SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COORDINATED …



SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COORDINATED CADASTRAL SYSTEM (CCS) IMPLEMENTATION FOR PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Associate Professor Ghazali Desa

Faculty of Geoinformation Science and Engineering

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

Skudai, Johor.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The studies on conceptualizing CCS for Peninsular Malaysia by Ahmad Fauzi Nordin (2001) and Abd. Majid Kadir and Ghazali Desa (2001) have characterized the system as having: (1) a Common National Coordinate System with GDM2000 as the geodetic datum and Geocentric Cassini and RSO as the projection system, (2) a Cadastral Control Infrastructure that is based on a higher geodetic order with adequate density, (3) a complete and layered Digital Cadastral Database (DCDB) designed according to appropriate data modeling technique with a unique parcel identifier, (4) a unique single set of survey accurate Coordinates, and (5) the Cadastral Survey Practice that employs least square adjustment technique and based on the “whole-to-part” survey concept (Figure 1.0). Based on these characteristics, the implementation of the CCS for Peninsular Malaysia will definitely affects the current practice of cadastral surveying to a certain extent. Evidently, it would to a varying extent, impact upon government departments and agencies, private and public companies, and member of the public.

Introducing CCS involves planning, executing, administering and organizing as well as other organizational and institutionally related matters. The implementation of CCS will incur expenses that would have to be adequately financed and it appears that ultimately it is the people who are to be involved in the implementation and who contribute to the system that will determine the success of the system. It is their capability and commitment that will see the project and envisaged system through any eventualities. Consequently, apart from having adequate manpower to execute the tasks at hand, training or re-training to develop them towards higher levels of competence is apparently imperative. Hence, aspects of education and training will subsequently need to be looked into. It is also obvious that equipments, apart from materials will be needed to perform works related to the implementation. They range from those needed for the surveying tasks such as GPS, electronic total stations, and computers and their peripherals for computerized processing, plotting and data basing. Materials will also be required for the monumentation of control marks such as cement, sand, brass plates, pipes and nails.

The implementation of CCS involves two main issues i.e. the technical and institutional. However, this paper focuses on the institutional issues of the implementation by specifically looking at the social and economic aspects. On the social aspects, this paper provides some detail discussion on the effects of the changes that will be brought about by the CCS implementation. The discussions on the social impact will be based on a framework described in Figure 2.0 in which the elements of CCS will definitely introduce changes. What are the impact of these changes onto government departments and agencies, private and public companies, and member of the public? On the other hand, discussion on the economic impact will be based mainly on the institutionally related matters.

Figure 1.0: The Conceptual Model of CCS for Peninsular Malaysia

2.0 THE SOCIAL IMPACTS OF CCS IMPLEMENTATION

Figure 2.0 shows the framework to aid discussion on the various social impacts that will obviously arise from the CCS implementation. Of importance are the changes that will be brought about and their impacts on government department and agencies, public and private companies, and the public.

Figure 2.0: Framework for Discussing the Social Impact of

CCS Implementation

2.1 The Elements of CCS

The main components of the CCS (Figure 3.0) that are considered fundamental to the cadastral reformation are (1) the common national geodetic framework - the GDM2000, (2) the cadastral control infrastructure (CCI), (3) the cadastral survey practice, (4) coordinates and (5) the DCDB.

Figure 3.0: Elements of CCS

GDM2000

Abd. Majid Kadir et. el. (1999) recommended that the proposed CCS model is to be based upon a common coordinate reference system and preferably hinged on a geocentric datum. The rational for the recommended change of datum and to employ a common projection system are:

• Recommendations from international organizations (they includes the International Association of Geodesy (IAG), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), and the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG)) to adopt the geocentric coordinate system. The UN Regional Cartographic Conference for the Asia-Pacific made a resolution in May 1994, calling for all countries in the region to use a geocentric datum for surveying and mapping.

• The realization that the datum between the Peninsular and East Malaysia needs to be unified and the use of a geocentric datum offers a good opportunity to do so.

