How to calculate distance on a Yandex map. How to measure distance on Google maps? The simplest ways to measure areas on a map
1.1.Scales of maps
Map scale shows how many times the length of a line on a map is less than its corresponding length on the ground. It is expressed as a ratio of two numbers. For example, a scale of 1:50,000 means that all terrain lines are depicted on the map with a reduction of 50,000 times, i.e. 1 cm on the map corresponds to 50,000 cm (or 500 m) on the terrain.
Rice. 1. Design of numerical and linear scales on topographic maps and city plans
The scale is indicated under the bottom side of the map frame in digital terms (numerical scale) and in the form of a straight line (linear scale), on the segments of which the corresponding distances on the ground are labeled (Fig. 1). The scale value is also indicated here - the distance in meters (or kilometers) on the ground, corresponding to one centimeter on the map.
It is useful to remember the rule: if you cross out the last two zeros on the right side of the ratio, the remaining number will show how many meters on the ground correspond to 1 cm on the map, i.e. the scale value.
When comparing several scales, the larger one will be the one with the smaller number on the right side of the ratio. Let’s assume that there are maps at scales of 1:25000, 1:50000 and 1:100000 for the same area. Of these, a scale of 1:25,000 will be the largest, and a scale of 1:100,000 will be the smallest.
The larger the scale of the map, the more detailed the terrain is depicted on it. As the scale of the map decreases, the number of terrain details shown on it also decreases.
The detail of the terrain depicted on topographic maps depends on its nature: the fewer details the terrain contains, the more fully they are displayed on maps of smaller scales.
In our country and many other countries, the main scales for topographic maps are: 1:10000, 1:25000, 1:50000, 1:100000, 1:200000, 1:500000 and 1:1000000.
The maps used by the troops are divided into large-scale, medium-scale and small-scale.
| Map scale | Card name | Classification of cards | |
| by scale | for main purpose | ||
| 1:10 000 (in 1 cm 100 m) | ten-thousandth | large scale | tactical |
| 1:25,000 (in 1 cm 250 m) | twenty-five thousandth | ||
| 1:50,000 (in 1 cm 500 m) | five thousandth | ||
| 1:100,000 (1 cm 1 km) | hundred thousandth | medium-scale | |
| 1:200,000 (in 1 cm 2 km) | two hundred thousandth | operational | |
| 1:500,000 (1 cm 5 km) | five hundred thousandth | small-scale | |
| 1:1 000 000 (1 cm 10 km) | millionth | ||
1.2. Measuring straight and curved lines using a map
To determine on a map the distance between terrain points (objects, objects), using a numerical scale, you need to measure on the map the distance between these points in centimeters and multiply the resulting number by the scale value.
Example, on a map of scale 1:25000 we measure the distance between the bridge and the windmill with a ruler (Fig. 2); it is equal to 7.3 cm, multiply 250 m by 7.3 and get the required distance; it is equal to 1825 meters (250x7.3=1825).
Rice. 2. Determine the distance between terrain points on the map using a ruler.
A small distance between two points in a straight line is easier to determine using a linear scale (Fig. 3). To do this, it is enough to apply a measuring compass, the opening of which is equal to the distance between given points on the map, to a linear scale and take a reading in meters or kilometers. In Fig. 3 the measured distance is 1070 m.
Rice. 3. Measuring distances on a map with a measuring compass on a linear scale
Rice. 4. Measuring distances on a map with a compass along winding lines
Large distances between points along straight lines are usually measured using a long ruler or measuring compass.
In the first case, a numerical scale is used to determine the distance on the map using a ruler (see Fig. 2).
In the second case, the “step” solution of the measuring compass is set so that it corresponds to an integer number of kilometers, and an integer number of “steps” is plotted on the segment measured on the map. The distance that does not fit into the whole number of “steps” of the measuring compass is determined using a linear scale and added to the resulting number of kilometers.
In the same way, distances are measured along winding lines (Fig. 4). In this case, the “step” of the measuring compass should be taken 0.5 or 1 cm, depending on the length and degree of tortuosity of the line being measured.
Rice. 5. Distance measurements with a curvimeter
To determine the length of a route on a map, a special device is used, called a curvimeter (Fig. 5), which is especially convenient for measuring winding and long lines.
The device has a wheel, which is connected by a gear system to an arrow.
