Traversing

By
Haile Akelok
(MSc in Geomatics, BSc in Surveying Engineering)
[email protected]
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 1
 Introduction
• The survey procedure known as traversing is fundamental to much
survey measurement for determining the relative locations of points.

• A traverse is a series of consecutive lines whose ends have been marked

in the field and whose lengths and directions have been determined
from observations.

• A series of lines whose lengths and angular relationships have been

measured

• In traditional surveying by ground methods,

• Traversing, the act of marking the lines, that is, establishing
traverse stations and making the necessary observations,
• A traverse consists of a series of straight lines
connecting
02/07/2025 successiveFundamental
points. of Surveying 2
• The points defining the ends of the traverse lines are called
traverse stations or traverse points. Aline
The distance and direction of travers line and point are
measured using the following surveying equipment in field

• Distance measurement between successive stations can

be measured directly with a tape or indirectly with Stadia or
EDM.

• Angular measurements or change in direction of lines are

observed by a transit or theodolite which are used To
determine direction like a compass or theodolite, total
station and somethingFundamental of Surveying
02/07/2025 3
 Purpose of traversing
• It is a convenient, rapid method for establishing horizontal control particularly
when the lines of sights are short due to heavily built-up areas where
triangulation and trilateration are not applicable. Traverse surveys are made
for many purposes to include:
1. Property surveys to locate or establish boundaries which include
• To determine the positions of exiting boundary markers,
• To establish the positions of boundary lines
• To determine the area encompassed within a boundary.

2. Supplementary horizontal control for topographic mapping surveys.

• To establish ground control for photographic mapping
• To determine the positions of arbitrary points from which data may be
obtained for preparing various types of maps (i.e., establish control for
map making).
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 4
 Purpose of traversing
2. Location and construction layout surveys for private and public

works.
• To establish control for gathering data regarding earthwork quantities in
railroad highway, utility, and other construction work.
• To establish control for locating railroads, highways, and other
construction work

3. Ground control surveys for photogrammetric surveys.

02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 5

 Generally, Traverses are used for two general purposes

1. For surveying details: -the traverse work provides a system of control

points which can be plotted accurately on the map.
Positions of natural and artificial features
are located on the ground relative to the network and these details are
plotted on the map by referencing to the traverse lines and stations.

2. For setting out: - positions of roads, buildings, property lines, and other
new constructions can be established by referencing to a network of
traverse lines.

• The surveyor can then set out in order to locate the actual position on
the ground
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 6
 Type of traversing
• Generally, travers are classified in to two
type: 1
B 1
• Closed Traverse D B
• Open Travers A C C
A
In some literature notes that it my classified Open Traverse
in three D
1
1. A closed polygonal traverse starts and
B
finishes on the same known point. A C Closed Traverse

1. A closed link traverse joins two known D

Link Traverse
points.
2
2. An open traverse starts on a known point
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 7
and finishes on an unknown point
1. Open Traverse: Originates at a point of
known position and closes at another point
whose location is not known/unknown.

• Computational check is not possible to detect

error or blunder in distance and directions.

• To minimize errors distances are observed

twice, angles are observed by repetition,
magnetic bearings are observed for all
lines and astronomic observations are
made periodically.

• This type of traverse is applied in mine

surveys.
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 8
2. A closed traverse is originates on a point of known position and
closes on the same point (closed loop traverse) or on another point of
known position (closed link traverse)

• Emanates from station and close the same station or Runs between two
stations co- ordinates are known in term of common system of co-
ordinate, as a closed traverse.

• Computational checks can be applied to a closed traverse to check the

quality of the survey

• Closed travers have two class

 Closed link

 Closed loop
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 9
Closed-loop Traverse: Closed
Traverse creates a closed geometrical
shape (polygon).

• A closed traverse is one that either

begins and ends at the same point.

• the angles can be closed

geometrically and the position closure
can be determined mathematically.

02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 10

• Closed-link Traverse: A link traverse is connected to at
least two points, at the beginning and at the end of
traverses ,whose coordinates have been previously
determined. Calculations can be made to check for errors.

02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 11

 Travers field observation
Traverse Field Work Traverse Office Work
• Reconnaissance • Computation of traverse and

• Selection of Station Sites control of computations

• Plotting map or plan
• Marking of Stations

• Field Measurement

• Linear Measurement

• Angular Measurement

• Computations
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 12
 Traverse field work consists of the following steps:

1. Select station positions as close as possible to the objects to be

located.

