Bataan Heroes College

3.3 Balancing the Traverse

Traverse Adjustment is the process of computing the linear error of closure and applying
corrections to the individual latitudes sand departures for the purpose of providing a
mathematically closed figure.
Compass Rule states that, the correction to be applied to the latitude (or departure) of any course
is equal to the total closure in latitude (or departure) multiplied by the ratio of the length of the
course to the total length or perimeter of the traverse.

CL = - ∑lat ( ) CD = - ∑lat ( )

CL = correction to be applied to the latitude of any course

CD = correction to be applied to the departure of any course
∑lat = total closure in latitude or the algebraic sum of the north & south latitudes
∑dep = total closure in departure or the algebraic sum of the east & west departures
d = length of any course
D = total length or perimeter of the traverse

Sample Problem 1
Given in the accompanying tabulation are the observed data for a traverse obtained from a transit-
tape survey. Determine the latitude and departure of each course and balance these quantities by
employing Compass Rule. The values indicated are in meters.
Course Distance Bearing
AB 44.36 S35°30’W
BC 137.84 N57°15’W
CD 12.82 N01°45’E
DE 64.86 N72°08’E
EA 106.00 S45°00’E

Fundamentals of Surveying: Module 3 Page 1 of 11

Engr. Edgardo L. Lintag, Jr.
 Bataan Heroes College
Step 1: Compute the latitude and departure of each course. Tabulate the results and apply the
necessary sign.
Course Distance Bearing Latitude Departure
AB 44.36 S35°30’W -36.11 -25.76
BC 137.84 N57°15’W +74.57 -115.93
CD 12.82 N01°45’E +12.81 +0.39
DE 64.86 N72°08’E +19.90 +61.73
EF 106.00 S45°00’E -74.95 +74.95

Step 2: Get the totals of the latitudes and that of the departures, and the perimeter.
Course Distance Bearing Latitude Departure
AB 44.36 S35°30’W -36.11 -25.76
BC 137.84 N57°15’W +74.57 -115.93
CD 12.82 N01°45’E +12.81 +0.39
DE 64.86 N72°08’E +19.90 +61.73
EA 106.00 S45°00’E -74.95 +74.95
365.88 -3.78 -4.62

D = 365.88 ∑lat = -3.78 ∑dep = -4.62

Step 3: Calculate the correction for both latitudes and departures.

CL = - ∑lat ( ) CD = - ∑lat ( )

44.36
CLab = - (-3.78) (365.88)=+0.46
137.84
CLbc = - (-3.78) (365.88)=+1.42
12.82
CLcd = - (-3.78) (365.88)=+0.13
64.86
CLde = - (-3.78) (365.88)=+0.67
106.00
CLef = - (-3.78) (365.88)=+1.10
Fundamentals of Surveying: Module 3 Page 2 of 11
Engr. Edgardo L. Lintag, Jr.
 Bataan Heroes College
44.36
CDab = - (-4.62) (365.88)=+0.56
137.84
CDbc = - (-4.62) (365.88)=+1.74
12.82
CDcd = - (-4.62) (365.88)=+0.16
64.86
CDde = - (-4.62) (365.88)=+0.82
106.00
CDef = - (-4.62) (365.88)=+1.34

Step 4: Tabulate the values just found and compute the sums of the CL and that of the CD. These
values should be numerically equal to the ∑lat and ∑dep, but opposite in sign.
Course Distance Bearing Latitude Departure CL CD
AB 44.36 S35°30’W -36.11 -25.76 +0.46 +0.56
BC 137.84 N57°15’W +74.57 -115.93 +1.42 +1.74
CD 12.82 N01°45’E +12.81 +0.39 +0.13 +0.16
DE 64.86 N72°08’E +19.90 +61.73 +0.67 +0.82
EA 106.00 S45°00’E -74.95 +74.95 +1.10 +1.34
365.88 -3.78 -4.62 +3.78 +4.62

Step 5: Calculate the adjusted latitude and the adjusted departure.

adjusted latitude = latitude + CL

lat’ab = -36.11 + 0.46 = -35.65

lat’bc = +74.57 + 1.42 = +75.99
lat’cd = +12.81 + 0.13 = +12.94
lat’de = +19.90 + 0.67 = +20.57
lat’ea = -74.95 + 1.10 = -73.85

Fundamentals of Surveying: Module 3 Page 3 of 11

Engr. Edgardo L. Lintag, Jr.
 Bataan Heroes College
adjusted departure = departure + CD

dep’ab = -25.76 + 0.56 = -25.20

dep’bc = -115.93 + 1.74 = -114.19
dep’cd = +0.39 + 0.16 = +0.55
dep’de = +61.73 + 0.82 = +62.55
dep’ea = +74.95 + 1.34 = +76.29

