Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors Newsletter The
Pennsylvania Surveyor
Surveying Beyond Boundaries
PSLS Position Statement
for the
Preservation of Monuments and Markers
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n late 2014 the Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors was advised of an issue involving Township and Municipal ordinances which affect the practice of surveying. As the only professional association in the state representing Land Surveyors we feel that it is our responsibility to convey the correct information to the officers and principals of Pennsylvania’s many boroughs and townships. Our concerns are centered on proposed amendments associated with Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances, particularly those portions which pertain to property monuments and markers. While we applaud the efforts of municipalities to ensure that a Professional Land Surveyor sets proper monuments and markers, we must caution against establishing new monuments or markers where an existing monument or marker exists. The Position Statement found below was written to give guidance to non-surveyors on the proper preservation of existing monumentation, as well as provide guidance to professional surveyors regarding the ordinances that may conflict with legal requirements and standard practices of boundary monuments and markers.
The Statement
The Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors (PSLS), a statewide professional society of individuals interested in the practice of land surveying, has mutual ties with the public and municipalities, including the ethical approach to “safeguard life, health or property and to promote general welfare” within the community. PSLS acknowledges the necessity to update standards, codes, ordinances, regulations and professional practices to preserve the ethical approach. The PSLS educates and promotes these updates to our membership through continued education seminars, flyers, mailings, and local chapter meetings. Through this process, PSLS has become mindful of existing requirements and the proposed amendments associated with Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances, particularly that portion which pertains to monuments and markers. PSLS applauds the many municipalities making a conscious effort to ensure that monuments and markers are set by a Professional Land Surveyor upon preparation of a plan. However, it has come to our attention that some municipalities are updating Continued on Page 8
Fall 2015
Inside... President’s Message...3 NSPS News...5 The Hermansen Series...6 Student Cafe...10 My First Experience as a Webinar Host...14 Sustaining Firms...16 2016 Surveyors Conference...18 PA NW GIS Conference Recap...32 Member News...34 # surveyingthefuture..35
Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors Officers Adam Crews, PLS, President Michael D. Kreiger, PLS, President-Elect Shaheed A. Smith, PLS, Vice President Scott R. Reeser, PLS, Secretary Mark E. Hummel, PLS, Treasurer Karl E. Kriegh, PLS, Past President Robert R. Miller, PLS, NSPS Director
State Directors Allegheny Heartlands Chapter Joseph P. Hood, PLS & Bill Lehman, PLS Bucks Chapter Jonathan J. Tabas, PE, PLS & Brian Yorkiewicz, PLS Delaware Valley Chapter Bruce E. Lewis, PLS & Richard A. Shewman, PLS Harrisburg Chapter James Hartman, PLS & Thomas W. Kimmel, PLS Laurel Highlands Chapter Richard R. Bourg Jr., PLS & Charles L. Zelenak Jr., PLS
2015 Board Meeting Dates December 11 - Harrisburg, PA
Conference
Lehigh Valley Chapter Stephen D. Ombalski, PLS Mid-State Chapter Fred M. Henry, PLS North Central Chapter K. Robert Cunningham, PLS & Charles G. Lang, PLS Northeast Chapter Brent L. Birth, PLS & Glenn L. Johnson, PLS Northwest Chapter Jeffrey P. Gilmore, & Edward E. Northrop, PLS Pocono Chapter Gregg A. Davis, PLS & William F. Schoenagel, PLS Reading Chapter John G. Fuehrer II, PE, PLS & John M. Huck, PLS South Central Chapter Thomas E. Farcht Jr., PLS & L. Bradley Foltz, PLS Southwest Chapter Donald R. Housley Sr., PLS & Terry R. Siefers, PLS Susquehanna Chapter James Creasy, PLS & David A. Drumheller, PLS
PSLS Staff Laurie L. Troutman, Business Manager
Editor
2016
Keynote
Speaker
Kristopher R. Kline, PLS, president of 2Point, Inc., has a four-year degree (class of ‘84) in general science from Bridgewater College located in Bridgewater, Va. He has been involved in the surveying profession since graduation. Licensed in as a professional surveyor in North Carolina in1991, Kris has been presenting continuing education courses since 2001 on various legal aspects of land surveying. In addition to the Keynote address on Monday, January 25th, Kris will be presenting “Know When to Hold Em and Other Procedural Pitfalls” and “Adverse Posession Like You’ve Never Seen It” on January 25 & 26. Check out the Conference Information starting on page 18 for details.
PSLS Mission The Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors, a statewide professional organization, exists for the purpose of supporting, improving and enhancing the profession, its members, and the practice of land surveying. To these ends, the critical work of the Society focuses on providing education, legislative involvement, enhancing the public awareness, and the promulgation of the ethics of the profession.
Donald E. Rife, PLS
Advertising
Contact psls@psls.org or call 717.540.6811.
Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors 801 East Park Drive, Suite 107, Harrisburg, PA 17111 P: 717.540.6811 F: 717.540.6815 www.psls.org
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The Pennsylvania Surveyor is published by the Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors (PSLS). Articles or opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of PSLS, but are published as a service to its members, the general public, and for the betterment of the surveying profession. Articles may be reprinted with due credit given. We welcome submissions via e-mail in MS Word format. Please forward to psls@psls.org or call 717.540.6811.
President’s Pen
A Look to the Future Adam D. Crews, PLS
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he year is drawing to a close and so are my terms as president. The most amazing thing I will take away from this experience is perspective. Perspective of how complicated our profession and our Society are. I'm not just talking about the complicated nature of retracing a boundary survey, I'm talking about the nuances of interactions between everything we do as a licensed surveyor and a professional society. Every alphanumeric character that leaves your office under your seal is subject to scrutiny and liability by the end user and runs the risk of being misused. So, too, is every decision made by the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.
Major decisions have been made regarding the operation of PSLS, the budget, protecting the scope of the profession, and planning the course of our professional and Society's future. Your directors have kept you updated on these events. Their job is to liaise between you and the state board. One director made this statement earlier in the year: "my chapter has the following opinion on this topic although I disagree personally." The director is doing exactly what his job description is. He's representing his chapter’s opinion. That's how the directors are supposed to work. What happens if directors don't represent your opinions? The board makes decisions independent of the majority of the membership and the result is discontent directed toward the board and leadership when the magnifying glass should really be directed at the effectiveness of the Board to Member communication via the State Directors. The major Registration Board hearing of our generation is still occurring and your Directors are responsible for keeping you updated. The case involving Davey Resource Group (Southeast Reprographics) had another hearing in Commonwealth Court yesterday. PSLS had members in the audience. Were you there? Did you know about it? We should all be aware of the gravity of the situation surrounding this. At issue no longer is only the definition of engineering survey but the general ability of the Registration Board to function as a whole. Along the lines of the registration law, how many of you don't utilize the grading or storm water management design opportunities your license affords you? There's nothing wrong with not utilizing it, and in fact it is wise to not perform those services if you don't feel competent in those areas. But what each one of us needs to do is fight to preserve the entire scope of our profession license, regardless of whether you, yourself, practice that specific area. Consider your whole surveying peer group before you make statements that could injure someone's scope of practice. When dismissive statements are heard enough they become interpreted as majority opinion. Just a few weeks ago I was rigorously interrogated about my qualifications to testify during a conditional use hearing because I am "just a surveyor". I had to spend 30 minutes educating a board of five supervisors as to why a surveyor is not just a person that wanders around looking for corner markers. That was 30 minutes wasted which shouldn't have been necessary if we had been doing our job to educate the public on who we are and what we do. Not just finding iron pipes. The entire scope of our license to practice. We’ve been negligent as a profession in communicating with the public. How often do you hear a homeowner say "What? The survey is going to cost more than $200!?!?" You can only blame yourself and your fellow surveyors, myself included. What have you done in that homeowner’s community to educate people about the amount of time, and duration, experience, and sheer amount of time that goes into a boundary survey? Or about how many hours of CAD work, runoff calculations, detention design, infiltration testing, site capacity calculations, etc, that goes into their site plan for their new house? Surveyors are such a minority that we can't lobby only for our own personal scope practice; we need to stick together and help each other to defend, and educate the public about, the entire scope of our professional practice from boundary stones to perc tests to photogrammetry to storm water and sewer extensions. Speaking of photogrammetry, how many of us thought that career was dying? With the rise of the machines Continued on Page 4
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President’s Pen
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(i.e. UASs) photogrammetry is poised to make an enormous comeback. As you all know, traditional photogrammetry is regulated under our licensure laws. Who is preserving the safety and welfare of the public when thousands of UAVs are going to take flight and do mapping projects all over PA with or without us? Just like the use of GPS, GIS, and scanning we as surveyors seem ready to turn a blind eye to this new wave of mapping professionals. We seem to expect others to respect our scope of practice without us doing anything to educate that new field of practitioners about why their activities are governed by our licensure laws. Soon, just like GPS, GIS, and scanning, their numbers will greatly exceed ours and we’ll again be in the minority trying to fight the majority from a position of weakness.
