5. Summary

A traverse is adjusted, or balanced, to distribute remaining random errors back into the measurements. There are a number of ways to accomplish this differing in how the errors are modeled and computation complexity. The Compass Rule demonstrated here works well for simple traverses having minimal redundant measurements. The examples thus far are closed loop traverses. Chapter H. Closed Link Traverse shows how to perform traverse computations, including adjustments, on closed link traverses.

The Compass and Transit Rules and Crandall Method are compared using a numeric example in Chapter K. Comparison of Adjustment Methods.  Traverse Adjustment, an Excel workbook for the three methods, is in the Software area. As traverses become more complex with additional measurements added, particularly with mixed quality, a least squares adjustment is the best strategy to employ. This concept is discussed in greater detail in XV. Least Squares Lite topic.