2. Mark the stations with stakes with tacks or with stone or concrete
monuments set flush with

3. The ground with a precise point marked on the top by a chiseled

cross, drilled hole, or bronze tablet.

4. Make angle and distance measurements.

5. Place signals at each station such as a range pole to be used for

taping
02/07/2025 and angle measurement
Fundamental of Surveying 13
 Method of traverse

• Deflection angle traverse:- running traverses is widely employed

than the other especially on open traverses. It is mostly common in
location of routes, canals, roads, highways, pipe lines,

• Interior Angle Traverse:- employed for closed loop traverse.

Successive stations occupied and back sight is taken to the preceding
station.

• Compass traverse:- When compasses are used to run traverses,

forward and back bearings are observed from each traverse station
and distances are taped
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 14
• Angle to the right traverse

• Azimuth traverse:- used extensively on topographic and

other surveys where a large number of details are located by
angular and linear measurements from the traverse stations.
Successive stations are occupied, beginning with the line of
known or assumed azimuth.

• Stadia traverse:- is sufficiently accurate and considerably

more rapid and economical than corresponding surveys made
with theodolite and tape.
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 15
 Traversing Calculations
The usual steps followed in making elementary traverse computations
are:

1. Adjusting angles or directions to fixed geometric conditions.

2. Determining preliminary azimuths of the traverse lines.

3. Calculating departures and latitudes and adjusting them for

misclosure.

4. Computing rectangular coordinates of the traverse stations.

5. If required, calculating the lengths and azimuths of the

traverse lines after adjustment
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 16
 Angles (or 4 directions) Adjustment/ balancing angle

• The observed angles of a polygon traverse can be either the

internal or external angles, and angular misclosures are
found by comparing the sum of the observed angles with one of
the following theoretical values.
Sum of Internal Angles = (n-2) x 180o
Sum of External Angles = (n+2) x 180o

where n is the number of angles (or lines).

• In a link traverse, angular misclosures are found by computing

final azimuth from measured
02/07/2025 angles
Fundamental of Surveyingcompared to known azimuth.
17
• The allowable misclosure E in the measured angles is given

E=±K

Where n is the number of angles measured and K is the

angle probable error.

• If the misclosure is acceptable (less than the allowable) it

is divided equally between the observed angles

02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 18

• Example: For the following angles and distances were
measured in the closed loop traverse ( ABCDEFA) of above
table. Calculate the corrected azimuth for all traverse lines
Station angle Line and Distance (m)
A <FAB = 115011’20” AB = 429.37
B <ABC = 95000’20” BC = 656.54
C <BCD = 129049’20” CD = 301.83
D <CDE = 130036’20” DE = 287.40
E <DEF = 110030’00” EF = 526.72
F <EFA = 138054’40” FA = 372.47
Azimuth of AB = 191011’00 Coordinate X=500 and Y=1000

02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 19

02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 20
Therefore the adjusted angles are subtract the error from each
measured angle

<FAB = 115011’20 -20” = 115011’00”

<ABC = 95000’20” -20” = 95000’00”

<BCD = 129049’20” - 20“ = 129049’00”

<CDE = 130036’20 - 20“ = 130036’00

<DEF = 110030’00” - 20“ = 110029’40”

<EFA = 138054’40 - 20“ = 138054’20“

∑ 7200 00’00”
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 21
 Balance travers angle
Angular misclosures=720˚00ˊ00ʺ - (6-2)x180 = +
00˚01ˊ00ʺ
Correction per Angle = -00˚01ˊ00ʺ/6 = - 10ʺ

02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 22

 Computation of Preliminary Azimuths
• After balancing the angles, the next step in traverse computation is calculation
preliminary azimuths.
• This requires the direction of at least one line within the traverse to be either
known or assumed.

Computation of azimuths
• Az AB = 191011’00“
• Az BC = Az AB + ßB - 1800 = 106011’00’’

• Az CD = Az BC + ßC-1800 = 56000’00’’

• Az DE = AzCD + ßD - 1800 = 6036’00’’

• Az EF = AzDE + ßE - 1800 = 297005’40’’

02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 23
• Az FA = AzEF + ßF -1800 = 256000’00’’
 Departures and Latitudes
Compute departure

• The departure of a side is its

orthographic projection on the east–
west axis of the survey and is equal
to the length of the side multiplied by
the sine of its azimuth.

02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 24

 Compute latitude

• The latitude of a side is its orthographic projection on the

north–south axis of the survey, and is equal to the side
length multiplied by the cosine of its azimuth.

