Geodetic distances are derived from geodetic positions (Latitude / Longitude) as opposed to coordinate distances which are derived from grid coordinates (Northings / Eastings). Geodetic distances (geodesics) are always an arc distance at some height relative to the ellipsoid surface. As such, there are only three options for the elevation at which they are computed: 1) the mean course elevation or 2) the project elevation or 3) on the ellipsoid surface itself.
A survey can have one Coordinate Reference System (CRS) that relates it's geodetic and rectangular coordinates. The CRS defines the ellipsoid used in the geodetic direct and inverse computations. TPC computes geodetic distances by inversing between two geodetic positions on the ellipsoid surface and applying the appropriate elevation factor (converts between the ellipsoid surface and the ground elevation). Since the CRS releates the coordinates of a point to its geodetic position, TPC can compute both a coordinate distance and a geodetic distance between any two survey points.
TPC refers to all geodetic distances as Geod Dist or Geodetic Distance and further qualifies the elevation component as shown below.
Geodetic distances use the equation:
geodetic distance on the ellipsoid surface = ground distance x (elevation
factor)
where: elevation factor converts the ground distance to an equivalent distance
on the ellipsoid surface
Most of the time, you will be working in TPC with geodesics (the shortest distance between two points along the ellipsoid). In certain cases, especially when involving East-West computation on the Public Lands Survey System (PLSS), TPC includes the option to use the equivalent latitudinal arc, which is a Rhumb line. See Geodisics Lines vs Rhumb Lines.
Advanced Traverse View Format dialog this dialog lets you specify a geodetic distance type for a particular traverse. See Traverse View Distance Factors.
Miscellaneous Drawing Settings dialog - - you can choose which geodetic distance to use for line labels.
COGO dialogs - some COGO dialogs allow you to select which geodetic or coordinate distance to display.
TPC uses the following geodetic distance types throughout the program.
Geodetic distance (at ellipsoid surface) = ground distance measured at ellipsoid surface
The Traverse View status bar displays “Ellipsoid surface”
Geodetic distance (at ellipsoid surface) = ground distance measured at project elevation x (project elevation factor)
The Traverse View status bar displays “Elevation = 1,500’”
Geodetic distance (at ellipsoid surface) = ground distance mesured at mean course elevation x (mean course elevation factor)
The Traverse View status bar displays “Mean course elevation”
TPC does not currently model geoid separation. It assumes that the geoid and the ellipsoid you have selected as part of your CRS are coincident over the area of your survey. As such, the ellipsoid surface is considered to be Mean Sea Level.
Choosing a Coordinate
Reference System
CRS dialog
Scale Factors
Professional