A trial by engineering and environmental consultancy Tonkin+Taylor has shown how SouthPAN, a free satellite positioning correction service, can improve location accuracy for field teams without the cost and complexity often associated with Real Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning, allowing these higher-precision tools and specialist support to remain focused on high value work that needs them.
LINZ has published a case study on the trial. SouthPAN’s accuracy and efficiency were tested across insurance, geotechnical, environmental and construction work over a three-month period.
Tonkin+Taylor used SouthPAN’s L1 SBAS service with handheld equipment that worked alongside their existing ArcGIS Field Maps workflow.
Standard GPS is simple to use, but it often lacks the accuracy many jobs need. RTK positioning can provide high accuracy, but it usually costs more, can take more time to set up or needs an internet connection and specialised training.
This trial explored whether SouthPAN could fill that gap by providing an easy accuracy upgrade for everyday field work, without replacing specialist survey tools where they are still needed.
What the trial showed
Michael Appleyard, Head of Location Information at LINZ, says this provides a real-world example of where SouthPAN can add value for organisations that rely on location data.
“SouthPAN gives organisations another practical option for improving the quality of their location data. 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,” he says.
During the trial, Tonkin+Taylor reported a clear improvement over standard GPS. 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.
These results depend on equipment, configuration, user environment and how the position is captured. Line of sight, tree cover, nearby buildings, signal availability and user behaviour can all affect performance.
Why SouthPAN matters
Tonkin+Taylor geotechnical engineer Miles Buob says 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. 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,” he says.
The trial also showed SouthPAN can free up specialist resources by giving general users better accuracy. This means surveyors and RTK systems can focus on tasks where very high precision is needed.
LINZ encourages organisations that rely on GPS to test SouthPAN in their own workflows, see if their equipment is compatible, and identify where standard GPS may be creating rework, uncertainty or avoidable costs.
Read the Tonkin+Taylor case study and contact the SouthPAN team at southpan@linz.govt.nz to learn more.
About SouthPAN
SouthPAN, the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network, is a joint project between the New Zealand and Australian Governments. LINZ and Geoscience Australia are working together to develop, run and improve this system. SouthPAN is the first Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) in the Southern Hemisphere. It enhances systems like GPS to provide more accurate and reliable positioning across New Zealand and Australia. Early Open services are available now and will continue improving as the system develops.
Media contact
Email: media@linz.govt.nz