• The need to define the existing primary GPS network for Peninsular Malaysia to be within the International Terrestrial Frame (ITRF) system, in order to improve and maintain the national geodetic reference system.

Cadastral Control Infrastructure

Control network is an essential component of the CCS implementation model. It is common knowledge that land surveying has its own methodologies based on certain principles and one of the main principles is the principle of control or “working from the whole to the part”. Under this principle, (1) a network of primary points is established throughout an area; (2) these then interspersed with secondary points, and (3) subsequently these may be further broken down to lower order control points. Individual surveys can then be connected to the control points in the vicinity and this will help ensure error accumulation to be solely confined to that area of survey.

Cadastral Survey Practice

Another vital component of the CCS model is the ground survey. The most significant change to the current practice is the adjustment technique particularly for the required task of re-coordinating parcel corners. In regards to the task of re-coordinating surveyed parcel corners, the results of the Melaka and Melaka-Johor pilot studies have shown that the least square adjustment technique is most suitable technique. It is statistically superior and more practical to be applied in the adjustment of a large cadastral fabric (Abd. Majid Kadir et.al.,1999). The currently utilized technique for adjusting cadastral survey traverses is the well-known Bowditch method. The reason for this choice is the presumption that linear measurements have a far greater share in the final errors than the angular, in the cadastral surveying practice of Peninsular Malaysia (Ahmad Fauzi Nordin, 2001).

Coordinates

The concepts of coordinates and boundaries with regard to the law and practices of cadastral surveying in the Peninsular Malaysia have been much deliberated. But, it needs to be clearly understood that one of the important aims of CCS is to create a unique and unambiguous mathematical position for parcel corners. With the establishment of proper survey controls and the use of proper equipments and methodologies, this should be achievable. And that coordinates produced from the system should then be justifiably accepted as reliable evidence of boundary positions. As a matter of fact, the CCS environment will not introduce additional risk in the use of coordinates compared to the use of survey measurements under existing practice. Furthermore, the employment of coordinates for the said purpose is apparently scientific and useful to many land information purposes.

The concept of coordinates that has been discussed by Ahmad Fauzi Nordin (2001) in regard to the cadastral system in the Peninsular Malaysia is indeed comprehensive. But to facilitate work conducted in the CCS environment, there is a need to form additional principles to help erase any misconceptions or diverging views. These would not be conducive in the workings of the system. The relevant principles are as follows:

• Coordinate is just another alternative means of expressing survey data. It is simply another indicator to the likely position of the boundary and may change from time to times as a result of subsequent surveys.

• Differences in coordinate values for the same point between surveys are acceptable, if within tolerance. They reflect the accuracy of measurements between surveys, control accuracy as well as the possible differences in evidence, if marks are slightly moved from its original position. As a matter of fact, they are synonymous with differences between angles or distances.

• As in the case with bearings and distances, coordinates of parcel corners from an earlier survey are not fixed. They may be overridden by a different set of coordinates that resulted from a subsequent survey, provided that the differences are within acceptable tolerances.

The use of coordinates in the CCS environment does not necessitate substantial changes to current survey principles or the legal aspects of boundary definition. Nonetheless, it also seems important to consider the aspect of coordinate accuracy in term of the criteria to be used in its determination. This means that the relative accuracy criteria as practiced can continue to be used in the early stages of CCS implementation. During this phase, positional criteria should then be utilized to augment existing criteria, particularly for the control surveys.

DCDB

The DCDB is an essential component of the CCS. In the case of Peninsular Malaysia, it connotes the digital or computer-based map of all surveyed parcels, as well as the survey database containing survey accurate data such as parcel dimensions and coordinates of boundary points residing in the CDMS and CALS systems. In retrospect, it is clear that computerized systems had been established by DSMM beginning with CALS in Johor and Pahang and subsequently with the Mini-CALS in the other states but these systems were eventually being upgraded. With those systems, new cadastral surveys conducted by DSMM (already providing raw survey data in digital form) have been electronically processed using the available facilities of the system. The processing eventually led to the output of finalized cadastral survey data in the form of bearing and distance records in the DCDB, besides the generated coordinates. Clearly, this will serves as one of the sources of database populating.

