Frequently asked questions about the local geodetic network

Are there special requirements (qualifications) for the person responsible for the local area network? If so, what?

Recommendation of the Latvian Geospatial Information Agency - the person responsible for the local geodetic network should meet the qualification specified in Section 10, Paragraph 3 of the Geospatial Information Law, ie with education in geodesy or land use and practical work experience in geodesy (preferably geodetic networking).

To successfully complete tasks related to the local geodetic network in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No. 497 "Local Geodetic Network Regulations" (hereinafter - the Regulations), the responsible person must be able to solve the following issues:

collect and update local geodetic network information in the Local Geodetic Network Database (VTDB);
prepare documentation on the local geodetic network development description and the local network development report, but, if certified, control the prepared documentation;
monitor the local geodetic network, incl. coordinate construction and reconstruction of streets and roads in the protection zone of the local geodetic network point;
manage the identification and evaluation of the local geodetic network in accordance with the Regulations;
assess the availability of points, if done by a certified person, control the prepared documents;
issue information and data on points of the local geodetic network to spatial planners, surveyors and other persons;
other issues related to the local geodetic network should be addressed.

How does the municipality designate the person responsible for the local network?

It is up to the municipality to determine the person responsible for the local geodetic network. Similarly, there is no requirement to have a specific municipal post for the execution of tasks related to the local geodetic network (for example, these tasks may be assigned to any municipal official or delegated legal entity that nominates a responsible person, respectively), and will be responsible for coordinating matters relating to local networks, and will be authorized as an individual to enter data into the Local Geodetic Network database (will receive a username and password to work with VTDB).

Latvian Geospatial Information Agency, providing methodological support for the issues of the local geodetic network, will continue to contact and address the necessary issues with the person in charge of the local geodetic network.

How can I get all possible information about the local geodetic network points in the county?

In order to receive the information of the Latvian Geospatial Information Agency about the local geodetic network points in the territory of a particular region, you must send a request letter to the LGIA. The employees of the LGIA will prepare all electronic data at their disposal, including those received from the State Land Service in 2005. These are basically data on polygonometry and leveling points. In addition, a list of the documentation of the Archives and Material Circulation Fund of the LGIA - catalogues of geodetic works performed during the Soviet period - will be prepared. The data recorded on the disk shall be sent by the LGIA using post to the municipality together with a copy of the deed of acceptance, one copy of which shall be returned to the LGIA after signing.

Since September 2012, the LGIA has also issued scanned material from its historical catalogues. In order to become acquainted with the catalogues in person, it is necessary to contact the LGIA Archive and Material Circulation Fund in advance.

In order to obtain additional information, it is necessary to identify surveyors practicing in the territory of the county.

Does the Latvian Geospatial Information Agency issue data for the local geodetic network for a fee?

Data at the disposal of the Latvian Geospatial Information Agency are provided free of charge upon request of local governments.

What should be done if there is not enough national geodetic network points in the county to connect the local network?

The coverage of the Global Positioning Network and the permanent global positioning base station system "Latvian Positioning System" (LatPos) is uniform throughout the territory of Latvia and provides Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No. 497 "Local Geodetic Network Regulations" (hereinafter - the Regulations) fulfillment of the requirement of Paragraph 21, that is, connection of the local geodetic network to at least three national network points. Attraction points can also be located outside the county or city.

In accordance with paragraph 22 of these Regulations, the existing leveling points of the National Geodetic Network, as well as the leveling points marked in the catalogs issued before 1991 as Class 1 and 2 leveling points, shall also be used for height lifting. The regulations do not require a number of them.

Therefore, we think that situations with insufficient number of points in the national geodetic network should not result in local network connection. If, however, such a problem were to be seen in a region, this particular situation would have to be considered together with its technical details.

How is the accuracy of the local geodetic network evaluated?

The points of the local geodetic network in Latvia were mostly installed and surveyed from 1930 to 1990. with the methods and technical capabilities of that time. When transforming these points to the LKS-92 TM, their coordinate accuracy remained the same. The local geodetic network data obtained with the technologies of the last century do not ensure the accuracy of modern technologies, therefore, surveying works create situations when they are confronted with global positioning data. Incompatibility of surveying data makes it necessary to improve the accuracy of local geodetic network data.

The evaluation of local geodetic network points is mainly done by examining existing information - networking reports, reports and other documents. Compliance with Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No. 497 "Local Geodetic Network Regulations", the accuracy requirements of paragraph 4 shall be proved by local geodetic network data obtained after 1992 through appropriate work reports or technical reports. The accuracy of the data obtained from previous measurements is lower than required by the regulations. Control measurements in nature may be useful only in certain cases where the available information does not provide a conclusive assessment. In other cases, accurate measurements are made as part of local area network optimization.

Where should the local geodetic network sorting work be started?

Work on the improvement of the local geodetic network should begin with the identification and evaluation of the existing situation. This means that as much information as possible about the geodetic points within the municipal administrative area should be collected. The Latvian Geospatial Information Agency (hereinafter - Agency) shall provide all available information free of charge if the local government sends a request letter to the Agency. Valuable information about geodetic points can also be provided by geodesists, surveyors and surveying firms in the area. The points should be followed up to see if the points have survived, how many, where, if they are to be used and how.

