9052 - Addendum No. 1 - Mapping Summary Doc..pdf

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Procurement Office

605 Suwannee Street, MS 20 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450

Phone: (850) 414-4381

ADDENDUM NO. 1 DATE: December 7, 2023

BID No.: DOT-RFP-24-9052-SJ

BID Title: Development of an ITSFM GPS Mapping System

OPENING DATE: Thursday, December 21, 2023 @ 10:00AM EST

Notice is hereby given of the following changes to the above-referenced SOLICITATION:

• The “NextGen ITSFM GPS Mapping Summary” referenced in Introduction Section 1 of the Scope of Services was inadvertently left out of the solicitation document. It is attached below and is hereby made a part of this solicitation and the resulting contract.

Bidders/Proposers must acknowledge receipt of this Questions and Answers Document by completing and returning to the Procurement Office, by no later than the time and date of the bid/proposal opening. Failure to do so may subject the bidder/proposer to disqualification.

Sherill Johnson, Procurement Agent

Bidder/Proposer

Address

Submitted by (Signature)

Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in Section 120.57(3), Florida Statutes, or failure to post the bond or other security required by law within the time allowed for filing a bond shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes.

ITSFM NextGen GPS Product Evaluation

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Executive Summary

Why the Need The Intelligent Transportation System Facility Management (ITSFM) system is a Geographical

Information System (GIS) cloud-based application designed to manage ITS Outside Plant transportation equipment based on its Latitude / Longitude location using the WGS 84 coordinate system. The early ITSFM data collection achieved sub-meter accuracy, but most features within the system have sub-foot positional accuracy because of advancements in legacy GPS technology.

FDOT developed custom GPS mapping tools within the Trimble TerraSync and Pathfinder Office platforms to ensure data consistency and lower field mapping cost. This includes ITSFM configurations, data dictionaries, and export routines designed to synchronize the Trimble Geo-7x hand-held data collector with ITS features and attributes supported in the ITSFM database. These mapping tools have allowed GPS technicians to map ITS equipment since 2013. Unfortunately, this hardware and software has reached its end of life and will no longer be sold or maintained by Trimble.

The Traffic Engineering & Operations Office investigated current technologies to identify a next-generation product to replace the existing collection tools. The goal is to:

• Simplify the data collection process to lower production costs.

• Increase positional accuracy from sub-meter to sub-foot without affecting production rates.

• Enable seamless online or offline differential corrections with no special training or input from field users.

• Eliminate costly post-processing of weekly data files and manual imports from the data collector to the ITSFM system.

• Display existing ITSFM geofeature positions with primary attributes in the map view to simplify the Site ID

Naming process and enable edits of existing ITSFM geofeatures.

• Lower contractor costs using existing iOS, Android, and Windows devices rather than dedicated mapping-grade GPS hardware.

• Lower contractor software costs by offering a low or no-cost cloud-based solution for data processing, quality control reviews, and differential corrections.

• Lower FDOT’s ITSFM administration cost.

o Use application programming interface (API) for all data dictionary and code list updates.

o Eliminate management and distribution of GPS seed files by including the data dictionary and mile marker locations within the user’s workspace created for each contractor’s construction projects.

Product Evaluation

FDOT invited three vendors to present their GPS mapping solution to the ITSFM Working Group for evaluation and included:

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1. Byers Engineering Company is the provider of NexusWorx, the primary cloud-based component of the ITSFM system.

2. Trimble is the provider of the current Geo7x GPS mapping tool, including TerraSync and Pathfinder Office software, and

3. Esri is the provider of FDOT’s enterprise GIS system.

The vendors were asked to include information about cloud-based solutions that enable:

• Central administration.

• Simultaneous data collection for multiple users within a project.

• Real-time differential corrections.

• Multiple QA/QC approvals before data can be advanced in the workflow process.

• Bi-directional API to transfer data between the cloud solution and the ITSFM system to:

o Display existing ITSFM geofeatures within the project limits for reference and attribute updates in the field.

o Transfer approved project data to the ITSFM system without the need to post-process.

o Update the data dictionary with new ITS feature types and new or revised attribute values when added to the ITSFM.

