No abstract

The paper describes the problem of conversion of heights to the European Vertical Reference Frame 2007 for Poland (PL-EVRF2007-NH). The subject of the study is height data, and especially the detailed vertical reference network. The aim of the article is to present an alternative method of conversion to the one recommended by the Polish Head Office of Geodesy and Cartography. The proposed approach is characterised by a low implementation cost while maintaining the required accuracy.The publication is illustrated by the case of Kętrzyn district (in the north-east part of Poland). The local reference network was converted from Kronstad’60 to PL-EVRF2007-NH in 2017.

W niniejszej pracy zawarto rozważania dotyczące możliwych przyczyn nadmiernego osiadania znaków osnowy geodezyjnej. Do analiz wybrano znaki ziemne osnowy wysokościowej typu 75a i b. Przeprowadzono analizę obliczeniową osiadania znaków osnowy geodezyjnej, pracujących w różnych warunkach gruntowych oraz w dwóch złożonych obciążeniach. W celu uwzględnienia w obliczeniach najbliższych rzeczywistym warunków współpracy pomiędzy elementami osnowy geodezyjnej, a ośrodkiem gruntowym, modyfikowano przyjmowane parametry. Uzyskane wyniki porównywano z zaobserwowanymi w powiecie kętrzyńskim w trakcie transformacji układu wysokościowego z Kronsztadt’60 na Kronsztadt’86. Wynikiem prac jest określenie możliwych zmian osnowy wysokościowej, w okresie pomiędzy kampaniami pomiarowymi (około 20 lat). 

This study aimed to measure and validate altitudes from existing sources with direct GNSS measurements and airborne lidar data. For this purpose, 12 mountain peaks located in the south part of Polish territory were selected. Measurements were performed using a GNSS receiver using the Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) or static techniques enabling altitude measurements with accuracy of 10 cm. GNSS was treated as the primary data source, as the direct field measurements can determine the highest point on each peak. The obtained results were confronted with historical, internet sources, and official altitude data. Moreover, each altitude was determined using lidar data from an airborne lidar dataset of Poland from the ISOK program and provided by the national agency. Significant discrepancies in data were already detected during the analysis of internet materials and traditional maps, up to a few meters. The differences between measured and internet sources in altitude of mountain peak range from 27 cm to 504 cm. This study has shown the need to re-measure the altitudes of the mountain peaks and determine the highest point correctly.

Determining the correct height of mountain peaks is vital for tourism, but it is also important as a reference point for devices equipped with GPS (Global Positioning System), e.g., watches or car navigation systems. The peak altitude data are part of geographic and geodetic information. As more modern technologies and equipment become available, their precisions should increase. However, verification of peak heights is usually only conducted for the highest, well-known mountains—lower peaks or mountain passes are rarely verified. Therefore, this study focuses on an investigation of 12 altitude points on a section of the longest and most famous touristic trail in Poland (the Main Beskid Trail), located in the Orava–Żywiec Beskids Mts (Mountains). The aim of this research is to measure and verify the heights of the 12 selected mountain peaks, in addition to evaluating the chosen methods based on the quality of the obtained data and determining their suitability and opportunities for use in further research. Measurements were obtained at the most specific height points—on the 12 highest points of the summits. This study compares two modern measurement techniques: the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and light detection and ranging (LiDAR). The obtained results were later compared with those widely used on the internet and in printed materials (period covered: 1884–2015). This analysis demonstrates that lesser-known objects are rarely the subject of remeasurement and significant altitude errors may occur, primarily because the heights originated from a source in the past when modern methods were not available. Our findings indicate that the heights of the peaks presented in cartographic materials are inaccurate. The assumed heights should be corrected by direct measurements using modern techniques.