MODULE 5

TRAVERSE COMPUTATION AND ADJUSTMENTS

Introduction

Almost all surveying measurements require some calculations to reduce them to a more useful
form for determining distances and directions, earthwork volumes, land areas, and so on. Before the area
of a parcel or tract of land can be computed, it is necessary to have a closed traverse where all angles and
distances are in a precise agreement. We have also shown that all field measurements will have errors.
Making adjustments to angles to obtain angular closure is only part of the problem because distances will
still have errors.
For any closed traverse the first step taken by the surveyor should always be check if the observed
angles fulfill the geometric conditions of the figure. Should there be an agular error of closure it must be
corrected to give a series of preliminary adjusted directions. All linear distances should then be corrected
since errors in measured lengths will alter the shape of the traverse.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the session, learners of this program are expected to:

a. Compute for the latitude and departure of a line,

b. Compute the Linear Error of Closure (LEC) of the traverse,
c. Compute the Relative Precision of the traverse,
d. Adjust the traverse by compass rule,
e. Adjust the traverse by transit rule.

Lesson Proper/ Discussion

Definition of Terms

Latitude of a line is its projection onto the reference meridian or a north-south line.
Latitudes are sometimes referred to as northings or southngs. Latitude of lines with northerly
bearings are designated as being north (N) or positive ( + ); those in a southerly direction are designated
as south ( S ) or negative ( - ).

Departure of a line is its projection onto the reference parallel or an east-west line.
Departures are east ( E ) or positive ( + ) for lines having easterly bearings and west ( W ) or
negative ( - ) for lines having westerly bearings.

The algebraic signs of latutudes and departures are thus assigned on the basis of the direction of
the bearing angles. For example, the latitude and the departure would be positive for a line with a northeast
bearing, and if the bearing were southwest both latitude and departure would be negative. It will be noted
that the latitude and departure are simply the X and Y components of a line in a rectangular grid system,
as commonly used in mathematics.
 The relationship between a line and its latitude and departure is shown in the figure above.

The horizontal length of the line AB is designated by d and its bearing angle by 𝜙, and the equation for
line AB is as follows:

LatAB = dAB x Cos 𝜙

DepAB =dAB x Sin𝜙

Linear Error of Closure (LEC) – is usually a short line of unknown length and direction connecting the
initial and final stations of the traverse.
It is approximately determined by plotting the traverse to scale, or more exactly by computing the
hypotenuse of a right triangle whose sides are the closure in latutudes and the closures in departure
respectively. This quantity reflects the algebraic sum of all the accumulated errors of measurement both
in angles and distances when running the traverse. The length of the linear error of closure and the angle
this line makes with the meridian is determined by the following equations:

−𝑪𝑫
LEC = √𝑪𝑳𝟐 + 𝑪𝑫𝟐 and Tan𝜙 =
−𝑪𝑳

Where: LEC= linear error of closure

CL = closure in latitude or the algebraic sum of north and south latitudes
CD = closure in departure or the algebraic sum of east and west departures
𝜙 = bearing angle of the side of error

The linear error of closure does not indicate the precision of the measurements until it is compared
with the total length of the traverse. A convenient and more useful measure of precision is defined by the
ratio of the linear error of closure to the perimeter or the total length of the traverse. This is usually
expressed as a fraction whose numerator is unity and the denominator rounded off to the nearest multiple
of 100, as 1/5000. Such a fraction states that the error of the survey is one part in 5000 parts, thus:
 𝑳𝑬𝑪
RP =
𝑫

Where: RP = relative precision

LEC= linear error of closure
D = total length or perimeter of the traverse

Enrichment Activities:

1. Given in the tabulation below are notes for an open traverse. Determine the latitude and departure
of each course and tabulate the observed and computed values accordingly.

Course Distance Bearing Course Distance Bearing

AB 550.30m N 28010’ E DE 631.22m N 50000’ E
BC 395.48m S 69035’ E EF 340.05m S 25005’ E
CD 462.70m S 27050’ E FG 275.86m Due East

Solution.

a.)Determining Latitudes: Lat= d x Cos 𝜙

LatAB = 550.30m x Cos 28010’ = +485.13 m

LatBC = 395.48m x Cos 69035’ = -137.96 m

LatCD = 462.70m x Cos 27050’ = -409.17 m

LatDE = 631.22m x Cos50000’ = +405.74 m

LatEF = 340.05m x Cos25005’ = -307.98 m

LatFG =276.86m x Cos90000’ = 0.00

b.)Determining Departures: Dep= d x Sin 𝜙

DepAB = 550.30m x Sin28010’ = +259.76 m

DepBC = 395.48m x Sin6935’ = +370.64 m

DepCD = 462.70m x Sin27050’ = +216.04 m

DepDE = 631.22m x Sin50000’ = +483.54 m

DepEF = 340.05m x Sin25005’ = +144.16 m

DepFG = 275.86m x Sin90000’ = 275.86 m

c.)Tabulated Solution.