We need action now to: 1) educate everyone we meet to the full scope of our professional practice, 2) communicate with your Directors and Chapters so PSLS can work better because of you, and 3) be proactive about UASs. It's not too late to enlist GIS mappers and UAS operators as surveyors because that’s what they really are; they just don’t know it. There's a saying (and a song) that goes something like "I can see as far as I do because I stand on the shoulders of giants" and I believe nothing could be more true. When you sit at the banquet in Hershey this January and Past Presidents are asked to stand: thank him. He bled for our profession giving his time, making sacrifices, and putting the good of the Society before all else. One last note about the Conference: The Penn State Surveying Alumni Program Group will be hosting an open bar & beer tasting event at Troegs Brewery on Sunday afternoon. Please see the ad in this newsletter (page 24) for more information and I hope to see you there! I've appreciated my time as President but it's time for the gavel plate to bear the strike of Mike Krieger and for us to continue to move forward toward a day where children can answer "what does a surveyor do?" just as easily as "what does a doctor do?"
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Director's Report A message from Robert R. Miller, PLS, NSPS Director of Pennsylvania Fellow PSLS Members: The following is a report on the Fall 2015 NSPS Meeting in Sandusky, Oh. The Professional Land Surveyors of Ohio were wonderful hosts. The meetings flowed smoothly and the facility was very interesting and capacious. Being surveyors, many of us could not keep ourselves from pacing those hallways! Also being surveyors, I heard of more than one way to get it done. Setting the fun aside, most all of us in that room have played important roles in bringing our state societies together to form one unified voice for the surveying profession. I would offer that we can consider our 100% initiative a success. Congratulations on a job well done, it is truly a pleasure to serve with you all. Here than are a list of initiatives and observations from our fall meetings: The ALTA/NSPS Standards have been approved by both organizations and we will have new standards that take effect on February 23, 2016. NSPS will prepare a position statement on U.A.S. (unmanned aircraft systems) regulations and operations. We’ve also signed on with other mapping organizations in crafting a letter to urge the F.A.A. to codify the government’s regulations for operating this technology in a more urgent manner. The young surveyors group had a productive meeting and started to think about bylaws, sub committees and addressing tasks that many have offered up for them to consider. Approximately 11 of them attended the Board of Directors meeting on Friday. We intend to broaden the awareness of the Young Surveyors and our National Society at educational institutions across the country by inviting a student to attend our meetings as our guest and write a short review that will be shared with all surveying programs. The program will be administered by the Young Surveyors and funded through NSPS Board of Director donations. We intend to have a student in attendance at the 2017 spring meeting. Our President Jon Warren & President-Elect Tony Cavell have each made a significant effort to re-align our committees and offer specific charges for these committees to work on. PLEASE consider having your constituents sign on to the email distribution lists for a committee by contacting the chair of that committee. It’s a great way to be involved without the commitment of attending our meetings. The Director from Alaska requested support regarding the setting of monuments by the BLM when creating Townships that would be further subdivided and sold by the State of Alaska. As you might have guessed, the number of monuments being set has been drastically reduced. Our Government Affairs Committee will review and comment on the matter Certified Survey Technicians (CSTs) at all levels and existing membership can now have their annual certification fee waived by maintaining a membership in NSPS. Continued on Page 7
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The Hermansen Series This is the fourth of five articles in a series written by Knud E. Hermansen. The final article will be published in each of the next issue of the PA Surveyor.
Common Research Mistakes Surveyors Make (Easements)
by Knud E. Hermansen, P.L.S., P.E., Ph.D., Esq.
IIn previous articles I have explained three of the five common mistakes made by surveyors in researching the records. In the first article I discussed mistakes made in determining senior title often required when assessing the boundaries involving an overlap. In the second article I explained the deficiency that may exist when a forward search is omitted. In the third of five common mistakes I explained the necessity for researching the road records. In this article, I will explain the fourth deficiency – researching and identifying easements.
Another problem is that easements often arise from records that are not deeds. The sale of a lot by reference to a subdivision plan may give the lot owner an appurtenant easement in every road or other benefit shown on the plan (such as a park). Also, the call for a private road as a boundary, owned by the grantor at the time of the conveyance, may give an easement to the grantee in the grantor’s private road. Unless the surveyor is aware of the law regarding implied easements, the surveyor may fail to research, locate, and mention the implied easement.
The failure to identify and locate easement records is a major source of liability for surveyors. There are numerous reasons for research difficulties associated with easements. Because some easements are public easements they suffer from the same difficulties associated with locating road records.
Finally, many easements that are evidenced by a deed are so poorly described that it is virtually impossible to locate or fix the width of the easement. These easements are often categorized as “blanket easements.”
Other problems arise by the legal nature of the easement itself. An easement appurtenant to property that was created in, for example, 1823 by recorded grant need not be mentioned in any property records thereafter yet will still effectively burden property and benefit another property (appurtenant property). The law presumes that an appurtenant easement is a part of the appurtenant property and passes with the conveyance of the appurtenant property even though the easement is not mentioned in subsequent records for the appurtenant property. For example, it is not unreasonable for a surveyor to stop the search of property records long before reaching the ancient property records where the deed for the easement was recorded - especially if all the boundaries to the property being surveyed were created subsequent in time to when the easement was created.
I hereby convey to William Surry an easement to install and maintain a water pipe across my property. Where the surveyor has stopped research prior to a grant from the government, the surveyor would be wise to inform the client of a caveat regarding the presence of easements that may not have been discovered and shown on the surveyor’s plat.
Knud is a professor in the surveying engineering
technology program at the University of Maine. He offers consulting services in the area of boundary litigation, title, easements, land development, and alternate dispute resolution.
Knud Hermansen’s book "Boundary Retracement Principles and Procedures for Pennsylvania" is available from the Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors. The cost of the book is $125 plus shipping. There is also an Errata sheet available to correct section 2.5 Surveyor Client Relationship to correspond with changes to the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 42, Chapter 55, § 5537. Visit the website for details. http://www.psls.org/ bookstore
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The NSPS Joint Government Affairs Committee shoulders a great deal of responsibility in representing surveyors across the nation on Capitol Hill. Please review their report for the many tasks and/or accomplishments they have had over the last 6 months. Mr. Pat Smith, Chair of the Committee, requested direction from the BoD on the following matters: •
NSPS will provide a position statement on the PHMSA (Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Agency) Proposed Rule which contains a number of references to surveying and mapping – and provide a standardized position to our state affiliates
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NSPS will provide a position statement to the House Financial Services Committee which is considering modifications to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), either to implement an improved working process or privatize the effort
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Support the addition of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council – given that many small businesses are effected by FAR regulations.
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The NSPS 100% Membership Program has been very successful. We currently have 47 states and the District of Columbia participating, just under 17,000 members, and continue to offer our help to those still considering the program.
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We continue to collaborate with NGS and participate in quarterly meetings on various initiatives
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We are recognized designated by ABET as the Lead Society among its professional organization members for evaluating Surveying Programs seeking either initial accreditation, or renewed accreditation. Currently, NSPS evaluates 31 such programs.
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Our CST program that has been a monumental success and run by several individuals for many years, and even decades. Their succession plans require them to look for individuals who are interested in serving on the CST Board and upholding the fine standard which has been set. Please consider this opportunity and contact President Warren if you are interested in this appointment. • The NSPS Foundation Concluded their Cruise Raffle – The winner is Randall Myers. He is Past President of both the West Virginia and Pennsylvania Surveying Societies. Congratulations Mr. Myers. • We had previously decided that an At-Large Director(s) would represent those NSPS members who did not belong to a 100% Membership state. Given that we are now down to three states who do not belong, we passed a motion whereby the Past-President will provide representation to those individuals, albeit in a more cost effective manner. •
The NSPS Foundation has been instructed to rename the NSPS Board of Governors Scholarship to the NSPS Board of Directors Scholarship. The Board of Directors has agreed to continue providing personal funds at the conclusion of our meetings, as a means for funding this and the Trig-Star scholarship.
