ENV024

Surveying & Remote

Sensing
Traverse and Traverse Adjustments

Asst. Prof. Habagat G. Mariano, MSc.

Traverse Adjustment
• The procedure of computing the linear error of closure and applying
corrections to the individual latitudes and departures for the purpose of
providing a mathematically closed figure.

• Not required if:

1. When latitudes and departures are to be used only in plotting the
position of the stations on a map
2. When error of closure is too small to be portrayed to scale.
Arbitrary Method
• The latitudes and departures are adjusted in a discretionary
manner according to the surveyor’s assessment of the conditions
surrounding the survey.

• Does not conform to established rules or mathematical

equations…

• Example: If one traverse line is measured over rugged terrain

requiring frequent plumbing and breaking tape, most of the
corrections will be applied on this line to balance the survey
satisfactorily…
Compass Rule

• Bowditch Rule (Nathaniel Bowditch 1773- 1838)

• A very popular rule for adjusting a closed traverse.
• Simple to apply and at the same time theoretically sound.
• 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 all errors are accidental
 Compass Rule
• 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.

• 𝐶𝐼 = 𝐶𝐿 𝑑Τ𝐷 and 𝐶𝑑 = 𝐶𝐷 𝑑Τ𝐷

Where:
𝐶𝐼 = 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
𝐶𝐷 = 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑔𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑐 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑠
d = 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒
D = total length or perimeter of the traverse
 Example
• Compass Rule: Given in 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 compass rule. Also determine the
linear error of closure, bearing of the side of error, and the relative
error of closure. Tabulate values accordingly.

Course Distance Bearing

AB 495.85 N 05°30’ E
BC 850.62 N 46°02’ E
CD 855.45 S 67°38’ E
DE 1,020.87 S 12°25’ E
EF 1,117.26 S 83°44’ W
FA 660.08 N 55°09’ W
 Solution
a. Compute Latitudes/Departures
b. Tabulate Values
c. Determine total closure in latitude and departures
d. Determine corrections for latitude/departures
e. Adjusting latitudes/departures
f. Tabulate adjusted values
g. Determine LEC, Bearing of the side of Error, and
Relative Error of Closure
 Solution
a. Compute Latitudes/Departures

𝑳𝒂𝒕 = 𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒙 𝑪𝒐𝒔 𝜶

𝐿𝑎𝑡𝐴𝐵 = 495.85 𝐶𝑜𝑠 05°30′ = +493.57 𝑚

𝐿𝑎𝑡𝐵𝐶 = 850.62 𝐶𝑜𝑠 46°02′ = +590.53 𝑚
𝐿𝑎𝑡𝐶𝐷 = 855.45 𝐶𝑜𝑠 67°38′ = −325.53 𝑚
𝐿𝑎𝑡𝐷𝐸 = 1,020.87 𝐶𝑜𝑠 12°25′ = −996.99 𝑚
𝐿𝑎𝑡𝐸𝐹 = 1,117.26 𝐶𝑜𝑠 83°44′ = −121.96 𝑚
𝐿𝑎𝑡𝐹𝐴 = 660.08 𝐶𝑜𝑠 55°09′ = +377.19 𝑚
 Solution
b. Compute Departures

𝑫𝒆𝒑 = 𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒙 𝑺𝒊𝒏 𝜶

𝐷𝑒𝑝𝐴𝐵 = 495.85 𝑆𝑖𝑛 05°30′ = +47.53 𝑚

𝐷𝑒𝑝𝐵𝐶 = 850.62 𝑆𝑖𝑛 46°02′ = +612.23 𝑚
𝐷𝑒𝑝𝐶𝐷 = 855.45 𝑆𝑖𝑛 67°38′ = +791.09 𝑚
𝐷𝑒𝑝𝐷𝐸 = 1,020.87 𝑆𝑖𝑛 12°25′ = +219.51𝑚
𝐷𝑒𝑝𝐸𝐹 = 1,117.26 𝑆𝑖𝑛 83°44′ = −1,110.58 𝑚
𝐷𝑒𝑝𝐹𝐴 = 660.08 𝑆𝑖𝑛 55°09′ = −541.70𝑚
 Solution
c. Tabulated Solution
Course Distance Bearing Computed Latitude Computed Departure
+N -S +E -W

