Module 4.

Traverse and
Traversing
Lesson 4.1 Angles and Directions

● Identify the angles and direction used in the traverse

● Differentiate azimuth and bearing
• The location of points and the orientation of lines frequently depend upon
the measurement of angles and directions.

Horizontal Angle is measured perpendicular to Vertical Angle is measured in the direction of

gravity. gravity.
Three types of Angles

 Vertical angles are angles between

two intersecting lines in a vertical
plane.

 Horizontal angles are formed by

two intersecting lines in the
horizontal plane.

 Zenith angle is a special type of

vertical angle wherein one line is
directed toward the zenith
Parallels and Meridians

 In surveying,
a. Horizontal line - is called
the parallels or east-west
line
b. Verticals - are meridians or
north-south line.

 In surveying, meridian is
defined as the real or imaginary
reference lines of fixed
direction
Types of

True or geographic meridian – line

passes thru the north-south poles or Grid meridian – meridian used for
the geographical poles of the earth mapping
Types of

Magnetic meridian – it lies parallel

with the magnetic lines of force of the
earth. Its direction is not constant
because the magnetic poles is
constantly changing.

Assumed meridian – an arbitrary or

chosen meridian.
Units of Angular
Sexagesimal system or DMS system: the
circumference of a circle is divided into 360 parts or
degree (°). The degree is further subdivided into minutes
(‘) and seconds (“).
1° = 60’ = 3600”

Centesimal system or Grad: the circumference of a

circle is divided into 400 parts or grads (g). The grad is
further subdivided into centesimal minutes (c ) and
centesimal seconds (cc).
1g = 100c
1c = 100cc
Units of Angular
Mil: the system that is commonly used in military
operations as in firing direction of artillery units.
The circumference of a circle is divided into 6400
parts called mils.

Radian: another measure of angles used frequently for a

host of calculations. One radian is defined as the angle
subtended at the center of a circle by an arc length
exactly equal to the radius of the circle.
2𝜋 𝑟𝑎𝑑
Units of Angular
Ways to define direction of

Horizontal angles and directions may be defined by means of:

a. Bearings
b. Azimuths
c. Deflection angles
d. Angles to the right
e. Interior angles
Deflection

● The angle between a line and the

prolongation of the preceding line.
● Either R (right, “+”), or L (left, “-”)
● Right: clockwise
● Left: counterclockwise
● Range: 0 to 180 degrees
Angles to the

● the angles measured clockwise from the preceding line to

the following line.
● Like deflection angle, the angles to the right method require at least
two “survey” lines to describe the direction.
Interior

● It is the angles between the adjacent sides or lines of any closed

polygon.
● If n is the number of sides in a closed polygon, the sum of the interior
angles is (n-2) 180.
● Describing the direction of lines by
interior angles is only applicable for
a close polygon
Bearing
● Bearings are horizontal acute angles between the reference meridian
and the line.
● The bearing of a line is indicated by the quadrant in which the line falls
and the acute angle which the line makes with the meridian in that
quadrant, such as,
Bearing
 Azimut
 Azimuth is the horizontal angle between
the reference meridian and the line
measured.
 It is measured in clockwise direction
from either North or South branch of the
meridian.
 In the Philippines, azimuth angle is
reckoned from South branch, other
countries like United States used the
North branch.
 Azimuths are ranging from 0° to 360°.
Azimut
Conversion between Bearing and

If the line direction falls in the:

 SW quadrant: bearing and azimuth are equal
 NW quadrant: bearing is 180° – Azimuth
 NE quadrant: bearing is Azimuth – 180°
 SE quadrant: bearing is 360° - Azimuth
Exercise
1. The following are azimuth of lines reckoned from South branch
meridian, convert these to bearing system.
a. 225°
b. 20°
c. 345°
d. 90°
Exercise
2. The following items are bearings of line, convert these into
azimuth reckoned from South branch.
a. due south
b. N 45° W
c. S 30° E
d. S 60° W
Forward and Back

• Line AB indicates that the direction of the survey is from A to B.

• Line BA indicates survey from B to A.

• In other words, line AB and line BA are not the same in terms of its
direction or bearing.
 Forward and Back

• If the bearing of a line is

observed in the direction in which
the survey progresses, it is
referred to as forward bearing.

