WESTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY
College Of Engineering
Geodetic Engineering Department
Zamboanga City
Geodetic Engineering Department
Zamboanga City
Geodetic Datum and Reference Systems used in the Philippines
By
Alcoriza, Kriztelle Pearl A.
Villa, Deicee A.
Manait, Shayne M.
Boybanting, Katrina S.
Aming, Ariel L.
Abdulhari, Alwaleed A.
AY 2023-2024
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
1. Geodetic Datum
A geodetic datum is an abstract coordinate system with a reference surface (such as sea
level) that serves to provide known locations to begin surveys and create maps.
2. Geodesy
Scientific discipline dealing with the measuring and representing of Earth in the domains of
time, space, and the gravitational field.
3. Reference System
A reference system, in the context of geodesy and geospatial sciences, is a framework used to
define positions, measurements, and relationships on the Earth's surface or within a specific
geographic area.
4. World Geodetic System (WGS84)
The World Geodetic System (WGS) was conceived as a practical geodetic reference system that
maintains consistency with the best scientific terrestrial reference system at the time but also
retains some stability. It has evolved from its beginnings as WGS 60 to its present manifestation
as WGS 84.
5. Datum Center
The datum center refers to a reference point or origin used in defining a geodetic datum. The
datum center plays a crucial role in establishing the orientation and scale of the coordinate
system within the datum.
6. Ellipsoidal Height
Ellipsoid height (h) is the difference between the ellipsoid and a point on the Earth’s surface. It is
also called the geodetic height (not to be confused with geodetic datums). If you have
coordinates that were captured with a GPS receiver, the elevation data reference the ellipsoid,
meaning it has to be transformed to match the more accurate geoid instead.
7. Geodetic Latitude and Longitude
Geodetic latitude and longitude are geographic coordinates used in geodesy and cartography to
specify locations on the Earth's surface with high accuracy. These coordinates are based on a
reference ellipsoid, which is a mathematical model approximating the shape of the Earth.
8. Reference Network
A geodetic control network (also reference network, control point network, or control network)
is a network, often of triangles, which are measured precisely by techniques of terrestrial
surveying or by satellite geodesy. A geodetic control network consists of stable, identifiable
points with published datum values derived from observations that tie the points together.
9. Deflection of the Vertical
The deflection of the vertical is the difference in direction between the direction of Earth’s
gravity vector and some reference direction, such as the direction perpendicular to a given
reference ellipsoid or the direction of some reference gravity field (the normal gravity).
10. Seamless Integration
Seamless integration in geodesy refers to the process of harmonizing and combining geospatial
data from diverse sources, reference systems, and geographic regions into a unified and
consistent framework.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The history of geodetic datums in the Philippines can be traced back to the early 1900s:
Early 20th Century:
The Luzon Datum of 1911 - The United States Coast and Geodetic Survey (USCGS) began
establishing triangulation networks in the Philippines around 1901. These initial networks used
various datums and origins. By 1911, a nationwide network was consolidated, and the Luzon
Datum of 1911 was established. This datum, with Balanacan station as its origin, became the
primary reference for surveys in the Philippines. The Luzon Datum relied on the Clarke Spheroid
of 1866 as its reference ellipsoid.
Mid-20th Century:
Continued Use and Limitations - The Luzon Datum served the Philippines well for many
decades, enabling crucial tasks like:
Defining property boundaries
Extensive topographic mapping
Delimiting political subdivisions
Surveying for development projects
Late 20th Century:
The Need for Modernization - With advancements in technology, the limitations of the Luzon
Datum became apparent. The need for a more accurate and globally compatible reference system
arose. 1987: The Philippine Reference System of 1992 (PRS92).
The Philippine Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey (PCGBS), a forerunner to today's
NAMRIA, undertook a significant initiative. A network of GPS stations was established
nationwide. New observations were adjusted and led to the establishment of the Philippine
Reference System of 1992 (PRS92).
This datum incorporated a connection to the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84), a global
reference frame.