2.2 Changes Due to CCS Adoption

The implementation of CCS in the Peninsular Malaysia will definitely affects the current practice of cadastral surveying to a certain extent for example the adoption of GDM2000 will result in major changes due to the resultant large displacements to existing coordinate information. This departure of systems will clearly necessitate changes to be made as will to existing practices. Without a proper control infrastructure, it is obvious that CCS would not be implemented. Certainly it has to be initially put into place to provide the basic framework to underpin CCS. The introduction of CCS will have consequence too on the information to be depicted on CPs prepared under the new system. Nevertheless, the modification to existing practice appears minimal. With regard to the changes due to the implementation of CCS, Figure 4.0 provides the sequence of changes that will take place.

Figure 4.0: Changes Due to CCS Implementation

Geodetic Datum Change

Three-dimensional coordinates of points are given in terms of latitudes, longitudes and heights. The latitudes and longitudes are defined by projecting points from the earth’s surface to a so-called reference ellipsoid. The position, orientation, size and shape of this ellipsoid are those that constitute a classical geodetic datum. Local datums are define implicitly by adopting coordinates for one or more points in a region and are only used in practice within that region. Points on the boundary between two or more regions will have two or more sets of coordinates, one in each local datum. The main classical advantage of adopting a local datum is that the ellipsoid can be closely fitted to the geoid in that region.

Global datums have their centre at the centre of mass of the earth – something that is easy to define in words but was difficult to define in practice until the recent development of space-based measuring system. Their associated ellipsoids may not fit a particular region well and might lead to significant corrections having to be made when processing surveying data. Their advantage are that can provide seamless positioning across the world and they can directly to the modern space based positioning systems that are nowadays being used for so many purpose.

The Malaysian Revised Triangulation (MRT) is local datum used for mapping purposes in Peninsular Malaysia. The datum is a unification of PERAK, ASA and Repsold Systems and computed using data collected mainly in the period 1948-1966 using the Modified Everest ellipsoid. It consists of about 1200 stations plus a number of standard traverses and has an inter-station accuracy of about 13-15 ppm. Coordinates in this system are known as MRT 48 coordinates and being projected using RSO and Cassini Soldner projection for mapping and cadastral purposes, respectively. MRT 48 coordinates represent a unified datum, albeit distorted for the whole Peninsular Malaysia. MRT 66 later superseded MRT 48 coordinates.

In order to fully support GPS activities and a modern positioning infrastructure, several space-based surveys (initially based on Transit Doppler and now on GPS) have been employed in Peninsular Malaysia. These include the establishment of a permanent GPS tracking network (Malaysia Active GPS Station/MASS) of about eight stations over the whole Peninsular. MASS network is considered as Zero Order GPS Network. Primary GPS Network for Peninsular Malaysia established in 1995 (PGGN 95) comprised of 238 evenly distributed points (approximately at 30 km spacing) over Peninsular Malaysia. The existing reference frame particularly the PGGN 95 must be continually evaluated to provide reliable accuracy required for GPS applications. The implementation of CCS requires high accuracy GPS geodetic network for the control of cadastral network. Hence the existing PGGN 95 was further evaluated and strengthened.

A high accuracy and consistent three-dimensional geocentric coordinates for the eight (8) MASS stations of Peninsular Malaysia has been established within the framework of IGS stations. Thus, the MASS network is now based on the International Terrestrial Reference Frame 2000 at epoch 2 January 2000, which is recognized by the International Association of Geodesy (IAG). The new PGGN (PGGN2000) is also based on the ITRF2000, which is the latest and has best fits the shape of the Earth with its center coinciding with the Earth’s center of mass. The absolute accuracy of the MASS coordinates is at 1-2 cm level.

