The Future of the National Geodetic Survey Dr. Dru A. Smith Chief Geodesist, NGS/NOAA NGS Convocation Silver Spring, MD October 24, 2005

Outline What does NGS do? What are NGS’ Current Priorities? Where is NGS going?

NSRS Mapping Standards So much more!

NGS: What we do… Maintain/Improve the National Spatial Reference System Develop geodetic surveying specifications and guidelines Define the coastline of the United States Conduct geosciences research Oversee other federal survey projects (e.g. FAA) Conduct field surveying in support of our mission National repository for geodetic data Develop geodetic tools for public good Facilitate geodetic networks supporting NSDI Outreach to government, military, industry, academia and foreign agencies

National Spatial Reference System Datums: –NAD 83 (,, h) –NAVD 88 (H) Access tools: –CORS* + OPUS** –GEOID03 –Monumented Benchmarks and Control Points –Orbits –Surface Gravity Predictor (IGSN 71) * Continuously Operating Reference Stations ** Online Positioning User Service

NGS: Current Priorities… Modernization: Height Modernization CORS Enhancement NSRS Re-adjustment Bread and Butter: Specifications, Guidelines and Tools Coastal Mapping FAA QA/QC

Height Modernization is… …the establishment of accurate, reliable heights using GPS technology in conjunction with traditional leveling, gravity, and modern remote sensing information.

Height Modernization Today… State by State approach Monument densification / leveling Connecting Orthometric heights, Water Levels and Ellipsoid Heights (e.g. VDatum) Research on local issues (subsidence, floodplain mapping, etc)

Any body copy on the slide will go in here. Either bulleted Or not bulleted Legend Spatial Reference Centers Regional Leaders Lead Agencies Height Modernization States Interested States Height Modernization Status

Height Modernization of the future… A modernized vertical datum, free from systematic errors, accessed through GPS/CORS and a gravimetric (not hybrid) geoid published with heights and height changes. The use of Dynamic Heights (not Helmert Heights) to map floodplains The ability to transform between height systems and instantaneous water levels anywhere in the U.S. Advocating the use of GPS heights whenever they are sufficient for the task at hand (e.g. airborne navigation)

CORS Enhancement today… Passive “open arms” policy toward new partners OPUS-RS & OPUS-DB –15 minute solutions ; Direct input to Database Recently updated, more rigorous monumentation and metadata policy

Disparity in CORS distribution… California: Well-served… Over-served? Florida: Well-served North Dakota: Poorly-served

CORS Enhancement of the future… Selective partnership geared toward better geographic distribution and highest quality sites Real-time data streaming Modernized receivers: L2C/L5/Galileo/GLONASS Support for single-frequency and single-system users Increased accuracacy and reliability Reduced field time

Ongoing research to support NGS in the future… New GNSS processing software –Ohio State MPGPS -> OPUS-RS –Complete replacement of PAGES (and ARC?) “First principles” geoid modeling Collaborations: –NOAA’s Coast Survey: VDatum –NOAA’s Space Environment Center: USTEC –Potentially: ACoE/FEMA for coastal floodmap updating

Some big changes from NGS in the near future… A complete update to the existing gravity data holdings, including country wide airborne and absolute gravity surveys (with emphasis on coastal regions)

Some big changes from NGS in the near future… A complete update to the existing gravity data holdings, including country wide airborne and absolute gravity surveys (with emphasis on coastal regions) Selected CORS stations streaming data in real time A completed re-adjustment of NAD 83 by 2007 An expanded, updated outreach focus –New booth, new flyers, video and audio training/workshops More interaction with academia: –Sponsored graduate student research –Visiting Scientists –Long term training of NGS employees

Tactical changes to NGS in the future… New hires –Webmaster –Database manager –Gravity data manager –Height expert Building outside capabilities –More state advisors –Stronger Spatial Reference Centers –Rotations to both?

Some big changes for YOU in the near future… A renewed effort on re-training –At-your-desk college courses

Some big changes for YOU in the near future… A renewed effort on re-training –At-your-desk college courses –Weekend classes –Long-term training / grad school A 10 year work plan laying out the direction and goals of NGS with clear indications of how your job fits into the “big picture” A concentrated effort at providing clear decisive direction from the NGS leadership. –Prioritization of key tasks –Focus on doing a few tasks well, rather than many tasks with mediocrity

Summary: The more things change… NGS transforms into a modernized, service-oriented federal agency. NGS broadens their customer base beyond those needing geodetic quality positions. NGS embraces the concept of a dynamic world, defining and maintaining the National Spatial Reference System in 4 dimensions and providing access to that system in real-time.

…the more they stay the same. NGS continues to provide useful specifications, guidelines and tools in a changing environment. NGS continues to define the coastline of the United States. NGS continues to support geodetic surveying through quality control and outreach.

Questions/Comments? Dr. Dru Smith Chief Geodesist, National Geodetic Survey x 149

Extra slides

NGS: Who we are… NGS traces their roots back to the original “Survey of the Coast” mandated by Congress in 1806 Department of Commerce –National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Ocean Service –National Geodetic Survey The predominant “Geodetic Science and Surveying” civilian agency of the Federal Government.