Need for Modernization of Vertical Control in Caribbean Island Territories

• Published in: Surveying and land information science Vol. 80; no. 1; pp. 5 - 15
• Main Authors: Nanlal, Cassandra, Miller, Keith, Davis, Dexter, Sutherland, Michael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Gaithersburg American Association for Geodetic Surveying 01.05.2021; American Congress on Surveying and Mapping
• Subjects: Benchmarks; Caribbean; Coastal resources; Coastal zone; Coastal zone management; Data acquisition; Environmental protection; Flood hazards; Flood management; Geoidal Model; Gnss; Hazard assessment; Hydrologic data; Modernization; Msl; Sea-Level Change; Seasonal variations; Spatial resolution; Standardization; Sustainable development; Topography; Vertical Control; Vertical Deformation
• ISSN: 1538-1242; 1559-7202

Caribbean small island territories are heavily dependent on coastal infrastructure, and growth of economies is dependent on further development. Efficient planning for new investment in the coastal zone requires accurate topographic data for flood hazard assessment, protection of coastal resources, and ensuring sustainable development. Within this research, undertaken on the west coast of Trinidad, it is demonstrated that current practices in acquisition of topographic data in the vertical component are inadequate. Historical datums established in the last century are subject to errors, and the use of short-term sealevel data acquired locally today may not reflect proper levels because of seasonal variability. Heights of benchmarks obtained using three methods have variations of up to 0.5 m for the same point. Furthermore, expensive modern data that is being acquired to a high degree of accuracy is degraded through the use of geoidal models with inadequate spatial resolution. It is concluded that there is need for modernization and standardization of vertical control in the region which is based on a physical height system.