• System administration capabilities:

o User accounts, o Project limits, o Data dictionary.

• Data collection hardware and software:

o Must be capable of sub-meter or better positional accuracy, capturing geofeatures on an offset, and photographs, o Sole source, o Multiple choices, o Estimated hardware cost per user, o Estimated software cost per user.

• Data dictionary:

o Can one or more data dictionaries be assigned to a project?

o Can the system concatenate multiple user-defined attributes to create a site-specific name?

• Child features:

o Can child features be collected and associated with geofeatures in the cloud solution?

• Photographs:

o Can your system assign meaningful names to photos without post-processing?

o How are photos associated with geofeatures?

• User license and pricing options.

Functional Requirements The next-generation GPS mapping solution must meet the following functional requirements to support FDOT’s ITSFM needs moving forward:

GPS Data Collection Hardware:

1. Operate on iOS, Android, and Windows devices.

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2. Bluetooth connectivity:

a. GNSS hardware

b. Laser rangefinder to capture ITS features at offset locations.

3. Provide 1.8-foot (56 centimeters) minimum positional accuracy.

4. Support online and offline differential corrections without input from field users.

5. Integrated camera support.

GPS/GIS Software:

1. A cloud-based platform that supports multiple simultaneous users working on the same project.

2. Provide central administration for project creation, user accounts, data dictionaries, and mile marker locations.

3. Have four user types with different capabilities:

a. 5 System administrators,

b. 15 Quality reviewers,

c. 20 Field data collectors, and

d. 10 Viewers.

4. Enable the collection of both geofeatures (equipment sites) and child features (site inventory).

5. Site ID Name creation from the concatenation of multiple attribute fields.

6. Automatically associate to geofeature and name photographs by type (i.e., site overview, electric device, fiber device, etc.).

7. Automatically populate the road name menu in the data dictionary with nearby road name options generated from the map attributes.

8. Utilize an API to transfer:

a. Existing features from the ITSFM system to the field data collector based on geographic project limits.

b. Approved project data into the ITSFM system.

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Products Summary The following are short descriptions of the functionality of the three products evaluated.

Trimble Catalyst and TerraFlex

Trimble is the current ITSFM GPS mapping tool provider and has extensive knowledge of the ITSFM data collection workflow, data dictionary, seed files, attribute concatenation, and picture naming. Trimble offers Catalyst, a high-accuracy GNSS positioning hardware and positioning subscription-based service that operates on iOS, Android, and Windows devices in the field, and

TerraFlex, a cloud-based data collection platform that enables offline differential corrections, system administration to create and manage user accounts, create projects for contractor projects, allow the QC auditor to send data back to the field for navigation or updating features. TerraFlex supports two-way data flow to transfer approved data to the ITSFM and to retrieve ITSFM data for the population within a project for visibility and potential edits by the field user.

Esri ArcGIS Online

FDOT has an enterprise license with Esri until 2025, enabling the Department to create unlimited named user accounts for FDOT or contractor viewers, field users, or creators. ArcGIS uses a suite of

GIS apps to coordinate and assign work to field crews. It uses form and map-centric data collection apps to collect geofeatures and child features. The apps operate on iOS and Android devices in the field and on

Windows desktops in the office.

ArcGIS Online is not a GPS mapping tool but a GIS data collection, verification, management, and publication tool. It does not perform differential corrections or support offline data collection because the GPS mapping hardware provider must perform the corrections before inputting data into ArcGIS Online.

Byers’ SpatialWorx

Byers Engineering Company is the provider of NexusWorx, the ITSFM system’s primary component. NexusWorx is a commercial-of-the-shelf GIS product designed to manage fiber optic cables for telecommunication companies and modified for

FDOT to model the ITS system, including ITS devices and equipment locations, the fiber optic cables, and the electric network supporting ITS.