When measuring distance with a curvimeter, you need to set its needle to division 99. Holding the curvimeter in a vertical position, move it along the line being measured, without lifting it from the map along the route so that the scale readings increase. Having reached the end point, count the measured distance and multiply it by the denominator of the numerical scale. (In this example, 34x25000=850000, or 8500 m)
1.3. Accuracy of measuring distances on the map. Distance corrections for slope and tortuosity of lines
Accuracy of determining distances on the map depends on the scale of the map, the nature of the measured lines (straight, winding), the chosen measurement method, the terrain and other factors.
The most accurate way to determine the distance on the map is in a straight line.
When measuring distances using a measuring compass or a ruler with millimeter divisions, the average measurement error in flat areas usually does not exceed 0.7-1 mm on the map scale, which is 17.5-25 m for a map at a scale of 1:25000, scale 1:50000 – 35-50 m, scale 1:100000 – 70-100 m.
In mountainous areas with steep slopes, errors will be greater. This is explained by the fact that when surveying a terrain, it is not the length of the lines on the Earth’s surface that is plotted on the map, but the length of the projections of these lines onto the plane.
For example, With a slope steepness of 20° (Fig. 6) and a distance on the ground of 2120 m, its projection onto the plane (distance on the map) is 2000 m, i.e. 120 m less.
It is calculated that with an inclination angle (steepness of the slope) of 20°, the resulting distance measurement result on the map should be increased by 6% (add 6 m per 100 m), with an inclination angle of 30° - by 15%, and with an angle of 40° - by 23 %.
Rice. 6. Projection of the length of the slope onto a plane (map)
When determining the length of a route on a map, it should be taken into account that road distances measured on the map using a compass or curvimeter are in most cases shorter than the actual distances.
This is explained not only by the presence of ups and downs on the roads, but also by some generalization of road convolutions on maps.
Therefore, the result of measuring the length of the route obtained from the map should, taking into account the nature of the terrain and the scale of the map, be multiplied by the coefficient indicated in the table.
1.4. The simplest ways to measure areas on a map
An approximate estimate of the size of the areas is made by eye using the squares of the kilometer grid available on the map. Each grid square of maps of scales 1:10000 - 1:50000 on the ground corresponds to 1 km2, a grid square of maps of scale 1 : 100000 - 4 km2, the square of the map grid at a scale of 1:200000 - 16 km2.
Areas are measured more accurately palette, which is a sheet of transparent plastic with a grid of squares with a side of 10 mm applied to it (depending on the scale of the map and the required measurement accuracy).
Having applied such a palette to the measured object on the map, they first count from it the number of squares that completely fit inside the contour of the object, and then the number of squares intersected by the contour of the object. We take each of the incomplete squares as half a square. As a result of multiplying the area of one square by the sum of squares, the area of the object is obtained.
Using squares of scales 1:25000 and 1:50000, it is convenient to measure the area of small areas with an officer’s ruler, which has special rectangular cutouts. The areas of these rectangles (in hectares) are indicated on the ruler for each gharta scale.
2. Azimuths and directional angle. Magnetic declination, convergence of meridians and direction correction
True azimuth(Au) - horizontal angle, measured clockwise from 0° to 360° between the northern direction of the true meridian of a given point and the direction to the object (see Fig. 7).
Magnetic azimuth(Am) - horizontal angle, measured clockwise from 0e to 360° between the northern direction of the magnetic meridian of a given point and the direction to the object.
Directional angle(α; DU) - horizontal angle, measured clockwise from 0° to 360° between the northern direction of the vertical grid line of a given point and the direction to the object.
Magnetic declination(δ; Sk) - the angle between the northern direction of the true and magnetic meridians at a given point.
If the magnetic needle deviates from the true meridian to the east, then the declination is eastern (counted with a + sign); if the magnetic needle deviates to the west, then the declination is western (counted with a - sign).
Rice. 7. Angles, directions and their relationships on the map
Meridian convergence(γ; Sat) - the angle between the northern direction of the true meridian and the vertical grid line at a given point. When the grid line deviates to the east, the convergence of the meridian is eastern (counted with a + sign), when the grid line deviates to the west - western (counted with a - sign).
Direction correction(PN) - the angle between the northern direction of the vertical grid line and the direction of the magnetic meridian. It is equal to the algebraic difference between the magnetic declination and the convergence of the meridians:
3. Measuring and plotting directional angles on the map. Transition from directional angle to magnetic azimuth and back
On the ground using a compass (compass) to measure magnetic azimuths directions, from which they then move to directional angles.
