Tayo, Rafael I.

BSABE 1-2

I. Introduction

Pacing is a reasonably easy and quick method of measuring distance in the field.
However, in the presence of modern convenient instruments used in large-scale measurements,
it may be structural or field. Pacing has been quite overlooked by many to be an outdated and
inaccurate method in surveying. Yet, pacing can still be one useful tool for an engineering
courses (Civil and Agricultural) or surveyor, as though it may be reliant on estimates, at least the
engineer will still be able to familiarize the area and material that will be working it, without being
too obvious that he is actually doing measurements. Although there are some other methods
that can be used to ensure the accuracy and preciseness when getting the unknown distance,
aside from using pacing, like

Pacing is the process of walking the distance and counting the number of steps "paces"
to cover the distance. The distance is determined by multiplying the number of steps taken
between two points by one's pace factor. To achieve that level of precision a person must learn
to adopt a pacing step that is different from their normal walking step because many factors can
cause variations in the length of a person's pace. Three of these are the roughness of the
surface, the slope of the ground, and the type of vegetation. Care must be taken to ensure that
a consistent pace factor is used (Navarro, 2017).

Thus, Pacing is one of the basic measuring ability that the beginner surveyor must
significant to know. It is very important to determine and memorize own pace factor, so that it
can be used as an alternative measuring instrument if needed. If no available measuring tolls is
present, or if the engineer only wishes to get a glimpse of project area to work without catching
everyone else’s eyes, pacing is the method to go. It also saves time and energy, having to only
walk normally on the length that needs to be measured, while counting mentally. One
advantage of pacing for measuring distance is that it doesn't require any specialized equipment.
The biggest disadvantage is that it requires being able to walk the route. It is not very useful for
measuring distance in rough terrain, across swamps or any other terrain where an individual
could not walk the distance or walk in a straight line.
 This exercise was conducted to determine the pace factor of the surveying students, as
well as to use this in the computation for measuring an unknown length.

II. Objectives

III. Materials:

Measuring Tape

IV. Methodology:

Determining Pace Factor

In determining the pace factor, first select a straight and level course on both
ends and measure with a length of 25 meters, then establish a mark from start to end. Walk
over the course at a natural pace or gait starting with either heel or toe from starting line and
count the number of paces until to reach the end point, then record the number of paces/steps
for the first trial repeat the process for second trial. For the third and fourth trial, walk at the
distance with 50 meters, repeat the process. If trials are completed, record the data gathered
accordingly. Calculate the Pacing Factor in every trial using the formula below and get the
summation of it then divide into total number of trials to get the pace factor average.

d
P.F = where : Pf −Pace Factor
s d - Distance
s - number of steps
 Distance Steps Pacing Factor
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 4

Measuring Distance by Pacing

Define or establish the end points of another level course whose length is to be
determined by pacing walk over the course. Students determine the length and width distance
of the university quadrangle and ES Building to Main gate using the natural pace, count and
record the number of paces. Using the formula below, calculate the distance from the data
gathered and using average pace factor.

Table 1.2 Measuring distance by pacing

Number of pace/s Computed distance

University Quadrangle Length

Width

ES Building to main
gate
 V. Results and Discussion

Table 1.1 Determining Pace

Factor Distance (meters) Steps Pacing Factor
Trial 1 25 29 .8621
Trial 2 25 31 .8065
Trial 3 50 60 .8333
Trial 4 50 58 .8621
Mean .8410

On the first part of the activity, a taped distance was used to determine the pace factor. The taped
distance measured 25 meters, and it was walked on 4 times. The number of the paces was divided to
the corresponding taped distance. Based on the tabulated data (Table 1.1) and the computations made,
the pace factor was found out to be .8410. The pace factor calculated is reasonable, since this is within
the range of normal pace factors.

Seeing that the paced distance on the second part of the exercise was almost similar to the actual
distance, this also proves that the pace factor computed was reasonable, and that the method of
pacing is still reliable when estimating field measurements. Now that the pace factor has been
determined, this can then be used on future surveys.

There are a lot of factors than can affect how the pace factor is determined. First and foremost, the
way the pace is executed is important, since there will be times that paces will differ by a few units
especially with whatever the mood of the person walking is. Also, it must be made sure that the
striding is done in a straight line, as any little curve here and there can alter the actual length
walked. These may be minute details, but when they will stack up, they can actually lead to large
differences on the results.

Indeed, pacing is still a method in surveying that should not be overlooked. When done
properly, this can help engineers on their estimates. It only takes a pace factor and properly—but
naturally—executed steps.