Traverse Field-to-Plan QA Checker
A traverse QA record from booking to plan, with an optional closure panel: (n − 2) × 180° only for closed loops, link-bearing checks, control comparison and your tolerances.
Project and review scope
A QA record that follows one traverse from booking through closure and adjustment to the plan. Declared review rows are separate from the optional closure arithmetic; it is not certification and it does not read field files.
Optional closure panel
Uses the traverse type and angle convention chosen above. Closed loop: interior Σ = (n − 2) × 180°. Link: computed end bearing against the known one. A misclose is judged only against a tolerance you enter.
Control-coordinate comparison
Review status: Not reviewed
Review progress 0 of 20 applicable rows verified (0%)
Outstanding critical findings
- Independent end control supplied where closure is claimed — Not started
- Raw and adjusted observations kept separately — Not started
- Tolerance source and adjustment method recorded — Not started
Review rows
1 row(s) do not apply to the project settings above; they are hidden but kept in the record.
Booking transcription
0/2 verifiedAll angles and distances booked
Station marks described
Instrument and prism configuration
0/2 verifiedInstrument and target heights noted
Prism constants and target types recorded
Face observations
0/1 verifiedFace left / face right where required
Horizontal distance reduction
0/1 verifiedDistances reduced to horizontal
Angle closure
0/3 verifiedAngles balanced to the geometric sum
Closed loop: (n − 2) × 180° for interior angles. Link: against the known start and end bearings. Not applicable to an open traverse.
Bearings carried correctly
Traverse topology and angle convention declared
Coordinate closure
0/5 verifiedLatitudes and departures computed
Misclose computed
Accuracy ratio within tolerance
Judged against the tolerance recorded for this project — none is assumed.
Independent end control supplied where closure is claimed
Critical
Computed end coordinates compared with known control
Adjustment
0/3 verifiedAdjustment applied and noted
Raw and adjusted observations kept separately
Critical
Tolerance source and adjustment method recorded
Critical
Field-to-plan matching
0/3 verifiedCoordinates match adjusted values
Bearings, distances and stations labelled
Plan values traced to the adjusted (not raw) coordinate set
Add your own row
Keep, share and print
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How to use this calculator
- Choose the traverse type (closed loop, link or open) and angle convention, then record the station count, known control, adjustment method and the tolerances your project uses.
- Work through booking, instrument and prism, face observations, distance reduction, angle and coordinate closure, adjustment and field-to-plan rows — Verified, Action required or Not applicable with a reason, plus evidence, owner and date.
- Optionally paste the RAW observed angles and the computed versus control end coordinates into the closure panel, then export JSON, print or copy the record.
How it works
Closed loop: Σβ = (n − 2) × 180° for interior angles, (n + 2) × 180° for exterior angles, ±360° for deflections. Link traverse (angles to the right): Az_end = Az_start + Σβ − n × 180°. Angle misclose = observed − expected, in seconds.
An open traverse has no geometric angle-sum condition, so that check is disabled and its rows are hidden (but kept). Closure from control: linear misclose = √(ΔE² + ΔN²) m and ratio = traverse length ÷ misclose, shown as 1:N.
A misclose is judged only against a tolerance you enter — a blank tolerance is reported as not judged, never as acceptable. Adjusted angles close by construction, so they are flagged rather than treated as a closure check. Raw and adjusted records stay separately identified.
Worked example
A four-station closed loop. Raw interior angles 90°00′10″, 89°59′55″, 90°00′15″ and 90°00′00″ sum to 360°00′20″ against (4 − 2) × 180° = 360°, a misclose of +20.0″. With a ±30″ project tolerance it is within; with no tolerance entered it is reported but not judged; switching the traverse type to Open disables the sum check entirely.
Frequently asked questions
What has actually been checked?
Only what a person marked Verified, with the evidence they recorded. The closure panel only does the arithmetic on numbers you paste; it does not read field files, and its result is shown separately from the declared review rows.
Can I use my own project requirements?
Yes. Enter your traverse type, angle convention and the angular and linear tolerances from your project or jurisdiction — none are built in. Add your own rows (they get stable IDs), and mark rows that do not apply as Not applicable with a reason.
Does a complete checklist prove the work complies?
No. “Ready for reviewer” is your declaration that every applicable row is verified. Accuracy acceptance, adjustment and plan approval are decided by the project, the client and the relevant authority.
Why is the angle-sum check disabled for my traverse?
An open traverse does not return to known control, so no geometric sum exists. Closure needs independent control — use the control-coordinate comparison when you have it.
Is this official course material?
No. It is free study support mapped to surveying course levels — not official North Metropolitan TAFE content or advice. Always follow your lecturer and the official assessment brief, and check your own working.
Related tools
- Traverse Misclose Calculator
- Traverse Closure Ratio Calculator
- Interior Angle Balance Table
- Basic Traverse Table Builder
- Missing Line & Measurement Solver
- Compass Rule vs Transit Rule Comparison
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Cite this tool
Zerdly. (2026). Traverse Field-to-Plan QA Checker. Retrieved from https://www.zerdly.com/tools/traverse-field-to-plan-qa-checker/
Tip: Enter any known values to calculate the remaining results.
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