On the map on the contrary, they measure directional angles and from them they move on to magnetic azimuths of directions on the ground.
Rice. 8. Changing directional angles on the map with a protractor
Directional angles on the map are measured with a protractor or chord angle meter.
Measuring directional angles with a protractor is carried out in the following sequence:
- the landmark at which the directional angle is measured is connected by a straight line to the standing point so that this straight line is greater than the radius of the protractor and intersects at least one vertical line of the coordinate grid;
- align the center of the protractor with the intersection point, as shown in Fig. 8 and count the value of the directional angle using the protractor. In our example, the directional angle from point A to point B is 274° (Fig. 8, a), and from point A to point C is 65° (Fig. 8, b).
In practice, there is often a need to determine the magnetic AM from a known directional angle ά, or, conversely, the angle ά from a known magnetic azimuth.
Transition from directional angle to magnetic azimuth and back
The transition from the directional angle to the magnetic azimuth and back is carried out when on the ground it is necessary to use a compass (compass) to find the direction whose directional angle is measured on the map, or vice versa, when it is necessary to put on the map the direction whose magnetic azimuth is measured on the ground with using a compass.
To solve this problem, it is necessary to know the deviation of the magnetic meridian of a given point from the vertical kilometer line. This value is called the direction correction (DC).
Rice. 10. Determination of the correction for the transition from directional angle to magnetic azimuth and back
The direction correction and its constituent angles - the convergence of meridians and magnetic declination are indicated on the map under the southern side of the frame in the form of a diagram that looks like that shown in Fig. 9.
Meridian convergence(g) - the angle between the true meridian of a point and the vertical kilometer line depends on the distance of this point from the axial meridian of the zone and can have a value from 0 to ±3°. The diagram shows the average convergence of meridians for a given map sheet.
Magnetic declination(d) - the angle between the true and magnetic meridians is indicated on the diagram for the year the map was taken (updated). The text placed next to the diagram provides information about the direction and magnitude of the annual change in magnetic declination.
To avoid errors in determining the magnitude and sign of the direction correction, the following technique is recommended.
From the tops of the corners in the diagram (Fig. 10), draw an arbitrary direction OM and designate with arcs the directional angle ά and the magnetic azimuth Am of this direction. Then it will be immediately clear what the magnitude and sign of the direction correction are.
If, for example, ά = 97°12", then Am = 97°12" - (2°10"+10°15") = 84°47 " .
4. Preparation according to the data map for movement in azimuths
Movement in azimuths- This is the main way to navigate in areas poor in landmarks, especially at night and with limited visibility.
Its essence lies in maintaining on the ground the directions specified by magnetic azimuths and the distances determined on the map between the turning points of the intended route. Directions of movement are determined using a compass, distances are measured in steps or using a speedometer.
The initial data for movement along azimuths (magnetic azimuths and distances) are determined from the map, and the time of movement is determined according to the standard and drawn up in the form of a diagram (Fig. 11) or entered into a table (Table 1). Data in this form is given to commanders who do not have topographic maps. If the commander has his own working map, then he draws up the initial data for moving along azimuths directly on the working map.
Rice. 11. Scheme for movement in azimuth
The route of movement along azimuths is chosen taking into account the terrain's passability, its protective and camouflage properties, so that in a combat situation it provides a quick and covert exit to the specified point.
The route usually includes roads, clearings and other linear landmarks that make it easier to maintain the direction of movement. Turning points are chosen at landmarks that are easily recognizable on the ground (for example, tower-type buildings, road intersections, bridges, overpasses, geodetic points, etc.).
It has been experimentally established that the distances between landmarks at turning points of the route should not exceed 1 km when traveling on foot during the day, and 6–10 km when traveling by car.
For driving at night, landmarks are marked along the route more often.
To ensure a secret exit to a specified point, the route is marked along hollows, tracts of vegetation and other objects that provide camouflage of movement. Avoid traveling on high ridges and open areas.
The distances between landmarks chosen along the route at turning points are measured along straight lines using a measuring compass and a linear scale, or, perhaps more accurately, with a ruler with millimeter divisions. If the route is planned along a hilly (mountainous) area, then a correction for the relief is introduced into the distances measured on the map.
