NOAA's National Geodetic Survey

1

NOAA's National Geodetic Survey
Height Modernization
FAQ
2
A program within NOAA's National Geodetic Survey
(NGS) that provides accurate height
information by integrating Global Positioning
System (GPS) technology with existing
survey techniques.
What is Height Modernization?
3
Height Modernization Objective
D E F I N I T I O N
NAVD 88
NSRS

GEODETIC CONTROL
Reliable
Accurate
Cost-effective
Standardized
Legally Established
4

• Accurate heights will

• allow aircraft to land safely in low-visibility
  conditions
• alert safety planners to evacuation routes that
  are slowly sinking and susceptible to flooding
• provide ships with safer under-keel and overhead
  clearance to avoid dangerous collisions
• identify flood-prone areas to guide new
  construction and reconstruction projects in
  vulnerable areas
• allow efficient fertilizer and pesticide use and
  reduce costs to counter pollution from chemical
  runoff

5
Why Is Height Modernization Needed?

• Aid in designing and constructing roads and
  building
• Aid in the transport of goods people by auto
  ship and plane
• For Flood Insurance Maps (FIRM) modernization
• Determining High Water marks
• Replace High cost leveling
• Decrease survey cost associated with Mapping and
  GIS activities

6
Local Issues Forest Fires, Mudslides, Flooding

• Provide accurate spatial data so safety managers
  can make evacuation decisions
• Slope and position information enables efficient
  use of firefighting tools

7
Height Modernization Background

• 1994, California Meetings to discuss height
  issues and whether GPS can assist in resolving
  them
• 1998 NGS directed to perform Height
  Modernization Study
• 2000 NGS begins Height Modernization Planning
• 2001 Height Mod program begins in NC and CA
• 2001 NGS studies in LA and WI

8
The Roots of Height Modernization
B A C K G R O U N D

• In 1994 - First meeting held in Sacramento, CA
• Some heights in CA in error by more than a meter
• GPS could be immediately used to meet some of
  Californias requirements
• Necessary for the implementation of NAVD 88
• In 1998, 1.0 M was added to NGS budget to
  perform Height Modernization Study

9
B A C K G R O U N D

• In 1999, Height Modernization not mentioned
• In 2000, 500K added to NGS budget for Height
  Modernization planning
• In 2001, 2.25M added to NGS budget to perform
  Height Modernization in North Carolina, to
  support the California Spatial Reference Center
  (CSRC), and to support NGS related Height
  Modernization activities
• Also in 2001, NOAA is directed to work with
  Louisiana and Wisconsin to assess their
  requirements for Height Modernization

10
Height Modernization Appropriations (FY01-FY06)
B A C K G R O U N D
Fiscal Year Appropriations States
FY 2001 2.25 M CA, NC
FY 2002 3.75 M CA, NC, LA, WI
FY 2003 3.75 M CA, NC, LA, WI, MS
FY 2004 9.0 M CA, NC, LA, WI, MS, AL, WA, SC
FY 2005 9.6 M CA, NC, LA, WI, MS, AL, WA, TX, KY
FY 2006 9.9 M CA, NC, WI, MS, AL, SC, TX, KY, AZ
11
Who administer the funding for the HM?

• NOAAs NGS, administers the funding to the
  Congressionally designated recipient through the
  NOAA grant process.
• HM has been funded on a state by state basis thus
  far.
• Individual states have received funding through
  Congressional support.

12
How long will the process take?

• Each state has its unique qualities and needs.
• Is there sufficient spacing of CORS?
• Is leveling required?
• Where within a state is there the most need?
• Are there geologic processes
• Such as subsidence, crustal motion

13
HEIGHT MODERNIZATION STATES
14
Partnerships
15
Spatial Reference Centers
16
OUTREACH EDUCATION

• GPS- Derived, Height Workshop
• Height Modernization Workshop
• Height Modernization User Forums

17
www.ngs.noaa.gov/heightmod
O U T R E A C H E D U C A T I O N
18
The Future
C O N C L U S I O N

• Continue to investigate opportunities to modify
  procedures and processes to improve efficiencies.
• Provide outreach training and support to states
  interested in Height Modernization.
• Continue efforts to maintain and grow the
  program.
• Research new technology to enhance HMP efforts.

19
Questions?
Zelda LeCoat Cartographer N/NGS1, SSMC3, Room
9452 1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD
20910 301-713-3220, x105 Zelda.lecoat_at_noaa.gov