FIELDWORK NO.

1
PACING
Objectives:
▪ To determine individual pace factor
▪ To determine distance by pacing

Instruments & Accessories:

▪ Range Poles
▪ Steel Tape
▪ Markers (hubs, paint, chalk or
crayon)
Procedure:
➢ Determining the Pace Factor:
• 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.
• 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.
• For succeeding trials, walk from B to A, then A to
B, until 10 trials are completed, and the number
of paces recorded accordingly.
• Refer to the accompanying sample format for
the recording of observed field data.
TRIAL LINE TAPED NUMBER MEAN PACE
DISTANCE of PACES NO. of FACTOR
(m) PACES
1 AB
2 BA
3 AB
4 BA
5 AB
6 BA
7 AB
8 BA
9 AB
10 BA
Procedure:
➢ Measuring Distance by Pacing:
• 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.
• 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.
• Repeat the above procedure until all ten trials are
completed.
• After the field data is recorded, make an actual
taping of the course CD to determine the taped
distance.
• Refer to the accompanying sample format for
the recording of observed field data.
TRIAL LINE NUMBER of MEAN PACED TAPED RELATIVE
PACES DIST. DIST PRECISION

1 CD
2 DC
3 CD
4 DC
5 CD
6 DC
7 CD
8 DC
9 CD
10 DC
Computations:
➢Computing Pace Factor (PF):
➙ Get the sum of the number of paces for the ten trials
performed on course AB then compute the mean number of
paces.
➙ Divide the known or taped length of course AB by the mean
number of paces for AB to determine the pace factor.
➢ Computing Paced Distance (PD):
➙ Get the sum of the number of paces for the ten trials
performed on course CD and compute the mean number
of paces.
➙ Multiply the mean number of paces for CD by the pace
factor to obtain the paced distance.
➢ Computing Relative Precision (RP):
➙ Determine the difference between the taped distance of
CD and the paced distance of CD.
➙ Divide the difference by the taped distance of CD and
reduce the numerator to unity to determine the relative
precision.
Remarks, Hints & Precautions:
➙ The ends of the assigned courses should be marked with
either hubs, marking pins, or by chalk marks if on pavement.
➙ Range poles are set or held behind the end points to serve
as guides or markers during actual pacing.
➙ When taping, two measurements should be made for any
line and the mean recorded as its actual length.
➙ Pacing is best done by walking with natural steps.
➙ Pacing is used only when approximate results are
satisfactory such as estimating distances used for sketching
and in reconnaissance surveys.
➙ To keep one on the line while pacing, it is a good practice
to fix one’s eyes on a distant object on the range behind
the pole at the farther end of the line being paced.
➙ A partial pace at the end of the line should be figured out
to the nearest one-fourth pace.
➙ The accepted precision for measuring distance by pacing
usually varies from 1/200 to 1/500.
Remarks, Hints & Precautions:
➙ The ends of the assigned courses should be marked with
either hubs, marking pins, or by chalk marks if on pavement.
➙ Range poles are set or held behind the end points to serve
as guides or markers during actual pacing.
➙ When taping, two measurements should be made for any
line and the mean recorded as its actual length.
➙ Pacing is best done by walking with natural steps.
➙ Pacing is used only when approximate results are
satisfactory such as estimating distances used for sketching
and in reconnaissance surveys.
➙ To keep one on the line while pacing, it is a good practice
to fix one’s eyes on a distant object on the range behind
the pole at the farther end of the line being paced.
➙ A partial pace at the end of the line should be figured out
to the nearest one-fourth pace.
➙ The accepted precision for measuring distance by pacing
usually varies from 1/200 to 1/500.