Table 1
5. Compliance with standards
| No. norm. | Name of the standard | Conditions (procedure) for compliance with the standard | Category of trainees | Estimation by time | ||
| "excellent" | "choir." | "ud." | ||||
| 1 | Determining direction (azimuth) on the ground | The direction azimuth (landmark) is given. Indicate the direction corresponding to a given azimuth on the ground, or determine the azimuth to a specified landmark. The time to fulfill the standard is counted from the statement of the task to the report on the direction (azimuth value). Compliance with the standard is assessed |
Serviceman | 40 s | 45 s | 55 s |
| 5 | Preparing data for azimuth movement | The M 1:50000 map shows two points at a distance of at least 4 km. Study the area on a map, outline a route, select at least three intermediate landmarks, determine directional angles and distances between them. Prepare a diagram (table) of data for movement along azimuths (translate directional angles into magnetic azimuths, and distances into pairs of steps). Errors that reduce the rating to “unsatisfactory”:
The time to fulfill the standard is counted from the moment the card is issued to the presentation of the diagram (table). |
Officers | 8 min | 9 min | 11 min |
Create a route. How to get from and to. Calculation of distances between cities by car, car. Get directions on the map from and to between cities. Create a route by car using points on the map from several points. Fuel calculator. Calculation of the route on foot or by bicycle.
Create a route by car using points and print it out. The online navigator will help you create a route, calculate the walking distance on the map, plot the route from and to, you will find out how much walking you need to walk from point A to point B or calculate the distance of the route from point A to point B, you can also plot the route through one additional point , through which your route may possibly pass. You will be able to map the route, calculate the distance and time and see the data of this route directly on the map, it will also show you the weather at the place of arrival, the fuel calculator will calculate gasoline consumption per 100 km. After clicking on the "Calculate" button, a description of the route will appear on the right, essentially a text navigator: if you selected an additional route point, the navigator will divide its sections and calculate the distance in each section, and also calculate the total distance (kilometers) from the point of departure to the point destination will also display travel time. The online navigator will show you how to get from and to by car in Moscow, St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, Ufa, Chelyabinsk, Kazan, Novosibirsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Omsk, Yekaterinburg, Perm from point A to point B. You can create a route several types, depending on the method of transportation, for example, on foot, by car, by transport (bus, train, metro), by bicycle (this method does not work well in Russia due to the lack of bicycle paths). To do this, you need to select a method from the drop-down list and you can easily get directions and find out how to get to your destination. Here you can find out how to get there by car, get directions and calculate the distance
How to get directions by car to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Chelyabinsk, Omsk, Samara, Rostov-on-Don, Ufa, Krasnoyarsk, Perm, Voronezh, Volgograd, Saratov, Krasnodar, Togliatti, Tyumen, Izhevsk, Barnaul, Irkutsk, Ulyanovsk, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Yaroslavl, Makhachkala, Tomsk, Orenburg, Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo, Astrakhan, Ryazan, Naberezhnye Chelny, Penza, Lipetsk, Kirov, Tula, Cheboksary, Kaliningrad, Kursk, Ulan-Ude , Stavropol, Magnitogorsk, Sochi, Belgorod, Nizhny Tagil, Vladimir, Arkhangelsk, Kaluga, Surgut, Chita, Grozny, Sterlitamak, Kostroma, Petrozavodsk, Nizhnevartovsk, Yoshkar-Ola, Novorossiysk
To determine on a map the distance between terrain points (objects, objects), using a numerical scale, you need to measure on the map the distance between these points in centimeters and multiply the resulting number by the scale value (Fig. 20).
Rice. 20. Measuring distances on a map with a measuring compass
on a linear scale
For example, on a map at a scale of 1:50,000 (scale value 500 m), the distance between two landmarks is 4.2 cm.
Therefore, the required distance between these landmarks on the ground will be equal to 4.2 500 = 2100 m.
A small distance between two points in a straight line is easier to determine using a linear scale (see Fig. 20). To do this, it is enough to apply a measuring compass, the opening of which is equal to the distance between given points on the map, to a linear scale and take a reading in meters or kilometers. In Fig. 20 the measured distance is 1250 m.