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The new web site for NSPS should be rolled out this fall. There have been many improvements in appearance and functionality.
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The NSPS Board of Directors approved pursuing the following Meeting Schedule: • • •
2016 Spring – National Surveying and Mapping Conference, Alexandria VA March 14-18th 2016 Fall – Joint meeting with Western Federation of Professional Surveyors, Phoenix AZ – pending 2017 Spring – National Surveying and Mapping Conference pending 2017 Fall – Joint Meeting with Texas Society of Professional Surveyors -pending
Many thanks to the NSPS staff for all of their efforts. NSPS Board Meeting minutes can be found at http:// www. psls.org/resources/Documents/NSPS/NSPS_Board_Fall_2015_Draft.pdf
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Monuments and Markers continued ordinances and/or mandating that surveyors establish new monuments or markers where an existing monument or marker exists. PSLS has been informed that municipalities have gone so far as to deny or delay approvals when a surveyor expresses his disapproval of this requirement. Existing monuments and markers are of paramount importance in performing retracement surveys associated with property lines. Surveyors utilize existing monuments and markers to establish and govern the location of property lines and corners for geometric control, points, and traverse location points within their standard procedures. Surveyors have been creating, retracing, and setting monuments and markers at property lines and corners in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since the time of the grant to William Penn. Surveyors are the foundation for the creation of parcels/tracts of land, developing the configuration while establishing monuments and markers to delineate the corners to illustrate one’s belongings, to place the public on notice, and control/establish the location of the property lines and corners. These surveys were and are set in writing in drafts of surveys, plats of surveys, warrants, subdivision plans, land development plans, and grants of conveyance, all typically known as record documents. Once these documents are placed on public record, the monuments “called for” during the performance of “original surveys” then become “record monuments”. The foundational surveyors, those who came before us, laid the framework for surveying: the principles, practices and fundamentals of surveying. These same fundamentals of surveying are utilized for the basis of property rights and law. The dominating procedure of property retracement surveying is: “Follow in the footsteps of the original surveyor” in order to determine the true boundary as delineated by the original Surveyor.
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This typical Survey retracement procedure is as follows (simplified for purpose of this writing): perform record document research and analysis noting “called for” property markers, perform the field survey searching for the original surveyors footsteps (monuments and markers), review and analyze the measured information to the record documents to develop a professional opinion determining the location of the property line. Within these principles, practices, and fundamentals is a hierarchy of surveying evidence and particulars that should be followed when making a determination to the location of the property lines. The simplified list is as follows: monuments, measurements, and calculations (footnote – Boundary Retracement Principles and Practices for Pennsylvania, Section 9.1.1). Markers are at the top of the list and are to be relied upon with the greatest of certainty. More specifically, the markers “called for” in record documents as they are the original intended corners. These markers are relied upon because they are tangible. They are a physical feature placed in or on the surface of the earth illustrating where the original surveyor intended to locate the line/ corner. These markers consist of various materials from natural features, i.e... trees, ridge tops, rocks, streams, to manmade markers, i.e. concrete monuments, rebar, pipes, railroad spikes, stakes, nails, and fences. Again we state, original monuments and markers are of paramount importance and value to the profession and the public. It should be duly noted that the destruction or removal of Survey monuments or marker is a violation of the law as prescribed in Crimes Code (18 Pa.C.S.) and Judicial Code (42 Pa.C.S.) - Destruction Of Survey Monument And Actions Relating To Land Surveying, an Act Of Jul. 7, 2006, P.L. 348, No. 7 - Cl. 18.
The Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors understands and appreciates the desire to establish new lot corner markers through the Subdivision and Land Development process, but strongly proclaims “Existing property markers should not be removed or destroyed to allow for the setting of new monuments, but rather the placement of the new monuments should be a factor that can be considered between the Surveyor of record and the municipality at a point on a new lot line, dedicated right of way, or an offset point.�
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Surveyors are ready and willing to discuss this matter, whether it be on a project by project basis or on a larger scale as it relates to the overall scheme in Pennsylvania. The Society thanks you for your consideration and can be reached at the above listed contact information for further review and discussion. The PSLS Position Statement for the Preservation of Monuments and Markers is available and can downloaded from the website at: http://www.psls.org/ PSLS-Position-Statements.
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Student CafĂŠ L2C and L5 GPS Signals
By: Theodore Frear
Abstract
TThis paper discusses the two new civil Global Positioning System (GPS) signals (L2C and L5) that the U.S Air Force is implementing for the modernization of GPS. Currently the U.S. Air Force is in the process of implementing both the L2C and L5 GPS signals.The L2C signal is designed specifically to meet the needs of civilians and the L5 signal is designed to meet the needs of the transportation industry. These signals will attempt to correct problems that currently exist with GPS signals.
Introduction The United States government is in the process of implementing two new civil Global Positioning System (GPS) signals that will bring many benefits to society. The Air Force is in charge of implementing the new signals in phases and the use of these new signals will be limited until they are broadcast from all of the current GPS satellites in orbit. The L2C signal is the second civilian GPS signal and is designed to meet commercial needs. This signal is intended for civilian use because there are already two military signals at the L2 frequency. The L5 signal is the third civilian GPS signal that is designed to meet requirements for safety-of-life transportation and other high-performance applications. The L5 signal will greatly benefit the transportation industry in many ways and will provide users with the most advanced civilian GPS signal. These frequencies will be discussed in further detail along with how they will be implemented, their status, and their technical features. Their benefits will be discussed when the full system is implemented and the problems that currently exist with the existing signals.
Background U.S. Air Force, Director of the Global Positioning System, Colonel William T. Cooley, said that GPS is at full-speed ahead and is aware of the importance of high-accuracy time. In 1993, the initial operation capability was launched for the precise time service delivered by GPS. The Air Force is excited to bring the new GPS signals and launch the world free positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) service. The second Space Operations Squadron (2 SOPS) wants to provide the best space-based PNT accuracy, availability, and reliability to the civil community (Cooley 2014).
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The modern civil signals should soon be broadcast in order for civilians to take full advantage of the L2C and L5 signals. The codeless or semi-codeless techniques will no longer be needed to access the L1 and L2 signals (Cooley 2014). Codeless GPS channels exploit satellite signals without the knowledge of the codes (Seeber 240). The advantage of this concept is that the receiver systems are independent of possible restrictions on code access to civil users, but a major disadvantage is that neither the broadcast ephemeris nor the almanac data is broadcast (Seeber 240). Semi-codeless is when the C/A code on L1 is used for aiding the L2 tracking loops which allows this technique to take advantage of the fact that both L1 and L2 have the same P-code modulation/encryption (Seeber 242). These are the techniques currently used in GPS receivers until the transition on December 31, 2020 when the new GPS civilcoded signals are to be broadcast fully (DoD). This allows civilian users to use a dual-frequency receiver for use of high precision applications which allows for a highly accurate PNT solution. The L2C signal will feature a faster signal acquisition, enhanced reliability, and a greater operating range. While the L5 signal increases safetyof-life applications and will be the strongest signal by using an increased bandwidth, and an advanced signal design (Cooley 2014). Users will be available to access the early availability of the L2C and L5 signals until the end of 2020. Beginning in 2021, the availability of the L2C and L5 civil-coded GPS signals are planned to be broadcast from a minimum of twenty-four GPS satellites (DoD). This transition date should remain in place unless there are significant delays in the GPS program (DoD). This will allow the L2C and L5 GPS signals to be fully accessed throughout the world by civilian users. The Air Force pledges to make a great commitment to high accuracy for space-based PNT for users everywhere. Mr. Cooley states that some people are worried about selective availability (SA), which
is the intentional degradation of GPS signals. If SA returned it may adversely affect the GPS signal quality for the civilian user. In 2007, the government removed the SA function from the upcoming new GPS III satellites that would be put into orbit over time (Cooley 2014). They are committed to keeping the user range error low by keeping it better than 4-meter accuracy, but typically it is less than 1-meter (Cooley 2014). User range error is the difference between a GPS satellite’s navigation data (position and clock) and the truth, projected on the lineof-sight to the user (Cooley 2014). Since all measurements are not error free, it is important to account for and correct this error, normally referred to as “pseudorange�, to improve positioning accuracy (Czerniak and Reilly 9). Keeping this error correction low is important because decreasing the range error leads to an increase in accuracy of the position of the receiver (Cooley 2014). They also want to guarantee to maintain a constellation of at least 24 satellites continually broadcasting the GPS signals and this would provide a lower dilution of precision (Cooley 2014). To do this they are fixing unhealthy satellites and deploying the modernized and improved satellites with ground support. They want to modernize the GPS constellation by adding new signals to the satellites. Many people and surveyors can benefit from this project dealing with GPS signals. This project will make it easier to acquire satellite signals where they could not be reached before. It will greatly increase the accuracy for its users and the Air Force has dedicated the project to make it easier for civilian users to use. This project is a great undertaking due to the time and cost to launch and develop a satellite to be put into orbit. Currently the Air Force has thirty-one operational GPS satellites in orbit; they maintain at least twenty-four of these satellites in orbit ninety-five percent of the time for its users (National Coordination Office for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing). Out of those thirtyone satellites only seven have the capability to broadcast the L2C signal fully and only three have the capability to broadcast the full L5 signal (Jewell 2013). A GPS signal consists of three different bits of information which is a pseudo-random code, almanac data, and ephemeris data (Griffin 2011). The pseudo-random code consists of an identification (I.D.) code that identifies which satellite is transmitting information (Griffin 2011). The almanac data consists of data that describes the orbital courses of the satellites and each satellite will broadcast almanac data for every satellite (Griffin 2011). The ephemeris
data is data that tells a GPS receiver where each GPS satellite should be at any time throughout the day and each satellite will broadcast its own ephemeris data (Griffin 2011).These three components are critical to GPS satellites because they send the necessary information for the receiver to determine the appropriate position on earth using these components combined. Both the L2C and L5 signals work in similar ways, but there are some distinct differences in how the two signals operate.
