The implementation and advancement of a regional geodetic vertical datum

Abstract

The essential parameter in computing three-dimensional coordinate system is the height or depth of the Earth’s surface. It represents a particular reference surface that recognised as a vertical datum. The vertical datum is alienated into two foremost categories recognised as Mean Sea Level and Lowest Astronomical Tide. Different modifications approach, techniques and software programs are developed to determine vertical datum of a region with respect to geoid surface. This paper presents an effort to review and discuss the implementations and advancement of geodetic vertical datum based on geoid height reference surface. Hence, there are eight countries will be extracted and outlined in this paper consist of the United States of America, Australia, Taiwan, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia. An overview of geodetic vertical datum which implemented in these countries are summarised to support the future development of a regional vertical datum model. Then, the overview will also be utilised and analysed based on the essential elements and parameters for vertical datum model determination which include: data gathering, data input and analysis approach in order to develop a geodetic vertical datum model with good accuracy. These attempt and initiative are vital for the current and future implementation and advancement of geodetic vertical datum in the region of Malaysia across land and marine areas.