Traverse adjustment is required to provide a mathematically closed figure by making closure in latitudes as well as closed departures. Methods for adjustment of traverse are classified into two types: approximate methods and rigorous methods.

The approximate methods for traverse adjustment are based on the conditions prevailing in the combinations of linear and angular precision in the observations. On these basis, conditions are divided into three types. (1) Precision in angular measurement is higher than in linear measurement; (2) Precision in angular as well as in linear measurements are same; (3) Precision in linear measurement is more than that in angular measurement.

The method of least square provides the most rigorous method of traverse adjustment, which allows variation in precision in the observations, minimizes random variations in the observations, provides the best estimates for positions of all traverse stations, and yields statistics relative to the accuracies of adjusted observations and positions. This method does require more of a computational effort than the approximate adjustment. But, the results are well worth effort. However, the method is beyond the scope of discussion of this course and further discussion on adjustment of traverse are based on approximate methods.

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