L2C Signal Technical Details
The L2C signal is designed to specifically meet commercial needs and is the second civilian signal. The name designates it for civilian use and that it is broadcast on the L2 signal of 1227 MHz (New Civil Signals). This new signal requires the use of the old L1 C/A which enables civilians with a dual-frequency receiver to have ionospheric correction which enables a better accuracy (Duncan 2011). Users with existing dualfrequency receivers will be able to acquire the signal faster, better reliability, and a better operating range (New Civil Signals). The L2C offers about 1.7 dB better data recovery and 0.7 dB better carrier tracking than the existing L1 C/A (Duncan 2011). Carrier tracking is a signal processing technique that uses certain characteristics of the GPS carrier signal to provide a low noise signal for aiding the pseudorandom codes (Navtech GPS Inc.).
L5 Signal Technical Details
The L5 signal is designed specifically to meet the requirements for safety-of-life transportation and other high performance applications. The name designates it for civilian use and that it is broadcast on the L5 signal of 1176 MHz (New Civil Signals). Aviation safety services have exclusive use to this radio band because it is reserved exclusively for them (New Civil Signals). This signal features higher power, a greater bandwidth, and has an advanced signal design. The L5 signal is twice as powerful as the L2C signal which means that it is even easier for a receiver to pick up the signal. The L5 signal has a higher chipping rate and code length than the L1 signal (Dempster 2006). The code length is 10,230 chips and the bit rate is 50 (bits per second) BPS (Fontana). Therefore this makes the L5 the strongest and fastest GPS signal to date due to this high transmission rate. It uses the Neumann-Hoffman code which is transmitted Continued on Page 13
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using a quad-phase modulated signal (Braasch 2009). The Neumann-Hoffman code is an advanced code which makes it quite complex for the average user to understand.
Current Problems with GPS Some current problems with GPS are that the signals are difficult to pick up in difficult environments where the receiver does not have a clear view to receive the signals. This means that the new signals will make it easier to pick up the signals in places such as urban canyons, under significant tree cover, or even indoors (Duncan 2011). The L2C signal will provide greater accuracy and robustness which will lead to a faster signal acquisition than the current L1 C/A signal (Leveson 2006). On the other hand the L5 signal will arrive in a few years and be specifically intended for aviation and other safety-of-life uses and will have broader applications (Leveson 2006). These two new signals will give many new advantages when fully implemented over the old satellite signals that are still being broadcasted currently.
Benefits of Both Signals According to the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Transportation the L2C will greatly benefit dualfrequency applications and will be used for more civilian non-aviation benefits. This signal is to be the first modernized civil GPS signal that is specifically intended for civilian purposes. It will greatly improve civilian access to GPS because it will enable them to be more accurate and receive signals in places they could not before. Not only does it benefit civilians, but it benefits construction, agricultural, and other applications where technological alternatives exist (Leveson 2006). This means that these markets can be more productive, save money, and time using this new signal along with the old signal. Therefore, these markets can improve their services using the new signal which enables them to serve the public better. Major uses of the new signal will be with GPS timing in communications, financial services, and electric power and for the use of mapping, structural monitoring, and weather (Leveson 2006). There are many uses for the new signal that will greatly impact all of society by improving our commerce and our infrastructure with the aid of GPS. Unlike the L2C signal, the L5 signal is geared more towards the transportation industry.
fThe L5 signal or more commonly referred to as the safety-of-life signal is the third civil GPS frequency. Civil aviation needs certain requirements for meeting safetyof-life applications and this can be accomplished by the L5 signal. The benefits of the L5 signal include improved ionospheric correction, signal redundancy, improved signal accuracy, and an improved interface rejection (NovAtel). Ionospheric correction is to correct for the small delays among the various signal paths within the spacecraft because the GPS signals do not emerge from the same point or at the same time (NovAtel). This is corrected by applying dual and single frequency correction algorithms to correct for these errors. If a GPS receiver is capable of handling all three GPS signals then it may take advantage of the L5 signal with a technique called trilaning to get accuracies to less than one meter (Duncan 2011). This will enable the receiver to use all three GPS signals to establish its location with a high accuracy
Conclusion These two new civil GPS signals will bring many great benefits to society. These frequencies will be strategically implemented over the years and their status will eventually change to become fully operational in the near future. The L2C signal is intended for civilian use because there are already two military signals at the L2 frequency. The L5 signal will greatly benefit the transportation industry in many ways and will provide users with the most advanced civilian GPS signal. The Air Force is in charge of implementing the new signals in phases and these new signals will hopefully be fully functional in a few more years in order for society to take full advantage of both signals.
References References can be found at: http://www.psls.org/ resources/Documents/newsletters/L2C%20and%20 L5%20References.pdf
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My First Experience as a Host of a Webinar By: Dr. Charles D. Ghilani On Wednesday, Sept. 16 I hosted my first webinar. While the job is not difficult, the subject on Precise Point Positioning (PPP) presented by Mr. Ryan White was enlightening. For those of you who did not take advantage of this low-cost educational opportunity, all I can say is that you missed a glimpse into the future of surveying. The presenter showed the attendees that getting sub-centimeter accuracies using only one GPS receiver is possible today. This method provides a check on the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) Online Positioning User Service (OPUS) software but in reality not much more in its present state. However, he also talked about the future where users could obtain a subscription service to do real-time kinematic precise point positioning (RTK-PPP). Trimble is currently working on providing such a service. What this means to users is that with one receiver it will be possible to obtain sub-centimeter accuracies when performing an RTK survey. This is different than a real-time network where the RTN will not work outside of the network. RTK-PPP will work anywhere and anytime. To Doug who asked the question about canopy restrictions and PPP, the new L5 signal is 251 times stronger than the current L1 and L2 signals. Part of this increase in strength is due to a three-times stronger signal being transmitted by the satellites, the remainder is due to simpler signal processing techniques The current signal processing techniques degrade the signal and its strength. With the new signal, the current signal processing techniques will be abandoned for much simpler methods. Due to this increase in signal strength, the L5 signal will penetrate the items that cause the current canopy restrictions. Additionally the L1 and L2 signals will appear to be stronger even though nothing but processing techniques will change. However according to the Dept. of Defense, a full constellation of GPS satellites with the L5 signal will not be available until 2020. As an aside the European Galileo system, which is compatible with GPS, will also be a full constellation by 2020. Still as they increase the number of satellites transmitting the L5 signal, the potential to use it will become reality during certain periods of the day before then assuming you own a receiver that can receive the L5 and process it with the other signals using the modern algorithms before 2020. Additionally, in a decade anyone who subscribes to an RTK-PPP service will be getting sub-centimeter accuracies. Anyone, whether a licensed professional or not.