AB 495.85 N 05°30’ E 493.57 47.53

BC 850.62 N 46°02’ E 590.53 612.23
CD 855.45 S 67°38’ E 325.53 791.09
DE 1,020.87 S 12°25’ E 996.99 219.51
EF 1,117.26 S 83°44’ W 121.96 1,110.58
FA 660.08 N 55°09’ W 377.19 541.70
SUMS 5,000.13m +1,461.29 -1,444.48 +1,670.36 -1,652.28

෍ 𝑁𝐿 ෍ 𝑆𝐿 ෍ 𝐸𝐷 ෍ 𝑊𝐷
 Solution
d. Determining the total closure in Latitude and Departure

ΣNL = +493.57 + 590.53 + 377.19 = + 1,461.29m

ΣSL = -325.53 – 996.99 – 121.96 = - 1,444.48m
ΣED = +47.53 + 612.23 + 791.09 + 219.51 = + 1,670.36m
ΣWD = -1,110.58 – 541.70 = - 1,652.28

𝑪𝑳 = ΣNL + ΣSL = 1,461.29 +(-1,444.48) = +16.18 m

𝑪𝑫 = ΣED + ΣWD = 1,670.36 +(-1,652.28) = +18.08m

𝑫 = 𝒅𝟏 + 𝒅𝟐 + 𝒅𝟑 + 𝒅𝟒 + 𝒅𝟓 + 𝒅𝟔
D = 495.85 + 850.62 + 855.45+ 1,020.87 + 1,117.26 + 660.08
D = 5,000.13 m (Length of the traverse)
 Solution
j. Determining the Linear Error of Closure, Bearing of the Side Error, and
Relative Error of Closure

𝐿𝐸𝐶 = (𝐶𝐿 )2 + (𝐶𝐷 )2

𝐿𝐸𝐶 = (+16.81)2 + (18.08)2 = 24.69 (linear error of closure)

𝑇𝑎𝑛 𝛽 = −𝐶𝐷 /−𝐶𝐿 = -(+18.08) / -(+16.81)

−18.08
= −16.81 = +1.075550

𝛽 = 47°05′ (Bearing of Side Error = S47°05′W)

RP = LEC/D
= 24.69/5,000.13 = 1/202.52 = say 1/200 (Relative Precision)
 Solution
𝑪𝑳
e. Determine the Corrections for Latitude: 𝑲𝟏 = 𝑪𝒍 = 𝒅𝑲𝟏
𝑫

16.81
𝐾1 = = 0.00336
5000.13

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 Corrections = 𝐶𝑙

1.67 + 2.86 + 2.88 + 3.43 + 3.75 + 2.22 = 16.81
16.81 = 16.81
 Solution
𝑪𝑫
f. Determine the Corrections for Departure: 𝑲𝟐 = 𝑪𝒅 = 𝒅𝑲𝟐
𝑫

18.08
𝐾2 = = 0.00362
5000.13

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 Corrections = 𝐶𝑑

1.79 + 3.08 + 3.09 + 3.69 + 4.04 + 2.39 = 18.08
18.08 = 18.08
 Solution
g. 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 = − 325.33 + 2.88 = − 328.41 𝑚
𝐴𝑑𝑗 𝐿𝑎𝑡𝑑𝑒 = − 996.99 + 3.43 = − 1,000.42 𝑚
𝐴𝑑𝑗 𝐿𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑓 = − 121.96 + 3.75 = − 125.71 𝑚
𝐴𝑑𝑗 𝐿𝑎𝑡𝑓𝑎 = + 377.19 − 2.22 = + 374.97 𝑚

Note: Since the sum of north latitudes exceeds the sum of the south latitudes, latitudes 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
 Solution
h. Adjusting the Departures: 𝑨𝒅𝒋 𝑫𝒆𝒑 = 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑫𝒆𝒑 ± 𝑪𝒅

𝐴𝑑𝑗 𝐷𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑏 = + 47.53 − 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 = + 215.82𝑚
𝐴𝑑𝑗 𝐷𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑓 = − 1,110.58 + 4.04 = − 1,114.62 𝑚
𝐴𝑑𝑗 𝐷𝑒𝑝𝑓𝑎 = − 541.70 + 2.39 = − 544.09𝑚

