The accuracy of published co-ordinates on the 'Survey Mark Enquiry Service’(SMES)in Victoria using GPS observations

Abstract

This project sets out to test the values attributed to survey marks within SMES and investigate their ability to meet the RTK GPS cadastral connection requirements of section 2.3.3 (i) of the Victorian practice directives 2007. It also seeks to test the reliability of RTK GPS to measure these marks within the same cadastral connection requirements and to verify these measurements with independently derived static and rapid static observations. This project found that a number of RTK observations introduced an element of uncertainty in their ability to produce reliable, accurate results. The use of static and rapid static measurements helped to confirm or dispel RTK data as well as validate SMES value accuracy. This project also found that the majority of SMES marks adequately reflect their published values to within 0.10 of a metre, in accordance with section 2.3.3 (i) of the Victorian practice directives 2007 accuracy requirements for RTK GPS. The results of this project will help to clarify the accuracy limitations and reliability of RTK GPS when observing survey marks with 3rd order SMES values for the purpose of cadastral connections