Geodetic datum provides the fundamental basis for defining geographical location. Irrespective of whether the coordinates of a point are expressed in terms of latitude and longitude (geographical coordinates) or easting and northing (grid / projection coordinates), they are clearly an intrinsic function of the underlying datum. This means that if the change to a geocentric datum will result in a large shift or displacement of the coordinates, even though its physical location remains the same.

However, there will be some implications in moving to a global (GDM2000) datum with new projection for computational procedures. This change may get affected as follow:

• The cost of moving all current data to a global system

• The inconvenience of having to transform data whenever spatial analysis activities take place.

• The utilization of mixed data sets based on the old datum and the new one would clearly result in erroneous analyses and wrong conclusions.

Change of Projection Computational Procedures

In the Peninsular Malaysia, two map projection systems are associated with the geodetic datums: the Cassini-Soldner and the Rectified Skew Orthomorphic (RSO). Cassini-Soldner projection system is classified as cylindrical, tangential, transversal, equidistant and semi geometrical. There is no distortion in area and shape along the central meridian. Distortion increases with distance from the central meridian. This map projection system is used for cadastral surveys and is the basis for the Standard Cadastral Sheets in each state of the peninsular. There are ten (10) state Cassini-coordinate systems in the peninsular with their respective origins. The latitude and longitude of the origins are not referred to a single triangulation system but to three different triangulation systems, namely, PERAK, ASA and MRT Systems. The coordinates (N, E) of the origin are also referred to different datums. Each State is being considered as an independent plane surface and earth's curvature is ignored.

On the other hand, RSO projection system is an orthomorphic (conformal) with constant minimum scale error along a great circle passing obliquely through the area and with scale increasing with distance from this great circle. The RSO coordinate system formed the National Reference Grid, which constitutes the basic grid system for the mapping process of Peninsular Malaysia (Abd. Majid Kadir et al, 1998). A triangulation station at Kertau, Pahang was being selected as an origin for RSO. Both Cassini-Soldner and RSO projection system in Peninsular Malaysia are referenced to local geodetic datum defined by the Modified Everest ellipsoid.

With the introduction of accurate satellite based navigation systems and notably the rapid expansion in the use of GPS, there have been increasingly strong reasons for Peninsular Malaysia to change to a new datum to provide a GPS compatible coordinate system. The introduction of GDM2000 by DSMM, the change to a geocentric datum will result in a large shift or displacement of the coordinates. The magnitude is approximately 200m in the northeasterly direction, between coordinates of points on the existing MRT compared with coordinates of the same points on the GDM2000. In terms of projection coordinates, the difference should also be of roughly the same magnitude.

Pertaining to the above matter, coordinates that would be produced in the new system in future will clearly be a non-issue, as it should already be aligned to the GDM2000. The impact then would apparently be on the coordinates already produced in the existing system as well as those that are to be continuously produced until the commencement of the new system. It is obvious that these coordinates (that are currently residing in the calculation volumes and also displayed on CPs) will have to be revised to the new system to enable it to be continually utilized.

In retrospect, the change in coordinate values would not only be the result of the change in datum and projection system but also the effect of the re-coordination exercise that would need to be carried out to readjust all coordinates of parcel corners to the cadastral control network.

Concepts Of Coordinates / Boundaries

Boundaries of parcels can be defined by physical demarcation on the ground or by a mathematical description usually based on a coordinate system. The accuracy and consequently the cost of a cadastral survey are dependent on the accuracy needed for boundary descriptions. The accuracy should reflect factors such as the value of the land, the risk and cost of land disputes and the information needs of the users of the Cadastre (Ian Williamson and Gary Hunter, 1996).

