Democratizing RTK and High-Accuracy GNSS - The Foundation of the Future ROW

Democratizing RTK and High-Accuracy GNSS: The Foundation of the Future ROW Affordable Precision for Every Agency Democratizing RTK and High-Accuracy GNSS explores the future of precise positioning across industries, with a strong focus on mapping and mobile GIS. The webinar shows how high-accuracy data collection is no longer reserved for a small group of specialists. It is becoming affordable, practical, and accessible to far more agencies, organizations, and field teams. What you will hear: Speakers share real-world experience from multiple angles. State agencies explain how they build and support RTK networks. Private companies discuss how they deliver correction services and expand access. Local GIS analysts show how they use GNSS and mobile data collection to serve their communities. Why it matters: Anyone interested in survey-grade or engineering-grade field data collection will benefit. RTK is becoming a foundation for better, faster, and more reliable work. It supports stronger decisions in mapping, infrastructure, utilities, public works, and beyond. What’s next: Future industries will rely on RTK networks. Autonomous vehicles need precise location. AI systems need trustworthy spatial inputs. Location-based services depend on better positioning. Smart cities will require accurate, real-time geospatial infrastructure. Agenda Highlights GEODNET: Powering the Future of Robotics Mike Horton, Project Creator, GEODNET Highlights how GEODNET’s global network of community-deployed base stations delivers scalable, centimeter-level positioning for drones, autonomous systems, and industrial robots. The session also explores GEODNET’s buy-back-and-burn model, where network revenue is used to purchase and burn tokens, aligning real-world infrastructure usage with long-term network growth and sustainability. Arizona Department of Water Resources use of GIS, GNSS, and Remote Sensing Data for Groundwater Management Brian Conway, GISP, Hydrogeologist Principal/Supervisor Geophysics-Surveying Unit, Arizona Department of Water Resources The ADWR Geophysics/Surveying Unit has been monitoring land subsidence using GNSS and InSAR data, monitoring change-in-aquifer storage using terrestrial micro-gravity data; and managing and operating the statewide AZCORS network since 1998. These different datasets provide a platform of GIS data synergy for successfully monitoring groundwater conditions and aquifer compaction throughout Arizona. ADWR has identified more than 28 active land subsidence features that cover an area of 4,300 square miles, determining the spatial extent, deformation rates, and time-series history of each land subsidence feature. The process of collecting, processing, and interpreting InSAR data has resulted in ADWR producing land subsidence maps for each land subsidence feature covering different time periods. ADWR recently released a new online land subsidence/deformation map application and also provides an online library of static land subsidence maps (currently 800 maps) available for download on ADWR’s website. Since taking over the management and operation of the AZCORS Network in 2023, ADWR has enhanced the Network by upgrading all legacy equipment to quad-constellation capability, constructing 30 new braced monument CORS sites, expanding existing Network Solution Clusters, and creating four new Network Solution Clusters for end-users that cover more than 33,000 square miles. ADWR directly uses this scientific data for groundwater management, creating new groundwater active management areas, monitoring aquifer-health and overdraft, and various types of decision-making projects. High Accuracy for Everyone: How RTK Broke Out of the Ivory Tower Nikolas Smilovsky, PhD GISP, Geospatial Solutions Director, Bad Elf High-accuracy spatial data collection no longer belongs only to large firms, big agencies, or expensive survey teams. Today, affordable private correction services, stronger government RTK networks, and bring-your-own-device GNSS workflows make precise field data possible for many more people. In this presentation, learn how users can pair accessible GNSS hardware with trusted mobile apps to collect reliable, authoritative data using their mobile device of choice. This shift lowers barriers, expands access, and helps create a more inclusive geospatial future where more professionals can work with precision. Panel Discussion / Audience Q&A MC: Kevin Kelly, MA Sc, OLS (Ret), Geodesist, Esri Panelists: Nikolas Smilovsky, PhD GISP, Geospatial Solutions Director, Bad Elf Mike Horton, Project Creator, GEODNET Brian Conway, GISP, Hydrogeologist Principal/Supervisor Geophysics-Surveying Unit, Arizona Department of Water Resources Gene Sipes, GISP, GIS Analyst | Public Works, City of San Marcos TX Who Should Attend Transportation planners Survey managers GIS managers DOT officials Utilities ROW coordinators