Modernization of the Nova Scotia Coordinate Referencing System through Active Control Technology

Abstract

The Nova Scotia Coordinate Referencing System (NSCRS) is Nova Scotia's current framework for pro viding location-based information. The NSCRS is the foundation for the province's geographic data hold ings including the land administration system. It also enables various legislation, including the Land Registration Act, the Crown Lands Act and the Land Surveyors Act. Over the past several decades, there has been a steady decline in the state of the province's coordinate referencing infrastructure as the program's human and budgetary resources have been reduced. As a result, risks and inefficiencies associated with decaying infrastructure have increased. By 2010, it was becoming clear that action would be required to address these concerns as well as accuracy and accessibility challenges. In 2012, the province began developing a strategy to better execute its coordinate referencing program. At the core of the strategy were Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Active Control Stations (ACSs). By placing ACSs across the rovince, the surveying industry would gain access to real-time, cen time ter-level positioning. Additionally, significant economic opportunities would emerge with respect to machine automation in agriculture, construction and navigation industries. A test phase was conducted over 2013–2014 that provided the necessary business case information to pursue province-wide implementation. It was determined that 40 ACSs would be needed to provide Nova Scotia with access to high-accuracy GNSS positioning services. The efficiencies introduced by the tech nol o gy would easily pay for the cost of the system in a short period. Most importantly, the technology provided a viable method of maintaining NSCRS infrastructure going forward.