ESci 121 - Fundamentals of Surveying

Exercise No. 2: Distance Measurement by Pacing

I. Introduction:

 One of the essential functions of surveying is the determination of the distance

from one point to another. Distance determination is usually done by tape and other
measuring devices available for use. However, one can roughly estimate short distances
by the use of one’s pace factor. Pace Factor (PF) is a value determined by dividing the
measured or known length of a line by the mean number of paces taken to walk or
traverse the line. Correspondingly, the term is defined as the length of one’s pace (La
Putt, 2008).

Pace factor is important if you want to estimate the measurement of land without
using any measuring devices. In this fieldwork, though helpful and easier, the pace factor
method is not something that one should depend on measuring distance. Its accuracy is
very much dependent on the person walking, and so walking is also subjected to different
factors that may affect the consistency of the paces. Nevertheless, pacing is very
important in short distance estimation. Hence, knowing one’s pace factor is vital
especially in the absence of measuring devices.

II. Learning Outcomes:

1. To measure a horizontal distance by pacing; and

2. To measure a slope distance by pacing.

III. Instruments and Accessories:

Steel tape/measuring tape, crayons/chalks/markers

IV. Procedure:

A. Measuring distance of a level ground by pacing

1. A straight and level course will be assigned by the instructor/professor with designated end
points as point A and B.
2. With the defined end points, walk over the course at your natural pace (normal walking) with
either heel or toe over point A and count the number of paces (heel to heel or toe to toe) to
reach point B, and the same from point B to point A until you reach five (5) trials.
3. Record the number of paces you make in your engineer’s field notebook. (A partial pace at
the end of the line should be figured out to the nearest one-fourth pace or in an increment of
0.25, say 78.75, 78.25 and etc.)
4. After the field data is recorded, make an actual taping of the two points A and B to determine
the taped distance (TD).
5. Assuming your pace factor (PF) is already determined to be 0.635 m/p in the previous
exercise for level ground.

Formula for solving the pace factor (PF):

Taped Distance
PF=
Mean No . of Paces

TD meters
PF= =m/ p
Paces

Table 1. Pacing over smooth and level ground.

TRIAL LINE NUMBER MEAN NO. PACED TAPED RELATIVE
OF PACES OF PACES DISTANCE DISTANCE PRECISION
(PD) (TD)
1 AB
2 BA
3 AB
4 BA
5 AB

6. Solve for the mean number of paces, paced distance and the relative precision from the data
you have obtained for the level ground.

Formula in solving the mean number of paces:

Mean No . of Paces=∑ of all the paces for the five trials ¿ A−B∧B−A ¿
Total number of trials

AB+ BA+ AB+BA+ AB

Mean No . of Paces=
5

Formula in solving the paced distance (PD):

PD=Pace Factor x Mean No . of Paces

PD=(PF )( Mean No. of Paces)

Formula in solving the relative precision (RP):

 |PD−TD|
RP=
TD

Note: Reduce the numerator to unity to determine the relative precision. The accepted
precision for measuring distance by pacing usually varies from 1/200 to 1/500

B. Measuring distance of a sloping ground by pacing.

1. A sloping ground will be assigned by the instructor/professor with designated end points as
point C and D for the purpose of this exercise.
2. With the defined end points, walk over the course at your natural pace (normal walking) in
one direction (either uphill or downhill in five trials) considering the already computed pace
factor for the sloping ground.
3. Record the number of paces you make in your engineer’s field notebook. (A partial pace at
the end of the line should be figured out to the nearest one-fourth pace or in an increment of
0.25, say 78.75, 78.25 and etc.)
4. After the field data is recorded, make an actual taping of the two points C and D to determine
the taped distance (TD).
5. Assuming you pace factor already determined in the previous exercise to be 0.70 m/p for
sloping ground.

Table 2. Pacing over a sloping ground.

TRIAL LINE NUMBER MEAN NO. PACED TAPED RELATIVE
OF PACES OF PACES DISTANCE DISTANCE PRECISION
(PD) (TD)
1 CD
2 CD
3 CD
4 CD
5 CD

6. Solve for the mean no. of paces, paced distance, and relative precision of the sloping ground
using the same formulas for the level ground.

Guide Questions:

1. What is the importance of conducting pacing?

Pacing is different from measuring distance by counting steps/paces. it's very
useful within the field of engineering specifically in civil engineering within the field
of surveying once you don’t have an instrument or you’ve forgotten to bring a meter
tape or any measuring instrument on the location to be wont to measure the length of
the course, you'll still compute the space with the assistance of your own pace factor.

2. How would you measure a single pace?

One way to live ground distance is that the pace count. A pace is adequate to
one natural step, about 30 inches long. To accurately use the pace count method, you
 want to skills the many paces it takes you to steer 100 meters. To work out this, you
want to walk an accurately measured course and count the number of paces you're
taking.

3. Why would you count the number of paces when performing pacing on a sloping
ground in one direction only?
It is often valuable to count your paces so as to estimate the space you've
travelled in a certain direction. Knowing the length of your pace is beneficial for
several things like estimating the width or height of huge objects like trees, rivers, or
cliffs.

