Pennsylvania Height Modernization

Overview | Accomplishments | Regional Activities | Program Details | Contacts

Program Overview

Pennsylvania’s Height Modernization program is managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT ). The program combines a Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) network with geodetic control. PennDOT manages a database that helps users search for geodetic control monument datasheets from PennDOT, various PA county GIS departments, USGS, and NGS. The permanent geodetic control datasheets and archived photogrammetric projects can be found at the website.

Accomplishments

Pennsylvania has 35 NGS CORS sites in operation, with 21 operated by PennDOT. Expansion plans would extend the network statewide to all 67 counties, completing 1/3 of the state per year.

Pennsylvania observed its High Accuracy Reference Network (HARN) in 2000, which produced high accuracy coordinates on approximately 130 stations. Twenty eight points were observed in 2001 for New York and eight in 2001 for Ohio. Since 2000, additional stations have been added in various areas throughout the state – mainly horizontal stations. Densification is still needed for many areas, especially vertical benchmarks.

Regional Activities

Pennsylvania participates in the Great Lakes Region Height Modernization Consortium monthly meetings by way of conference calls and hosting face-to-face meetings.

Program Details

Additional Web pages

• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
• PennDOT database  

Contact Information

L. Bradley Foltz
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Email

For additional inquiries, contact the State Geodetic Advisor Program or the National Height Modernization Program directly. State geodetic advisors serve as liaisons between NOAA and regional or state organizations.