Large distances between points along straight lines are usually measured using a long ruler or measuring compass. In the first case, a numerical scale is used to determine the distance on the map using a ruler. In the second case, the opening (“step”) of the measuring compass is set so that it corresponds to an integer number of kilometers, and an integer number of “steps” are plotted on the segment measured on the map. The distance that does not fit into the whole number of “steps” of the measuring compass is determined using a linear scale and added to the resulting number of kilometers.
In this way, distances are measured along winding lines. In this case, the “step” of the measuring compass should be 0.5 or 1 cm, depending on the length and degree of tortuosity of the line being measured (Fig. 21).
Rice. 21. Measuring distances along curved lines
To determine the length of a route on a map, a special device called a curvimeter is used. It is convenient for measuring curved and long lines. The device has a wheel, which is connected by a gear system to an arrow. When measuring distance with a curvimeter, you need to set its needle to the zero division, and then roll the wheel along the route so that the scale readings increase. The resulting reading in centimeters is multiplied by the scale value and the distance on the ground is obtained.
The accuracy of determining distances on a map depends on the scale of the map, the nature of the measured lines (straight, winding), the chosen method of measuring the terrain and other factors.
The most accurate way to determine the distance on the map is in a straight line. When measuring distances using a measuring compass or a ruler with millimeter divisions, the average measurement error on flat areas of the terrain usually does not exceed 0.5–1 mm on the map scale, which is 12.5–25 m for a map of scale 1: 25,000 , scale 1: 50,000 – 25–50 m, scale 1: 100,000 – 50–100 m. In mountainous areas with steep slopes, errors will be greater. This is explained by the fact that when surveying a terrain, it is not the length of the lines on the Earth’s surface that is plotted on the map, but the length of the projections of these lines onto the plane.
With a slope steepness of 20° and a distance on the ground of 2120 m, its projection onto the plane (distance on the map) is 2000 m, i.e. 120 m less. It is calculated that with an inclination angle (steepness of the slope) of 20°, the resulting distance measurement result on the map should be increased by 6% (add 6 m per 100 m), with an inclination angle of 30° - by 15%, and with an angle of 40° - by 23 %.
When determining the length of a route on a map, it should be taken into account that road distances measured on the map using a compass or curvimeter are shorter than the actual distances. This is explained not only by the presence of ups and downs on the roads, but also by some generalization of road convolutions on maps. Therefore, the result of measuring the length of the route obtained from the map should, taking into account the nature of the terrain and the scale of the map, be multiplied by the coefficient indicated in the table. 3.
During the Age of Great Geographical Discovery, travelers and discoverers faced two most important tasks: measuring distances and determining their location on the earth's surface. The Greeks theoretically justified the solution to these problems, but they did not have sufficiently accurate instruments and maps.
Interesting fact. When Spain and Portugal decided to agree on dividing the New World into spheres of influence, they could not draw the dividing line on the map accurately enough, since at that time they did not know how to determine the longitude of a place and the distance on the map. In this regard, constant disputes and conflicts arose between states.
Measuring distances using a degree network. To calculate distances on a map or globe, you can use the following values: the arc length of 1° meridian and 1° equator is approximately 111 km. For meridians this is always true, and the length of an arc of 1° along the parallels decreases towards the poles (the arc size at 1° parallel at the equator is 111 km, at 20° north or south latitude - 105 km, etc.). At the poles it is equal to 0 (since a pole is a point). Therefore, it is necessary to know the number of kilometers corresponding to the length of 1° arc of each specific parallel. This number is written on each parallel on the hemisphere map. To determine the distance in kilometers between two points lying on the same meridian, calculate the distance between them in degrees, and then multiply the number of degrees by 111 km. To determine the distance between two points on the equator, you also need to determine the distance between them in degrees, and then multiply by 111 km.
Measuring distances using a scale. The extent of a geographic feature can also be determined using a scale. The map scale shows how many times the distance on the map is reduced relative to the actual distance on the ground. Therefore, by drawing a straight line (if you need to find out the distance in a straight line) between two points and using a ruler, measuring this distance in centimeters, you should multiply the resulting number by the scale value. For example, on a map of scale 1:100,000 (1 cm is 1 km) the distance is 5 cm, i.e. on the ground this distance is 1 × 5 = 5 (km). You can also measure distance on a map using a measuring compass. In this case, it is convenient to use a linear scale.
