Leica base stations ensure mapping and utility accuracy

The largest Channel Island, Jersey is only 40 sq miles, and Guernsey is 25 sq miles. These Islands together with Alderney, Sark and Herm (and a number of smaller Islands) form the lovely Channel Islands some 60 miles south of England and only 20 miles from France.
The States of Jersey and States of Guernsey, separately govern the Channel Islands and both identified the need for a highly accurate DGPS system for the update of their respective Mapping and also for the benefit of local businesses. As the local GIS specialist company and Leica reseller, we at Digimap have been instrumental in providing the required solution, assisted by Leica sales and support staff.

The Channel Island system consists of a base station in each of the major Islands and DGPS correction signals are transmitted once a second on a special private frequency. GSM access is also available, although the Islands do benefit presently from excellent coverage from the base station radio and repeater set up.

Mapping Updates

As the Channel Islands are not part of the United Kingdom (or indeed the EU), they have to provide their own
updates to their excellent digital maps. The Leica base stations were primarily set up to assist with the Mapping updates. Ralph Buchholz of the Planning and Environment Department, assisted by Stewart Logan, has led the Jersey Mapping project and already Jersey Water have purchased the new cable free Leica SmartRover in order that they might take advantage of the accuracy of the mapping data.

Utilities

The main other users of the Base stations are the Utilities. Jersey Water, realising the potential of the installation of the Jersey DGPS system with the new States of Jersey Mapping and how recorded points could be overlaid onto the new digital map to a very high degree of accuracy, have purchased the Leica RX1200 DGPS system. This equipment will revolutionise the way in which information on the distribution apparatus is recorded. They intend to start a rolling program of surveying all of the surface mounted Sluice Valve boxes, which not only mark the position of the valves but also give the line of the connected distribution main. The recorded DGPS points can be laid over the existing digitised network on the digital this effectively allows them to survey all of the underground water mains without digging up the road. It is also the intention to use the equipment to record the position of any new water mains and fittings before the trench is backfilled as well as any mains that may be exposed for burst repairs, maintenance or new connections etc.

This new system will save time and money by not having to prepare detailed sketches and record drawings out on site and will also remove any ambiguity from the recording process. Jersey Water can have every confidence in the digital records produced and feel proud to be leading other utility companies in the Island with the latest powerful DGPS technology.