Or

02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 25

 Compute latitude and departure

Sid Azimuth Distance( Departure Latitude =

e m) length *sine length
(azimuth) *(cos(azimuth)
AB 191011’00“ 429.37 -83.276 -421.217
BC 106011’00“ 656.54 630.524 -182.985
CD 56000’00“ 301.83 250.228 168.781
DE 6036’00“ 287.40 33.033 285.495
EF 297005’40“ 526.72 -468.916 239.899
FA
02/07/2025256 00’00“ 372.47
0
-361.406
Fundamental of Surveying -90.109 26
 Departure and latitude adjustment
• The observations are not perfect and errors exist in the angles and distances,
the conditions just stated rarely occur.

• The amounts by which they fail to be met are termed departure misclosure and
latitude misclosure.

• Their values are computed by algebraically summing the departures and

latitudes and comparing the totals to required conditions.

• The sum of all departures should equal zero. ∑ Departures = 0

• The sum of all latitudes should equal zero. ∑ latitude = 0

Because starting and ending control points are the same point for closed-polygon
traverse.
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 27
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 28
• The linear misclosure of the traverse is calculated from the
following formula:

Where RE departure misclosure and RN latitude misclosure

= 0.231
• The relative precision of a traverse is expressed by a fraction
that has the linear misclosure as its numerator and the traverse
total length as its denominator.

OR

02/07/2025
=0.231/2574.33 = 1: 11,144
Fundamental of Surveying 29
Acceptable allowable error in latitude and departure

02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 30

 Method of departure and latitude adjustment
Crandall Rule.

• The Crandall rule is used when the angular measurements (directions) are
believed to have greater precision than the linear measurements (distances).

• This method allows for the weighting of measurements and has properties similar
to the method of least squares adjustment.

• Although the technique provides adequate results, it is seldom utilized because of

its complexity.

• In addition, modern distance measuring equipment and electronic total stations

provide distance and angular measurements with roughly equal precision

• Also, a standard Least Squares adjustment can be performed with the same
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 31
amount of effort.
Least Squares

• The method of least squares is the procedure of adjusting a set of

observations that constitute an over-determined model (redundancy > 0).

• A least squares adjustment relates the mathematical (functional model)

and stochastic (stochastic model) processes that influence or affect the
observations.

• Stochastic refers to the statistical nature of observations or measurements

• The least squares principle relies on the condition that the sum of the
squares of the residuals approaches a minimum.

02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 32

Compass Rule (Bowditch Method)

• The Compass Rule adjustment is used when the angular and linear measurements are
of equal precision.

• This is the most widely used traverse adjustment method. Since the angular and
linear precision are considered equivalent, the angular error is distributed equally
throughout the traverse.

• For example, the sum of the interior angles of a five-sided traverse should equal 540º
00' 00".0, but if the sum of the measured angles equals 540° 01' 00".0, a value of
12".0 must be subtracted from each observed angle to balance the angles within
traverse.

• After balancing the angular error, the linear error is computed by determining the sums
of the north-south latitudes and east-west departures.

• The02/07/2025
misclosure in latitude and departure is applied
Fundamental of Surveying proportional to the distance of 33
each
• The Compass Rule is a simple method and is most commonly
employed for engineering, construction, and boundary
surveys.

• Calculate latitudes (dY or dN) and departures (dX or dE)

correction of the traverse misclosure:

• Distribute the misclosure latitudes and departures

over the traverse
• Compute adjusted coordinates of the traverse
stations
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 34
 Correct the above example using Compass Rule (Bowditch
Method)
Let

=-0.0000528293

= +0.0000726403

02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 35

 The adjustment of departure and latitude should consider
• If summation of latitude is negative, the correction should be
positive.
• If the summation of departure is positive, the correction
Lineshould be departure
Adjusted negative. Adjusted latitude

AB -83.276– [*429.37] = -83.307 -421.217 – [A*427.37] = -421.194

BC 630.524 –[B*656.54] = 630.476 -182.985 –[A*656.54] = -182.950
CD 250.228 – [B* 301.83] = 250.206 168.781 – [A* 301.83] = 168.797
DE 33.033 – [B*287.40] = 33.012 285.495 –[A*287.40] = 285.510
EF -468.916 – [B*526.72] = -468.954 239.899 – [A*526.72] = 239.927

