ArcMap

Traverse file format

Available with Standard or Advanced license.

A traverse file is generated automatically when you save a traverse. It can also be created manually for loading into the Traverse window .

The following is a sample traverse file:

DT QB
DU DMS
SP 454868.9 298986.09
EP 454868.9 298986.09
DD N90-0-0E 105
AD 45-0-0 100
TC C 45 D 100-0-0 L
NC C 45 D 100-0-0 C N45-0-0E R

The traverse file consists of several header lines describing the direction type and units as well as the start and end coordinates. The subsequent lines describe each course in the traverse.

Any direction in a course must be in the appropriate direction type and direction units. There must not be spaces in the direction. Angles must be in the appropriate direction units format. All distances are specified as numerals and will be assumed to be in the distance units of the coordinate system into which the traverse is loaded.

PartMeaning

DT

Direction type (required). The direction type is used to specify directions in the direction–distance and curve courses. These are the valid choices:

  • QB—Quadrant bearing
  • NA—North azimuth
  • SA—South azimuth
  • P—Polar

DU

Direction units (required). The direction units are used to specify directions and angles in the direction–distance, tangent curve, and curve courses. The following are valid choices:

  • DD—Decimal degrees
  • DMS—Degrees/Minutes/Seconds
  • R—Radians
  • G—Gradians or gons

SP

Start point (required). The start coordinates for the traverse, specified as x,y. For example:

SP 454868.9 298986.09

EP

End point (optional). The end coordinates for the traverse, specified as x,y. For example: 

EP 454868.9 298986.09

DD

Direction–distance course. A straight course specified by a direction and a distance. For example:

DD N90-0-0E 105

AD

Angle–distance course. A straight course specified by an angle relative to the previous course and a distance. This must not be the first course in the traverse. For example: 

AD 45-0-0 100

TC

Tangent curve course. A curved course that is tangent to the previous course. After the TC, the next two pairs of tokens specify how to construct the curve. Use any of the following choices followed by the value:

  • D—Central angle of the curve
  • A—Distance along the arc of the curve
  • C—Distance across the chord
  • R—Radius of the curve
Angle, arc, chord, and radius diagram
The final token describes which way the curve turns, to the left or the right:
  • L—Left
  • R—Right
In the following example, a tangent curve with a chord length of 45 units and central angle of 100 degrees curving to the left is defined: 
TC C 45 D 100-0-0 L

This must not be the first course in the traverse.

NC

Nontangent curve. After the NC, the next two pairs of tokens specify how to construct the curve. Use any of the following choices followed by the value:

  • D—Central angle of the curve
  • A—Distance along the arc of the curve
  • C—Distance across the chord
  • R—Radius of the curve
Angle, arc, chord, and radius diagram
The next pair of tokens describes the direction of the curve. Use any of the following choices followed by the value:
  • C—Chord direction
  • R—Radial direction toward the center point
  • T—Tangent direction
Chord, radial, and tangent diagram
The final token describes which way the curve turns, to the left or the right:
  • L—Left
  • R—Right
In the following example, a nontangent curve with a chord length of 45 units, a central angle of 100 degrees, and a chord direction of N45E curving to the right is defined: 
NC C 45 D 100-0-0 C N45-0-0E R

Traverse file format

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