Surveying
Link Traverse (Connecting Traverse)
Summary
A link traverse starts from known control with a known backsight and ends on different known control with a known foresight. Because both ends are fixed, it checks orientation, scale and position, which a loop traverse cannot. It is the standard geometry for route surveys and control densification.
Definition
Link traverse: a closed traverse that begins and ends on different points of known coordinates and orientation.
- Needs 4 known points (2 each end) ideally
- Detects scale and rotation
- Closing azimuth check
- Closing coordinate check
Angular closure
β are the measured angles to the right, and m is the integer that brings the result into 0°–360°.
Linear closure
The misclosure is then distributed by the Bowditch or Transit rule.
Grid versus ground
When control is on a projected grid such as UTM and the traverse is long, a missing scale factor shows up as a systematic linear misclosure along the traverse direction. Reduce distances to the grid first; see distance reduction.
FAQ
Can a link traverse use GNSS control?
Yes. Pairs of intervisible GNSS points at each end are ideal and give independent orientation and scale.
Why does my link traverse have a misclosure that grows with length?
That pattern usually means a scale problem: a missing grid scale factor, wrong prism constant or an uncalibrated EDM.
Related tools and articles
Tools
- Traverse AdjustmentBowditch and Transit adjustment with closure report.
- Lat/Long to UTMConvert geographic coordinates to UTM.
Articles
- Closed Traverse: Loop and Link Traverses ExplainedA closed traverse provides an independent check on its own observations. A loop traverse returns to its starti…
- Traverse Adjustment: Complete Guide for SurveyorsA traverse adjustment turns measured angles and distances between control points into a consistent set of coor…
- Distance Reduction: Slope to Horizontal to GridA total station measures a slope distance. Surveys on a map projection need the grid distance: first reduce sl…
- Control PointsReference topic
References
- Ghilani, C. D. & Wolf, P. R. Elementary Surveying: An Introduction to Geomatics, 15th ed., Pearson, 2018 (traverse computations and adjustments).
- Uren, J. & Price, W. F. Surveying for Engineers, 5th ed., Palgrave Macmillan, 2010.
Cite this page
GeoCAD Bridge. “Link Traverse (Connecting Traverse).” GeoCAD Bridge Knowledge Center, updated 2026-10-05. https://www.geocadbridge.com/knowledge/survey-link-traverse/