Step 6: Tabulate the adjusted latitudes and adjusted departures. Check the sums of the adjusted
latitudes and that of the adjusted departures. Both of them should be equal to zero.
Course Distance Bearing Latitude Departure CL CD
AB 44.36 S35°30’W -36.11 -25.76 +0.46 +0.56
BC 137.84 N57°15’W +74.57 -115.93 +1.42 +1.74
CD 12.82 N01°45’E +12.81 +0.39 +0.13 +0.16
DE 64.86 N72°08’E +19.90 +61.73 +0.67 +0.82
EA 106.00 S45°00’E -74.95 +74.95 +1.10 +1.34
365.88 -3.78 -4.62 +3.78 +4.62

Course Lat’ Dep’

AB -35.65 -25.20
BC +75.99 -114.19
CD +12.94 +0.55
DE +20.57 +62.55
EA -73.85 +76.29
0 0

Fundamentals of Surveying: Module 3 Page 4 of 11

Engr. Edgardo L. Lintag, Jr.
 Bataan Heroes College
Step 7: Calculate the adjusted length of each course. Tabulate the results.

adjusted length = (lat')2 + (dep')2

d’ab = (-35.65)2 + (-25.20)2 = 43.66

d’bc = (+75.99)2 + (-114.19)2 = 137.16

d’cd = (+12.94)2 + (+0.55)2 = 12.95

d’de = (+20.57)2 + (+62.55)2 = 65.85

d’ea = (-73.85)2 + (+76.29)2 = 106.18

Course Distance Bearing Latitude Departure CL CD

AB 44.36 S35°30’W -36.11 -25.76 +0.46 +0.56
BC 137.84 N57°15’W +74.57 -115.93 +1.42 +1.74
CD 12.82 N01°45’E +12.81 +0.39 +0.13 +0.16
DE 64.86 N72°08’E +19.90 +61.73 +0.67 +0.82
EA 106.00 S45°00’E -74.95 +74.95 +1.10 +1.34
365.88 -3.78 -4.62 +3.78 +4.62

Course Lat’ Dep’ d’

AB -35.65 -25.20 43.66
BC +75.99 -114.19 137.16
CD +12.94 +0.55 12.95
DE +20.57 +62.55 65.85
EA -73.85 +76.29 106.18
0 0

Fundamentals of Surveying: Module 3 Page 5 of 11

Engr. Edgardo L. Lintag, Jr.
 Bataan Heroes College
Step 8: Calculate the adjusted bearing of each line. Affix the corresponding N or S before the
numerical value and the corresponding E or W after the numerical value. Observe the sign of each
latitude and departure. Tabulate the results.

dep
tan β = lat

25.20
tan β’ab = -35.65
β’ab = S35°15’W
114.19
tan β’bc = +75.99
β’bc = N56°21’W
+0.55
tan β’cd = +12.94 β’cd = N02°26’E
+62.55
tan β’de = +20.57 β’de = N71°48’E
+76.29
tan β’ea = +73.85 β’ea = S45°56’E

Course Distance Bearing Latitude Departure CL CD

AB 44.36 S35°30’W -36.11 -25.76 +0.46 +0.56
BC 137.84 N57°15’W +74.57 -115.93 +1.42 +1.74
CD 12.82 N01°45’E +12.81 +0.39 +0.13 +0.16
DE 64.86 N72°08’E +19.90 +61.73 +0.67 +0.82
EA 106.00 S45°00’E -74.95 +74.95 +1.10 +1.34
365.88 -3.78 -4.62 +3.78 +4.62

Course Lat’ Dep’ d’ β’

AB -35.65 -25.20 43.66 S35°15’W
BC +75.99 -114.19 137.16 N56°21’W
CD +12.94 +0.55 12.95 N02°26’E
DE +20.57 +62.55 65.85 N71°48’E
EA -73.85 +76.29 106.18 S45°56’E
0 0

Fundamentals of Surveying: Module 3 Page 6 of 11

Engr. Edgardo L. Lintag, Jr.
 Bataan Heroes College
Extreme care should be taken when rounding off values, especially when balancing the
latitudes and departures. The smallest error will result in a different answer. To avoid such
mistakes, set your calculator to 2 decimal places.

Sample Problem 2
Given the following data for a transit-tape survey. By applying Compass Rule, balance these
quantities.
Line distance latitude departure
AB 372.31 +365.84 +69.13
BC 165.03 -41.04 +159.85
CD 214.00 -202.06 -70.50
DA 197.20 -119.09 -157.18

Step 1: Calculate the sums of the latitudes and departures.

Line distance latitude departure
AB 372.31 +365.84 +69.13
BC 165.03 -41.04 +159.85
CD 214.00 -202.06 -70.50
DA 197.20 -119.09 -157.18
948.54 +3.65 +1.30

D = 948.54 ∑lat = +3.65 ∑dep = +1.30

Fundamentals of Surveying: Module 3 Page 7 of 11

Engr. Edgardo L. Lintag, Jr.
 Bataan Heroes College
Step 2: Calculate the correction for both latitudes and departures.