Measuring the length of a curved line (for example, the length of a river) from a map. To measure you can use measuring compass, curvimeter or thin wet thread. Suppose the measurement is carried out on a map of scale 1: 5,000,000 (50 km in 1 cm). The measuring compass is given a small opening (2-3 mm) in order to be able to measure small bends of the river, and they walk along the river, counting the steps. Then, multiplying the value of the compass opening (for example, 3 mm) by the number of steps (let's say 49), find the total length of the river on the map:
3 mm × 49 = 147 mm = 14.7 cm.
Thus, the length of the river will be 50 km × 14.7 = 735 km.
You can measure the length of the river curvimeter - a special device for measuring the lengths of curved lines on maps and plans. The curvimeter wheel is rolled along a curved line (rivers, roads, etc.), and the curvimeter counter counts the revolutions, indicating the desired length of the line.
You can measure the length of the curve with a damp thin thread. It is laid out along all the bends of the river. Then, straightening the thread without strong tension, measure its length in centimeters, and use the scale to determine the actual length of the river.
If the length of a river is measured using a small-scale map, the result obtained turns out to be less than the actual length of this river. This is due to the fact that on small-scale maps it is impossible to show all the small bends of its channel. Topographic maps provide a greater opportunity to reflect all the bends of the channel, and the distortions on them are very small. Therefore, the most accurate measurement results can be obtained from topographic maps.
Odometer
When developing a hiking route, an important criterion is its length. Depending on this, the complexity and duration of the upcoming route are calculated, the time required to complete it, the required average speed of movement, the supply of water and food are determined, and the minimum acceptable degree of preparedness of future participants is determined. The methods and methods of developing the route itself may be different, but it all depends on the distance that you are willing to cover in the time allotted for its completion. Much will depend on the accuracy of your measurements and calculations, in particular, whether you will catch the scheduled return train or whether you will have to look for a place in a hotel or sit on the platform waiting for the morning train.
There are many tools and methods for measuring distances on a map, but not all of them are equally applicable or convenient for accurately measuring the length of future routes along winding roads.
As a means of measuring segments on the map, you can use the usual ruler or compass. But as you might guess, all these devices are designed to measure straight sections, and a bicycle route is rarely a series of straight lines, unless you are riding along city streets. When measuring a route along winding roads and paths using linear instruments, you will certainly encounter the need for additional calculations, including determining the magnitude of the error in your measurements, since the usual smooth bend of the road when measured with a ruler will look like a broken line consisting of many short straight lines segments. At the same time, the longer and more winding the route, the greater the error will be allowed in your measurements and the more approximately the total length of the route will be determined, especially if you use a small-scale map to plot the route.
More accurate results can be obtained by using a thread with transverse markings corresponding to the centimeter scale previously applied to it using the same ruler. However, in this case, the accuracy of the measurement will directly depend on your accuracy and patience when laying out the thread on the surface of the card.
Fortunately, a special simple device has long existed, designed specifically for taking measurements on a map of both straight and winding segments called a curvimeter. Curvimeter (from Latin curvus - curve and ... meter), a device for measuring the lengths of segments of curves and winding lines on topographic plans, maps and graphic documents.
The curvimeter is made with circular and linear scales. Each type of curvimeter is available in two versions: with a fixed dial and a moving arrow or index; with a movable dial and a fixed index. To measure the length of a line, the Curvimeter wheel is rolled along this line. The distance measured by the Curvimeter per revolution corresponds to a scale length of 100 cm. The error in measuring a straight line segment with a length of at least 50 cm is no more than 0.25 cm.
The mechanical curvimeter (shown in the figure) has a metric and inch scale. The metric scale division corresponds to 1 cm, and the inch scale to 0.05 inches. The error in measuring a segment 50 cm long does not exceed 0.5%.
Thus, when using a curvimeter, you can measure the winding section of the route you need at the lowest cost and with the greatest accuracy. However, here too you should remember a few simple rules for measuring a route using this device.
First, when measuring the total length of a route, do not try to measure its entire length from start to finish at once. It is better to measure in segments - from one important landmark to another. And the point is not at all that you may not have enough scale length. It’s just that as the length of the measured segment increases, the degree of measurement error increases; an uncomfortable position, fatigue or trembling of the hand can also have a detrimental effect on the accuracy of measurements.
Secondly, use a larger scale map if possible. In practice, a map at a scale of 1:50,000 (five hundred meters) or 1:100,000 (kilometers) will do just fine. Just don’t be lazy and carefully trace all the curves of the road with a curvimeter.