In Peninsular Malaysia, boundaries are demarcated using authorized boundary marks at all turning points of the boundary. The straight lines joining those marks then define the boundary limits. The adoption of this concept of boundary definition has been so deeply entrenched that it has become to be accepted as an established norm or even for that matter, culture. However, there have been and are currently arguments which they are not rigorously adjusted and therefore would not normally be expected to close exactly around one or a group of lots. In practice the build-up of angular error is limited by requirement for regular sun azimuths to be observed and bearing adjustments are made to distribute misclosures between observe sun azimuths. Corrections for convergence are made to observed sun azimuths. Distances on the other hand are not adjusted or corrected at all. Coordinates do not form part of the cadastre and ownership is defined in terms of these bearing and distance. The area of each lot is also quoted.

Coordinates under CCS are produced from a fresh survey that is properly tied and adjusted to the cadastral control infrastructure. The use of coordinates for cadastral surveying under CCS does not appear to necessitate substantial changes to current survey principles or legal aspects of boundary definition. Nonetheless, it may entail unease to practitioners if perceived as creating inconveniences to them. In order to provide a better understanding and allay apprehension, it may be appropriate to form and explain suitable principles, particularly that concerning the said measure. Amongst principles that appear relevant include the following:

• Coordinates is just another form of expressing survey data, albeit more useful under the CCS working environment.

• Differences in coordinate values for the same point between surveys are synonymous with differences between angles or distances, and are acceptable if within tolerance.

• Coordinates of parcel corners are dynamic. As with bearings and distances, coordinates values from earlier surveys may be overridden by newly surveyed coordinates values, again if within tolerance.

• The use of coordinates in the refixation of parcel boundaries can be based on the currently practiced doctrine of unchangeableness or permanence of boundaries.

Change Of Survey Procedures

The existing method of survey and error distribution is not a truly whole to part method. In practice error are accumulated from one survey to another and from one control point to another. The move to a CCS will definitely involve some changes to the present flow of work procedures. The changes of survey procedures due to the CCS implementation are:

• Making connections to control marks of CCI during the field surveys of cadastral parcels - it is already clear that the tie will allow the work to be aligned to the new coordinate system i.e., GDM2000. Apart from that, it could be utilized to establish the datum for the new surveys; this would be practical if a dense cadastral control infrastructure can be provided. Otherwise, the use of existing marks proved in position may be adequate to provide the datum for the work (considering that those marks have already been re-coordinated based on the new GDM2000 reference frame.

• Utilization of revised survey accuracy criteria, whereby positional accuracy should already replace its relative mode. Existing philosophy on accuracy, apart from prevailing tolerance considerations can be continually adopted, although it may be stated in a different form, which is more appropriate to be utilized with coordinates.

• Calculation of adjusted coordinates for every parcel corner. For this purpose, least square adjustment techniques will be put to use in conducting the adjustments.

These will of course change the work routine of both the government surveyors and licensed surveyors.

Change On Title Plan

The current practice of describing parcel boundaries involves the process of converting cadastral survey data into graphical information. It commences with the preparation of the survey plan that would subsequently be submitted for authentication by the survey authority, after approval of which would consequently be termed as the Certified Plan (CP). This plan then becomes the root document relating to the creation of the land parcel boundaries and specific provision had been made as regards to its role and status in the National Land Code, 1965 (NLC). Evidently, the said statute gave much significance to the CP in the sense that a piece of land would not be considered to have been surveyed if the plan is not authorized or approved. Furthermore, the document is considered by the statute as conclusive evidence of the boundaries, boundary marks and area of land shown on it.

The CP is currently prepared in a standard or common format that permits the presentation of useful information on the face of the plan. The information includes the parcel number, boundary dimensions, area, boundary marks, coordinates of the two most extreme parcel corner points, and the abuttals of adjoining parcels. The proposed move to adopt GDM2000, geocentric Cassini-Soldner and geocentric RSO projection systems for CCS will obviously have consequences in regard to depicted information on existing CPs. Considering the significance of this legal document and its information contents, appropriate actions in addressing the impact of the said change will have to be made. In considering the available alternatives, it appears that the approach that causes minimum disruption to existing practices seem most well suited. In this regard, the strategy deemed appropriate is basically the retention of all records of bearing, distance and area in its existing form- with the exception of coordinate. Apparently, coordinate information will have to be overhauled to suit the implemented system.

