Introduction

Traverse Surveying is a popular method of surveying. This article includes the definition of

traverse surveying along with its classification, errors in traversing, checks, the completed

method of traversing and plotting of traverse survey. Traversing is that type of survey in which a

number of connected survey lines form the framework and the directions and lengths of the

survey lines are measured with the help of an angle measuring instrument and tape or chain

respectively. A traverse is a series of connected lines whose lengths and directions are to be

measured and the process of surveying to find such measurements is known as traversing. In

general, chains are used to measure length and compass or theodolite are used to measure the

direction of traverse lines. The types of traverse and methods of traversing are discussed in this

article.
Types of traverse Surveying

There are two types of traverse surveying. They are:

Closed traverse: When the lines form a circuit which ends at the starting point, it is known as a

closed traverse.

Open traverse: When the lines form a circuit ends elsewhere except starting point, it is said to be

an open traverse.

Suitability

The closed traverse is suitable for locating the boundaries of lakes, woods, etc. and for a survey

of large areas. the open traverse is suitable for surveying a long narrow strip of land as required

for a road of the canal or the coastline.

Methods of Traversing

There are several methods of traversing, depending on the instruments used in determining the

relative directions of the traverse lines. The following are the principal methods:

1. Chain traversing

2. Chain and compass traversing

Transit type traversing

a) By fast needle method

b) By measurement of angles between the lines

Chain Traversing

The method in which the whole work is done with chain and tape is called chain traversing. No

angle measurement is used and the directions of the lines are fixed entirely by linear

measurements Angles fixed by linear or tie measurements are known as chain angles. The

method is unsuitable for accurate work and is generally used if an angle measuring instruments

such as a compass, sextant or theodolite is available.

Chain and Compass Traversing

In chain and compass traversing, the magnetic bearings of the survey lines are measured by a

compass and the lengths of the lines are measured either with a chain or with a tape. The

direction of the magnetic meridian is established at each traverse station independently. The

method is also known as a tree or loose needle method.

Traversing by Fast Needle Method

The method in which the magnetic bearings of traverse lines are measured by a theodolite fitted

with s compass is called traversing by fast needle method. The direction of the magnetic

meridian is not established at each station but instead, the magnetic bearings of the lines are

measured with a reference so that direction of the magnetic meridian established at the first

station. There are three methods of observing the bearings of lines by fast needle method.

 Direct method with transiting,

 Direct method without transiting,

 Back bearing method.

 Traversing by Direct Observation of Angles

In this method, the angles between the lines are directly measured by a theodolite and the

magnetic bearing of other lines can be calculated in this method. The angles measured at

different stations may be either. Compass and chain traversing, the magnetic bearings of the lines of

the survey are t the length of lines is measured either with tape or with a chain and measured by a

compass.

The direction of a magnetic meridian is established at each traverse station independently. The

method is also known as free or lose needle method. A theodolite fitted with a compass may also

be used for measuring the magnetic bearings of the traverse line. However, the method is not so

accurate as of that of transit tape traversing. The methods of taking the details are almost the

same as for chain surveying. Traversing is that types of the survey in which several connected
survey lines form the directions, and the framework and lengths of the survey line are measured

with the help of an angle (or direction) measuring instrument and tape (or chain) respectively.

Traverse Procedure

The following steps required to establish a traverse.

Reconnaissance

Reconnaissance is the preliminary field inspection of the entire area to be surveyed.

During reconnaissance. Surveyor goes to the field, checks the entire area, and decides the best

plan of working.

He has to see the suitability and indivisibility of traverse stations.

Also, he has to decide which method of traversing will be employed and accordingly, the

instruments and accessories that may be necessary.

Selection of Traverse Stations

The basic principle of a survey, i.e., working from whole to the part should be adopted.

A minimum number of stations should be selected.

Length of traverse lines is as long as possible reduce time and centering effect of the stations.

It is better to select stations on a level and firm ground. After the selection of stations, they are

marked with pegs.

Linear and Angular Measurements

Distances between stations are measured by tape or chain, or tachometric method or electric

distance measuring (EDM) instruments like geometer or diameter.

Angular measurements are done by prismatic compass or theodolite.

Plotting of Traverse Survey

There are two methods of plotting a traverse survey. The methods are as follows

Distance and Angle Method in this method,

distances between stations are laid off to scale and included angles or bearings are plotted by

protector or tangent of angle or chord of the angle.

Co-ordinate Method

In this method, survey stations are plotted by calculating their co-ordinates.