21st Century: Modernization Continues
The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) remains at the forefront
of geodetic advancements in the Philippines. Initiatives like the Philippine Active Geodetic
Network (PageNET) established in 2008 further strengthen the reference system. The
development of the Philippine Gravity Model of 2014 (PGM2014) is another example of
ongoing efforts for a more robust and accurate system.
Spatial Reference used in the Philippines
In the Philippines, there are two basic datums, the World Geodetic System (WGS) of 1984 and
the Luzon Datum created in 1911.
WGS84 - WGS84 is a commonly used worldwide datum developed from satellite measurements
of the earth. It is rapidly becoming the preferred datum around the world. Satellite images are
often published using this datum. Unlike most datums, the origin for WGS84 is the center of the
earth. The ellipsoid is also called WGS84. Transformation parameters to convert from most
national or local datums to WGS84 are published and can often be found in GIS software.
Luzon 1911 - The Luzon datum of 1911 is the most commonly used datum for the Philippines.
Most of the map series published by the Philippines National Mapping and Resource Information
Authority (NAMRIA) use the Luzon datum. Any spatial data created from digitized maps will
most likely be based on it. Luzon uses the Clark 1866 ellipsoid and its origin is located just south
of Luzon at Balanacan, Marinduque Island.
PRS92 - In 1992, NAMRIA created the Philippine Reference System datum of 1992 (PRS92).
PRS92 is not a new datum but an adjustment of the Luzon datum. The original datum
observations from Luzon 1911, used in PRS92, were not recomputed. PRS92 uses a total of 467
GPS locations, of which 330 are first order accuracy. The Luzon datum location network consists
of survey data of second order accuracy or below. NAMRIA has published transformation
parameters for PRS92 to WGS84 but there is no published accuracy assessment
Two projected coordinate systems used in the Philippines are the Universal Transverse Mercator
(UTM) coordinate system and the Philippine Transverse Mercator (PTM) coordinate system.
UTM is a series of global projections that divide the earth into 60 zones, six degrees for each
zone. The Philippines is covered by Zone 51North which is bounded by 120° East and 126 East
longitude and has a central meridian of 123° East longitude. The scaling factor is 0.9996 which
means that true scale is located along a meridian 180 km to the east and west of the central
meridian.
UTM uses a Cartesian coordinate system where the origin of X and Y is located at the
intersection of the equator and the central meridian. The unit of measurement is the meter. To
prevent the use of negative numbers, which make measurements and calculations more difficult,
the X coordinate, at the central meridian is given a value of 500,000 meters, instead of zero
meters. The X coordinate is also referred to as the easting. The Y coordinate, or northing,
remains at zero. For example, the coordinates for the intersection of the Lantapan and
Malaybalay roads, using WGS84, are northing 890900 meters and easting 735334 meters.
Therefore, we know that the road intersection is 890900 meters north of the equator and 235334
meters (735334-500000) east of the central meridian of 123° East longitude.
The PTM is a not a global projection. It is a local projection designed specifically for the
Philippines and primarily used for surveying political boundaries. PTM reduces distortion by
creating a series of central meridians. While UTM has only one zone to cover the country, PTM
uses five separate zones. Bukidnon is in Zone V. The five zones are:
Zone I 117° East Area west of 118° E
Zone II 119° East Palawan and Calamian Islands
Zone III 121° East Luzon (except SE), Mindoro
Zone IV 123° East - SE Luzon, West Mindanao
Zone V 125° East - East Mindanao, Bohol, Samar
Like UTM, the origin of the coordinate system is at the intersection of the equator and the central
meridian. The Y coordinate (northing) is zero meters and the X coordinate (easting) is 500,000
meters. In general, the PTM uses the Luzon 1911 datum and the Clarke 1866 ellipsoid with a
scale factor at the central meridian of 0.99995.
The Philippines' geodetic datum history reflects a commitment to continuous improvement.
From the Luzon Datum to the PRS92 and ongoing modernization efforts, the country strives to
maintain a reliable framework for surveying and mapping activities.