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Surveyors have always hung their hat on the fact that we are experts at measurement. In the near future everyone will be an expert in collecting the measurements. Where will surveyors differ from the average citizen? The difference will be in our interpretation of the measurements. Boundary surveyors already know the importance of legal principles on their boundary survey decisions. However will the construction surveyor of tomorrow be needed if RTK-PPP provides the contractor with all the information they need to layout a design plan? Most mapping surveys today are still done using traditional surveying or photogrammetric methods. But laser-scanning, whether stationary or mobile, and LiDAR are already replacing field personnel. The technological trend for the future is to replace men with technology and computing. So where does surveying fit in all of this? While it is possible to train someone to use a total station, it would be cost prohibitive to educate someone on proper data handling and processing techniques while trying to earn a living in surveying. This goes beyond simple data collection and into the arena of how to store and handle massive quantities that a laserscanner or GNSS receiver can collect. How to analyze and adjust this data, and how to manage and transform the data between various reference frames. As an aside, the NGS will be changing to a modern earthcentered reference system in 2022. Notice that I did not say Earth-fixed even though it will be. The reason I decided to drop the earth-fixed term is because the new reference frame will be much like the International Terrestrial Reference Frames (ITRF) of today where the coordinates on monuments change with the motions of the crustal plates. In essence it is theoretically and practically-speaking possible that the coordinate you collect on a monument today will be different tomorrow due to plate tectonics. Thus the surveyor will need to understand and be able to adapt a design produced from observations a year earlier into today’s coordinates to properly place the design on the ground. A terrestrial laser-scanner can collect over 200,000 measurements per second. These scanners can be mounted on vehicles or placed in a stationary location on a tripod. The data collected by these devices are then used to create maps and inventories on objects that are scanned, such as the location of Continued on Page 15
Continued from Page 14
what it was many years ago. The time to adopt a fouryear degree requirement for licensure was yesterday. In fact, the world will keep replacing field jobs with technology but the knowledge on how to interpret and modify the data will come from both experience and a formal education. A past-president, Lynn Hofius, once wrote that surveyors tend to look at the world through a 40-power telescope. In essence, just because you don’t believe you need this today does not mean that you will not need it tomorrow. The future is coming, as it always has been, and it is literally just around the corner.
transmission lines and their height above the road surface. But a few minutes of this much data will easily overwhelm a computer during processing. Thus the surveyor will need to know the density of the scan that is required to identify the objects as required for the project and also how to manipulate the data collected and check it. The client may want their product in the current reference frame or an earlier datum. The surveyor will need to know how to transform the data to provide the desired product. So how will the surveyor of tomorrow, which could be as soon as today or in the next decade, do this? Here is where a formal education is needed. I preached on this for many years but this is what I saw coming. Additionally, I haven’t talked about the impact that a correctly implemented GIS will have on boundary surveying. It is also what some speakers at our conference have been preaching. I do believe that a B.S. graduate in surveying needs mentoring and field experience. No one has ever heard me argue this point nor state that it is not necessary but the surveyor of tomorrow cannot continue to be licensed through on-the-job training. The field has become more complicated today than
Discussion time:
What are you opinions? Send your comments to psls@psls.org with the subject line “The Client”. Have a lot of opinions? Write your own article and submit it to PSLS for publication.
From the Summer issue...
Re: The Client and the Surveyor Great article, keep writing. It is always good to hear different points of view as to how one relates with the client. M.K.
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Thank you 2015 to our
Sustaining Firm Members
Berntsen International, Inc. Attn: Tim Klaben PO Box 8670 Madison, WI 53708-8670 P: 608-249-8549 F: 608-249-9794 surveymark@berntsen.com www.berntsen.com
Keystone Aerial Surveys Attn: John Schmitt PO Box 21059 Philadelphia, PA 19114 P: 215-677-3119 F: 215-464-2889 jschmitt@kasurveys.com www.kasurveys.com/index.
CivilTraining, LLC/SmartDraft Attn: John Cooke 5300 Wellington Branch Drive, Suite 100 Gainesville, VA 20155 P: 732-859-8353 F: 732-377-5454 john.cooke@civiltraining.com www.civiltraining.com
Keddal Aerial Mapping Attn: Bradley Piper 1121 Boyce Road, #3100 Pittsburgh, PA 15241-3918 P: 724-942-2881 F: 724-942-2885 l.castelli@keddalaerial.com www.keddalaerial.com
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Keystone Precision Instruments Attn: George Allport Jr. 1670 East Race Street Allentown, PA 18109 P: 800-833-9250 F: 610-266-3240 sales@keypre.com www.keypre.com
Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. Attn: Shelley Speelman 369 East Park Drive Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111 P:717-564-1121 F:717-564-1158 sspeelman@hrg-inc.com www.hrg-inc.com
Thank you 2015 to our
Sustaining Firm Members Precision Laser & Instrument Attn: Robert J. Barth 85 11th Street Ambridge, PA 15003 P: 724-266-1600 F: 724-266-8161 rjb@laserinst.com www.laserinst.com
Klein Agency, LLC Attn: Mark Amirault PO Box 219 Timonium, MD 21094 P: 410-832-7600 F: 410-832-1849 mamirault@eakagency.com www.kleinagencyllc.com
Nor East Mapping, Inc. Attn: Ron Henry, CP PO Box 270 Kylertown, PA 16847-0270 P: 814-345-1167 F: 814-345-1176 noreastmapping@verizon.net www.noreastmapping.com
Print-O-Stat, Inc. Attn: Lou Mazero 1011 West Market Street York, PA 17404 P: 717-854-7821 F: 717-846-4084 lmazero@printostat.com www.printostat.com
Oswald Companies Attn: Paula M. Selvaggio, RPLU 3401 Enterprise Parkway, Suite 101 Beachwood, OH 44122-7340 P: 216-839-2815 F: 216-839-2801 pselvaggio@oswaldcompanies.com www.oswaldcompanies.com Trimble Corporation Attn: Kelly Liberi 10355 Westmoor Drive Westminster, CO 80021 P: 720-587-4606 F: 720-887-6101 kelly_liberi@trimble.com www.trimble.com
Szalankiewicz Engineering, PC Attn: James J. Szalankiewicz Box 206 Elderton, PA 15736 P: 724-354-4852 F: 724-354-4273 sellc@windstream.net
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2016 Conference Sponsorships PSLS is still accepting sponsorship applications for the 2016 Surveyors' Conference. The Education Committee is asking you to contact vendors, associates and partners and ask them to be a sponsor at the Annual Conference. There are sponsorship opportunities for Vendors, Members and all Geospatial Professionals! This year PSLS is offering two new sponsorship opportunities: The Auction /Raffle Sponsor, which will benefit education; and the Foundation Sponsorship which will go directly to the PLS Foundation. Whether you choose to be a sponsor or encourage a vendor or partner to do so, you will be supporting PSLS and, directly or indirectly, the profession of Surveying. Conference Sponsorship - $5,000 Recognition on the cover of the Conference brochure and all electronic information. ; 1-page ad in The Pennsylvania Surveyor newsletter for 1 year; recognition as a Conference Sponsor. Limit 1. Offer expires 9/1/2015.
Badge Sponsorship - $1,500 Name badges with your company's name and logo; Full page ad in The Pennsylvania Surveyor newsletter for 1 year; Recognition as a Badge Sponsor. Limit 1. Offer expires 10/1/2015
Reception Sponsorship - $1,000 Signage with your company's name & logo at the sponsored event; recognition on website and newsletter; free full page ad in newsletter edition of choice. (Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall) Choose Monday or Tuesday Reception. Limit two sponsors per day.
Auction/Raffle Sponsorship - $500 Recognition as a sponsor for the Tuesday evening Auction and Raffle; Name and logo on sign at Auction/Raffle table of exhibit hall; Recognition at event and on website and newsletter; free half page ad in one issue of newsletter (Fall 2015 or Winter 2016)
Coffee Break Sponsorship - $250 Sponsor signage at coffee breaks, recognition on website and newsletter; free half page ad in one issue of newsletter (Fall 2015 or Winter 2016) Foundation Sponsorship - $100 Recognition at event and on website and newsletter; free business card ad in one issue of newsletter (Fall 2015 or Winter 2016) Proceeds will be donated directly to the PLS Foundation.
Pass this offer on to your vendors and partners. Sponsorship is an opportunity for vendors to show support of the profession as well as advertise their business. Sponsor Forms Can be found on the PSLS website Conference Page or can be requested by emailing psls@psls.org.