Byers developed and uses SpatialWorx to support NexusWorx implementations for other telecommunication and

Department of Transportation clients. SpatialWorx operates on iOS and Android devices in the field and on Windows desktops in the office.

SpatialWorx allows field technicians to:

• Update imported geofeatures,

• Manually place geofeatures in the map view,

• Place a new geofeature based on the GPS coordinates supplied by connected GPS mapping hardware,

• Inventory equipment site assets,

• Capture predefined photographs,

• Create drawings and sketches, and

• Document fiber terminations.

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SpatialWorx is not a GPS mapping tool but a data collection, verification, and management tool. It processes data collected in the field and other data sources imported into the system. Byers uses the Trimble Catalyst GPS mapping service to provide GPS positional accuracy before inputting data into SpatialWorx.

Hardware and Software Recommendations The next-generation GPS mapping solution will be comprised of two primary components, the GPS mapping hardware with real-time differential correction subscription services and cloud-based GIS software that meets the functional requirements listed in this document.

GPS Hardware & Differential Corrections

Trimble’s Catalyst DA2 GNSS receiver can be used with iOS, Android, and Windows devices and the differential correction service meet the functional requirements for sub-foot positional accuracy. The Catalyst DA2 GNSS receiver is recommended to replace the current Geo7x GPS mapping hardware.

GIS Software

TerraFlex Premium

TerraFlex is designed to work seamlessly with the Catalyst GNSS receiver and together enables real-time and offline sub-foot accuracy differential corrections without input from the field user. TerraFlex Premium is necessary for offline differential corrections and meets the functional requirements listed in this document. The annual cost is higher than ArcGIS Online’s list price and less than

SpatialWorx.

TerraFlex Premium meets the functional requirements and is ranked 1st in this evaluation because of its turn-key ability, the GIS cloud-based app, and the capability to perform offline differential corrects at no additional cost.

Trimble offered to work with FDOT to create a NextGen ITSFM prototype using their solution. They set up Catalyst 30-

Centimeter and TerraFlex Premium accounts, imported the current ITSFM data dictionary, and scheduled training so

FDOT can configure the application. Trimble is providing a DA2 GNSS receiver for testing the real-time and offline corrections capabilities.

ArcGIS Online

Esri is an industry leader in GIS and its ArcGIS Online cloud-based software is a proven suite of tools designed to work together. ArcGIS Online meets the functional requirements and is ranked 2nd in this evaluation because it lacks the offline differential corrects capability available in the Trimble GPS mapping solution.

Esri offered to work with FDOT to create a NextGen ITSFM prototype using their solution. They offered to gather detailed requirements and develop functional pilot solutions funded through its Advantage Program. FDOT will build the prototype apps using input and support from the FDOT GIS and ITSFM team. FDOT will be responsible for setting up the apps, and implementation.

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SpatialWorx

SpatialWorx is a powerful data collection and field or office processing tool that lacks some of the capabilities. For example:

• The version presented supported GPS mapping of point features and not linear features like conduit duct banks. It required GPS points to be collected then the linear feature manually drawing by connecting the GPS points. The legacy ITSFM GPS mapping tools have supported the collection of linear features since its inception.

• It was stated SpatialWorx has an API connection to NexusWorx

(ITSFM) but the version presented was not configured to transfer ITS geofeatures to or from SpatialWorx to the ITSFM system via the API.

The workflow used by Byers for its other customers exports data from

SpatialWorx and then manually imported it into the ITSFM system.

• This solution has additional subscription costs from a third-party GNSS hardware and differential correction service so the field worker can collect sub-foot accurate GSP coordinates.

• SpatialWorx has a higher annual subscription cost compared to the list price for the other products.

Based on the information provided during the presentation, SpatialWorx lacks some of the benefits available from

ArcGIS Online and TerraFlex solutions. It also has the highest annual cost and is therefore ranked 3rd in this evaluation based on functionality and cost.

