Tonkin+Taylor found that SouthPAN fit in well with existing workflows, reduced operational barriers and provided practical value.
A trial by engineering and environmental consultancy Tonkin+Taylor in New Zealand, has shown that the SouthPAN free satellite positioning correction service can improve location accuracy for field teams without the cost and complexity often associated RTK positioning.
But rather than replacing RTK, SouthPAN enables specialists to reserve that high precision for work that really needs it.
During the test, the company put SouthPAN’s accuracy and efficiency to the test across a range of insurance, geotechnical, environmental and construction projects over a three-month period.
The trial aimed to see how SouthPAN would fare at bridging the gap between standard GNSS and RTK positioning methods. Standard GNSS is straightforward but not always accurate enough for many jobs, while RTK can be highly accurate but at a higher cost in terms of dollars, set-up time, training and internet connection.
“SouthPAN gives organisations another practical option for improving the quality of their location data,” said Michael Appleyard, Head of Location Information at LINZ.
“This trial shows how a free, satellite-delivered correction service can help make improved positioning more accessible for suitable field workflows, while keeping specialist tools such as RTK focused on tasks that need that level of precision.”
Accuracy improvements
During the trial, Tonkin+Taylor used SouthPAN’s L1 SBAS service with handheld equipment that worked alongside its existing GIS workflow.
The company reported a clear improvement over standard GNSS.
In more obstructed or fast-moving conditions, SouthPAN delivered around 1 to 1.5 metres accuracy. In suburban open conditions, it delivered sub-metre accuracy.
In open areas with clear line of sight, results improved to around 0.5 metres and, in ideal conditions after a short stationary period, around 100 millimetres.
The results depended on equipment, configuration, user environment and how the position was captured. Line of sight, tree cover, nearby buildings, signal availability and user behaviour can all affect performance.
Scaling SouthPAN’s value across the business
According to Tonkin+Taylor geotechnical engineer, Miles Buob, SouthPAN’s value is not only in the accuracy improvement… it is making that improvement easier to use at scale across the business.
Mr Buob said SouthPAN fitted well into Tonkin+Taylor’s existing field workflow and was easier to explain to users than more complex positioning options.
“Every time someone new is using an RTK-compatible device, you need to explain the concept of RTK and how it works,” he said.
“With SouthPAN, there is less of a configuration barrier. For many users, it can be understood as a way to get better GPS performance with compatible equipment.”
Tonkin+Taylor is now exploring how SouthPAN can be enabled across its existing devices and workflows, with a view to making better positioning capability available to more teams across the business.
Related reading:
LINZ offers no-cost way to trial SouthPAN
SouthPAN’s serious accuracy boost for NZ forestry