V. Results and Discussion:

TRIAL LINE NUMBER MEAN NO. PACED TAPED RELATIVE

OF PACES OF PACES DISTANCE DISTANCE PRECISION
(PD) (TD)
1 AB 156.00
2 BA 157.00 1
3 AB 156.25 156.35 paces 99.28 meters 100 meters 139
4 BA 156.50
5 AB 156.00

Given:
L= 100 m PF= 0.635 m/p
m= 5
Sample Computation:

SUM = (156.00 + 157.00 + 156.25 + 156.50 + 156.00)

= 781.75 paces

M=
∑¿¿ PD = M (PF)
m
781.75 paces
= = 156.35 paces (0.635
5
m/p)
= 156.35 paces = 99.28 m
(TD−PD ) (100 m−99.28 m) .72m ( .72 ) /(.72) 1 1
RF= = = = = =
TD 100 m 100 m (100)/(.72) 138.89 139

Table 1 shows the data gathered while performing procedure 1, A to B. Five (5) trials of
pacing were conducted in a Taped Distance of hundred meters (100 m).The “No. of Paces” data was
gathered while performing the activity, while the “Mean” and “Pace Factor” can be determined by
using the formula.
 TRIA LINE NUMBER MEAN NO. PACED TAPED RELATIVE
L OF PACES OF PACES DISTANCE DISTANCE PRECISION
(PD) (TD)
1 CD 70.25
2 CD 70.00
3 CD 70.50 702 paces 49.14 meters 50 meters 1
4 CD 70.25 58
5 CD 70.00

Given:
L= 50 m PF= 0.70 m/p
m= 5
Sample Computation:

SUM = (70.25 + 70.00 + 70.50 + 70.25 + 70.00)

= 351 paces

M=
∑¿¿ PD = M (PF)
m
351 paces
= = 70.2paces (0.70 m/p)
5
= 70.2 paces = 49.14 m
(TD−PD ) (50 m−49.14 m) .86 m ( .86 ) /(.86) 1 1
RF= = = = = =
TD 50 m 50 m (50)/(.86) 58.14 58

Table 2 shows the data gathered while performing procedure 2, C to D. Five

(5) trials of pacing were conducted between an unknown Taped Distance of two (2)
points. The “No. of Paces” data was gathered while performing the activity,
while the “Mean”, “Paced Distance”, and “Relative Precision” can be determined
using a formula. The “Taped Distance” was determined by measuring the actual
distance between the two (2) points with the use of steel tape measure.

VI. Conclusion and Recommendations:

There are many factors that will affect how the pace factor is decided. First,
the way of executing the pacing is vital, since there'll be times that paces might
differ by a few units especially with the mood of the one that will execute the
pacing. Also, it should be rest assured that the pacing is completed during a line,
as any angular displacement from the trail can alter the particular length walked.
This stuff might be a touch detail, but when stacked up, they will actually be an
element in large differences of the result.
 Nevertheless, the pacing remains a good method in surveying that ought to
not be overlooked. When it's done properly, this will help us in estimating routes
or maybe estimating land areas, but still, it only takes place when a particular
pace factor is decided and proper steps were executed.
It would be better walking at a traditional pace while performing the activity
through a straight path from point A to point B. the maximum amount as
possible, this activity should be done on a flat surface, otherwise, it might be hard
especially in determining horizontal distances. We should always even have
patience in measuring the distances between the points, especially it's performed
by multiple trials. Try to not exaggerate your steps while performing the activity,
because it' would cause an out sized percent error within the result, especially
when the trail being measured is extensive. I also recommend that this activity
should be performed by about 3 persons, one who performs the pacing, one who
measures the space, and one who records the info.

VII. Sketch:

VIII. References:

One pace

One pace
 La Putt, J.P. (1985). Elementary Surveying Lab Manual. Baguio Research and Publishing
Center. Baguio City, Philippines.

La Putt, J.P. (2008). Elementary Surveying. 3rd Edition. National Book Store. Philippines.
Reprint. ISBN 971-08-5581-6.

Instructions to Students:
1. Make a Laboratory Report based on the data given below. Use A4 size bond paper. Copy
the Introduction, Learning Outcomes, Materials, and Procedure.
2. Complete the table and discuss this in the “Results and Discussion” section.
3. Show sample computations only.
4. Make a sketch of the pacing process.
5. Answer the guide questions.
6. Make your conclusion and recommendations.
7. Include your references.
8. Submit your Laboratory Report in Word File/Document through email to your
instructor/professor.
Data for Exercise No. 2:

Table 1. Pacing over smooth and level ground.

TRIA LINE NUMBER MEAN NO. PACED TAPED RELATIVE
L OF PACES OF PACES DISTANCE DISTANCE PRECISION
(PD) (TD)
1 AB 156.00
2 BA 157.00
3 AB 156.25 100 meters
4 BA 156.50
5 AB 156.00

Table 2. Pacing over a sloping ground.

TRIA LINE NUMBER MEAN NO. PACED TAPED RELATIVE
L OF PACES OF PACES DISTANCE DISTANCE PRECISION
(PD) (TD)
1 CD 70.25
2 CD 70.00
3 CD 70.50 50 meters
4 CD 70.25
5 CD 70.00