This option should be well received since it will not impinge on the interest of land-owner, neither will it adversely affect the system nor parties having interest in it. Furthermore, coordinates may be meaningless to the landowners themselves; after all, the numerals will still change as a result of other exercises such as the revision of coordinates, or for that matter due to the ordinary variation in accuracies. Other options seem to be too far fetched. They do not appear to carry much benefit if weighed against the likely apprehension to landowners as well as the inconveniences and additional expenditures to the concerned authorities.

As mentioned, exception has however to be made to the coordinate information. It is quite apparent that it would be inevitable for the said information to be altered, so as to be in conformity with the new system, and in order to avoid a muddled situation as well as confusion to users, once CCS is implemented.

2.3 The Implications

It is obvious that the implementation of CCS will affect numerous parties that have dealings with land matters and spatial information. Evidently, it would to a varying extent, impact upon government departments and agencies, private and public companies, and member of the public.

The Government Surveyors

Government surveyors in the Peninsular Malaysia are mainly from the DSMM. It is already clear the DSMM as a whole would be involved in the CCS implementation. The implementation will obviously incur substantial expenditures. The main cost elements appear to be that for the establishment of the control network and its maintenance, the control infrastructure for the proper operations of CCS, the survey connection from parcel fabric to the control network, the resurveys and probably some of the balance work of converting analogue surveyed data to its digital form.

DSMM is already hard pressed in discharging its current obligations. In order to expedite project execution and completion, it may then be cogent for a portion of the implementation tasks to be contracted out to the private sector. Even so, there still appear to be some other related tasks that would have to be handled by DSMM and considering that they have been afflicted by manpower shortage, a boost up of their workforce appears necessary.

Equipments, apart from materials will obviously be needed to perform tasks related to the implementation. Considering that computer systems are adequately in place and electronic total station is wholly in use in all DSMM’s, it appears that there need not be a massive procurement exercise except for replacement and spares, and probably some upgrading works. Notably though, there seems to be a need for a substantial purchase of GPS equipments, by DSMM and some by private sector surveying firm.

The implementation of CCS requires emphasis on education and training as well as re-training for members of the DSMM. Appropriate training programs would have to be prepared and efforts will have to be made to ensure that they meet the requirements of the different groups of learners. More importantly, the scope should cover aspects considered adequate to enable a satisfactory understanding of the system to be established as well as other auxiliary matters to be introduced. Forms of training needed include seminar, workshops, in-house training and specialized short courses.

The Licensed Land Surveyors

The Licensed Land Surveyors (LSS) have been playing a very active role in the conduct of cadastral surveys in Peninsular Malaysia especially over the last few decades. They have contributed considerably towards the formation of the cadastral parcels fabric in the Peninsular. Pertaining to cadastral surveys conducted by the LLS, it has been an entrenched practice for their lodge work to be subjected to rigorous examination by DSMM. This practice has incessantly continued though technological advances have made surveying easier and more precise.

Land Administrators

The concept of CCS as has been proposed at the earlier stage does not include the “coordination” in between the land related agencies. However, in taking a wide view of the needed institutional relationships and arrangements for the betterment of a component of the system it would be farcical to ignore perusing at arguably the most important link in the context of the Peninsular Malaysia’s cadastral system viz., the link in between the Land Office and DSMM. Certainly an unkempt state of relationship in between the two organizations would have its repercussions on the efficiency of the CCS as well.

One significant outcome of the Bogor Meeting and subsequently highlighted through the Bogor Declaration is the recognition of the need for re-engineering of systems. Seen in a broad perspective, re-engineering of system is also relevant to the implementation of CCS. Certainly the objective of improving the cadastral survey system through a coordinated cadastre should also look at the wider perspective of endeavouring to improve the total cadastral system to better serve the need of the user, land owner as well as the government. In particular, it should look into the cadastral processes ( of land transfer, subdivision and adjudication ) to identify the bottlenecks in efficiencies and duplication, as was recommended through the Bogor Declaration.

