Comparison of Methods of Least Squares Adjustment of Traverses

摘要

Traverse is a method of surveying in which a sequence of lengths and directions of lines between points on the Earth are measured and used in determining positions of the points. This method is one of several used to find the accurate geodetic positions which various agencies use. Traversing is a convenient, rapid method for establishing horizontal control. The theoretical background is provided here to explain the method of traverse station position computations and adjustments in the Universal Transverse Mercator grid coordinates. Closed traverse station positions were computer and adjusted using the Approximate Method and by the Least Squares Method computer program. The adjusted coordinates of both methods were transformed from the Universal Transverse Mercator grid coordinates to geographic coordinates and compared with the coordinates which were adjusted by the U.S. National Ocean Service.