5

Traversing
A traverse is a means of providing a network of control stations over an area, the
stations being used subsequently for surveying detail in the preparation of site plans
prior to the design and setting out of an engineering project.
Traversing consists of the measurement of the angles between successive lines
and the lengths of each of the lines in order to determine the positions of the
stations.

5.1 Types of Traverse

5.1.1 Qosed TraJ~erses

Two cases have to be distinguished with this type of traverse. In figure 5.1, a tra-
verse has been run from station X (of known position) to stations 1, 2, 3 and
another known point Y.
Traverse X123Y is, therefore, closed at Y. This type of traverse is called a link,
connecting or closed-route traJ~erse.
In figure 5.2, a traverse starts at station X and returns to the same point X via
stations 1, 2 and 3. Station X can be of known position or can have an assumed
position. In this case the traverse is called a polygon, loop or closed-ring traverse
since it closes back on itself.
In both types of closed traverse there is an external check on the observations
since the traverses start and fmish on known or assumed points.
X
y

3
Figure S.l Link traverse

J. Uren et al., Surveying for Engineers

© J. Uren and W. F. Price 1978
 TRAVERSING 73
3

X 2

Figure 5.2 Polygon traverse

5.1. 2 Open Traverses

These commence at a known point and finish at an unknown point and, therefore,
are not closed. They are used only in exceptional circumstances since there is no
external check on the measurements.

5. 2 Traverse Specifications and Accuracy

The accuracy of a traverse is governed largely by the type of equipment used and
the observing and measuring techniques employed. These are dictated by the pur-
pose of the survey.
Many types of traverse are possible but three broad groups can be defined and
are given in table 5.1.
The most common type of traverse for general engineering work and site surveys
would be of typical accuracy I in I 0 000. The chapter notes are concerned mainly
with an expected accuracy range of about 1 in 5000 to 1 in 20 000.
An important factor when selecting traversing equipment is that the various
instruments should produce roughly the same order of accuracy, that is, it is point-
less using a I" theodolite to measure traverse angles if the lengths are being measured
with a chain. Table 5.1 gives a general indication of the grouping of suitable equip-
ment.

5.3 Bearings and Coordinates

5.3.1 Whole-circle bearings

To establish the direction of a line between two points on the ground, its bearing
has to be determined.
The whole-circle bearing (WCB) of a line is measured in a clockwise direction in
the range 0° to 360° from a specified reference or north direction. Examples of
whole circle bearings are given in figure 5.3.