Land Owners and Other Professional

The use of coordinates for cadastral surveying under CCS does not appear to necessitate substantial changes to current survey principles or legal aspects of boundary definition. An issue that has also been linked to the CCS is the assigning of legal significance to coordinates. In the context of Peninsular Malaysia, this issue is not as complicated as that of Common Law countries. This appears to be so as the latter’s system seem to be deeply attached to the principle of hierarchy of evidence. On the other hand, in the case of Peninsular Malaysia, there appear to be some measure of legal significance already accorded to measurements in the system. This is by virtue of the fact that the CP is recognized under the law as being conclusive evidence of the boundaries of land, and that the said document embodied measured dimensions of land parcels. It is a non-issue if legal significance were to be given as well to coordinates.

3.0 THE ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF CCS IMPLEMENTATION

Introducing CCS clearly involves planning, executing, administering and organizing as well as other organizational and institutionally related matters. The implementation of CCS will incur expenses that would have to be adequately financed and thus included in the budgeting of the implementer organization, i.e. the DSMM. Since the project is apparently a government responsibility, financing should thus be appropriately sourced from the government by DSMM and arrangements will have to be made for this purpose.

3.1 The Main Costs for CCS Implementation

It is quite obvious that the implementation of CCS will involve a significant amount of expenses. The immediate and major costs appear to be for those that are related to the technical aspects of implementation. In addition, there would be other costs such as for training, publicity and the conduct of outreach programs. On top of that, costs for the start-ups that certainly include manpower and equipment as well, would also be followed by continued or recurring operational and maintenance costs. The main costs that are to be met with pertaining to CCS implementation for the Peninsular Malaysia may be summarized as in the Figure 5.0.

Figure 5.0: Major Costs of Implementing CCS for Peninsular Malaysia

Costs for Setting up of Cadastral Control Infrastructure (CCI)

There are four main phases involved in the setting up of Cadastral Control Infrastructure (CCI): reconnaissance, monumentation, GPS field observation, and GPS processing and adjustment. Figure 6.0 shows the flow chart of task for the setting up of the CCI.

• Planning and designing of CCI network of adequate density. The purpose of this task is to consider on the required density of cadastral control in order to bring the coordinates of all previously surveyed parcel corners into the new system as well as for the purpose of supporting the subsequent operations of the system itself. Taking into account aspects of accessibility, ease of location and maximizing risk of disturbances, the most suitable positioning of control points need to be worked out. Other considerations are the incorporation of the existing standard traverses, and their coordinates to be re-aligned to the new system.

• Monumentation is clearly important for the control stations. The control stations need to be monumented with stable and readily identifiable survey marks. In addition, appropriate documentation need to be performed to ensure their ready recovery and maintenance as well as effective dissemination to users.

• GPS survey over the monumented control points to determine its position.

• Processing and production of geocentric Cassini/RSO coordinates of all points forming the infrastructure. The transformed bearings and distances in the RSO need to be utilized to conduct the least square adjustment.

• The development of the Cadastral Control Infrastructure Layer in the NDCDB

Figure 6.0: The Flow Chart of Activities for the Task of Setting-Up Cadastral Control Infrastructure

The Costs for Connecting Parcel Corners to fit the control points of CCI

This task is to geo-reference all parcel corners to fit the control points of CCI. For the tie-up, there are clearly two aspects to be addressed i.e. the determination of the parcel corners and the survey connection from the control marks to these corners. Prior to making the survey connection, it is obvious that the physical location of the corners will have to be proven to be in its original position. In other words, the definition of the corner at the time of connection has to be certain or unambiguous. It is obviously important to choose parcel corners that are reliable. A preferable choice would be the ones that are located in safe places, away from disturbances. In regards to the survey connection, it is apparently necessary that the concerned survey work have to be of adequate density to meet the set standards (Abd. Majid Kadir et.al.,2002). In short, the main aspects of this task are:

