Exercise 8a

Total Station Traverse Field Data Collection

FALL 2015

Purpose: A traverse is a series of stations on the ground whose locations are referenced to
each other by distances and angles. The lines joining the stations usually form a closed
polygon. A typical place a traverse is done in the field is for determination of property
boundaries, where the stations are the property bars, and the polygon is the property line. We
setup a total station on each station and measure the angles and the distances between the
stations. Inherently our measurements are subject to errors, so the field measurements are
corrected to distribute and eliminate any error of closure.

Details: Although we don’t have actual property boundaries to measure, you will be presented
with a series of sixteen boxes to measure. Your group will measure only 1 of the 16 boxes.
Each corner of the box is marked with a piece of rebar with a plastic cap, and paint markers to
make locating the points easier. You will setup and measure from centre of the rebar to centre
of the rebar. See the Site Location Plan for where to go, and the Measurement Detail Plan for
where each box is located.

This project involves measuring and recording horizontal distances and angles on a datasheet
given to you at the time of the lab. A sample data sheet is included with these instructions, but
is NOT the sheet you are using for data collection in this exercise. The data sheets will be
provided to you at the time of your lab.

• Each side of the box will be measured twice, and the average distance recorded after
satisfying the third order survey requirement of 1/5000 accuracy ratio.
• The interior angles of the box at stations A,B,C, and D are measured once.
• The azimuth of line D-A and the coordinates of station D are given information (see next
page).

Each team will gather their own traverse data and will submit a complete set of Traverse
Calculations as directed by the Instructor on the due date given. A sample of the
calculations is in part B of this exercise on Elearn or on pages 78-84 in the course
notes.

Objectives:
• Continue to develop the skill of setup over a point
• Learn how to operate a standard optical total station
• Measure distances and angles with some precision and accuracy

Equipment Required:
• Safety Vest
• Total Station
• Tripod
• Prism mounted on a prism pole
• Data Sheet (supplied to you in your lab)
• Course notes
• Pencil and calculator

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 Site Location Plan

Coordinate Listing for all Station D’s

(REVISED FALL 2015)
Box Number Station Northing Easting
1 D1 4787964.465 589951.591
2 D2 4787961.984 589952.939
3 D3 4787959.499 589954.302
4 D4 4787957.030 589955.667
5 D5 4787954.550 589957.030
6 D6 4787952.060 589958.377
7 D7 4787949.565 589959.750
8 D8 4787947.104 589961.089
9 D9 4787944.627 589962.455
10 D10 4787942.141 589963.822
11 D11 4787939.669 589965.162
12 D12 4787937.187 589966.525
13 D13 4787931.278 589959.568
14 D14 4787928.814 589960.935
15 D15 4787926.358 589962.296
16 D16 4787934.155 589966.654

Azimuth D-A = 16°17’00” (for all 16 boxes)

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Measurement Detail Plan

3
 Exercise 8a - Total Station Traverse Measurements - Data Sheet
DATE STUDENT

GROUP MEMBERS

BOX NUMBER TO MEASURE

GIVEN COORDINATES
STATION NORTHING EASTING
D
GIVEN AZIMUTH OF SIDE D-A = 16°17’00”

STUDENT DATA: Each student has their own data sheet recording one set of team data

Traverse Interior Angles HORIZONTAL DISTANCE MEASUREMENT

MEASURED ANGLE TRAVERSE COURSES
ANGLE DDD MM SS MEAS’D AVG ACCURACY
COURSE DISTANCE DISTANCE RATIO
A
A-B
B B-A
C B-C
D C-B
SUM OF C-D
ANGLES D-C
Req’d
SUM OF D-A
ANGLES
A-D
Angular
Error
HORIZONTAL DISTANCE ACCURACY RATIO
Correction Accuracy Ratio = Difference in Measurements/Average Measurement.
per angle Express as a ratio. Must be better than 1/5000 for 3rd order survey. If not
then repeat the measurements

ADJUSTED ANGLES
ANGLE DDD MM SS
A
B
C
D