FA -361.406– [B* 372.47] = -361.433 -90.109 – [A* 372.47] = -90.090

02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 36
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 37
 Calculation of Coordinates
• For both types of traverse, the coordinates of each station are obtained
by adding or subtracting the adjusted departures and latitudes,
as follows:
XB = XA + depAB = 500 + -83.307 YB = YA + lat AB =1000 + -
= 416.693 421.194
XC = XB+ depBC = 416.693 + = 578. 806
630.476 YC = YB + lat BC =578.806 + -
= 1047. 169 182.950
XD= XC + depCD = 1047.169 + = 395.856
250.206 = 1297.375 YD = YC + lat CD=395.856 +
XE = XD + depDE = 1297.375 + 168 .797
33.012 = 564.653
= 1330.
02/07/2025 387 Y = YD + lat DE = 564.653 +
Fundamental of Surveying
E 38
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 39
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 40
Example two:

The following angles and distance were measured in the closed

loop traverse ( ABCDEFA), Calculate the corrected Azimuth for all
lines, and calculate the coordinate for all points. If Azimuth of Line
AB = 29°32’28” And the coordinate of station A ( 100 , 300 )

02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 41

 Area calculation by coordinate
method of Traverse
There are a number of important reasons for determining areas.
• One is to include the acreage of a parcel of land in the deed
describing the property.
• to determine the acreage of fields, lakes, etc.

In plane surveying, area is considered to be the orthogonal

projection of the surface onto a horizontal plane.
• A closed traverse is run, in which the lines of the traverse are
made to coincide with property lines as possible.
• The length and bearings of all straight boundary lines are
determined
02/07/2025 either directly or by ofcomputation.
Fundamental Surveying 42
 Method of area computation
In Both field and map measurements are used to determine area.

Field measurement methods are the more accurate and include

1. Division of the tract into simple figures (triangles, rectangles,
and trapezoids),
2. Offsets from a straight line,
3. Coordinates
4. Double-meridian distances.

Area computation using map measurements include

5. Counting coordinate squares,
6. Dividing the area into triangles, rectangles, or other regular
geometric shapes,
7. Digitizing coordinates, and
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 43
8. Running a planimeter over the enclosing lines
 Generally, Methods of determining areas
1. Area by coordinates
2. Area from map or plan – by using planimeters
3. Area by triangles
4. Area by double meridian distances and latitudes
(DMD)
5. Areas by ordinate, trapezoid rule and Simpson’s
role for irregular boundaries
• The area of a closed traverse from the field notes may be
calculated by on of the following methods:

1. Areas from coordinates (x and y)

2. Areas from latitudes

02/07/2025 and
Fundamental of Surveyingdouble distances 44
 Areas By coordinates
• Computation of area within a closed polygon is most frequently done
by the coordinate Method.

• They are normally obtained by traversing, although any method that

yields the coordinates of these points is appropriate.

• If traversing is used, coordinates of the stations are computed after

adjustment of the departures and latitudes.

• The coordinate method is easily visualized; it reduces to one simple

equation that applies to all geometric configurations of closed
polygons
02/07/2025
and is readily programmed for computer solution
Fundamental of Surveying 45
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 46
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 47
 Areas from latitudes and double meridian distance (D.M.D)

• The following definitions may be clearly understood before

discussing the method

I. The meridian distance of a line or longitude: - It is the

perpendicular distance of the mid point of the line from the
reference meridian.

II. The double meridian distance (D.M.D): - it is the sum of

meridian distances of the two ends of the lines.

III. The departure of a line: - It is the abscissa of the consecutive

coordinates
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 48
 Rules for finding out the D.M.D
A. The D.M.D of the first line is equal to the departure of that line
B. The D.M.D of each succeeding line = D.M.D and departure of the
preceding line + Departure of the line itself
C. The D.M.D of the last line = departure of the last line with the
opposite sign
02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 49
 For example for the above figure

• D.M.D of line AB = departure of the line = x2

• D.M.D of line BC = x2+x2+(x3-x2) = (x2+x3)

• D.M.D of line CD = (x2+x3) + (x3 -x2) + (x4-x3) = x3+x4

• D.M.D of line DE = x3+x4+(x4-x3) + (x5-x4) = x4 +x5

• D.M.D of line EA = x4+ x5+(x5-x4) – x5 = x5

Hence area of a closed traverse = Half the algebraic
sum of the product of the latitude of each line by its
D.M.D
Area =1/2((x2+x3)*latitude
02/07/2025 BC of+
Fundamental x3+x4)*latitude CD +( x450
Surveying
 Thank you give me your
attention

Good Luck to success

/achieve your goal in
surveying

02/07/2025 Fundamental of Surveying 51