Note: Since the sum of east departures exceeds the sum of the 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 latitudes = 0.00

+45.74 + 609.15 + 788.00 + 215.82 – 1,114.62 – 544.09 = 0.00
0.00 = 0.00
 Solution
i. Tabulated Solution:
Course Correction Adjusted Latitude Adjusted Departure
LAT DEP +N -S +E -W

AB 1.67 1.79 491.90 45.74

BC 2.86 3.08 587.67 609.15
CD 2.88 3.09 328.41 788.00
DE 3.43 3.69 1,000.42 215.82
EF 3.75 4.04 125.71 1,114.62
FA 2.22 2.39 374.97 544.09
SUMS 16.81 18.08 +1,454.54 -1,454.54 +1,658.71 -1,658.71

ΣNL + ΣSL = 0.00 ΣED + ΣWD = 0.00

 Adjusted Lengths and Directions
• After the latitudes and departures of the courses of a closed traverse are
adjusted, bearings and lengths should also be adjusted to correspond to the
adjusted latitudes and departures.

𝐷𝑒𝑝′
𝐿′ = (𝐿𝑎𝑡 ′ )2 +(𝐷𝑒𝑝′ )2 and 𝑇𝑎𝑛£ = ൗ𝐿𝑎𝑡′

Where:
L’ = adjusted length of a course
Lat’ = adjusted latitude of a course
Dep’ = adjusted departure of a course
£ = adjusted horizontal angle between the reference meridian and a course
 Sample Problem 2
1. Adjustment of Lengths and Bearings. Given the
observed and calculated data in Problem 1. Determine
the adjusted length and adjusted bearing of each course
and tabulate values accordingly.

a. Determine the adjusted length of each course

b. Determine the adjusted bearing of each course
c. Tabulate solution
 Solution:
a. Determining Adjusted Length of each course

𝐿′ = (𝐿𝑎𝑡 ′ )2 + (𝐷𝑒𝑝′ )2

𝐿′𝑎𝑏 = (+491.90)2 +(+45.74)2 = 494.02 m

𝐿′𝑏𝑐 = (+587.67)2 +(+609.15)2 = 846.42 m
𝐿′𝑐𝑑 = (−328.41)2 +(+788.00)2 = 853.70 m
𝐿′𝑑𝑒 = (−1,000.42)2 +(+215.82)2 = 1,023.43 m
𝐿′𝑒𝑓 = (−125.71)2 +(−1,114.62)2 = 1,121.69 m
𝐿′𝑓𝑎 = (+374.97)2 +(−544.09)2 = 660.78 m
 Solution:
b. Determining Bearing of each course

𝐷𝑒𝑝′
𝑇𝑎𝑛 𝛼 =
𝐿𝑎𝑡′

+ 45.74
𝑇𝑎𝑛𝛼𝑎𝑏 = = +0.092986 = 𝛼𝑎𝑏 = 5°19′
+ 491.90
+ 609.15
𝑇𝑎𝑛𝛼𝑏𝑐 = = +1.03655 = 𝛼𝑎𝑏 = 46°02′
+ 587.67
+ 788.00
𝑇𝑎𝑛𝛼𝑐𝑑 = = - 2.399440 = 𝛼𝑎𝑏 = 67°32′
−328.41
+ 215.82
𝑇𝑎𝑛𝛼𝑑𝑒 = = - 0.215729 = 𝛼𝑎𝑏 = 12°10′
−1,000.42
−1,114.62
𝑇𝑎𝑛𝛼𝑒𝑓 = = + 8.866598 = 𝛼𝑎𝑏 = 83°34′
−125.71
−544.09
𝑇𝑎𝑛𝛼𝑓𝑎 = = -1.451023 = 𝛼𝑎𝑏 = 55°26′
+ 374.97
 Solution:
c. Tabulated Solution

Course Distance Bearing

AB 494.02m N 05°19’ E

BC 846.42m N 46°02’ E

CD 853.70m S 67°23’ E

DE 1,023.43m S 12°10’ E

EF 1,121.69m S 83°34’ W

FA 660.78m N 55°26’ W