• If the bearing of the same line is

observed in the opposite
direction, then it is referred to
as back bearing.
Forward and Back
Forward and Back

 Bearing and azimuth can be converted from each other

Rules:
Forward and Back
LESSON 4.2. TRAVERSE AND TRAVERSING
● Learning Outcomes:
 Define traverse and enumerate the different types/methods of traversing
 Explain the purpose of conducting a traverse
 Define and compute latitude and departure of lines with known distance
and bearing
 Derive bearing and distance of the line from its known latitude and
departure
 Solve traverse data
 Compute the relative error of closure
Introduction: What is a
How do we determine the exact location of points on the Earth’s surface?

GPS, astronomical Relative to points of

observations known/assumed
coordinates
Introduction: What is a
How do we determine the exact location of points on the Earth’s surface?

(0,0)
 B
bearing
N
60°
A
W E

S Bearing - is the clockwise or

counterclockwise angle between north or
(0,0) south and a direction.
Example: N 60° E

So we define line AB with distance and

bearing:
Distance AB: 100m
Bearing: N 60° E
Latitudes and Departures
N
departure Departure: distance in east-west
B direction. East-departure is
positive while,

latitud
θ bearing West-departure is negative.
d
A
W E Latitude: distance in north-south
direction. North-latitude is positive
while,
South-latitude is negative.

S
departure = dsinθ latitude = dcosθ
A
Traverse consists of a
series of lines
connecting successive
points whose lengths
X and directions have
been determined from
field measurements.
● Traverse
- is a series of lines connecting
successive points whose lengths and
directions have been determined from field
measurements.
● Traversing
- the process of establishing horizontal
control and measuring the lengths and
directions of the lines of a traverse for the
purpose of location the position of certain
points
● Traverse Station
- temporary or permanent point of
reference over which the instrument is set up.
● Traverse Lines
- are lines connecting traverse stations
and whose lengths and directions are
determined.
Types of
1. Open traverse
- A kind of traverse that begins and ends in
different locations.

2. Close traverse
- A traverse that begins and ends at the
same point, or at two different but known
points
Purpose of
1. Establishment of boundaries in isolated land surveys and property surveys
2. Supplementary horizontal control for topographic mapping
3. Layout surveys for construction works (roads, railways, etc)
4. Establishment of supplementary ground controls
Methods of
1. Deflection-angle traverse
2. Interior-angle traverse
3. Traverse by angles to the right
4. Azimuth
5. Bearing (Compass Rule)
Latitudes and
N
departure Departure: distance in east-west
B direction. East-departure is
positive while,

latitud
θ bearing West-departure is negative.
d
A
W E Latitude: distance in north-south
direction. North-latitude is positive
while,
South-latitude is negative.

S
departure = dsinθ latitude = dcosθ
Example:
Solutio
Find the latitude and departure of
1. Distance AB = 4.54m departure = dsinθ latitude = dcosθ
Bearing = N 63°42’ E
N DEP = 4.54 sin(63°42’)
departure
B = 4.07
LAT = 4.54 cos(63°42’)

latitud
Bearing = 63°42’

W
A = 2.01
E

∴,
Lat = +4.07 (+ because of N)
S Dep = +2.01 (+ because of E)
Example:
Solutio
Find the latitude and departure of
2. Distance AB = 4.54m departure = dsinθ latitude = dcosθ
Bearing = S 63°42’ E
N DEP = 4.54 sin(63°42’)
= 4.07
LAT = 4.54 cos(63°42’)
W
A = 2.01
E

latitud
63°42’
∴,
departure B Lat = -4.07 (- because of S)
S
Dep = +2.01 (+ because of E)
Example:
Solutio
Find the latitude and departure of
2. Distance AB = 4.54m departure = dsinθ latitude = dcosθ
Bearing = N 63°42’ W
N DEP = 4.54 sin(63°42’)
B departure = 4.07
63°42’
LAT = 4.54 cos(63°42’)
latitud