Conclusion ArcGIS Online and TerrFlex can meet the ITSFM data collection workflow, including:

1. Provide central administration for project creation, user accounts, data dictionaries, and mile marker locations.

2. Supports multiple simultaneous users working on the same project.

3. Have four user types with different capabilities:

a. System administrators,

b. Quality reviewers,

c. Field data collectors, and

d. Viewers.

4. Enable the collection of both geofeatures (equipment sites) and child features (site inventory).

5. Automatically populate the road name menu in the data dictionary with nearby road name options generated from the map attributes.

6. Utilize an API to transfer:

a. Existing features from the ITSFM system to the field data collector based on geographic project limits.

b. Approved project data into the ITSFM system.

It is recommended that FDOT support Esri and Trimble with the creation of two ITSFM data collection prototypes to better understand each product’s ease of use and actual capability to meet FDOT’s needs to:

• Maintain state-of-the-art capabilities.

• Simplify the data collection process to lower production costs.

• Increase positional accuracy from sub-meter to sub-foot without affecting production rates.

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• Enable seamless online or offline differential corrections with no special training or input from field users.

• Eliminate costly post-processing of weekly data files and manual imports from the data collector to the ITSFM system.

• Lower contractor costs using existing iOS, Android, and Windows devices verse dedicated mapping-grade GPS hardware.

• Lower contractor software costs by offering a low or no-cost cloud-based solution for data processing, quality control reviews, and differential corrections.

• Lower FDOT’s ITSFM administration cost.

o Use application programming interface (API) for all data dictionary and code list updates.

o Eliminate management and distribution of GPS seed files by including the data dictionary and mile marker locations within the user’s workspace created for each contractor’s construction projects.

Product Information

Trimble – Catalyst and TerraFlex Trimble is the current ITSFM GPS mapping tool provider and has extensive knowledge of the ITSFM data collection workflow, data dictionary, seed files, attribute concatenation, and picture naming. Trimble offers Catalyst, a high-accuracy GNSS positioning hardware and positioning subscription-based service that operates on iOS, Android, and

Windows devices in the field, and TerraFlex, a cloud-based data collection platform that enables offline differential corrections, system administration to create and manage user accounts, create projects for contractor projects, allow the QC auditor to send data back to the field for navigation or updating features. TerraFlex supports two-way data flow to transfer approved data to the ITSFM and to retrieve ITSFM data for the population within a project for visibility and potential edits by the field user.

Catalyst

The following outlines the essential functions of Trimble’s Catalyst, Gateway API, and TerraFlex, presented on

November 2, 2022:

• Next-generation GNSS technology:

o The hardware component o Zero-configuration access with Trimble corrections, o Worldwide coverage o Offers full survey-grade precision

• Trimble Catalyst supports sub-meter to CM accuracy.

• Positional accuracy is automatically performed without user input

• Supports IOS and Android phones and tablet

• Bluetooth connectivity

• Catalyst user subscriptions:

o On-Demand (purchase bundles between 10-25,000 hours) o Monthly o Annual o Enterprise

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TerraFlex

• TerraFlex is a cloud-based data collection platform using user-based monthly, annual, and enterprise pricing licensing. The pricing options are flexible and negotiable.

• TerraFlex supports connected and disconnected data collection and uses the Internet only for synchronization.

• When connected, data is available immediately in the office or to other users in the field.

• TerraFlex uses multi-factor authentication, user access, and data encryption for secure transmission and storage.

• TerraFlex converts the TerraSync data dictionary directly into the TerraFlex format and runs on iOS, Android, or Windows devices.

• No file transfers or file management is required.

• TerraFlex supports laser technology devices to support distance/bearing and distance/distance offset measurement workflow that guides the user through the process.

• Trimble Connect is the office interface to the map workspace project data.

• Trimble Terra Office can connect TerraFlex workflows directly to ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap).

• The data dictionary supports accuracy requirements, repeating previously captured attributes by feature type.

• The workflow allows the QC auditor to send data back to the field for navigation or updating features.

Restriction can be defined so the user cannot change things that do not need to be changed.

