Visayas State University

College of Engineering

Department of Geodetic Engineering

Visca, Baybay City 6521, Leyte, Philippines

ESci 121n – Fundamentals of Surveying

Laboratory Exercise No. 1

Distance Measurement by Pacing

Name: Myles A. Quintero Date Performed: January 14, 2019 Score:_______

Course and Year: BSABE-1 Date Submitted: January 28, 2019

I. INTRODUCTION

Pacing is the simplest and easiest method for measuring distance. Pacing is
the process of walking the distance and counting the number of steps "paces" to
cover the distance. Without any measuring instrument, one can obtain a good
estimate of an unknown distance by using one’s pace factor.
When doing a reconnaissance survey of an area where certain distances
need to be verified, the use of one’s pace factor to check these distances without
the need of any distance-measuring instrument can provide satisfactory estimates.

II. LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the laboratory class, the students should be able to:
 Define pacing
 Determine or estimate the length of a paced or walked line
 Solve problems related to pacing

III. MATERIALS AND TOOLS NEEDED

 Crayon or chalk

IV. PROCEDURE
 Level Ground

1. A straight and level course of unknown length will be assigned by the

instructor. Designated the end points as point A and B.
2. Walk over the course at natural pace with either heel or toe over point A and
count the number of paces to reach point B. Record the number of paces you
make in our engineer’s field notebook. A partial pace at the end of the line
should be figured out to the nearest one-fourth pace.
3. Make ten (10) trials. For succeeding trials, walk from B to A, then A to B,
until 5 trials are completed. A sample format for recording of observed field
 data is shown table 2.1 however, the student may opt to use their own table
format.
4. Compute the paced distance between A and B using the formula:

PD= PF x mean no. of paces

Where:
PD- paced distance between A and B
PF- individual pace factor (m/pace) as determined in exercise no. 1

Table 2.1. Pacing on level ground

TRIAL LINE NUMBER OF MEAN NO. LENGTH
PACES OF PACES OF LINE
AB
1 AB 124
2 BA 125.5
3 AB 121.5
4 BA 125
5 AB 122.5 122.75 78.2
6 BA 120
7 AB 120.5
8 BA 124
9 AB 120.5
10 BA 124

TRIAL LINE NUMBER OF MEAN NO. PACE

PACES OF PACES FACTOR
1 AB 44.5
2 BA 45.5
3 AB 47 45.92 0.64
4 BA 45 m/pace
5 AB 46.5
6 BA 47

5. Word Problems

i. A pacer walked six (6) times over a straight and level course XY; he
recorded his steps as 121, 123, 124, 121, 122, and 123. Determine the
length of the line XY if his pace factor is 0.79m/pace.
 TRIAL LINE NUMBER OF MEAN NO. PACE
PACES OF PACES FACTOR
1 XY 121
2 YX 123
3 XY 124 122.33 0.79
4 YX 121 m/pace
5 XY 122
6 YX 123

PD = 122. 33 x 0.79 m/ pace

= 96.64
ii. A survey recorded 75,77,76,75 and 76 strides over a straight and level
course unknown length. Determine the distance he paced (in meters) if
his pace factor is 0.79 m/pace.
PD= 75.8 x 0.79 m/pace
= 59.88

V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

One of the easiest way to measure a distance is to walk at natural pace
by counting the number of paces to reach the designated point or area. Pacing
consists of counting the number of steps, or paces, in required distance. End
points are known as A and B where the students walk with either heel or toe
over point A and count the number of paces to reach point B. Pacing furnishes
a rapid means of checking measurements taken by other methods. It is suitable
in determining approximate distance in situations where a low precision
of measurement is sufficient. Distances by pacing are sufficiently accurate for
small-scale mapping, for locating details and traversing with the plane table,
and in reconnaissance surveys. It is also used for many purposes in geology,
forestry, engineering, and agriculture.
The first field work was done last January 14, 2019, where the students
were given a designated task to determine the distance measurement by
pacing. Two of the students were asked to measure the distance by 78.2 in
order to have a guide for the students walk, along the said length. Afterward,
we started ten (10) succeeding trials starting from A to B, then B to A, until
the 10 trials are completed. Using the given formula (PF = Distance ÷ mean
no. of paces) by dividing the distance (78.2) to my mean number of paces
(122.75) and then I was able to arrive my pace factor (0.64). The next step was
to determine the distance between A and B. To get the length of line AB or
simply the pace distance, I multiply my mean no. of paces (45.92) by
multiplying the mean no. of paces by the pace factor produced on the first
conducted data. Then we get the mean of the measurements taken as the most
probable value of the length of the line.
VI. SKETCH

VII. CONCLUSION

Pace factor is important if you want to estimate the measure of a land without
using any measuring devices. Hence, to measure a distance by pacing, you just
have to multiply the mean no. of paces by your pace factor, while to get the pace
factor, you just have to divide the distance by the mean number of paces. In this
field work, the pace factor method, though helpful and easier is not something that
we should depend on measuring a distance especially if accuracy is a must.
Because we only trust our steps, which are in reality, it is more improbable for us
to walk and achieve a perfect measurement. Furthermore, pacing is one of the
essential techniques for measuring distance for it allows a person to work quickly
without an assistant.

VIII. REFERENCES
 https://www.coursehero.com/file/p412tpk/CONCLUSION-Pace-factor-is-
important-if-you-want-to-estimate-the-measure-of-a/
 https://www.progressivegardening.com/agricultural-engineering-
2/pacing.html