Thirdly, don’t be too lazy to measure each segment several times. This way you will eliminate accidental errors. If you are using a conventional mechanical curvimeter, and not an electronic analogue that allows you to measure with tenths and even thousandths, determining the remaining “tail” by eye, which is very important on maps with a scale of less than 1:100,000, do not always try to round in one direction ( more or less) use at least approximate tenths.
Fourthly, in the segments between the main landmarks, do not be too lazy to separately measure the distances to secondary landmarks along the route, for example, a bridge across a channel, a road intersection, a deep ravine, etc. Thus, as mentioned above, you can constantly monitor your location on the route and have an accurate idea of the distance remaining to the finish even without a GPS receiver, but only with the help of a map with distances to landmarks marked on it.
When plotting measurement results on a map, it seems convenient to use the fractional notation A/B, where A is the distance from the previous landmark, and B is the distance from the starting point of the route. This method makes it easy to navigate in space without unnecessary mathematical calculations. This is relevant, for example, when you need to inform your fellow travelers, especially those who like to get ahead of the main group, the exact distance to a landmark near which you need to turn off, wait for the group, etc. In addition, if you are on any part of the route made radial forays or accidentally made an unplanned detour, for example, bypassing a washed-out section of the road, you will not have to make adjustments to pre-marked marks on the map, rewrite them, or constantly keep in mind the number of “extra” kilometers for which you will have to constantly make an amendment.
An example of measuring and plotting its results on a map:
Start (0/0) - turn right, exit from the asphalt highway onto a dirt road (3/3) - bridge over the river (2/5) - Dubki village (7/13) - Lesnoy village (14/27) - bridge across stream (5/32) - intersection with asphalt highway (8/40) - railway station Terminus (10/50).
And a few words about the variety of shapes and varieties of curvimeters that are presented on the Russian market today.
As mentioned above, there are two main types of curvimeters: mechanical and electronic.
In the design of mechanical curvimeters, regardless of the specific model, there are no particular fundamental differences, with the exception of the type of scale (rectilinear and circular) and the principle of displaying measurement results (with a fixed dial and a movable arrow or index; with a movable dial and a fixed index). As a rule, this is a plastic device weighing about 50 grams of rather modest dimensions. For example, the Russian-made KU-A curvimeter shown in the figure has dimensions of 50 × 20 × 100 (in a case).
This curvimeter has been produced in our country for decades in an unchanged form, except now without the USSR quality mark, and was included in the mandatory list of items as part of an officer’s tablet. It was standardized back in Soviet times and complies with TU 25-07-1039–74. The cost of this copy is about 500 rubles.
The curvimeter of the Swedish company is designed in approximately the same way. Silva. However, the fixed dial has more complex markings for measurements on eight scales.
The cost of such a curvimeter is about 1000 rubles.
Another example of a Russian-made mechanical curvimeter made in the form of a keychain and additionally equipped with a compass.
The dial of the curvimeter has scales for maps of scale 1:5000, 1:20000 and 1:50000. as well as a metric scale, the division value of which corresponds to 1 centimeter.
Its cost is 120 rubles.
another sample from survive.com
Distance measurement in mm, cm, NM and km.
— Measuring range: 10 m (current size)
— Features: setting the scale
— Metal wheel for measurements
Diameter 4.5cm
Length 9.7cm
Materials: plastic, steel, plastic glass.
price 215.00 rub.
In general, mechanical curvimeters have several main advantages:
- simplicity of design and use;
- the absence of electronic circuits and other complex elements implies the possibility of its use in any climatic, weather and temperature conditions;
- complete energy independence due to the absence of batteries as such;
- good impact resistance and the impossibility of disabling it as a result of water procedures.
All of the above makes a mechanical curvimeter most suitable for use in field conditions. The main and probably the only drawback of such a curvimeter is the need to determine tenths of the division price “by eye”.
Now let's turn to the variety of electronic curvimeters. Here, the cost of one copy ranges from three hundred to five thousand rubles, depending on the complexity of the device and the number of basic and additional functions in it. As in the production of many other electronic devices, manufacturers of electronic curvimeters rarely avoid the temptation to endow them with a lot of additional functions, both useful and not so useful.
