South
4-1 4 Due West 0 -4

STA X Y

1 0 0

2 0 2

3 4 2

4 4 0

1 0 0
STA X Y
1 0 0
2 0 2
3 4 2
4 4 0
1 0 0