Traverse (surveying)
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Traverse is a method in the field of surveying to establish control networks. It is also used in geodetic work. Traverse networks involved placing the survey stations along a line or path of travel, and then using the previously surveyed points as a base for observing the next point. Traverse networks have many advantages of other systems, including:
- Less reconnaissance and organization needed
- While in other systems, which may require the survey to be performed along a rigid polygon shape, the traverse can change to any shape and thus can accommodate a great deal of different terrains
- Only a few observations need to be taken at each station, whereas in other survey networks a great deal of angular and linear observations need to be made and considered
- Traverse networks are free of the strength of figure considerations that happen in triangular systems
- Scale error does not add up as the traverse as performed. Azimuth swing errors can also be reduced by increasing the distance between stations
The traverse is more accurate than triangulation and trilateration, and sometimes even triangulateration (Chrzanowski and Konecny, 1965; Adler and Schmutter, 1971)
There are many different types of traverse:
- Link traverse
- Polygonal/Loop traverse
- Open/Free traverse