Course Distance Bearing Latitude Departure

N (+) S (-) E (+) W (-)

AB 550.30m N 28010’ E 485.13 259.76

BC 395.48m S 69035’ E 137.96 370.64

CD 462.70m S 27050’ E 409.17 216.04

DE 631.22m N 50000’ E 405.74 483.54

EF 340.05m S 25005’ E 307.98 144.16

FG 275.86m Due East 0 275.86

2. In a compass survey, a closed traverse were executed and the field data gathered are tabulated
below. Find the following: a.) lattiudes of the lines b.) departures of the lines c.) Linear Error
of Closure d.) bearing of the side of error e.) Relative Precision

Line Distance Bearing

A-B 233.10 m S 57030’ E
B-C 242.05 m N 85015’ E
C-D 191.50 m N 20000’ E
D-E 234.46 m N 26025’ W
E-F 270.65 m S 74008’ W
F-A 252.38 m S 33000’ W

Solution.
a.)Determining the latitudes of the lines: Lat= d x Cos 𝜙

LatAB = 233.10m x Cos 57030’ = -125.24m

LatBC = 242.05m x Cos 85015’ = 20.04m
LatCD = 191.50m x Cos 20000’ = 179.95m
LatDE = 234.46m x Cos 26025’ = 209.98m
LatEF = 270.65m x Cos 74008’ = -74.00m
LatFA = 252.38m x Cos 33000’ = -211.66m

b.)Determining the deaprtures of the lines: Dep= d x Sin 𝜙

DepAB = 233.10m x Sin 57030’ = 196.59m

DepBC = 242.05m x Sin 85015’ = 241.22m
DepCD = 191.50m x Sin 20000’ = 65.20m
DepDE = 234.46m x Sin 26025’ = -104.31m
DepEF = 270.65m x Sin 74008’ = -260.34m
DepFA = 252.38m x Sin 33000’ = -211.66m

c.)Determining the Linear Error of Closure (LEC)

−𝑪𝑫
LEC = √𝑪𝑳𝟐 + 𝑪𝑫𝟐 and Tan𝜙 =
−𝑪𝑳

ƩNL= LatBC + LatCD + LatDE ƩNL = 20.01 + 179.95 + 202.98

ƩNL = +409.97m (summation of north latitudes)

ƩSL = LatAB + LatEF + LatFA ƩSL = 125.24 + 74.00 +211.66

ƩSL = - 410.90m (summation of south latitudes)

ƩED = DepAB + DepBC + DepCD ƩED = 196.59 + 241.22 + 65.50

ƩED = +503.31m (summation of east departures)

ƩWD = DepDE + DepEF + DepFA ƩWD = 140.31 + 260.34 + 137.46

ƩWD = -502.11 (summation of west departures)

CL = ƩNL + ƩSL CL = (409.97) + (-410.90)

CL = -0.93m (closure in latitude or the algebraic sum of north and south latitudes)

CD = ƩED + ƩWD CD = (503.31) + (-502.11)

CD = 1.20m (closure in departure or the algebraic sum of east and west departures)

LEC = √𝑪𝑳𝟐 + 𝑪𝑫𝟐 LEC = √(−𝟎. 𝟗𝟑)𝟐 + (𝟏. 𝟐𝟎)𝟐

 LEC = 1.52 m (linear error of closure)

d.)Determining the bearing of the side of error:

−𝑪𝑫 −(𝟏.𝟐𝟎) −𝟏.𝟐𝟎

Tan𝜙 = Tan𝜙 = Tan𝜙 =
−𝑪𝑳 −(−𝟎.𝟗𝟑) 𝟎.𝟗𝟑

𝜙 =52013’ (therefore, the bearing of the side of error is N 52013’ W)

Note that the CD above is negative -1.20 which means West while CL is positive 0.93 which means North

𝑳𝑬𝑪
e.)Determining the Relative Precision: RP =
𝑫

D = dAB + dBC + dCD + dDE + dEF + dFA

D = 233.10 + 242.05 + 191.50 + 234.46 + 270.65 + 252.38
D = 1,424.14 m (perimeter or total length of the traverse)

𝟏.𝟓𝟐 𝟏 𝟏
RP = RP = or RP =
𝟏,𝟒𝟐𝟒.𝟏𝟒 𝟗𝟑𝟔.𝟗𝟑 𝟗𝟎𝟎

Traverse Adjustments

Compass Rule.