For example, one of the simplest electronic curvimeters from the same Swedish company Silva, entitled "Silva Digital Map Measurer" made in the form of a keychain, and in addition to performing the main function - measuring distance on a map, it is additionally equipped with:
Calculator;
- mini flashlight;
- compass.
Its cost is about >2000 rubles.
A much more complex high-precision curvimeter made in the USA called "Scal Master II", designed to perform complex graphical measurements and calculations, has its own software, the ability to connect to a personal computer and has 91 architectural and engineering functions.
This device handles 50 Anglo-American values (feet, inches, etc.) and 41 metric values, allowing you to work with any maps and drawings. You can enter your most frequently used measurement type and the instrument will automatically convert to scale measurements. Has the ability to save data. It can be connected to a computer using a PC-Interface Kit. Compatible with Windows. Works with Excel, Lotus.
Technical characteristics of the curvimeter Scale Master II:
Size: 182×41×15 mm
Weight: 54 g
Wheel material: solid polymer
Email power supply: 2×3 Volt - lithium
Usage life: up to 400 hours
Automatic shutdown: 5 min.
Number of buttons: 12
Operating temperatures: 0 - 55О С
Display size: 19x64 mm.
The cost of such a device + Set for connecting to a PC - >11,000 rubles
Summarizing the information about electronic curvimeters, we can conclude that their use in the field, especially more complex analogues, is associated with some difficulties. Susceptibility to external influences such as cold and moisture, dependence on the presence of batteries and significantly lower impact resistance suggest the use of such a device primarily in greenhouse conditions of urban premises for the preliminary development of routes. At the same time, the undeniable advantage of an electronic curvimeter will be the maximum accuracy of measurements and the ability to immediately process them, for example, converting them into kilometers depending on the previously set scale.
You can calculate the distance between cities for free using our website. The distance between cities is calculated using the shortest paths. At the same time, fuel consumption is shown depending on the type and brand of the car.
The calculation can be useful in the following situations:
- planning a private vacation trip with the whole family by car or determining the optimal route for a business trip. The calculator will help you calculate fuel costs while traveling (we know the average fuel consumption and its price);
- will help professional long-distance drivers navigate routes between cities;
- calculator options are useful for cargo senders when determining the cost of transportation services (the calculator determines the kilometer, the carrier gives the tariffs);
How to use the distance calculator?
Setting and planning a route between cities is not difficult. To do this, you will need to enter the starting point along the route in the “From” field. A convenient way to select cities has been created. The arrival field for a given route is filled in similarly. After selecting cities, click the calculation button.
A map will open with a plotted route and an indication of the starting and ending points of movement and cities. They are indicated with red markers. The route by car between cities is drawn with a red line. The following data is provided on top of the map for reference:
- estimated route length;
- travel time;
- how much fuel is required for the trip.
- what type of roads along the route;
- the route is divided into separate sections indicating the length and time of travel.
This route data can be printed and received in a convenient A4 format. If necessary, you can make adjustments to the calculation. Set the parameters you need for your trip and request a quote again.
Additional settings make it possible to make adjustments to speed calculations for each type of road surface. There is an option to select transit settlements.
A fuel calculator will be very useful. Substitute into it the parameters of the car (average fuel consumption) and the current average prices for 1 liter of fuel. This will allow you to find out the required amount of fuel and its cost.
Alternative routing methods
If you have a road atlas at hand, then you can use it to roughly determine the route on the map. A curvimeter, if available, will help determine quite approximately the distance between cities.
It will be more difficult to find out the time spent on the trip. The entire route will need to be divided into fragments with roads of the same type. Knowing the speed at which you can travel on each class of road and knowing the length of such sections, you can calculate the travel time.
Data from reference books and atlases on distances between cities can also come to the rescue. Please note that such tables usually indicate large cities.
Algorithms for calculating distances between cities
Route calculations are based on an algorithm for finding a path using the shortest principle. Distances between cities by car are determined based on the satellite coordinates of settlements and roads. As a result of reading all the data on a computer, the result is given as a simulation option. When planning a long trip, don’t be lazy and take care of your backup options.
In practice, there are two main methods for calculating distances between settlements:
- exclusively on existing roads, taking into account access roads;
- in a straight line (like a bird flies - straight and free). The distance turns out to be shorter, but in practice it has no practical significance - there are no roads along such a route.
Our program is used to calculate the distance between cities along highways and roads.
