CENGR 1221 (Laboratory)

Surveying

LABORATORY EXERCISE 1 – MEASUREMENT OF DISTANCE BY PACING

I. INTRODUCTION

Pacing consists of counting the number of steps or paces in a required distance. A pace is
defined as the length of a step in walking. It may be measured from heel to heel or from toe to toe. In
surveying, pacing means moving with measured steps and if the steps are counted, distances can be
determined if the length of a step is known. A stride is equivalent to two paces or a double step.

Pacing furnishes a rapid means of checking measurements taken by other methods. It is suitable
in determining approximate distances in situations where low precision of measurement is sufficient. It is
used for many purposes in different fields. Under average conditions, a good pacer will have little
difficulty in pacing distances with a relative precision of 1/2000.

To pace a distance, it is necessary to first determine the length of one’s pace. This is referred to
as the pace factor. There are two methods that can be used to calibrate one’s pace. One method is to
 CENGR 1221 (Laboratory)
Surveying

determine the average length of an individual’s normal step. The other is to adjust one’s pace to some
predetermined length, such as 1 meter.

The length of a pace varies with different persons. This can be determined by walking along a
line of known length on level ground at a uniform gait and counting the number of paces it takes to
negotiate the stretch. It is important to walk naturally when calibrating one’s pace and in pacing
distances. Speed of pace, roughness of the ground, weight of clothing, shoes used, fatigue, slope, age,
and sex can affect one’s pace.

If the distance to be paced is quite long, it is advisable to bring along a mechanical counter for
recording the number of paces taken. This device is called a pedometer. Another device is the
passometer which registers a pace by impact each time either foot touches the ground.

Pedometer Passometer

II. OBJECTIVES

After performing the exercise, the students should be able to:

1. determine the individual pace factor and
2. measure distance by pacing.

III. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

range poles, measuring tape , markers (hubs, paint, chalk or crayon)

Chalks and crayons

Hubs/Pegs

Range poles Measuring tape Nails

IV. METHODOLOGY
 CENGR 1221 (Laboratory)
Surveying

1. Determining Pace Factor

a) Select a straight and level course and on both ends, establish markers at least 90 meters
apart. Designate these end points as A and B.

90 meters

b) Walk over the course at a natural pace or gait starting with either heel or toe over point A
and count the number of paces to reach point B.

c) For succeeding trials, walk from B to A, then A to B, until five trials are completed, and
the number of paces recorded accordingly on the table below.

Table 1. Determination of pace factor

Trial Line Taped Dist. No. of Paces Mean No. of Pace Factor
(m) Paces (m/pace)
1 AB
2 BA
3 AB 90
4 BA
5 AB

2. Measuring Distance by Pacing

 CENGR 1221 (Laboratory)
Surveying

a) Define or establish the end points of another level course whose length is to be
determined by pacing. Designate these end points as C and D.
b) For the first trial, walk over the course from C to D at a natural pace and record the
number of paces. Then, walk from D to C and again record the number of paces.
c) Repeat the above procedure until all five trials are completed.
d) After the field data is recorded, make an actual taping of the course CD to determine the
taped distance.

Table 2. Distance Measurement by Pacing

Trial Line No. of Mean Paced Dist. Taped Dist. Relative

Paces Precision
1 CD
2 DC
3 CD
4 DC
5 CD

V. COMPUTATIONS

1. Computing Pace Factor (PF)

a) Get the sum of the number of paces for the five trials performed on course AB then
compute the mean number of paces.
b) Divide the known or taped length of course AB by the mean number of paces for AB to
determine the pace factor.

2. Computing Paced Distance (PD)

a) Get the sum of the number of paces for the five trials performed on course CD and
compute the mean number of paces.
b) Multiply the mean number of paces for CD by the pace factor to obtain the paced
distance.

3. Computing Relative Precision (RP)

a) Determine the difference between the taped distance of CD and the paced distance of
CD.
b) Divide the difference by the taped distance of CD and reduce the numerator to unity to
determine the relative precision.

VI. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

VII. CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS

VIII. REFERENCES

Cite all the authors, books (text or reference), manuals, pamphlets, brochures, persons you
interviewed to give proper recognition.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS:
 CENGR 1221 (Laboratory)
Surveying

1. This is an individual activity. Perform the exercise with caution and accuracy. Pace factor is
unique to a person (nobody can borrow it from you, it’s your OWN pace factor), so walk as
natural as possible when doing pacing.
2. Report of the laboratory exercise must contain all the parts (from I to VIII).
3. Make your own introduction. It may consist of 1-3 paragraphs as long as it is related to the
topic/title.

EVALUATION:

Formative assessment: Submit final output and results during the class the following week.
Failure to do so will result to a reduction in points.

REFERENCES:

1. dynamicsgex.com.au
2. fao.org
3. kitkraft.com
4. La Putt, Juny Pilapil. 1985. Surveying Laboratory Manual. Dept. of Civil Engineering. University of
Maine at Orono. USA.
5. landsurveyorsunited.com
6. pasthorizonstools.com
7. sunlon.com
8. tigersupplies.com