• User & Group Administration o Back-office tool user and project administration.

▪ Organize users into a functional or organizational structure.

▪ Grant access to specific users/groups.

▪ Prevents users from making unwanted changes.

o Define real-time positioning requirements to eliminate field users making choices or misconfiguring settings.

o Enables offline GNSS corrections to improve the accuracy of features collected offline when connectivity is not available.

o Save administration and editor costs by eliminating manual post-processing positional corrections, version control, and managing numerous data and picture files.

o Map view Dashboard to filter and visualize:

▪ QA/QC data

▪ Features by accuracy

▪ Create a to-do list for field corrections o TerraFlex Gateway API

▪ Direct interface to field-captured data.

▪ Eliminate import time and manual data management process

▪ Includes tools for codes and libraries.

▪ Trimble engineers will be available to support the integration with ITSFM.

▪ Customize any component for data integration:

• Image names

• Attribute concatenation

▪ Two-way data flow enables the transfer of approved data to the ITSFM and population of existing ITSFM data within a project for visibility and potential edits by the field user.

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▪ Automatically handles schema, ITS feature, and code list changes.

o Coordinate values include X, Y, and Z.

o Support for the transfer feature attributes and depth readings from RD and ViVax cable locators is currently under development.

Esri ArcGIS Online FDOT has an enterprise license with Esri until 2025, enabling the Department to create unlimited named user accounts for FDOT or contractor viewers, field users, or creators. ArcGIS uses a suite of GIS apps to coordinate and assign work to field crews. It uses form and map-centric data collection apps to collect geofeatures and child features.

The apps operate on iOS and Android devices in the field and on Windows desktops in the office.

ArcGIS Online is not a GPS mapping tool but a GIS data collection, verification, and management tool. It does not perform differential corrections or support offline data collection because the GPS mapping hardware and software provider must perform the corrections.

Esri offered to work with FDOT on a prototype project that would gather detailed requirements and develop functional pilot solutions that would be funded through its Advantage Program. FDOT and Esri will build the prototype apps based on input from the FDOT GIS and the ITSFM team. FDOT will be responsible for setting up the apps, and implementation will be the responsibility of FDOT.

The current enterprise license includes all apps listed below except Workflow Manager, which may or may not be required.

o Workforce – Coordinate and assign work to field crews, location awareness, and integrate with work orders. The administrator can create a work order, assign users, identify the location, and add existing feature layers. Users log in, navigate to their “To Do List,” and select an active work order.

The app allows users to open Survey123 or Field Maps to capture features and attributes.

o Workflow Manager – Create workflow and manage work within the workflow o Navigator – Map-based turn-by-turn directions.

o Survey123 – Form-centric field data collection that supports the array of child features associated with equipment location geofeatures.

o Field Maps – Map-centric field data collection using GPS coordinates from a mobile device (i.e., phone, tablet), integration with a GPS receiver, or manual placement in the map view. Feature attributes are documented on smart forms. Supports collection of geofeatures and attributes.

o Dashboards – user configured to monitor real-time operations and performance indicators and enable at-a-glance decision-making.

ArcGIS Online

The following outlines the essential functions of Esri’s ArcGIS online presented on November 17, 2022:

• ArcGIS apps are Commercial off-the-shelf apps that can be custom configured to meet the customer’s needs, are user configurable, and work together to support end-to-end workflow.

• ArcGIS apps allow users to store data locally when not connected to the Internet and then sync data to the cloud when connectivity is available.

• Maps can be created to enable quality auditing with the ability to send non-compliant data back to the field user for correction.

