EUREF - an Important Component of the European Geodetic Infrastructure
Martin LIDBERG, Sweden, Wolfgang SOEHNE, Germany, Martina SACHER, Germany, Juliette LEGRAND, Belgium, Ambrus KENYERES, Hungary
The International Association of Geodesy (IAG) Reference Frame Sub-Commission for Europe, EUREF, merges efforts of National Mapping and Cadastral Agencies (NMCA), Universities and research institute to define, realize and maintain the European Terrestrial Reference System 1989 (ETRS89) and the European Vertical Reference System (EVRS) for scientific and practical purposes in Europe. These systems are the basis for geo-referencing in Europe and have been endorsed by the European Union INSPIRE directive (Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community), Eurocontrol and EuroGeographics. The realization, maintenance and development of the ETRS89 is primarily done through the EUREF Permanent GNSS Network (EPN). EPN consists of continuously operating GNSS stations (~350 stations), supported by Data and Analysis Centres and a Central Bureau that is responsible for the monitoring and management of the EPN. The backbone EPN has been complemented with additional national CORS networks with rigorously computed station coordinates and velocities. At present, the dense European network incorporates ten times more stations as the core EPN sites. The physical height system EVRS is realized through common adjustment of the Unified European Levelling Network (UELN) where the vast majority of the European countries contribute. Some current and future challenges in geodetic reference frames are also discussed. It is foreseeable an emerging mass market for precise positioning based on centimetre level positioning services worldwide without any regional or national reference frames. There will be also precise point positioning (PPP) service from Galileo and other provides. These worldwide services will most likely use ITRF in current epoch. We also see progress towards a first realisation of the International Height Reference System (IHRS). At the end, we touch on the future role of EUREF in the emerging organizational landscape. For example, the European Plate Observing System (EPOS) will enter its operational phase in 2020, and progress is reported from the UN-GGIM Subcommittee on Geodesy, not to forget the operational processing of dense GNSS networks within the EUMETNET GNSS Water Vapour Programme (E-GVAP). This calls for mutual collaborations in order to achieve common goals to the benefit for the wider user society.
Event: FIG Working Week 2020 – CANCELLED – Smart Surveyors for Land and Water Management
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