Positioning Regional Victoria (PRV)

Positioning Regional Victoria (PRV)

PRV CORS Network Distribution and Rollout
Download Map visit: GNSS Publications

PRV Rollout

Stage	Description	GNSS CORS	Implemention Scheduled
1	Wimmera Mallee	23	January 2010
2	Central Growth Corridor	5	March 2010
3	Coastal Victoria	14	August 2010
4	Goldfields	5	September 2010
5	North East Victoria	10	January 2011

Introduction & Background
In its May 2008 budget the Victorian Government committed $6.9 million in funding to extend Vicmap Position - GPSnet™’s high accuracy Networked Real-Time Kinematic (NRTK) positioning service state-wide in a five(5) stage prioritised rollout from 2008 through to 2011.

The Positioning Regional Victoria (PRV) project has been allocated $4.9 million to augment Victoria’s Vicmap Position - GPSnet™ Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) network. The successful completion of this project will provide high accuracy positioning and navigation corrections for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) applications state-wide.

The remaining $2 million will be spent by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) to install a further estimated 11 GNSS CORS (including 8 AuScope GNSS CORS sites) and upgrade the Vicmap Position - GPSnet™ backend infrastructure.

The outcomes of the PRV project will be achieved by densifying Vicmap Position - GPSnet’s existing infrastructure, with an estimated 57 GNSS CORS to assist in the delivery of a robust state-wide NRTK positioning service.

On completion of the entire program, Vicmap Position – GPSnet™ will consist of approximately 102 GNSS CORS across the whole State and improved autonomous satellite positioning accuracy from 10-20 metres to a nominal state-wide real-time horizontal accuracy of +/-2cm.

The PRV project will build on the success already achieved in building Vicmap Position - GPSnet™ by seeking out and working with cooperative CORS site Hosts throughout Regional Victoria to establish new sites in strategic locations and spaced at approximately 77km apart.

There is a growing consensus in the spatial community that GNSS positioning is the Next Utility.
The Vicmap Position - GPSnet™, PRV project will help realise GNSS as the Next Utilityfor all Victorians.

The Benefits
Existing industries in regional Victoria (e.g. surveying, mapping, and engineering) and emerging users (e.g. construction and agriculture) are increasingly dependant on access to high accuracy satellite based positioning and navigation infrastructure. These stakeholders and many more are expected to gain great benefits from the PRV project.

High Precision GNSS Applications which can expect to gain benefits from the PRV project

Applications	Industry Sector	High Precision GNSS Applications
Machine Guidance	Construction	Automation of grading Heavy construction and structural assembly Machine-guidance and grade control
	Precision Farming	Machine control
	Automation	Robotics
Research		Atmospheric data Archaeology and restoration Advanced timing and research. Geological deformation Landslide studies and monitoring Ionospheric and tropospheric modelling Monument preservation Tectonic plate movement
Social Order	Emergency Services	Disaster preparedness Emergency response incident mapping Forensics and scene investigation Post-event analysis Recovery and reconstruction
Social Order	Compliance	Construction inspection and compliance inspection
Spatial Applications	Surveying	Construction staking Construction surveying Control monumentation Design-grade topographic surveying Grade checking Land surveying Project control
	Mapping	Aerial mapping control Asset inventory Environmental mapping Geographic information system resource mapping Utility location and clearances
	Engineering and civil works	Engineering studies Physical plant management Preliminary engineering Structural integrity monitoring of dams, bridges, building and plants [sic]
	Remote sensing	Geophysical studies
Transportation		Intelligent transportation and route delineation Maritime portage and hazard clearances Precise navigation Rail and port operations Snowplough guidance

Increasing access to high accuracy CORS across Victoria will also help pave the way for increased commercialisation of Vicmap Position - GPSnet™ services and build on the existing range of private sector Vicmap Position - GPSnet™ Value Added Resellers (VARs) and Data Service Providers (DSPs).

PRV Project Benefits to GNSS Users
The project will help drive business productivity and competitiveness, and improve environmental and social outcomes. The project offers a strategic and rational alternative to the current proliferation of ad hoc and typically single array of individual overlapping short range base stations.