This method is more practical and accurate.

The biggest advantage of this method of plotting is that closing error can be eliminated by

balancing.
Included Angles and Deflection Angles

Traversing by Included Angle

An included angle at a station is either of the two angles formed n\by two survey lines meeting

there and these angles should be measured clockwise. The method consists simply in measuring

each angle directly from a back sight on the preceding station. The angled may also be measured

by repetition. The angles measured from the back station may be interior or exterior depending

on the direction of progress.

In Fig(a) the direction of progress is counter-clockwise and so the angles measured clockwise are

the interior angle. In Fig(a) the direction of progress is clockwise and so the angles measured

clockwise are the exterior angle.

Traverse by Deflection Angles

A deflection angle is an angle in which a survey line makes with the prolongation of the

preceding line. It is designated as right (R) or left (L) as it is measured clockwise or anti-
clockwise from the prolongation of the previous line. This type of traversing is more suitable for

the survey of roads, railways, pipe-lines, etc where the survey lines make small deflection angles.

Errors in Traversing

The errors involved in closed traversing are two kinds:

1. Linear Error and

2. Angular Error

Advantages and Disadvantages of Methods of Plotting Traverses

The various methods of plotting a traverse have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Plotting a traverse by the method of included angles or directions with a protractor is the least

accurate but the fastest method. The most accurate and the best method to layout a single angle

precisely is by tangents. If a traverse fail to close and if the error is due to drafting, the error may

be adjusted simply by rotating each line, except the first, slightly and progressively. In the chord

method of plotting a traverse, the erection of a perpendicular (in the tangent method) is

eliminated, but the determination of the chord length is more laborious than finding

perpendicular offsets. However, the main disadvantage of the chord method is that an error in

any of the traverse line is passed through along to the succeeding line. Plotting by independent

coordinates is supposed to be a better method since the independent coordinates of the stations

do not affect the succeeding coordinates and thus the error, if any, is localized to a particular

point and therefore, correction usually involves the replotting of the erroneous point only. In
plotting with consecutive coordinates, small errors of plotting are carried forward, and in a

closed traverse, the closing error due to inexact plotting can be located since the coordinates used

have already been balanced. This may be considered to be an advantage, as the cause of

discrepancy can be searched for and eliminated.

There are two principal methods of traverse survey:

1. Angles and distance method: This method is of three types.

a. By protractor

b. By the tangent of the angle

c. By the chord of the angle.

2. Co-ordinate method.

Traverse Computations

In the figure, the latitude and the departure of the line AB of length l and reduced bearing

q are given by

L= + l cosq and D=+ l sinq
To calculate the latitude and departure of the traverse lines, it is first essential to reduce

the bearing in the quadrant system. The signs of latitude and departures will depend upon

the reduced bearing of the line. The following table gives signs of latitudes and

departures.

Table-1

W.C.B R.B and quadrant Sign of

Latitude Departure
0° to 90° NqE; I + +
90° to 180° SqE;II - +
180° to 270° SqW;III - -
270° to 360° NqW;IV + -

Thus, latitude and departure co-ordinate of any point with reference to the preceding

point are equal to the latitude and departure of the line joining the preceding point to the

point under consideration. Such coordinates are also known as consecutive co-ordinates

or dependent coordinates.
Measurements made in traversing

Linear measurements. Measured by; electromagnetic distance measuring instrument

(EDM), tachometric method (optical means) or by direct taping with steel tapes.

Angular measurements. These are obtained by using theodolites. Total stations are used

to obtain both linear and angular measurements and make the use of theodolite and tape

measure being obsolete in traversing.

Linear measurement

Conditions for making linear measurements using tape measure:

1. Measurements made on the slope, vertical angles to same points should be observed.

2. Each tape length should be aligned accurately using a theodolite.

3. Field temperature should be recorded and the appropriate correction applied.

4. If steel tape is to be used, it should be standardized before being used and correction

for tension should be applied,

5. Sag corrections should be applied to measured lengths when the tape was under sag

during measurements.

Angular observations

Angles in traverse are observed referring from a Reference point also known as

Reference Object (R. O.). A reference object is a point where a first reading is taken after

setting the instrument. The angles are observed in round/sets and on both faces. Angles

are observed before linear measurements then, while the theodolite is set up, the various

vertical angles can be taken and the tape aligned properly for taking linear measurements.

If three tripods are available, forced centering method is adopted to eliminate small

systematic centering errors.