The Cadastral Modelling Future and The Land Surveyors Role

The Cadastral Modelling Future and The Land Surveyors Role Ian Harper Geodata Australia ESRI Survey Summit July 2013

The Land Surveyors Future Role From Custodians of the Cadastre to Custodians of the Cadastral Database

Hint from experience of talking to Americans TALK SLOWLY

OUTLINE The Role of the Surveyor 1. The Digital Spatial Database Future 2. The Digital Cadastral Future 3. The Survey Data Model 4. A Coordinated Database Future 5. Cadastral Modelling Projects

The Issues The Spatial Database Future Accurate Spatial Measurement technology and accurate measurement infrastructure (CORS) is now available to a wider number of users the art of accurate measurement is no longer the domain of the surveyor Public Perception technology is allowing complex digital solutions to be generated without consideration of data integrity or governance

THE SPATIAL DATABASE FUTURE

THE SPATIAL DATABASE FUTURE As this project develops and looks at giving legal status to the 3D spatial entities, the details of governance and validation identify an important role for surveyors.

THE SPATIAL DATABASE FUTURE

CADASTRAL DATABASE SOLUTIONS GIS (Mapping) - Fast - $ SURVEY - Right - $$$

The Spatial Administration of Property In Australia The CADASTRE The Registry of boundaries and ownership as defined by Torrens Title The Manual Past Survey plans. Title documents Charting Maps TRANSITION SURVEY DATA The Digital Future Electronic survey data Database storage of ownership Digital Cadastral Model Digitally defined Titles??

The Digital Cadastral Future The CADASTRE The Registry of boundaries and ownership as defined by Torrens Title The Manual Past Survey plans. Title documents Charting Maps SURVEY MEASUREMENT DATA The Transition Future Digital Dataflows The Digital Future Electronic survey data Database storage of ownership Digital Cadastral Model Digitally defined Titles??

The Transition The Digital Cadastral Future Under the Torrens System boundary definition is a complex process with a hierarchy of variables: Monuments or occupations on the ground Modern measurements Record measurements on legally registered plans But the final outcome is an intuitive interpretation of all the above by the surveyor due to inconsistencies generally caused by old measurement technologies.

The Digital Cadastral Future Government depends on these databases for land administration. The more historical survey data that can be incorporated in the transition, the more accurate and effective the cadastral database will be. The business case has always struggled but as technology expands the capabilities of the database tools, that business case is becoming stronger.

The Future Delivery of Digital Cadastral Data Stage 1 eplan Lodgement of one survey plan Stage 2 Future lodgement of survey data models

The Future Delivery of Digital Cadastral Data Stage 1 - eplan Currently being implemented The electronic representation of the information shown on a survey plan. Intelligent database structure that allows software to recognise information: Jurisdictional information specific Measurement data Produces a specific definition outcome similar to that historically generated on a survey plan

The Future Delivery of Digital Cadastral Data Stage 2 Lodgement of Cadastral Datasets Small ( 2 lot subdivision) /large database (2000 lots) generated for major infrastructure projects The electronic representation of all the existing and new lot boundaries based the original survey plans and recent surveys. Intelligent database structure that allows software to recognise information: Jurisdictional information specific Measurement data adjusted to form a seamless mesh representing the most accurate model of the real world cadastre The dataset lodged is a Survey Data Model

GYMPIE NCDB PROJECT

Job Statistics GYMPIE NCDB PROJECT Number of Plans = 2713 Number of Active Parcels = 6306 Number of Control Points = 228 Project Issues Rugged rural area Many old, poor quality, compiled plans Poor survey connectivity across creeks, railways, roads etc

The Digital Cadastral Future The future authoritive cadastral database should be a survey database managed by surveyors because it is built from survey data.

The Cadastral Survey Data Model The Parcel Fabric or Survey Data Model (PF/SDM) process was developed in Australia over 15 years ago to automate the intuitive process of referencing and weighting historical survey measurements and monuments on the ground with modern measurements to model the position of a boundary.

The Survey Data Model The SDM generates a NUMERICAL CADASTRAL DATABASE (NCDB) That process is now the cadastral management engine Parcel Editor in the ESRI GIS enterprise system in use around the world and has become a de facto standard cadastral data structure.

The Cadastral Survey Data Model The process is a completely different logic from the way survey data has been managed in the past. In the past measurements were adjusted to generate a mesh that defined the cadastre The PF/SDM adjusts shapes (surveys) to fit together to define the cadastral model. New accurate surveys retain their shape better than old ones to make them fit together.

The Cadastral Survey Data Model A rigorous survey process that: includes all the measurements of all the data on record. has a survey based Least Squares Adjustment of all the measurements in the model that provides a detailed analysis of the geometry and parcel network. (At the click of a mouse)

The Adjustment Survey Control The Cadastral Survey Data Model Geodetic as sourced from NGS Cadastral from any source (imagery to RTK GNSS) Not able to weight control No error ellipses historical cadastral is not able to be adequately attributed

The Cadastral Survey Data Model The spatial accuracy of the PF/SDM is directly related to the quality of the measurement data it is built from. The benefit is the survey data is only entered once and can be migrated as an adjusted dataset that holds the original measurements.

