Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/33025
NEWSLINK Surveying Event Adds to National Data System “Surveying USA Day,” a nationwide GPS survey led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Geodetic Survey (NGS), enlisted hundreds of surveyors across the United States to collect data for a national spatial clearinghouse. Participants collected GPS data simultaneously using handheld GPS devices as well as more sophisticated surveying equipment. The March 2011 event kicked off a broader event, Surveyor’s Week, which is coordinated by the National Society of Professional Surveyors. A wealth of data from Survey USA Day is being submitted to NGS’ Online Positioning User Service, a new database tool that lets surveyors, engineers and others share survey results. The database ties in to the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), a NOAA-maintained nationwide coordinate system that defines latitude, longitude, height, scale, gravity and orientation. NSRS plays many roles, providing a foundation for mapping, charting and state boundaries as well as transportation, communication and land-records systems—in addition to scientific and engineering applications. Federal officials estimate that NSRS provides more than $2.4 billion in estimated annual benefits to the U.S. economy. “Our nation was built on the foundational work of surveyors,” said Juliana Blackwell, director of NGS. “Every piece of infrastructure—from roads to build- ings, airports, levees and pipelines—needs accurate positioning data. The work of geographers, cartog- raphers and engineers all rely on having accurate positional data provided by surveyors.” NGS work stretches back more than 200 years, as the agency and its predecessor agencies worked with public and private organizations to establish reference stations at precisely determined locations. The locations traditionally were identified by setting a survey mark (e.g., a brass, bronze or aluminum disk). Other locations may be identified by a deep-driven rod or a prominent object (e.g., a water tower or a church spire). The NGS collection of more than 1.5 million points—and about 1,650 Continuously Operating Reference Stations that provide GPS data—make up the backbone of NSRS and are coordinated and monitored by NGS. Technical Team Makes Headway on Geospatial Platform A Technical Development Task Team (TDTT) contin- “Surveying Day USA” enlisted surveyors, geodesists and other professionals in a nationwide GPS surveying event that recorded fresh information for a national system used in mapping, charting, land-use planning and infrastructure management. 6 GEO W ORLD / M AY 2O11 ues to work toward launching live data and services for the Geospatial Platform, a broad initiative that seeks to streamline federal geospatial capabilities. The new initiative was outlined in President Barack Obama’s fiscal 2011 budget as a “portfolio man- agement approach” for federal data managers to create “a Geospatial Platform to support Geospatial One-Stop, place-based initiatives and other potential future programs.” Geospatial One-Stop is a federally coordinated Web-based portal for geospatial infor- mation and data, and the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) already developed an initial road- map for the Geospatial Platform. The TDTT was assembled in late 2010 and includes representatives nominated by FGDC mem- ber agencies. TDTT’s initial focus is on recommend- ing a “path forward” for releasing common services NOAA