• The Esri apps do not perform differential correction of GNSS coordinates. The GPS hardware provider does this process. The ArcGIS app treats GPS coordinate values as geofeature attributes. It will accept or reject the

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• Esri supports iOS and Android devices and has several partners that offer hardware, including:

o Arxys – provider of ArcGIS Data Appliance provider including vector maps.

o Bad Elf – provider of GNSS receivers:

▪ Bad Elf Flex is a GNSS receiver that supports RTK, multi-constellation, multi-frequency 1 cm positional accuracy for iOS, Android, and Windows devices.

o Dell Technologies – provider of rugged tablets.

o EOS Positioning Systems – provider of GNSS receivers:

▪ Arrow 200 is a GNSS receiver that supports all global GNSS constellations, SBAS, and RTK differential correction sources with up to 1 cm positional accuracy for iOS, Android, and

Windows devices.

o IkeGPS – provide a smart laser measurement solution.

o Juniper – provider of rugged tablets.

o Leica Geosystems – provider of GNSS hardware and software solutions including:

▪ Zeno Connect is an app for third-party applications to manage, configure and use Leica Zeno

GIS series antennas.

▪ Zeno FLX100 Smart Antenna is a compact and flexible GNSS receiver that supports RTK, multi-constellation, multi-frequency 2cm positional accuracy for Android and Windows devices.

▪ Zeno GG04 plus is a survey-grade GNSS receiver that supports RTK, Multi-constellation, multi-frequency 1cm positional accuracy for iOS, Android, and Windows devices. The 555 channels provide an increased number of supported satellites as well as unrivaled tracking performance in difficult GNSS conditions.

o Trimble – provider of GNSS hardware and software solutions including:

▪ Catalyst DA2 GNSS receiver that offers sub-meter to CM accuracy for iOS and Android phones and tablets. It has zero-configuration access with Trimble corrections and the positional accuracy is automatically performed without user input.

▪ TerraFlex is a cloud-based data collection platform using user-based monthly, annual, and enterprise pricing licensing that supports connected and disconnected data collection.

Esri offered to conduct a pilot project to gather detailed requirements and develop functional pilot solutions that would be funded through its Advantage Program. Esri would build the prototype apps based on input from the FDOT

GIS and the ITSFM team. FDOT will be responsible for setting up the apps, and implementation will be the responsibility of FDOT.

Byers - SpatialWorx Byers Engineering Company is the provider of NexusWorx, the ITSFM system’s primary component. NexusWorx is a commercial-of-the-shelf GIS product designed to manage fiber optic cables for telecommunication companies and modify for FDOT to model the ITS system, including ITS devices and equipment locations, the fiber optic cables, and the electric network supporting ITS.

Byers developed and uses SpatialWorx to support NexusWorx implementations for other telecommunication and

Department of Transportation clients. SpatialWorx operates on iOS and Android devices in the field and on Windows desktops in the office.

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SpatialWorx allows field technicians to:

• Update imported geofeatures,

• Manually place geofeatures in the map view,

• Place a new geofeature based on the GPS coordinates supplied by connected GPS mapping hardware,

• Inventory equipment site assets,

• Capture predefined photographs,

• Create drawings and sketches, and

• Document fiber terminations.

SpatialWorx is not a GPS mapping tool but a data collection, verification, and management tool. It processes data collected in the field and other data sources imported into the system. Byers uses the Trimble Catalyst GPS mapping service to provide GPS positional accuracy before inputting data into SpatialWorx.

Presentation Notes

The following outlines the essential functions of Byers’ SpatialWorx, presented on October 31, 2022.

• SpatialWorx is a cloud-based:

o Data broker system that consolidates data from a variety of sources and presents them in a standard manner.

▪ Pushes data to the field and manages changes.

o Administration system:

▪ Define project packages for field assignments.

▪ Define feature data on custom forms.

▪ Subset data based on geography or feature attributes.

▪ Assign and manage users.

o Field client system:

▪ The field client app works with the data broker system for changes to/from the field.

▪ Support iOS and Android platforms.

• Supported data sources include:

o Esri shape files o Google KML o Spreadsheet/CSV o ArcGIS o Web Feature Service (API) o External Database o IoT devices

• SpatialWorx includes an API that supports the following:

o External data sources are to be ingested from or exported to other software apps.

o Exports to AutoCAD and not MicroStation.

o The API currently does not transfer SpatialWorx data to ITSFM or other NexusWorx systems.