W
A = 2.01
E

∴,
Dep = +4.07 (+ because of N)
S Lat = -2.01 (+ because of W)
Latitudes and Departures (Distance and Azimuth)
N
𝛼 = 𝑎𝑧𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑡ℎ departure
θ = bearing B

latitud
 Multiply the value
α d
W
θ
E by negative 1 to get
A the signed latitude
and departure of the

departure = dsinθ latitude = dcosθ

Example:
Solution:
Find the latitude and departure of line
1. Distance AB = 4.54m departure
DEP = 4.54= dsinθsin(243°42’)
latitude = dcosθ
Azimuth = 243°42’
departure = -4.07
N B
LAT = 4.54 cos(243°42’)

latitud
243°42’
A = -2.01
W E

∴,
Dep = (-1)(-4.07) = +4.07
S Lat = (-1)(-2.01) = +2.01
Latitude and Longitude (Rectangular Coordinates)
 Rectangular
 Rec (dist , bearing)
 Shift → − → Rec( → “distance” →
Shift → ) → 90°-“bearing”
 Answer:
X = departure
Y = latitude
Example:
Find the latitude and departure of line
1. Distance AB = 4.54m
Bearing = N 63°42’ E

Using Calculator:
Rec (4.54, 90°-63°42’)

Answer:
Dep = +4.07
Lat = +2.01
 Latitude and Departure to Distance and Bearing
N
departure
B

latitud
θ bearing
d
A
W E

𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝐴𝐵 =(𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 𝐴𝐵)2+ (𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝐴𝐵)2 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒

𝜃 = tan−1( )
𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒
Example:
Solution:
Find the distance and bearing of line AB
1. Departure = +4.07 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝐴𝐵 = (𝑙𝑎𝑡 𝐴𝐵)2+ (𝑑𝑒𝑝 𝐴𝐵)2
Latitude = +2.01 (4.07)2+ (2.01)2
N �
�
departure B

latitud
𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
θ 𝜃 = tan−1 ( 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 )
W A E 4.07
= tan−1 2.01 = 63°43′1.89"

= 𝑁 63°43′1.89" 𝐸

S
∴, Distance= 4.54 m
Bearing =𝑁 63°43′1.89" 𝐸
Latitude and Longitude (Polar Coordinates)
 Polar
 Pol (latitude , departure)
 Shift → + → Pol(→ “latitude” →
Shift → ) → “departure”
 Answer:
r = distance
θ = bearing
Example:
Find the distance and bearing of line AB
1. Departure = +4.07
Latitude = +2.01

Using Calculator:
Pol (2.01, 4.07)
r = 4.54, θ = 63.72°

Answer:
Distance = 4.54 m
Bearing = 𝑁 63°43′1.89" 𝐸
Linear Error of Closure,
Ideally, the sum of the latitudes (north and south) as well as the departures (east
and west) should be equal. But in actuality, there is always inherent errors in the
measurement the angles and distances. LEC is computed thru the formula:
−𝐶
𝐷
tan 𝜃 =
and
− 𝐶𝐿
where:
θ = bearing angle of the side of error
Relative Error of Closure,
REC is the ratio between the error of closure to the sum of the individual lengths
of the different courses of a closed traverse.

REC = LEC/D

Where:
D = perimeter of a closed traverse
Computing Traverse
1. Compute latitude and departure
2. Calculate linear error of closure (LEC)
3. Apply traverse adjustment
4. Determine coordinates of traverse stations
5. Calculate area of closed traverse
Sample
From the field notes of a closed traverse shown below, compute for the LEC
and REC.

LINES BEARING DISTANCES

AB Due North 400 m

BC N 45° E 800 m

CD S 60° E 700 m

DE S 20° W 600 m

EA S 86°59’ W 966.34 m
Sample
DISTANCE
LINES BEARING
S LAT DEP latitude = dcosθ departure = dsinθ

LAT = 400cos(0) DEP = 400sin(0)

AB Due North 400 m +400.00 0
= 400 =0

BC N 45° E 800 m +565.69 +565.69 LAT = 800cos(45) DEP = 400sin(45)

= 565.69 = 565.69
CD S 60° E 700 m -350.00 +606.22
LAT = 700cos(60) DEP = 700sin(60)
DE S 20° W 600 m -563.82 -205.21 = -350.00 = 606.22