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Your Support is Needed!
paperless
THE SURVEYOR'S CONFERENCE IS GOING PAPERLESS! PSLS is making an effort to be environmentally conscious and prevent price increases by going paperless. Rather than a notebook and printed handouts, attendees will be sent a link to a mobile application which will have all of the conference information available for download. Attendees have the option to print only the information they need, reducing waste and expense. The CrowdCompass app has been designed by PSAV and will contain: •
Schedules
•
Facility Layout
•
Exhibitor and Sponsor information
•
Speaker and Workshop information
•
Links to handouts and presentations
•
Workshop surveys
•
Continuing Education approval information
•
and Social Networking functions.
Those who do not have a mobile device capable of downloading the app can download directly to their computers. Handout information will also be available to registrants via a link to the PSLS website.
No paper handouts will be available at the conference! Please note that PSLS will not have copies of handouts available, nor will they have a copier/printer to make handouts. Attendees should make every effort to download and print any handouts they feel they will need during the event. PSLS understands that not everyone is as tech savvy as they wish to be and will make every effort to assist those who may have difficulties with the transition. The Education Committee appreciates the efforts of its attendees in helping us control costs while offering the best educational opportunities available.
Thank you!
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Schedule
REFRESHMENT BREAKS: Monday-Tuesday, 9:45-10:45 a.m. and 2:45-3:45 p.m.—Great American Hall (Red Room) Wednesday, 9:30-10:15 a.m. and 2-3 p.m.—Confection Hall
Sunday, January 24 3 – 6 p.m. 5 – 6 p.m. 6 – 7 p.m. 7 – 8 p.m.
EXHIBITOR SET-UP – Great American Hall (Red Room) REGISTRATION – Confection Hall BUFFET DINNER PSLS ANNUAL MEETING – Great American Hall (White Room) • Distinguished Service Awards • Student Presentation Awards
Monday, January 25
7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. REGISTRATION – Confection Hall 7 a.m. BREAKFAST – Great American Hall (White Room) EXHIBITOR SET-UP – Great American Hall (Red Room) 9 a.m. – 6:15 p.m. EXHIBITS OPEN – Great American Hall (Red Room) 8:30 a.m. – Noon MONDAY AM SESSIONS - SIMULTANEOUS WORKSHOPS (see Workshop Descriptions list for schedule) Noon LUNCH – Great American Hall (White Room) 1:30 – 5 p.m. MONDAY PM SESSIONS - SIMULTANEOUS WORKSHOPS (see Workshop Descriptions list for schedule) 5:30 p.m. RECEPTION with CASH BAR, EXHIBIT AREA – Great American Hall (Red Room) 6:30 p.m. DINNER – Great American Hall (White Room) PSLS INSTALLATION AND AWARDS BANQUET • Introduction of guests and PSLS past presidents • Keynote Speaker: Kris Kline, PLS • PSLS installation of state officers and chapter officers • PSLS award presentations, including Surveyor of the Year
Tuesday, January 26 7 a.m. 8 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.
BREAKFAST – Great American Hall (White Room) EXHIBITS OPEN – Great American Hall (Red Room) • Tear-down at 6:30 p.m. 8:30 a.m. – Noon TUESDAY AM SESSIONS - SIMULTANEOUS WORKSHOPS (see Workshop Descriptions list for schedule) Noon LUNCH – Great American Hall (White Room) 1:30 – 5 p.m. TUESDAY PM SESSIONS - SIMULTANEOUS WORKSHOPS (see Workshop Descriptions list for schedule) 5:30 p.m. RECEPTION with CASH BAR, EXHIBIT AREA – Great American Hall (Red Room) 6:30 p.m. DINNER – Chocolate Ballroom (Nigerian Room) • Raffle & Auction benefit education and student attendance at conference
Wednesday, January 27
7 a.m. BREAKFAST – Chocolate Ballroom (Nigerian/Trinidad Room) 8:15 – 11:45 a.m. WEDNESDAY AM SESSIONS - SIMULTANEOUS WORKSHOPS (see Workshop Descriptions list for schedule) 11:45 a.m. LUNCH – Chocolate Ballroom (Nigerian/Trinidad Room) 12:45 – 4:15 p.m. WEDNESDAY PM SESSIONS SIMULTANEOUS WORKSHOPS (see Workshop Descriptions list for schedule) 4:15 p.m. ADJOURNMENT
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Registration Form
CONTACT INFORMATION
PAYMENT
Return by December 26, 2015. Late Registrations accepted until January 11, 2016 Name (First, Last) Badge Name
(PLS, PE, Ph.D., etc.)
Phone q Do NOT provide my information to exhibitors Attending Sunday Buffet Dinner: qYes qNo Licensed Land Surveyor: qYes qNo Note: Paper copies of handouts will not be provided! Handouts will be provided in electronic format for those who wish to print personal copies prior to the event. REGISTRATION (Early registrations postmarked by December 26, 2015)
q$735 pp regular
groups call your association for PSLS discount code)
q$680 pp early
q$735 pp regular
Non-Member q$825 pp early
q$875 pp regular
Students q$300 full-time student Multiple Registrations (3 or more from same company/ call PSLS for discount code)
q$775 pp non-member
ONE-DAY REGISTRATION
q
Purchase Order CCV Code
Card No.
Exp. Date
Discount Code (if applicable) TOTAL PAYMENT
$
SELECT WORKSHOPS BELOW & SUBMIT FORM TO PSLS Conference Registration 801 East Park Drive, Suite 107 | Harrisburg, PA 17111 Fax: 717-540-6815 | psls@psls.org Monday, January 25, 2016 AM Sessions, 8:30 AM – 12 PM
r 101- Corporate Structures … r 401- GRAV-D r 501- Stormwater Review, Part 1 r 601- Know When to Hold Em…, Part 1 r 701- Carlson Software, Part 1 r 801- Flood Insurance Risk Ratings r 901- Analyzing Positioal Accuracy
PM Sessions, 1:30 PM – 5 PM
r 102- Professional Liability r 203- Registration Law r 502- Stormwater Review, Part 2 r 602- Know When to Hold Em…, Part 2 r 702- Carlson Software, Part 2 r 802- Flood Studies and LOMRs r 902- Basic Survey Math, Part 1
PM 1/2 Sessions, 1:30 PM – 3 PM
r 201- Project Management Workflow … r 303- UAS Exemption Data r 402- New Datums in PA r 301- Introduction to GIS
AM 1/2 Sessions, 10:30 AM – 12 PM r 202- Making Project Presenstaions r 302- PA Map Data
PM 1/2 Sessions, 3:30 PM – 5 PM r 304- PA Map Data Applications r 403- Introduction to GNSS
Tuesday, January 26, 2016 AM Sessions, 8:30 AM – 12 PM r 103- Pricing Cost and Analysis r 204- Ethics and the Surveyors … r 305- UAS/UAV r 404- Geodesy & Datums r 503- Stormwater Review, Part 3 r 603- Basis of Bearing r 703- AutoCAD Civil 3D, Part 1 r 803- Overview: Surveying and FEMA... r 903- Basic Survey Math, Part 2
PM Sessions, 1:30 PM – 5 PM r 104- Marketing and Client … r 205- Client Relations r 306- Mobile Mapping r 405- State Plane Coordinates r 504- Stormwater Review, Part 4 r 604- Adverse Possession r 704- AutoCAD Civil 3D, Part 2 r 804- Understanding FIRMs... r 904- Applied Survey Math, Part 1
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
q$400 mMon mTues mWed (LUNCH is the ONLY meal included with a one-day registration. See below for additional meal purchases.) Breakfast - $25 Each qMonday qTuesday qWednesday
q
Cardholder’s Name
AM 1/2 Sessions, 8:30 AM – 10 AM
Other Prof. Assn. Members (other geospatial-related
q$625 pp member
q Check (made payable to PSLS) Charge my q q
Cardholder’s Signature
Company Address City State ZIP E-mail
PSLS Member q$680 pp early
Dinner - $50 Each qSunday qMonday qTuesday
Total Meal Cost for One-Day Registration $
AM Sessions, 8:15 AM – 11:45 AM PM Sessions, 12:45 PM – 4:15 PM r 105- Business of Land Surveying r 206- State Land Records of PA r 307- Reality Capture r 406- GNSS Choices for Site Control r 505- Stormwater Management & LIDs r 605- Municipal Planning Code r 705- Advanced Civil 3D, Part 1 r 805- Flood Elevation Certificates r 905- Applied Survey Math, Part 2
r 106- Standards of Conduct... r 207- Unrwitten Land Transfers r 308- GIS Analysis for Land... r 407- Using OPUS for Accurate ... r 506- Infiltrating Stormwater r 606- Title Insurance and a Survey r 706- Advanced Civil 3D, Part 2 r 806- LOMA and LOMR F r 906- Applied Survey Math, Part 3
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Are You A Young Surveyor? Attend the meeting of the Pennsylvania Young Surveyors Network Tuesday January 26th 5:15 PM to 6:15 PM in Wild Rose A (Confection Hall) at Hershey Lodge and Convention Center The Young Surveyors Network is targeted to individuals 35 and under, and current students, but anyone is invited to participate regardless of age or licensure status. This meeting is an opportunity to network with other young surveyors in Pennsylvania; learn what is going on with the NSPS Young Surveyors and Young Surveyors groups in other states; and help shape the future of the Pennsylvania Young Surveyors Network. You can also connect with us online via Facebook and LinkedIn: PSLS Young Surveyors Network & NSPS Young Surveyors Network Twitter: @NSPSYoung
PSLS YSN LinkedIn
PSLS YSN Facebook
Your PSLS Young Surveyors Representative is Chris Jackson, SIT. He can be reached by email at cjackson@mdmllc.com or through social media above.