The Compass or Bowditch rule which was named after the distinguished American navigator
Nathaniel Bowditch (1773-1838), is a very popular rule for adjusting a closed traverse. It is simple to apply
and at the same time theoretically sound.. It 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 the measurement are accidental and that the total error in any side of the traverse is directly
proportional to the total length of the traverse.
The compass rule may be stated as follows: The correction to be applied to the latitude (or
departure) of any course is equal to the total closure in latitude (or departure) is multiplied by the ratio of
the length of the course to the total length or perimeter of the traverse. These corrections are given by the
following equations:

𝒅 𝒅
cl = CL ( ) and cd = CD ( )
𝑫 𝑫

Where :
cl = correction to be applied to the latitude of any course.
cd = correction to be applied to the departure of any course
CL = total closure in latitude or the algebraic sum of the north and south latitudes (ƩNL + ƩSL)
CD = total closure in departure or the algebraic sum of the east and west departures (ƩED + ƩWD)
d = length of any course
 D = total length or the perimeter of the traverse

Enrichment Activities:

1. The following field notes were observed in a compass-tape survey:

Line Distance Bearing
A-B 495.85 m N 05030’ E
B-C 850.62 m N 46002’ E
C-D 855.45 m S 67038’ E
D-E 1,020.87 m S 12025’ E
E-F 1,117.26 m S 83044’ W
F-A 660.08 m N 55009’ W

Solution. Lat = d x Cos 𝜙 and Dep= d x Sin𝜙

Tabulate Solution.
Line Distance Bearing
Computed Latitude Computed Departure

+N -S +E -W
A-B 495.85 m N 05030’ E
493.57 47.53
B-C 850.62 m 0
N 46 02’ E
590.53 612.23
C-D 855.45 m S 67038’ E
325.53 791.09
D-E 1,020.87 m S 12025’ E
996.99 219.51
E-F 1,117.26 m S 83044’ W
121.96 1,110.58
F-A 660.08 m N 55009’ W
377.19 541.70

Sum 5,000.13 m +1,461.29 -1444.48 +1,670.36 -1,652.28

(ƩNL) (ƩSL) (ƩED) (ƩWD)

CL = ƩNL + ƩSL CL = (1461.29) + (-1444.48)

CL = +16.81 m (total closure in latitude)

CD = ƩED + ƩWD CD = (1670.36) + (-1652.28)

 CD = +18.08 m (total closure in departure)

D = 5,000.13 m

𝐶𝐿
Determining Corrections for Latitude: KL = cl = dKL
𝐷

16.81
Kl = = 0.00336
5,000.13

cAB = 495.85 x 0.00336 =1.67m

cBC = 850.62 x 0.00336 = 2.86m

cCD = 855.45 x 0.00336 = 2.88m

cDE = 1,020.87 x 0.00336 = 3.43m

cEF = 1,117.26 x 0.00336 = 3.75m

cFA = 660.08 x 0.00336 = 2.22m

Solution check: Sum of latitude correction = CL
16.81 = 1.67 + 2.86 + 2.88 + 3.43 + 3.75 + 2.22
16.81 = 16.81 (checks)

𝐶𝐷
Determining Corrections for departure: KD = cD = dKD
𝐷
18.08
KD = = 0.00362
5,000.13

cAB = 495.85 x 0.00362 =1.79m

cBC = 850.62 x 0.00362 = 3.08m
cCD = 855.45 x 0.00362 = 3.09m
cDE = 1,020.87 x 0.00362 = 3.69m
cEF = 1,117.26 x 0.00362 = 4.04m
cFA = 660.08 x 0.00362 = 2.39m

Solution check: Sum of departure correction = CD

16.81 = 1.79 + 3.08 + 3.09 + 3.69 + 4.04 + 2.39
18.08 = 18.08 (checks)

Adjusting the latitudes: Adj Lat = Computed Lat ± cL

Adj LatAB = +(493.57 – 1.67) = +491.90 m

Adj LatBC = +(590.53 – 2.86) = +587.67 m
Adj LatCD = -(325.53 + 2.88) = -328.41 m
Adj LatDE = -(996.99 + 3.43) = -1,000.42m
Adj LatEF = -(121.96 + 3.75) =-125.71 m
Adj LatFA = +9377.19 – 2.22) =+374.97m

Note: Since the sum of north latitudes exceeds the sum of south latitudes, latitude corrections are
subtracted from the corresponding north latitudes and added to corresponding south latitudes to
determine the adjusted latitudes.

