Electronic Traverse Versus Triangulation

The USC & GS in its concern over the costs of long-range, highly accurate geodetic surveys, conducted extensive tests comparing electronic traverses, using Tellurometers with triangulation. A test area in the southeast corner of Kansas was selected as being most representative of the type of terrain normally encountered in primary surveying. After completion of the survey by electronic traverse and triangulation, seven adjustments of both networks were completed. Triangulation proved to be more accurate, although both methods were within the required precision. However, the cost of traverse, originally thought to be slightly less, proved to be more than the cost of triangulation, on an over-all basis.