PURPOSE OF THE TOPIC:
Geodetic datums and reference systems serve a critical role in accurately representing the
Earth's surface and providing a standardized framework for spatial data analysis, mapping, and
navigation. These systems establish a consistent set of reference points, coordinates, and
mathematical models to describe the shape, size, and orientation of the Earth. By defining a
common reference framework, geodetic datums ensure seamless integration and compatibility of
spatial data collected from diverse sources and across different regions.
One of the primary purposes of geodetic datums is to provide a basis for accurately
correlating and comparing measurements made by different instruments and techniques. They
enable surveyors, cartographers, and geodesists to precisely determine the positions of points on
the Earth's surface and calculate distances, areas, and directions with high accuracy. This is
essential for various applications, including land surveying, mapmaking, geographic information
systems (GIS), and navigation.
Geodetic datums also play a crucial role in supporting geospatial infrastructure and
facilitating interoperability among different systems and users. They serve as the foundation for
geodetic networks, coordinate systems, and map projections used in spatial data analysis and
visualization. By providing a common reference framework, geodetic datums enable data
collected from disparate sources to be seamlessly integrated and analyzed together.
Furthermore, geodetic datums are essential for accurately representing the Earth's surface
in three-dimensional space. They account for the Earth's irregular shape, gravitational field
variations, and other geophysical factors, ensuring that spatial measurements are consistent and
reliable across different geographic regions and time periods.
In summary, geodetic datums and reference systems are fundamental components of
geospatial data management and analysis. They provide a standardized framework for
representing the Earth's surface, enabling accurate positioning, measurement, and analysis of
spatial data for a wide range of applications in science, engineering, and navigation.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GEODETIC DATUM AND GEODETIC
REFERENCE SYSTEM
Geodetic Datum and Geodetic Reference System are interrelated concepts in the field of
geodesy, which is the science of accurately measuring and understanding Earth's geometric
shape, orientation in space, and gravity field.
A Geodetic Datum or Geodetic System is a reference point or surface against which
position measurements are made. It is essentially a base reference or starting point for spatial
measurement. For example, the World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS84) is a datum that uses
the center of the Earth as the origin of the Geodetic Coordinate System (GCS) and is used for
defining locations across the globe. Because the datum uses the Earth’s center as its origin,
locational measurements tend to be more consistent regardless of where they are obtained.
On the other hand, a Geodetic Reference System is a coordinate system, and a set of
reference points, used for locating places on the Earth (or similar objects). Precise definitions of
geodetic reference systems depend on the astronomical and terrestrial reference systems that are
employed in the determination of the geodetic reference systems, as well as the procedures used
to transform between them.
The relation between a Geodetic Datum and a Geodetic Reference System is that the
Geodetic Datum unequivocally fixes the relation between the reference frame (which is a
coordinate system used for spatial referencing) and a reference system by assigning a set of
defined parameters. These parameters can include the coordinates of the origin of the system
(X0, Y0, Z0), the directions of coordinate axes X, Y, Z, and the scale.
In simple terms, you can think of the Geodetic Datum as the foundation or starting point
for a Geodetic Reference System. The Geodetic Datum provides the base reference or "zero
point" from which the measurements of the Geodetic Reference System are made.
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, Geodetic Datum and Geodetic Reference System are integral components
within the field of geodesy, serving as the foundation for accurately measuring Earth's geometric
properties and defining spatial locations. While the Geodetic Datum establishes the reference
point or surface for position measurements, the Geodetic Reference System utilizes this datum to
create a coordinate system for locating places on Earth. The relationship between the two lies in
the fact that the Geodetic Datum sets the parameters that define the Geodetic Reference System,
thereby establishing a consistent framework for spatial referencing across the globe. Essentially,
the Geodetic Datum acts as the starting point from which the measurements and coordinates of
the Geodetic Reference System are derived, facilitating precise spatial positioning and analysis.
Also, Geodetic Datums and Reference Systems are vital for accurately representing
Earth's surface and providing a standardized framework for spatial data analysis, mapping, and
navigation. They facilitate precise measurement comparisons, support interoperability among
systems, and ensure consistency in spatial measurements across different regions and time
periods. Overall, they are fundamental components of geospatial data management and analysis,
enabling accurate positioning, measurement, and analysis for various applications in science,
engineering, and navigation.
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