Solution Check: Algebraic Sum of Adjusted Latitudes = 0.00

+491.90 + 587.67 -328.41 – 1,000.42 – 125.71 + 374.97 = 0.00

0.00= 0.00 (checks)

Adjusting the Departures: Adj Dep = Computed Dep ± cD

Adj DepAB = +(947.53 – 1.79) = +45.74 m

Adj DepBC = +(612.23 – 3.08) = + 609.15 m
Adj DepCD = +(791.09 – 3.09) = + 788.00 m
Adj DepDE = +(219.51 – 3.69) = + 215.82 m
Adj DepEF = -(1,110.58 + 4.04) = -1,114.62 m
Adj DepFA = -(541.70 + 2.39) = -544.09 m

Note: Since the sum of east departures exceeds the sum of west departures, departure
corrections are subtracted from the corresponding east departures and added to corresponding west
departures to determine the adjusted departures.

Solution Check: Algebraic Sum of Adjusted Departures = 0.00

+45.74 + 609.15 + 788.00 + 215.82 – 1,116.62 – 544.09 = 0.00

0.00 = 0.00 (checks)

Transit Rule

The method of adjusting a traverse by the transit rule is similar to the method using the compass
rule. The main difference is that with transit rule the latitude and departure corrections depend on the
length of the latitude and departure of the course respectively instead of both depending on the length of
the course.
The transit rule may be stated as follows : The correction to be applied to the latitude (or
departure) of any course is equal to the latitude (or departure) of the course multiplied by the ratio of the
total closure in laitutde(or departure) to the arithmetical sum of all the latitudes (or departures) of the
traverse. These corrections are given by the following equations

𝑳𝒂𝒕 (𝑪𝑳) 𝑫𝒆𝒑( 𝑪𝑫)

CL = and cD =
Ʃ𝑵𝑳−Ʃ𝑺𝑳 Ʃ𝑬𝑫− Ʃ𝑾𝑫
Where:
cl = correction to be applied to the latitude of any course
cd = correction to be applied to the departure of any course
CL = total closure in latitude or the algebraic sum of the north and south latitudes (ƩNL + ƩSL)
CD = total closure in departure or the algebraic sum of the east and west departures (ƩED + ƩWD)
ƩNL = summation of north latitudes
ƩSL = summation of south latitudes
ƩED = summation of east departures
ƩWD = summation of west departures

Enrichment Activities:

The following fieldnotes were gathered using a transit-tape surveys. Determine the latitudes and
departures and adjust the traverse employing the transit rule.

Line Azimuth from North Distance

1-2 5030’ 495.85 m
2-3 46002’ 850.62 m
3-4 112022’ 855.45 m
4-5 167035’ 1,020.87 m
5-6 263044’ 1,117.26 m
6-1 304051’ 660.08 m

Tabulated Solution. Lat = d x cos 𝜙 Dep = d x sin 𝜙

Line Azimuth Distance Computed Latitude Computed Departure

from North N(+) S(-) E(+) W(-)
1-2 5030’ 495.85 m 493.57 47.53
2-3 46002’ 850.62 m 590.53 612.23
3-4 112022’ 855.45 m 325.53 791.09
4-5 167035’ 1,020.87 m 996.99 219.51
5-6 263044’ 1,117.26 m 121.96 1110.58
6-1 304051’ 660.08 m 377.19 541.70
SUMS 5,000.13 m +1461.29 -1444.48 +1670.36 -1652.28
(ƩNL) (ƩSL) (ƩED) (ƩWD)

a.)Determining the total closure in latitude and departure: C L = ƩNL + ƩSL , CD= ƩED + ƩWD

CL = +1,461.29 + (-1,444.48)
CL = +16.81 m
 CD = +1,670.36 + (-1,652.28)
CD = +18.08 m