CL = - ∑lat ( ) CD = - ∑lat ( )

372.31
CLab = - (+3.65) (948.54)= -1.43
165.03
CLbc = - (+3.65) (948.54)= -0.64
214.00
CLcd = - (+3.65) (948.54)= -0.82
197.20
CLda = - (+3.65) (948.54)= -0.76

372.31
CDab = - (+1.30) (948.54)= -0.51
165.03
CDbc = - (+1.30) (948.54)= -0.23
214.00
CDcd = - (+1.30) (948.54)= -0.29
197.20
CDda = - (+1.30) (948.54)= -0.27

Step 3: Tabulate the values just found and compute the sums of the CL and that of the CD. These
values should be numerically equal to the ∑lat and ∑dep, but opposite in sign.
Line distance latitude departure CL CD
AB 372.31 +365.84 +69.13 -1.43 -0.51
BC 165.03 -41.04 +159.85 -0.64 -0.23
CD 214.00 -202.06 -70.50 -0.82 -0.29
DA 197.20 -119.09 -157.18 -0.76 -0.27
948.54 +3.65 +1.30 -3.65 -1.30

Fundamentals of Surveying: Module 3 Page 8 of 11

Engr. Edgardo L. Lintag, Jr.
 Bataan Heroes College
Step 4: Calculate the adjusted latitude and the adjusted departure.

adjusted latitude = latitude + CL adjusted departure = departure + CD

lat’ab = +365.84 – 1.43 =+364.41

lat’bc = -41.04 – 0.64 =-41.68
lat’cd = -202.06 – 0.82 = -202.88
lat’da = -119.09 – 0.76 =-119.85

dep’ab = +69.19 – 0.51 = +68.68

dep’bc = +159.85 – 0.23 = +159.62
dep’cd = -70.50 – 0.29 = -70.79
dep’da = -157.18 – 0.27 = -157.45

Step 5: Tabulate the adjusted latitudes and adjusted departures. Check the sums of the adjusted
latitudes and that of the adjusted departures. Both of them should be equal to zero.
Line distance latitude departure CL CD
AB 372.31 +365.84 +69.13 -1.43 -0.51
BC 165.03 -41.04 +159.85 -0.64 -0.23
CD 214.00 -202.06 -70.50 -0.82 -0.29
DA 197.20 -119.09 -157.18 -0.76 -0.27
948.54 +3.65 +1.30 -3.65 -1.30

Course Lat’ Dep’

AB +364.41 +68.62
BC -41.68 +159.62
CD -202.88 -70.79
DE -119.85 -157.45
0 0

Fundamentals of Surveying: Module 3 Page 9 of 11

Engr. Edgardo L. Lintag, Jr.
 Bataan Heroes College
Step 6: Calculate the adjusted length of each course. Tabulate the results.

adjusted length = (lat')2 + (dep')2

d’ab = (+364.41)2 + (+68.62)2 = 370.81

d’bc = (−41.68)2 + (+159.62)2 = 164.97

d’cd = (-202.88)2 + (-70.79)2 = 214.88

d’da = (-119.85)2 + (-157.45)2 = 197.88

Line distance latitude departure CL CD

AB 372.31 +365.84 +69.13 -1.43 -0.51
BC 165.03 -41.04 +159.85 -0.64 -0.23
CD 214.00 -202.06 -70.50 -0.82 -0.29
DA 197.20 -119.09 -157.18 -0.76 -0.27
948.54 +3.65 +1.30 -3.65 -1.30

Course Lat’ Dep’ d’

AB +364.41 +68.62 370.81
BC -41.68 +159.62 164.97
CD -202.88 -70.79 214.88
DE -119.85 -157.45 197.88
0 0

Fundamentals of Surveying: Module 3 Page 10 of 11

Engr. Edgardo L. Lintag, Jr.
 Bataan Heroes College
Step 7: Calculate the adjusted bearing of each line. Affix the corresponding N or S before the
numerical value and the corresponding E or W after the numerical value. Observe the sign of each
latitude and departure. Tabulate the results.

dep
tan β = lat

+68.62
tan β’ab = +364.41 β’ab = N10°40’E
+159.62
tan β’bc = -41.68
β’bc = S75°22’E
-70.79
tan β’cd = -202.88 β’cd = S19°14’W
-157.45
tan β’da = -119.85 β’da = S52°43’W

Line distance latitude departure CL CD

AB 372.31 +365.84 +69.13 -1.43 -0.51
BC 165.03 -41.04 +159.85 -0.64 -0.23
CD 214.00 -202.06 -70.50 -0.82 -0.29
DA 197.20 -119.09 -157.18 -0.76 -0.27
948.54 +3.65 +1.30 -3.65 -1.30

Course Lat’ Dep’ d’ β'

AB +364.41 +68.62 370.81 N10°40’E
BC -41.68 +159.62 164.97 S75°22’E
CD -202.88 -70.79 214.88 S19°14’W
DE -119.85 -157.45 197.88 S52°43’W
0 0

Fundamentals of Surveying: Module 3 Page 11 of 11

Engr. Edgardo L. Lintag, Jr.