What does 'departure' indicate in surveying?

Departure in surveying specifically refers to the horizontal component of a line measured in the east-west direction. It essentially quantifies how far a surveyed line extends towards the east or west from a given point. This measure is critical in determining the positional relationship between points on a survey, particularly when calculating coordinates or analyzing traverses.

In the context of surveying, departures are used alongside latitudes (which measure the north-south component) to help form a complete picture of a traverse. This allows for accurate calculations of area, boundary lines, and elevation adjustments using coordinate geometry principles. Understanding departures is fundamental when working with traverse surveys to ensure that the dimensions and angles are accounted for correctly, ultimately contributing to the precision required in civil engineering projects.