(𝑪𝑳)
b.)Determining the corrections for latitude: K l = cl = Lat ( Kl)
Ʃ𝑵𝑳−Ʃ𝑺𝑳

𝟏𝟔.𝟖𝟏
Kl = = 0.00579
+𝟏,𝟒𝟔𝟏.𝟐𝟗−(−𝟏,𝟒𝟒𝟒.𝟒𝟖)

c1-2 = 493.57 x 0.00579 = 2.86

c2-3 = 590.53 x 0.00579 = 3.42

c3-4 = 325.53 x 0.00579 = 1.88
c4-5 = 996.99 x 0.00579 = 5.77
c5-6 = 121.96 x 0.00579 = 0.70
c6-1 = 377.19 x 0.00579 = 2.18

Solution Check: Sum of latitude corrections = CL

2.86 + 3.42 + 1.88 + 5.77 + 0.70 + 2.18 = 16.81
16.81= 16.81 (Checks)
(𝑪𝑫)
c.)Determining corrections for Departure: KD = cD = Dep ( KD)
Ʃ𝑬𝑫−Ʃ𝑾𝑫

𝟏𝟖.𝟎𝟖
KD = =0.00544
+𝟏,𝟔𝟕𝟎.𝟑𝟔 −(−𝟏,𝟔𝟓𝟐.𝟐𝟖)
c1-2 = 493.57 x 0.00544 = 0.26

c2-3 = 590.53 x 0.00544 = 3.33

c3-4 = 325.53 x 0.00544 = 4.31

c4-5 = 996.99 x 0.00544 = 1.19

c5-6 = 121.96 x 0.00544 = 6.04

c6-1 = 377.19 x 0.00544 = 2.95

Solution Check: Sum of departure corrections = CD

0.26+ 3.33 + 14.31 + 1.19 + 6.04 + 2.95 = 18.08

18.08= 18.08 (Checks)

d.)Determining Adjusted Latitudes :

Adj Lat = computed lat ± cL

Adj Lat1-2 = 493.57 – 2.86 = 490.71 m

Adj Lat2-3 = 590.53 – 3.42 = 587.11 m

Adj Lat3-4 = -325.53 + 1.88 = - 327.41 m

Adj Lat4-5 = -996.99 + 5.77 = -1,002.76

Adj Lat5-6 = -121.96 + 0.70 = -122.66 m

Adj Lat6-1 = 377.19 – 2.18 = 375.01 m

Note: Since the sum of north latitudes exceeds the sum of the south latitudes; latitude
corrections are subtracted from the corresponding north latitudes and added to corresponding south
latitudes to determine the adjusted latitudes.

Solution check: algebraic sum of adjusted latitudes = 0.00

490.71 + 587.11 – 327.41 – 1,002.76 – 122.66 + 375.01 = 0.00

0.00 = 0.00 (checks)

e.)Determining Adjusted Departures:

Adj Dep = computed Dep ± cD

Adj Dep1-2 = 47.53 – 0.26 = 47.27 m

Adj Dep2-3 = 612.23 – 3.33 = 608.90 m

Adj Dep3-4 = 791.09 – 4.31 = 786.78 m

Adj Dep4-5 = 219.51 – 1.19 = 218.32 m

Adj Dep5-6 = - 1,110.58 + 6.04 = - 1,115.62

Adj Dep6-1 = - 541.70 + 2.95 = - 544.65 m

Note: Since the sum of the east departures exceeds the sum of the west departures, the departure
corrections are subtracted from the corresponding east departures and added to the corresponding west
departures to determine the adjusted departures.

Solution check: algebraic sum of adjusted departures = 0.00

47.27 + 608.90 + 786.78 + 218.32 – 1,116.62 – 544.65 = 0.00

 0.00 = 0.00

Note: Since the algebraic sum of the north and south latitudes and the algebraic sum of the east
and west departures are both equal to zero, the latitudes and departures are assumed to be adjusted.

Self-Assessment Questions:
1. In a field survey, a closed traverse were executed and the data gathered are tabulated below. Find
the following: a.) lattiudes of the lines b.) departures of the lines c.) Linear Error of Closure
d.) bearing of the side of error e.) Relative Precision

Line Distance Azimuth from South

A-B 475.48 m 180050’
B-C 649.13 m 116006’
C-D 867.34 m 25054’
D-E 522.48 m 315020’
E-F 504.90 m 213027’
F-A 311.25 m 275039’

2. Using the data in item 1, adjust the traverse by a. Compass rule b. Transit rule