The PRV Project will deliver the following state-wide benefits

reducing cost of entry to high precision satellite positioning by eliminating the need for a user to acquire, manage and operate their own dedicated GNSS base station
virtually distortion free positioning and navigation at a nominal horizontal accuracy of ±2cm
support for legal traceability of position
synchronisation to the national spatial referencing system, enabling user positioning outcomes in strict compliance with the Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 (GDA94)
universal non-proprietary data formats, increasing user choice of equipment and flexibility
redundant data-centres and infrastructure with target uptimes of over 99.98%
provide remote control and monitoring of all network CORS for data quality and impact by space weather and other external effects
integration with national AuScope CORS, increasing positional certainty with respect to the national spatial reference framework.

A wide range of GNSS user sectors will benefit from access to one multi-modal infrastructure, providing a technological advantage to attract and spatially enable businesses.

PRV Strategy

PRV is being managed as a series of sub-projects

Industry economic benefits analysis of high accuracy positioning
Expansion and densification of the Vicmap Position - GPSnet™ CORS infrastructure with an estimated 57 CORS
Vicmap Position - GPSnet™ web site redevelopment
Vicmap Position – GPSnet™ automated tracking and billing system
Marketing of the Positioning Regional Victoria (PRV) project
PRV project evaluation

The implementation approach for PRV comprises the following elements

Contractors will be engaged to complete PRV sub-projects in conjunction with work carried out and completed by DSE
The project has a governance structure, incorporating a Project Control Board (PCB) and two reference groups, to support and influence the overall direction and authority for the project
A project team has been formed, comprising of four full time staff, who will carry out and deliver project objectives. Together, the governance framework and the project staff, will effectively manage issues and risks associated with the project
Stakeholder engagement will include marketing to all industry sectors, including:
The PRV communications strategy will be based on the past experience and partnerships developed by Vicmap Position since 1996
Key relationships with the Commonwealth Government and Land Victoria will be maintained for the delivery of 8 AuScope CORS, and with the Vicmap Position - GPSnet™ Operations team for the hand over of PRV-built CORS into the Vicmap Position - GPSnet™ network
Close links will be formed with other DSE/SII teams to ensure synergies are managed, and the development of systems & processes are interoperable.

PRV Project Updates

Design Build and Install Tender
Instigated in 1996, GPSnet™ has now developed into a network of thirty seven (37) GNSS CORS (as at February 2009). The PRV project timeline requires an accelerated development program in order to meet the three year project schedule. The recent tender addresses this need by seeking to engage a suitable, qualified organisation or consortium to design, build, and install an estimated 57 GNSS CORS throughout Regional Victoria. The tender was release in Feb 2009 entitled The design, build, and installation of an estimated 57 Vicmap Position GNSS real-time CORS throughout Regional Victoria. This tender process closed on 4 April 2009 and DSE expects to announce the successful Tenderer before 30 July 2009.

Site investigations
Site investigations are carried out by DSE field staff for each potential CORS host location in the Five(5) Stage rollout.

A Site Investigation Consists of Three(3) Steps

Continuously evaluating the strategic locations of sites
Field trips to asses the suitability of prospective sites
Signing of a Vicmap Position – GPSnet™ CORS Hosting Agreement by both the Host and DSE.

Currently investigations are in progress for Stage 1, Wimmera Mallee with steps one and two of the site investigation process complete. Signing of Vicmap Position – GPSnet™ CORS Hosting Agreements is underway and is planned for completion by August 2009.
Site investigations for Stages 2 to 5 will follow the completion of Stage 1.

New GPSnet™ Automated Tracking and Billing System
The Scope & Requirements document is complete and the detailed Specification is underway.
Synergies with other DSE/SII Billing activities are currently being investigated to maximise the potential of the new system.

PRV News & Events
PRV Highlights & Updates are published in the GNSS Technical Support Newsletter.

Copyright & Disclaimer

For general information about DSE please contact:
Customer Service Centre
Phone: 136 186 or (+61 3) 8636 2333
Email: customer.service@dse.vic.gov.au
Spatial Information Infrastructure
Department of Sustainability and Environment
Level 13, 570 Bourke Street
Melbourne Vic 3000
Australia

This document was last reviewed on 29/10/2009.