In January of 2003, E.L. Robinson (ELR) signed a sub-contracting agreement with BAE Systems ADR Inc. (BAE/ADR) to provide Control Surveys for a contract they received from The West Virginia Statewide Addressing Board (WVSAMB) to develop highly accurate aerial photography and maps to improve Enhanced 9-1-1 services for the State. Per the authority vested in the Board by Governor Wise and the Legislature, and per article 24E-1(1-11) of the West Virginia code, the WVSAMB contracted with BAE/ADR to perform this work. They in turn sub-contracted with ELR to perform the Control Survey services for the Southern portion of the State.
This portion of the project involved obtaining right-of-entry from landowners, placing aerial targets, and performing GPS Geodetic Control Surveys for the Mapping Control and the Quality Control points for checking the accuracy of the proposed mapping. The area surveyed by ELR consisted of 52.5% of the State or approximately 12738 square miles within the State boundary, with several targets located in Ohio, Kentucky and Virginia for adequate survey control of the proposed Aerial Photography flight lines.
Geodetic control survey projects such as this are required to establish a basic control network (framework) from which supplemental mapping and future survey work can be performed. Geodetic surveys are distinguished by use of redundant, interconnected, permanently monumented control points. This surveying was required since the project involves mapping such a large geopolitical area as the State, to allow for seamless connection with adjacent political areas. The complete survey network was tied to existing Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Geodetic Survey (NGS) national coordinate system. This network is the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS).
All field survey work was completed on August 13, 2003 and data was submitted to another BAE/ADR Subcontractor for independent post processing of the GPS Survey data. All work proved to be satisfactory from the results of that compilation. Their findings stated "A GPS Network was created in support of photogrammetric mapping of West Virginia. The accuracy of the network is better than 0.05 m with respect to NAD 1983 (95) and NAVD 1988 at the 95% confidence interval." The statement refers to the survey of the entire statewide project. The classification above does not indicate observation closures within the survey itself, but the ability of that survey to duplicate already establish control values.
This survey effort was conducted solely to support the State's aerial photography project, to improve Enhanced 9-1-1 services throughout WV. Cooperation and understanding of the project from all residents and landowners was important for the statewide mapping project that ultimately will save the lives of many West Virginians.
