LESSON 37

• TRAVERSE ADJUSTMENT is the procedure of computing the linear error of closure and applying corrections to the individual latitudes and departures for the purpose of providing a mathematically closed figure.
• ARBITRARY METHOD method of adjustment is employed, the latitudes and departures are adjusted in a discretionary manner according to the surveyor’s assessment of conditions surrounding the survey.
• TRAVERSE ADJUSTMENTS METHODS CAN BE CLASSIFIED INTO TWO:

  RIGOROUS METHOD

  APPROXIMATE METHOD
• LEAST SQUARES METHOD - rigorous
• Approximate Method:

  ARBITRARY METHOD

  COMPASS RULE

  TRANSIT RULE

  CRANDALL METHOD
• COMPASS RULE - aka Bowditch rule, is based on the assumption that all lengths were measured with equal care and all angles taken with approximately the same precision. It is also assumed that errors in the measurement are accidental and that the total error in any side of the traverse is directly proportional to the total length of the traverse.