A precise traverse guide used when primary triangulation isn’t practical, offering clear methods to establish reliable ground control.
These general instructions from the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey explain how to run precise traverse work in areas where flat terrain and timber complicate triangulation. It describes choosing traverse routes along railroads, placing stations at tangents or near railroad crossings, and coordinating with other surveys. The material covers standard procedures, equipment checks, and the goal of achieving accuracy comparable to triangulation for federal, state, and private projects.
- How traverse stations are located along railroad tangents and near cross streets or towns.
- How distances are measured with 50-meter invar base tapes and how tapes are checked and standardized.
- How temperature, tape tension, and tape comparisons are recorded and used to ensure accuracy.
- How angles and azimuths are measured and repeated to reduce error.
Ideal for readers interested in historical surveying methods, field procedures, and establishing precise survey control networks.