The Cadastral Survey Data Model The PF/SDM technology will not overcome: plan errors data entry errors topology errors model connectivity issues. But it will help you find them. A tool to resolve large amounts of conflicting data.

THE SURVEY DATA MODEL OUTCOME Adjoining current Titles Survey Redefinition 1999 new title distance measured between corners 2,420.8 m Original survey mark found at corner + 6.8 metres between adjoining plans along the same line Survey Plan of Current Title PORTION 1 - SURVEYED in 1833 - ie no survey of this title has been undertaken since this plan Survey Title Dimension 2,414.0 m Original survey mark found at corner

COORDINATES Modern digital survey tools rely on coordinates: Coordinate Geometry software. GPS CORS Coordinates are the most effective way to store spatial data digitally.

COORDINATES Measurement by GPS is already accepted in some states because calibrated equipment and self checking workflows are part of the governance criteria that allow certification. We just convert it all back to measurements for the sake of existing practises and legislation.

COORDINATE DEFINITIONS We need to properly define the technical and legal status of terms in common use in the database world we now live in: Cadastral Model Coordinated cadastre Survey Accurate Cadastral Model a) Redefining every corner in the field? b) Creating the most accurate desktop model with all current and historical survey plan measurements and geodetic control Title coordinates (Measurement over monument?) DCDB - Digitised (or Digital??) Cadastral Database NCDB - Numerical Cadastral Data Base 3D Cadastre model or legal? Many aspects of governance need to be considered moving forward

THE CADASTRAL FUTURE How a cadastral modelling process is introduced will determine the role of the cadastral surveyor. Our role under the Torrens Title system is not under threat unless changes are made to the legislation to dumb down the level of spatial validation.

NUMERICAL CADASTRAL DATABASE ( NCDB) ISSUES 1. The Legal Status of the model coordinates Currently any cadastral database coordinates have no legal status. (NT has Legislation where Titles can be legally defined by coordinates) 2. Coordinates are Dynamic Regular geodetic adjustments Tectonic movement Application of the 4 th Dimension (time) to titles in the same way a surveyor is required to get the current SCIMS coordinates These are legal and technical issues that can be resolved by practical governance.

THE NCDB OUTCOME The more accurate a database is, the more beneficial it is to all business users. It provides a higher level of survey data management for surveyors in a database environment. An accurate NCDB should be considered basic infrastructure for government and funded accordingly.

The future role of the Government Surveyor Administer Survey Infrastructure which underpins the cadastral and spatial database Metadata, traceability etc. Database Validation Look for opportunities to source survey database information (Project Condition). Integration of survey infrastructure data to minimise duplication Lobbying from within Implement eplan (LandXML) Push the Business Case of the survey database and the role of the surveyor to higher management.

CADASTRAL MODELLING CASE STUDY Survey Data Model for the Sydney Light Rail Project. The NSW Government is proposing a Light Rail Project that will run from Circular Quay to Central Station and the Moore Park/SCG and then separate lines to Kingsford and Randwick that will connect those suburbs and Randwick Racecourse and UNSW. The Project is being managed by the Transport for New South Wales Department

CADASTRAL MODELLING CASE STUDY Circular Quay to Central Station 2.5km

CADASTRAL MODELLING CASE STUDY Survey Data Model for the Sydney Light Rail Project. An accurate cadastral database was required for adjoining Property information relating to the proposed corridor along of George Street in the centre of Sydney. The field survey and asset location is being undertaken by Surveyors CARDNO HARD & FORESTER

CADASTRAL MODELLING CASE STUDY Infrastructure Project - Sydney DATA ENTRY Survey measurements defining properties from all current and some historical survey plans were entered into the Survey Data Model (SDM). Current survey title plans varied from 1850 to recently registered.

CADASTRAL MODELLING CASE STUDY Infrastructure Project - Sydney JOINING PARCELS Street alignments in the centre of Sydney are defined by existing kerbs and Permanent Marks. Very rarely do surveyors measure across roads. No survey connectivity across roads generally does not allow for models to extend beyond one city block. In most urban areas roads are defined as being a standard width and surveys preserve this width or identify by survey any variations. Normally this street definition provides survey connectivity by direct measurements or by implied connectivity.

CADASTRAL MODELLING CASE STUDY - Infrastructure Project - Sydney

CADASTRAL MODELLING CASE STUDY - Infrastructure Project - Sydney ENTERING AND JOINING PARCELS

CADASTRAL MODELLING CASE STUDY Infrastructure Project - Sydney ENTERING AND JOINING PARCELS

CADASTRAL MODELLING CASE STUDY Infrastructure Project - Sydney JOINING PARCELS Connectivity between city blocks via connections to PM s

CADASTRAL MODELLING CASE STUDY Infrastructure Project - Sydney A field survey was undertaken By CARDNO HARD & FORESTER to define the street alignment

A field survey was undertaken to define the street alignment CADASTRAL MODELLING CASE STUDY Infrastructure Project - Sydney