Sunday January 24 @ 2pm
$35 Open Bar & Hors D’oeuvers
Join us for a social gathering of Penn State surveying graduates, friends, and beer lovers.
Troegs Brewery, Hershey, Pa More Info: www.PSUSurveyingAPG.org
PH#: 717-533-9077
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Hotel Registration West Chocolate Ave. and University Drive Hershey, PA 17033
RESERVATION INFORMATION To make reservations, please contact Hershey Lodge directly at the phone number below or via the website reservation page Hershey Lodge has created for PSLS: •
1-800-HERSHEY (1-800-437-7439) — mention that you are with the PSLS conference to receive group rate • https://resweb.passkey.com/go/PSLS2016
ROOM RATES
(meals not included) $149 per room/night plus 11% tax* — single or double occupancy (*6% Pennsylvania state occupancy tax and 5% local tax) RESERVATION CANCELLATIONS
To cancel your reservation and receive a full refund, call Hershey Lodge at least 72 hours before your scheduled check-in time. When you call, ask for and write down the cancellation number and retain this number for three months. CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT
Hershey Lodge cannot guarantee occupancy before 4 p.m. Check-out time is 11 a.m. ARRANGEMENTS FOR CREDIT
Direct billing requests must be made at least 30 days before scheduled check-in and must be accompanied by a letter of authorization written on organization letterhead. The letter must name the person receiving the credit privilege and the organization or person assuming responsibility for payment. It should also supply the complete billing address and name three references. (We suggest you make a photocopy of this form for your records.) Contact Tom Kopniskey at 717-508-2606 or TEKopniskey@hersheypa.com. RESERVATION DUE DATE
December 28, 2015. After this date, Hershey Lodge might not honor this special room rate. Please confirm your departure date. Hershey Lodge charges a $50 early departure fee.
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2016 PSLS Surveyors’ Conference
23
Plat Competition
Enter by December 29 – Rules on next page CATEGORIES (one entry per category per firm)
A. B. C. D. E.
Number of entries:
X $20 per Entry
Boundary Retracement
q
Subdivision
q
Total: $
Topographic ALTA/ACSM Specialty/Miscellaneous
q q q
Please make checks payable to PSLS and mail with this form to: Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors Attn: Plat Competition Committee 801 East Park Drive, Suite 107 Harrisburg, PA 17111
(e.g., Accident Survey, Storm Drain Plan, Right-of-Way Survey, Street Grade (Plan & Profile), Well Location, Etc.)
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Name: Firm: Address: City:
State:
Business Phone:
E-mail:
ZIP:
Media Release Form for Plat Competition
I hereby grant Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors the absolute and unrestricted permission to use my plat submission and related materials, photographs and video/audio recordings of me and/or my plat. Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors may use, publish, and republish the same materials in whole or in part for in its publications, website, or other collateral material. I hereby release and discharge Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors from any and all claims and demands arising out of or in connection with the use of this information. I am of full age and have the right to contract in my own name. I have read the foregoing and fully understand the contents thereof. Name (please print): Signature:
Date:
2016 PSLS Surveyors’ Conference
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Spouse/GuestRegistration Program Spouse/Guest
Receptions:
Spouses/guests are invited to attend the receptions Monday and Tuesday from 5-6 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available.
Hospitality Suite:
There will be a spouse/guest suite that offers a comfortable and convenient place to relax and catch up with friends. Continental breakfasts and beverages will be available.
MONDAY, JANUARY 25 10-11 a.m.—Bingo: Win small prizes and share in the fun 11 -11:45 a.m.—Scavenger Hunt: A friendly competition to find items and win prizes, all in the comfort of the Hershey Lodge 12 - 1:15 p.m.—Lunch: Join the main group for lunch in the White Room of the Great American Hall (Cost included in program fee) 1:30-2:30 p.m.—Wine and Chocolate Tasting: Experience five wine varietals paired with five Hershey’s candies in a class conducted by the property beverage manager 2:30-4:30 p.m.—Film Fest: The group will have their own personal theatre and a selection of films to choose from in the convenience of the Lodge. TUESDAY, JANUARY 26 9 a.m.—Depart Hershey Lodge for... 9:30-10:30 a.m.—PA Capitol Building: Take a guided tour of the Capitol Building, visit the Welcome Center and gift shop. See the Renaissance inspired architecture, paintings and stained glass which led President Theodore Roosevelt to call it “the handsomest building” he ever saw. 11 a.m.-12 p.m.—The Whitacker Center, Harrisburg, Pa.: Explore and shop the “Wonders of the Whitacker Center” 12:30-1:30 p.m.—Lunch at the Appalachian Brewing Company: Experience fresh innovative cuisine to match the handcrafted ales and lagers at the only brewery in the PA State Capitol since 1951 2-3 p.m.—Hollywood Casino: Explore the Hollywood musuem & gift shop or try your luck at the slot machines - Must be 21 years of age to enter 3:30-4:30 p.m.—Tanger Outlet: Shopping opportunities for every interest
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2016 PSLS Surveyors’ Conference
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HAKS OFFERS STATE-OF-THE-ART LAND SURVEYING CAPABILITIES INCLUDING GROUND PENETRATING RADAR (GPR), 3D LASER SCANNING/MODELING AND MOBILE LiDAR SERVICES FOR ACCURATE, FASTER AND SAFER RESULTS. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
• Locate existing subsurface utilities indicating depth (electric, sewer, gas, etc.) without a test pit
• Locate utilities crossing proposed utility alignment / proposed site
• Detect underground chambers/storage tanks • Determine thickness of asphalt, concrete and other materials • Non-destructive structural inspection, condition assessment and forensic analysis of structures
3D Laser Scanning & Modeling Services
• Complete topographic coverage • Collects data with survey grade accuracy at a rate of 500,000 points per second
• Highly accurate 3D imagery of existing or as-built conditions
Mobile LiDAR
• As-built surveys along busy corridors • Mapping building and infrastructure assets in city and urban settings
• Geo-databases of assets such as poles,
signs, lights, lanes, buildings and electrical transmission lines
• Compatible with standard CAD and GIS packages
• Enables surveying from the safety of a vehicle
Cutting edge technology for your land surveying needs. LAND SURVEYS
ENGINEERING
ARCHITECTURE
1601 Market Street, Suite 1020, Philadelphia, PA 19103 tel.: (215) 496-9322 | fax: (215) 496-9323 CLIENT FOCUSED - QUALITY SERVICES
www.haks.net CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
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New York | New Jersey | Pennsylvania | Maryland | Virginia Connecticut | Massachusetts | Rhode Island | Florida | Texas
MATERIAL TESTING
SPECIAL INSPECTIONS
DISCOUNT PRICING
PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF LAND SURVEYORS MEMBERS for
The Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors partners with NPP to provide discounts on products and services. NPP negotiates the rates, and makes them available to PSLS members. NPP MEMBERSHIP IS FREE. Available products include: Wireless Service
Tech Devices
Office Supplies
Fleet Management
Travel
Remote Surveillance
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HOW TO GET STARTED Signing up to be an NPP member is free and easy: • Visit www.mynpp.com, click on “Join Now.” • Select “Company” then “Construction,” then “Commercial.” • Select “Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors” from the Association dropdown menu and complete enrollment.