EA S 86°59’ W 966.34 m -50.86 -965.00

Perimeter: 3466.34 +1.01 +1.7

Sample Computation
DISTANCE Linear error of closure
LINES BEARING
S LAT DEP

AB Due North 400 m +400.00 0

BC N 45° E 800 m +565.69 +565.69

CD S 60° E 700 m -350.00 +606.22

DE S 20° W 600 m -563.82 -205.21

−𝐶𝐷 − (+1.7) −1.70
EA S 86°59’ W 966.34 m -50.86 -965.00 Bearing
tan 𝜃 = angle
= of the side= of error
− 𝐶𝐿 − (+1.01) −1.01
Perimeter: 3466.34 +1.01 +1.7 −1 −1.70 ′
𝜃 = tan −1.01 = 59°17 4.94"

θ = S 59°17’4.94”W
Sample Computation
DISTANCE Relative error of closure
LINES BEARING
S
LAT DEP

AB Due North 400 m +400.00 0

𝐿𝐸𝐶
BC N 45° E 800 m +565.69 +565.69 𝑅𝐸𝐶 =
𝐷
CD S 60° E 700 m -350.00 +606.22 1.97740
𝑅𝐸𝐶 = 3466.34
DE S 20° W 600 m -563.82 -205.21 1
𝑅𝐸𝐶 =
1753
EA S 86°59’ W 966.34 m -50.86 -965.00

Perimeter: 3466.34 +1.01 +1.7

LESSON 4.2. Close Traverse Adjustment
● Learning Outcomes:
 Compute and adjust close traverse data, including linear error if closure
 Identify the formula for close traverse adjustment using the compass rule
and transit rule
 Perform close traverse adjustment using compass rule and transit rule
Review: Distance and Bearing
B
bearing
N
60°
A
W E

S Bearing - is the clockwise or

counterclockwise angle between north or
(0,0) south and a direction.
Example: N 60° E

So we define line AB with distance and

bearing:
Distance AB: 100m
Bearing: N 60° E
Review: Latitudes and
N
departure Departure: distance in east-west
B direction. East-departure is
positive while,

latitud
θ bearing West-departure is negative.
d
A
W E Latitude: distance in north-south
direction. North-latitude is positive
while,
South-latitude is negative.

S
departure = dsinθ latitude = dcosθ
Review: Linear Error of Closure,
Ideally, the sum of the latitudes (north and south) as well as the departures (east
and west) should be equal. But in actuality, there is always inherent errors in the
measurement the angles and distances. LEC is computed thru the formula:
−𝐶
𝐷
tan 𝜃 =
and
− 𝐶𝐿
where:
θ = bearing angle of the side of error
Traverse
● Compass Rule
■ Assumptions:
a. All lengths were measured with equal care and all angles taken
with approximately the same precision
b. Errors in the measurement are accidental
c. Total error in any side of the traverse is directly proportional to
the total length of the traverse
Traverse
● 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.
𝐶𝑙 𝑑 𝐶𝑑 𝑑
𝐶𝑙 = and
𝐶𝐷 =
𝐷 𝐷

𝑑 𝑑
𝐶𝑙 = 𝐶𝐿 𝐷 and 𝐶𝑑 = 𝐶𝐷𝐷
Example (Compass
● Given the closed traverse data, adjust the traverse using compass rule
a. Solving for latitude and departure, perimeter, closure in
latitude and departure
Course Distance Bearing Lat Dep
AB 495.85 N05°30'E 493.57 47.53
BC 850.62 N46°02'E 590.53 612.23
CD 855.45 S67°38'E -325.53 791.09
DE 1020.87 S12°25'E -996.99 219.51
EF 1117.26 S83°44'W -121.96 -1110.58
FA 660.08 N55°09W 377.19 -541.7
5000.13 16.81 18.08

latitude = dcosθ departure = dsinθ

b. Solving for LEC and
Course Distance Bearing Lat Dep
AB 495.85 N05°30'E 493.57 47.53
BC 850.62 N46°02'E 590.53 612.23
CD 855.45 S67°38'E -325.53 791.09
DE 1020.87 S12°25'E -996.99 219.51
EF 1117.26 S83°44'W -121.96 -1110.58
FA 660.08 N55°09W 377.19 -541.7
5000.13 16.81 18.08

𝐿𝐸𝐶 = 𝐶𝐿 + 𝐶𝐷
 c. Solving for and departure
Corrections
Course Distance Bearing Lat Dep
𝑑
𝐶𝑙 = 𝐶𝐿
Latitude Departure 𝐷
AB 495.85 N05°30'E 493.57 47.53 -1.67
BC 850.62 N46°02'E 590.53 612.23 -2.86 495.85
𝐶𝑙 = 16.81
CD 855.45 S67°38'E -325.53 791.09 -2.88 5000.13
DE 1020.87 S12°25'E -996.99 219.51 -3.43
EF 1117.26 S83°44'W -121.96 -1110.58 -3.75 𝐶𝑙 = 1.67
FA 660.08 N55°09W 377.19 -541.7 -2.22
5000.13 16.81 18.08 -16.81

Important Note:
Since CL and CD are positive. The sign of the corrections for both lat and dep should
be

Adjusted Lat = Latitude + Lat correction

Adjusted Dep = Departure + Dep
 c. Solving for and departure
Corrections
𝑑
Course Distance Bearing Lat Dep 𝐶𝑑 = 𝐶𝐷
Latitude Departure 𝐷
AB 495.85 N05°30'E 493.57 47.53 -1.67 -1.79
BC 850.62 N46°02'E 590.53 612.23 -2.86 -3.08 495.85
𝐶𝑙 = 18.08
CD 855.45 S67°38'E -325.53 791.09 -2.88 -3.09 5000.13
DE 1020.87 S12°25'E -996.99 219.51 -3.43 -3.69
EF 1117.26 S83°44'W -121.96 -1110.58 -3.75 -4.04 𝐶𝑙 = 1.79
FA 660.08 N55°09W 377.19 -541.7 -2.22 -2.39
5000.13 16.81 18.08 -16.81 -18.08

Important Note:
Since CL and CD are positive. The sign of the corrections for both lat and dep should
be

Adjusted Lat = Latitude + Lat correction

Adjusted Dep = Departure + Dep
d. Solve adjusted latitude and
Corrections Adjusted
Course Distance Bearing Lat Dep
Latitude Departure Lat Dep
AB 495.85 N05°30'E 493.57 47.53 -1.67 -1.79 491.90 45.74
BC 850.62 N46°02'E 590.53 612.23 -2.86 -3.08 587.67 609.15
CD 855.45 S67°38'E -325.53 791.09 -2.88 -3.09 -328.41 788.00
DE 1020.87 S12°25'E -996.99 219.51 -3.43 -3.69 -1000.42 215.82
EF 1117.26 S83°44'W -121.96 -1110.58 -3.75 -4.04 -125.71 -1114.62
FA 660.08 N55°09W 377.19 -541.7 -2.22 -2.39 374.97 -544.09
16.81 18.08 -16.81 -18.08 0 0

Important Note:
Since CL and CD are positive. The sign of the corrections for both lat and dep
should be negative

Adjusted Lat = Latitude + Lat correction

Adjusted Dep = Departure + Dep correction
Adjustment by Transit
Adjustment by Transit
Example (Transit
● Given the closed traverse data, adjust the traverse using transit rule
a. Solving for latitude and

Course Distance Bearing Lat Dep

AB 495.85 N05°30'E 493.57 47.53
BC 850.62 N46°02'E 590.53 612.23
CD 855.45 S67°38'E -325.53 791.09
DE 1020.87 S12°25'E -996.99 219.51
EF 1117.26 S83°44'W -121.96 -1110.58
FA 660.08 N55°09W 377.19 -541.7
5000.13 16.81 18.08

latitude = dcosθ departure = dsinθ

Solutio
Solutio
Solutio
Solutio
Solutio

Important Note:
Since CL and CD are positive. The sign of the corrections for both lat and dep
should be negative

Adjusted Lat = Latitude + Lat correction

Adjusted Dep = Departure + Dep correction
 Assignme
• Deadline: Jan 13,
2023
• Write in A4 size bond
paper
• Round off your
answer to two
decimal places.
• Late submission of
assignment will not
be accepted.