Local geodetic network points are evaluated primarily by examining existing information - networking reports, reports and other documents. Compliance with Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No. 497 “Local Geodetic Network Regulations” (hereinafter - Regulations), the data of the local geodetic network obtained after 1992 shall be proved by the relevant work reports or technical reports. The accuracy of the data obtained from previous measurements is lower than required by the regulations. Control measurements in nature may be useful only in certain cases where the available information does not provide a conclusive assessment. In other cases, accurate measurements are made as part of local area network optimization. The initial survey and evaluation of local network points as required by the Regulations must be completed by December 13, 2012 (paragraph 64 of the Regulations). All survey materials should be summarized in a survey report, which will then be used for further action.

On the basis of the results of the survey and evaluation, the municipality shall decide on further action to maintain the local geodetic network, i.e., determining the area where the development of the local geodetic network is required and determining the area where the local geodetic network meets the requirements of the Regulations.

What will be the responsibility of the person responsible for the local geodetic network?

The person responsible for the local area network will need to be able to:

collect and update local geodetic network information in the Local Geodetic Network Database (VTDB);
prepare documentation for the local geodetic network development description and the local network development report, but, if it is done by a certified person, control the prepared documents;
monitor the local geodetic network, incl. coordinate construction and reconstruction of streets and roads in the protection zone of the local geodetic network point;
to conduct the survey and evaluation of the local geodetic network in accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No. 497 “Local Geodetic Network Regulations”;
assess the sufficiency of points, if done by a certified person, control the prepared documents;
issue information and data on points of the local geodetic network to spatial planners, surveyors and other persons;
other issues related to the local geodetic network should be addressed.

What do I need to do to access the Local Geodetic Network database?

Access to the Local Geodetic Network Database (VTDB) requires a username and password. This can be done by sending a written request to info@lgia.gov.lv using the forms available on the website. For the purposes of access to the database, the user details are transferred to the municipality in a sealed envelope. The LGIA user details are activated after receiving the e-mail information that the LGIA details have been received by the database user specified by the municipality. The website provides information on the terms of use of the database. In case of uncertainty, when working with VTDB, you may contact the Database Administrator, Natālija Piļenoka (email: natalija.pilenoka@lgia.gov.lv, phone: 25691505) or Brigita Helfriča (email: brigita.helfrica@lgia.gov.lv, phone: 27875702).

Is it possible to get advice on improving the local geodetic network?

Yes. If necessary, the specialists of the Latvian Geospatial Information Agency are ready to provide methodological guidance and support to the person designated by the municipality for the local geodetic network. The contact points for the local geodetic network are:

Ivars Liepiņš, Director of the Department of Geodesy (e-mail: ivars.liepins@lgia.gov.lv, phone: 26165678) is the contact person for the development of the local geodetic network and the updating of geodetic data;
Brigita Helfriča, Head of the Geodetic Data Control Division at the Department of Geodesy (e-mail: brigita.helfrica@lgia.gov.lv, phone: 27875702) is the contact person for geodetic information circulation and for the Local Geodetic Network Database.

Will the municipality have to pay for the use of the Local Geodetic Network Database?

No. The Local Geodetic Network Database (VTDB) is free of charge, and municipalities do not have to pay for methodological guidance and advice provided by specialists from the Latvian Geospatial Information Agency.

Can local geodetic point signs be purchased from the Latvian Geospatial Information Agency?

No. Wall and solid pavement signs can be purchased from geodetic tool dealers - specialized stores. Bottom marks must be ordered from companies that manufacture similar equipment. Drawings of point signs are given in the Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No. 497 "Local Geodetic Network Regulations" Annex 4.

Do the points of the local geodetic network need to be represented in the spatial plans?

Yes. All geodesic points have protection zones defined in the Protection Zones Law, so they must be displayed both in the spatial plan, the local plan and the detailed plan. Information on the local network points should be obtained by the planner from the local authority responsible for the local geodetic network. The plans must be accompanied by lists of geodesic points. Where the scale of the graphical part of the layout permits, the points shall also be graphically represented on the map or plan and their protection zones shall be marked. The person responsible for the local area network should monitor the representation of the points of the local geodetic network in the plans. If there are no local geodetic network points in the area of the local plan or the detailed plan, a certificate from the municipality shall be attached to the plan.

What to do if it is known that the construction will result in the destruction of the local geodetic point?

The municipality must, in its binding regulations, stipulate that all construction work must be coordinated with the municipal network operator, who will inform the contractor of the need to relocate the local network point and the procedure to be followed.

Who covers the costs of relocating a local geodetic point?

The costs shall be borne by the person who commissioned or carried out the work.

How to ensure the protection of local geodetic network points?

Prerequisites for securing a local geodetic point include depicting them in the spatial plan (textual and / or graphical part), informing property owners of the need to maintain local network points, direct involvement of the responsible person in coordinating construction work, receiving point information from surveyors, not less than once every four years.

Who can survey, evaluate, and improve the local network?

Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No. 497 "Local Geodetic Network Regulations" defines who can conduct surveys, evaluations and improvements.

The survey report may be drawn up by employees of the municipal authorities (in cooperation with the person in charge of the local network), provided that the staff concerned is qualified or certified in the occupational standard for geodetic activities included in the occupation classification. Other persons carrying out the survey under the direction of the person responsible for the local network may also be invited to survey the geodetic points in the area.

The evaluation may be carried out by employees of municipal institutions if the qualification of the relevant employees is in accordance with the profession standard for performing geodetic activities included in the classification of professions or persons who are certified in this field.

Personnel of local authorities (in cooperation with the person in charge of the local network) can prepare the description of the optimization description, carry out the measurements and prepare the report.