• Geospatial projects require an external GIS app to define the area included in a project.

• User roles include Administrators (full control), project managers (create and assign projects), field data collectors, and external users.

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SpatialWorx Workflow Demonstration

• The SpatialWorx demonstration showed ITSFM features displayed in the SpatialWorx desktop app. The workflow shown is based on Byers’ data collection process and not the ITSFM workflow.

• The display of ITSFM geofeatures is user-defined and uses the same symbology as the ITSFM. Geofeatures also included child features such as equipment features and photographs.

• Data collectors can manually place ITS features in the map view or use the GNSS receiver's GPS coordinates to place the feature, capture photos, create drawings, and attach documents.

• New feature creations utilize the ITSFM attributes and code list values and enforce required fields.

• SpatialWorx supports the placement of child features such as equipment cabinet inventory. This can be performed from the office or the field.

• SpatialWorx has forms to document front and back patch panel port terminations and path names.

• Patch panel termination does not transfer to ITSFM. It is an electronic data storage that can replace the current ITSFM paper forms. The ITSFM fiber editor uses the data to build connectivity in ITSFM as it is today.

• Supports fiber splice vault and pullbox butterfly details with cable duct assignments or pole and down guys and anchors

Understanding GPS Positional Accuracy Having accurate and dependable GPS coordinates of ITS equipment and infrastructure offers many benefits.

Geofeatures can be exported from ITSFM into new construction design plans allowing engineers to use reliable data to identify potential conflicts quickly and, if needed, modify the design to avoid unnecessary ITS relocation cost or include the relocation in the design. Reliable data also enables designers to leverage FDOT’s spare conduit infrastructure capacity to lower construction costs.

FDOT needs a GPS mapping solution that seamlessly captures sub-foot accurate coordinates without input from the

GPS equipment operator. It must perform differential correction in real-time using correction data from satellites, the

Internet, or radio signals from a reference station and enable post-processing when real-time correction data is unavailable. When real-time processing is unavailable, the data collector will automatically collect any additional data necessary to support post-processing corrections when connectivity becomes available without input from the operator. Ensuring sub-foot positional accuracy from anywhere in the state is a critical component of the new GPS mapping system.

Differential corrections are required to achieve sub-meter, sub-foot, and centimeter accuracy. Corrections are calculated by measuring errors at a reference base station, then broadcasting those corrections to Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers in the field. There are several correction services available to improve accuracy and are known as real-time corrections delivered to the field in real-time.

• Real-time GNSS correction services include:

o SBAS/WASS (Satellite Based Augmentation Systems/ Wide Area Augmentation System)

▪ Free line of sight satellite-based limited to sub-meter accuracy of 50CM / 1.6 feet.

▪ Service is unavailable if trees or buildings obstruct the line of sight, preventing features from being captured with sub-meter accuracy.

o Trimble RTX (Real Time Satellite)

▪ Based on the subscription level purchased, subscription service with line-of-sight satellite or

Internet-based accuracy of up to 1CM / 0.03 feet.

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▪ Service is unavailable if the line of sight is obstructed or there is a loss of Internet, preventing features from being captured with sub-foot or better accuracy.

o VRS/RTK (Virtual Reference Station/Real-Time Kinematic)

▪ Subscription service with 4G Internet or radio-based accurate to 1CM / 0.03 feet

▪ It may require additional hardware.

▪ The quality of the Internet or radio reception can impact data collection time.

• Offline GNSS correction:

o Provides accurate positioning with minimized disruptions in the field for areas not covered by real-time correction services.

o Offline GNSS corrections maintain data collection accuracy without manual processing from the operator.

o Requires subscription service from GNSS hardware and software provider:

▪ Trimble – TerraFlex Premium is required for offline corrections. Corrections are automatically performed when connectivity returns to the data collector.

▪ Leica – Zeno Mobile and SmartNet correction service. The user can manually perform corrections on the data collector when connectivity returns to the data collector.

▪ Esri – Not Supported