--- title: "Traverse field procedure between two known stations" subject: "Surveying II" chapter: 1 key: "semester_4/surveying_ii:traverse-field-procedure-between-known-stations" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/surveying_ii/traverse-field-procedure-between-known-stations site: BCT Engineering --- # Traverse field procedure between two known stations Surveying II · Chapter 1: Traversing - Asked in: 2070 Magh, 6 marks - Video: [Travers Survey: Field Procedure and data processing and adjustment.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nSGlwYe10c) — Survey_Engineer - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/surveying_ii/traverse-field-procedure-between-known-stations - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_4/surveying_ii/chapter-1 ## Question Explain in brief field procedure of traverse survey between two known stations. ## Short answer Select intervisible stations, mark and reference them. Set the theodolite at the known start, sight a reference object, measure angles on both faces and lengths forward and backward, then move through stations to the known end. Compare computed and known closing bearings and coordinates, then balance the traverse, usually by Bowditch's rule. ## Answer A traverse run between two known stations (a link traverse) starts and ends on stations of known coordinates, so it can be fully checked. ```text RO1 1 2 3 RO2 * K1 o-------o--------o--------o K2 o * known start known end ``` #### Field procedure 1. **Reconnaissance and station selection:** inspect the route between the known stations K1 and K2, choose stations 1, 2, 3 ... which are intervisible, on firm ground, with long and nearly equal sides. 2. **Marking and referencing:** fix pegs or nails, give each a number, and reference it to nearby permanent objects. 3. **Setting up at K1:** centre and level the theodolite, sight the reference object (RO1, or a known station) whose bearing is known, then turn clockwise to station 1 and read the angle (both faces, mean). 4. **Measuring the length K1-1** with a calibrated tape (forward and backward) or EDM, applying corrections. 5. **Moving forward:** set up at station 1, back-sight K1, fore-sight station 2, read the angle on both faces, and measure the length 1-2. Continue to the end. 6. **At the last known station K2,** observe the angle between the last traverse station and the reference object RO2 (a known station) with a known bearing, and the length of the last line. 7. **Booking:** record angles, lengths, station descriptions and checks in the field book while observing. 8. **Field checks:** compare forward and backward lengths and the face left and face right angles; the computed bearing of the last line (from the known first bearing and the angles) is compared with the known bearing of K2-RO2. #### Computation Balance the angular misclosure, compute latitudes and departures, compare the computed coordinates of K2 with the known ones, and distribute the linear misclosure by Bowditch's rule. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Why can a traverse between two known stations be fully checked? A. It uses longer lines B. Both ends have known coordinates and reference bearings, so computed bearing and position of the end can be compared with known ones C. It uses a compass D. It has fewer stations Answer: B. The last line's bearing and the end station's coordinates are known, giving angular and linear checks. (Key point: Purpose of a link traverse) 2. What should be considered in selecting traverse stations during reconnaissance? A. Stations intervisible, on firm ground, with long and nearly equal sides B. Stations hidden from each other C. Very short sides on soft ground D. Stations at random Answer: A. Intervisibility, firm ground and long, nearly equal sides give good observations and reduced error. (Key point: Station selection) 3. At the first known station K1, what is observed? A. Angle from the reference object (known bearing) clockwise to station 1, on both faces, mean taken B. Only the length K1-1 C. The vertical angle only D. The magnetic dip Answer: A. The reference object ties the traverse to the known bearing, and both faces reduce instrument error. (Key point: Observing at the starting station) 4. At each intermediate station the observer does what? A. Backsights the previous station, foresights the next, reads the angle on both faces, and measures the forward length B. Only measures the length C. Sights north only D. Reads one face and skips lengths Answer: A. The same sequence is repeated at every station to the end. (Key point: Station moves) 5. Which field check uses the known end bearing? A. The computed bearing of the last line (from first bearing and angles) is compared with the known bearing of K2-RO2 B. The sum of lengths is compared with 360° C. Forward and backward angles are compared D. The tape is compared with an EDM Answer: A. This gives the angular misclosure of the link traverse. (Key point: Field checks) ## Related in Surveying II - [Stadia principle and field procedure](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsurveying_ii%3Astadia-principle-field-procedure-topo) — Surveying II, chapter 2 - [ODM principle, tacheometric field procedure](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsurveying_ii%3Aodm-principle-field-procedure-theodolite) — Surveying II, chapter 2 - [GPS field procedure](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsurveying_ii%3Agps-field-procedure) — Surveying II, chapter 8 - [Field procedure of aerial photogrammetry, relief displacement](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsurveying_ii%3Aaerial-photogrammetry-field-procedure-relief-displacement) — Surveying II, chapter 7, asked 2× - [Three-wire stadia field procedure for topo map](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsurveying_ii%3Athree-wire-stadia-field-procedure) — Surveying II, chapter 2 - [GPS field procedure and components](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsurveying_ii%3Agps-field-procedure-components) — Surveying II, chapter 8 ## Related in other subjects - [Reciprocal levelling; RL of closed traverse stations](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fsurveying_i%3Areciprocal-leveling-closed-traverse-bcdefgb) — Surveying I, chapter 5 - [Field book and obstacles in chain survey](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fsurveying_i%3Afield-book-and-obstacles) — Surveying I, chapter 3 - [Obstacles; field sketch for detail survey](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fsurveying_i%3Aobstacles-and-field-sketch) — Surveying I, chapter 3 - [Field procedure of chain surveying](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fsurveying_i%3Afield-procedure-chain-survey) — Surveying I, chapter 3, asked 4×