Indiana Height Modernization
Presently the Indiana Department of Transportation has undertaken the installation of Continually Operating Reference Stations
(CORS). CORS is a network of GPS reference
stations that continually receive GPS and other
GNSS satellite signals. The INDOT CORS will be
capable of providing Real-Time 3D corrections to
other GPS/GNSS users 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year throughout the state.
This means that GPS in conjunction with the INDOT
CORS will be able to support such activities as surveying, mapping, construction,
agriculture, GIS, and flood control statewide on a common coordinate system.
To get the most out of this investment Height Modernization will need to be implemented in conjunction with the INDOT CORS.
Height Modernization will allow the accuracy of
the vertical component (elevation) to be in-line
with that of the horizontal component (latitude &
longitude) provided to users of the CORS system.
Indiana’s Height Modernization Plan
The Indiana Department of Transportation, Aerial
Engineering, as lead agency with support from
the National Geodetic Survey, the Indiana Society
of Professional Land Surveyors, the Indiana Geographic Information Council and
the State Geodetic Coordinator proposes the following plan:
Phase 0: Completion of the INDOT CORS network. $215,000
Phase I: Differential leveling to all INDOT CORS stations and strategic High
Accuracy Reference Network (HARN) stations. $1,200,000
Phase II: Bluebooking of existing DNR benchmarks to be included in NGS database and creation of a GIS database to make DNR benchmarks more user
friendly. $175,000
Phase III: Planning and reconnaissance of
subsequent phases. This phase will involve
taking an inventory of existing benchmarks and
determining where more are needed and how
to they need to be established. $175,000
Phase IV: GPS observations on strategic First
and Second Order benchmarks. $3,558,000
Phase V: Expansion of Height Modernization
to establish up to 200 new 3D control points
where existing control is inadequate. $1,980,000
Phase VI: Expand and Maintain Geodetic Infrastructure and INDOT CORS.
$500,00/year.
This annual cost will easily be covered by INDOT’s annual savings due to the
implementation of the CORS with the Height Modernization program.
Height Modernization
in Indiana
Why Height Modernization?
What is Height Modernization?
Height Modernization (Height Mod.) is the establishment of accurate, reliable
heights (elevations) using GPS technology in conjunction with traditional leveling,
gravity and remote sensing information.
In 1998, Congress directed the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) to conduct a
National Height Modernization study. NGS, the nation's positioning agency has
been subsequently directed by Congress to implement Height Modernization
throughout the nation.
Height Modernization Program Objectives:
•
Improve transportation systems by reducing design and construction costs.
•
Accurate determination of floodplains
•
Study runoff amounts and effects
•
Improving agricultural yields
•
Improving Coastal Resources
•
Latitude and Longitude (Horizontal)
•
Height (Elevation)
•
Scale
•
Gravity
•
Orientation
Save Taxpayer Dollars By:
•
Replacing labor intensive high cost leveling with new cost-efficient GPS.
•
Reducing survey costs associated with floodplain determination and other mapping and GIS activities.
•
Aiding in the environmentally
friendly design and construction of roads and buildings.
•
Aiding in the transportation of
goods and people by auto,
ship, train or plane.
•
Guide modern farm and construction equipment with
GPS, and allow for tailored
applications of fertilizers,
herbicides, and pesticides
placed on fields which allows
for "Green" Agriculture.
To Save Lives:
Achieving these objectives will require a
consistent national geodetic reference
framework. Presently the National Spatial
Reference System (NSRS) is that framework. The NSRS provides the following
parameters for each geodetic control
monument in the United States:
The vertical (elevation) component of the
NSRS is currently lacking in both density
•
Safely landing aircraft in low visibility conditions.
and accuracy with many marks having
•
Provide safe overhead clearance along highway routes
•
Update heights on Emergency Evacuation Routes.
been lost, destroyed or obliterated.