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Member News PSLS Members Report on the Northwest PA GIS Conference Submitted by: Greg Clark, Michael Kreiger, and Bernie J. Marocco The 10th annual Northwest PA GIS and Geospatial conference held at Clarion University was well attended by students and GIS professionals. It was supported, as well, by PSLS Surveyors. Greg Clark, PLS presented a Surveying workshop and Cory Mason, LSIT exhibited and assisted in the workshop. Surveyors Bernie Marocco, Greg Clark and PSLS PresidentElect Michael Kreiger attended sessions on Thursday. The event was well organized and had many opportunities for Surveyors. General atmosphere during the conference was casual yet professional. Background music in the multi-purpose room, large windows in the display area, along with the autumn weather in a rural setting, were all conducive to a relaxed environment. The setting promoted easy Interaction with old acquaintances and new faces providing opportunities to build relationships, learn, and discover new business opportunities. The Pre-Conference session that focused on the history of Surveying from“rope stretching” to modern day GNSS presented by Greg Clark and Cory Mason. The presentation cued some thoughts and provided for new facts even from the coauthor of this article. Greg and Cory provided a wealth of knowledge in this seminar and was very well received by the Geographic Information Systems developers. Toys (tools) were there for use and demonstration. Michael Kreiger, PLS attended a class on Next Generation 911 on the morning of the first day of the conference. GIS has a vital role in the emergency services world along with Homeland Security. However the Next Generation 911 together with modern technology will require an even greater demand and role on for GIS. These developers are extremely busy with keeping up with the Next Generation. If you are, and even if you are not, you need to be talking with your local municipalities and county government to understand the processes they are working with and see how you can be part of the vital role. Location, location, location is the key to effective response and saving lives.
In the afternoon, Mr. Kreiger attended a class on UAV and the obstacles and advantages. There are many obstacles associated with the FAA in regards to being a pilot and flying a UAV, but it is possible to make this service a resource for your business and clients. The UAV’s can carry equipment capable of capturing digital photography and LiDAR which if with proper planning, properly planned can provide for engineering and mapping grade accuracy where safety to employees is paramount. Examples of their uses are volumetric surveys, orthorectified photos, inventory surveys, and route surveys. To utilize a UAV, ground survey control and quality assurance surveys are consider essential. Technology continues to change the world of Surveying and the use of UAV’s in their many applications is the future. Composed by Michael Kreiger and Greg Clark In addition to presentations in GIS and Geospatial technologies scheduled throughout this 10th annual 3 day conference, ESRI provided an open, all day Hands-On Learning Lab on Thursday and Friday in order to introduce users to the software and tools available in ArcGIS 10.3. Conference attendees, as well as Clarion University students using GIS applications in their course work, were able to sample several introductory and advanced ArcGIS learning modules at their own pace and at any time slot throughout the day. The lab was manned by an ESRI associate providing software assistance on 20 laptop pc’s loaded with ArcGIS and several self-paced learning modules. The hands-on individual exercises ranged from basic ‘getting started’ tutorials in ArcMap to more advanced subjects like working with the logic and syntax of Python (the scripting language used in ArcGIS). Of particular value to the surveying community were specific training modules covering topics like ‘Importing and Geoprocessing CAD Drawings in ArcGIS’, ‘Understanding Datums and Projections’ and ‘Editing with ArcGIS Desktop’ to name a few. The lab was well used and busy throughout the day which, I believe, was proof of its value as a learning tool. For me, as a surveyor, it was certainly a worthwhile opportunity to work towards some personal goals in jumpstarting and improving my productivity in specific ArcGIS applications. Composed By Bernie J. Marocco, PLS
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Member News From the Susquehanna Chapter Attorney D. Robert (Rob) Davidson, PLS a member of the Susquehanna Chapter, has recently joined the RHP Law Group in Selinsgrove where he is focusing his practice on real estate, boundary disputes, zoning, land use, permitting, right of ways and easements. He also practices in estate planning and business succession with an emphasis on agriculture and agribusiness. Prior to obtaining his law license, Rob worked in zoning, planning and code enforcement for rural local government and as a surveyor and project manager for a civil engineering firm. He is currently certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as a Sewage Enforcement Officer (SEO) and is recognized as a Certified Planner by the American Planning Association (AICP). Rob is frequent continuing surveying education speaker on various topics.
From the Southwest Chapter The PSLS Southwest Chapter sponsored a workshop titled 'Ethics for Design Professionals' on November 11. Attendees earned 2 hours of continuing education in the wonderful atmostphere of CafĂŠ Notte in Pittsburgh.
From the Susquehanna Chapter Congratulations to Michael F. Brinkash, PLS, on being elected to a second term as Board President of the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.
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Member News
#surveyingthefuture Northern York County School District (#NYCSD) located in Dillsburg, PA carries as a part of the curriculum a STEM (#STEM) program, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Michael Kreiger, PSLS President-Elect has been building a relationship with Rick Geesaman, http:// www.northernpolarbears.com/webpages/rgeesaman/ over the past two years since learning about the commencement of a program within the school district. Mr. Geesaman and Mr. Kreiger have been developing initiatives to bring Surveying into the classroom through hands on learning opportunities, classroom lectures, and the Trig Star Scholarship Program. The classroom learning opportunities consist of drafting, design, and engineering/surveying concepts. Mr. Geesaman is expecting to provide classroom lectures and field practice as it pertains to Surveying and how it is fundamental. Mr. Geesaman with assistance through Mr. Kreiger, is working through Keystone Precision Instruments for the purchase of levels, level rods, tripods and tapes.
Upon approval of the equipment purchase by the school district, Mr. Kreiger will assist in the classroom lectures and field practice with the use of the equipment. The list of equipment is small and basic, but we are on the path to success. Scott Reeser with Dawood Engineering, PSLS Secretary has offered a total station to the school. Additional donations are being sought out for use by the school. If you should be interested in making a donation, please contact Mr. Kreiger at mkreiger@hrg-inc.com Looking forward, discussions are formalizing to facilitate the Trig Star Scholarship with the school if not this year than in 2017. Mr. Kreiger is hopeful that this is a long lasting arrangement and looks forward to the students that are #surveyingthefuture. Please consider contact your local school district, they are interested in talking to you. Just what does #surveyingthefuture represent? Check out twitter; there are a lot of tweets (discussions) regarding Surveying.
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Membership Application
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP: ______________________________________ County:________________________ qResidence qBusiness
If business, please include firm name: __________________________
Business Website (optional): ___________________________________
Phone (preferred): ( ) Mobile: ( ) E-mail: Fax: Alternate E-mail (optional): Publish my contact information on the PSLS website: qYes qNo Professional Registration (optional): State: Number: State: Number: Chapter Affiliation Requested (Not required for Affiliate or Sustaining membership):
Please indicate membership grade. Membership valid until December 31, 2016.
q Member…………………………………...$200/yr PSLS + $40 NSPS Membership = $240 (Surveyor licensed in Pennsylvania) q Associate..……………………………….$120/yr.............q Optional NSPS Membership $40 (Non-licensed surveyor or engaged in mapping or GIS) q Affiliate.............………………………….$105/yr.............q Optional NSPS Membership $40 (Member of another state society) q Retired.............…………………………..$100/yr.............q Optional NSPS Membership $40 (Having license retired by State Registration Board) q Retired-PSLS....………………………….$50/yr...............q Optional NSPS Membership $40 (Retired license plus 10 years prior PSLS membership) q Sustaining……….……………………….$385/yr (Firms having an interest in land surveying) q Student…….……………………………...$15/yr...............q Optional NSPS Membership $10 (Enrolled in a Pennsylvania college or university) q Auxiliary…….…………………………….$15/yr (Spouse/significant other of a member)
Payment: q
q q
Mailing Check (payable to PSLS)
Card #: Exp. Date: CCV Code:
I hereby apply for membership in the Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors and, in doing so, agree that I will actively support the bylaws, aims, and objectives of the organization. Signature of Applicant:
Return form to PSLS: 801 East Park Drive, Suite 107 | Harrisburg, PA 17111 P: 717-540-6811 | F: 717-540-815 | psls@psls.org | www.psls.org
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Date: