The Effect of Using Multiple Coordinate Systems and Datum Transformations on the Calculated Coordinates in Palestine

Abstract The recent developments in spatial data collection, management and software require the availability of proper geodetic infrastructures for integrating different types and sources of coordinates without causing effective changes in positions. Nowadays, positions are mostly collected by GNSS data collectors based on WGS84/ITRF reference systems. The data are then subjected to transformations and projections to a locally used system. Another possibility is direct data collection based on the local coordinate system by classical surveys using land surveying, photogrammetry, laser scanning, etc. The spatial data management is commonly operated using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software for mapping, analysis, planning, and other services. The conversions between different coordinate systems should be well defined to guarantee the consistency of the coordinates on all systems and tools. In Palestine, the classical and local surveys are all based on the local coordinate system Pal1923Grid for engineering, cadastral and planning applications. The different GNSS RTK-service providers use different definitions and transformation methods between WGS84 or the International Terrestrial Reference Frames (ITRF) and the local Palestine1923Grid, whereas the Land authority has adopted a group of parameters to be implemented on the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) data collectors, which do not fit with Palestine1923Grid properties. Additionally, different transformation methods are used in GIS applications for converting the coordinates between the different systems using WGS84 as an intermediate system. Here, the coordinates of a group of the geodetic network in the West Bank of Palestine are used to assess the accuracy of the different transformations and systems by comparing the transformed coordinates using the GNSS system and the originally registered coordinates. Furthermore, a grid of points covering the coordinate system extents is used to describe the differences between the transformations and systems. It was found that the parameters provided by GNSS service providers have results that are consistent with each other and the geodetic network in the West Bank of Palestine compared to GIS-software parameters. By contrast, all systems have extremely deteriorated coordinates in the Gaza strip and the further parts of the Pal1923Grid extents.