CADASTRAL MODELLING CASE STUDY Infrastructure Project - Sydney JOINING PARCELS Connectivity using road alignment survey Coordinates of strategic corners from survey held fixed in adjustment

CADASTRAL MODELLING CASE STUDY Infrastructure Project - Sydney Adjustment Outcomes Survey measurements to Control Points entered from survey plans Comparison of coordinates of current PM not held fixed with the true SCIMS Coordinates. Provides an independent check on model. (Residuals E.006, N.009) Survey Points held fixed in adjustment

CADASTRAL MODELLING CASE STUDY Light Rail Project - Sydney Circular Quay Central Station

CADASTRAL MODELLING CASE STUDY Light Rail Project - Sydney

Issues CADASTRAL MODELLING CASE STUDY Light Rail Project - Sydney Poor quality of survey plans - many pre- 1900 with varying levels of legibility Many compiled Plans no dimensions to complete or check geometry No survey connectivity across roads

CADASTRAL MODELLING CASE STUDY Light Rail Project - Sydney Outcomes General high accuracy based on many recent plans Surround definition generally provides good definition of compiled plans The high level of survey information allows independent validation of the Fabric/Survey Data Model The Fabric/Survey Data Model structure in place will match NSW eplan model to allow automated checking of new LandXML survey plans lodged for registration Opportunity to continue generating one standard Survey Data Model/Cadastral database for the benefit of all stakeholders. Model preparation should be programmed prior to survey - can reduce field survey needs.

PIPELINE MODEL- 45 KMS

PIPELINE MODEL-

2003 2008 2004 2009 Road and rail boundaries defined Possible pipeline route Main Highway Main Northern Rail Line

GLOUCESTER SHIRE COUNCIL Pipeline upgrade OUTCOMES An accurate cadastral database was created for the pipeline. The original cadastral fabric created in 2003 was used as the project database foundation. Several recent survey plans were added to the model and 2 days GPS field work provided ground-truthing and survey information in areas where old plans or no survey information existed. Gloucester Council provided some information but a significant section of their cadastral database was upgraded at no cost to Council.

CASE STUDY Pacific Highway Upgrade A cadastral fabric completed for a 30 km corridor. Woolgoolga

TIDC SURVEY DATA MODEL JOB STATISTICS 10 kms 4000 Parcels 92 Existing coordinated Geodetic Control Points connected to the cadastre ADJUSTMENT OVERVIEW 16 Control Points held fixed 76 Control Points inactive REPORT ON INACTIVE CONTROL PT PRECISION Accuracy Range No. of Inactive Control Pts % 0-50mm 25 33 50 150mm 26 34 150-250mm 15 20 >250mm 10 13

PENRITH Lakes Survey PF/SDM Case Study A desktop cadastral model of many old Portions and survey plans was generated and a survey plan was produced from that and registered. The coordinates representing the boundary corners were accurate to 1 mm. HOW CAN THIS BE?

PENRITH Lakes Survey SDM Case Study HOW? The Penrith Lakes Development was a quarry that was mined for many years and then flooded. There are no survey monuments or occupations (fencing etc ) remaining for any spatial definition to rebut the model once that survey plan of redefinition is registered.

CONCLUSION Digital technology is providing new measurement and computational tools for surveying and GIS. Those tools now generate an efficient digital data structure that appears to offer options that threaten the existing role of the cadastral surveyor based only on the technology. How the Profession responds to these new challenges will determine its future in the face of change. The alternative is that it will be determined by others who set the Legislative agenda based on economic justifications.

SURVEYORS ARE CUSTODIANS OF THE CADASTRE SURVEYORS SHOULD BE CUSTODIANS OF THE CADASTRAL DATABASE

Acknowledgements Michael Haines - VANZI Maurits van der Vlugt Mercury Project Solutions Tony Sleigh - NSW Emergency Information Coordination Unit (EICU)

CASE STUDIES SURVEY DATA MODEL APPLICATIONS - Feb 2013 SYDNEY LIGHT RAIL PROJECT- Survey database in Sydney CDB GYMPIE DCDB UPGRADE DCDB Upgrade of rugged rural area ASIAN DATABASE Migrate & create clean survey database HUNTER WATER CORPORATION 15yrs utilisation of Survey Data Model NORTHERN TERRITORY Survey Data Model to generate future Title Coordinates NSW LPMA eplan Pilot Project - LandXML Plan lodgement and examination NSW ROADS & TRAFFIC AUTHORITY - 30km Pacific Highway Upgrade SYDNEY RAIL - 12km Urban Rail Duplication SOUTH AFRICA Locating farms in Cape Town from plans dated 1660 QUEENSLAND - SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL - Complete Cadastral Model NSW - GLOUCESTER SHIRE COUNCIL - Complete Cadastral Model GLOUCESTER PIPELINE PROJECT Upgrade Council Cadastral from Project Model PENRITH LAKES DEVELOPMENT Millimetre accuracy in Cadastral Model MINING LEASE MODEL - Rural NSW

THANK YOU Ian HARPER GEODATA AUSTRALIA harper@geodata.com.au