• Identifying the block of cadastral parcels to be re-coordinated

• Selecting the points of the block that would be connected to CCI

• Connection survey of CCI to the selected parcels corners

DCDB Re-coordination with Survey Accurate Database

The re-coordination task is to transform existing Cassini coordinate into those that are based on the new geocentric datum as well as the RSO, apart from adjusting them to the control network. The aspects of the task that will be involved in the upgrade and update process are:

• Formation of the cadastral network (large) for adjustment works

• Least square adjustment of the network and analyzing adjustment results

• Subsequent systematic built-up of the blocks and networks and their respective adjustments

• Adjustment and re-coordination of boundary points in the DCDB

• Finalizing the completed RSO coordinates in the DCDB based on the geocentric datum

• Performing data integrity checks

• Posting to next level or layer as update in DCDB, together with the tagging or coding of data to indicate accuracy status

Resurveys

The objective of the re-survey is to coordinate previous parcel surveys that do not yield coordinates as its final outcome, apart from improving the accuracy of low grade and defectives ones. These defective surveys are identified through the least square adjustment process that has to be performed to transfer existing coordinates into the new system as well as through the digital conversion exercise (Automatic Database Conversion System) to populate the DCDB.

3.2 Equipments and Materials

It is obvious that equipment, apart from material will be needed to perform works related to the implementation. They range from those needed for the surveying tasks such as GPS, electronic total stations, clearing tools, vehicles and their ancillaries to computers and their peripherals for computerized processing, plotting and data basing. Materials will also be required and of note are those needed for the monumentation of control marks such as cement, sand, brass plates, pipes and nails.

In regards to GPS surveying equipment, it is clear that quite a substantial addition to current ones may be needed to carry out the control surveys, irrespective of whether they are to be carried out by DSMM or private surveying firms. Assuming that they are to be undertaken by DSMM, it appears appropriate for the task to be performed by the State Survey Department for logistical reasons and expediency. In such a case, the latter will have to be supplied with adequate number of the said equipment and their paraphernalia, apart from the provision of training that would certainly be required by those that will be carrying out the task.

Electronic Total Stations would certainly be the choice equipment not only for cadastral surveying under CCS but also under the current system, for reasons that are already clear. As a result of the implementation of the “field-to-finish” concept by DSMM, all State Survey Departments should already be entirely using this equipment. Thus, it appears that there need not be massive procurement of the equipment for the project, albeit normal replacements for faulty ones and spares may be needed.

3.3 Human Resource

It appears that ultimately it is the people who are to be involved in the implementation and who contribute to the system that will determine the success of the system. It is their capability and commitment that will see the project and envisaged system through any eventualities. Consequently, apart from having adequate manpower to execute the task at hand, training or retraining to develop them towards higher levels of competence is apparently imperative.

It is quite apparent that the introduction of CCS should be strongly supported by education and training programs. As the key-player in the survey industry, the DSMM should take up the lead role in this area and consequently provide support to the industry through providing direct advice, training and technical publications to facilitate the overall development of the system. The identification of those that would be involved in the actual implementation of CCS and those that will support as well as be affected by it have been made. The differing levels of cognitive needs on CCS will have to be assessed and this will depend on whether the target groups have a direct role in the implementation or only as eventual users of the system.

4.0 BENEFITS OF CCS IMPLEMENTATION

The move to implement CCS can be traced to the related initiatives made by DSMM. The reasons given for the intended change are basically to solve the drawbacks of the present cadastral survey system and to take advantage of the fully coordinated cadastral survey system. Irrespective of those reasons, there are however other benefits such as (1) efficient management of the Country’s resources, (2) the practice of Cadastral Surveying, and (3) supporting of the Government Policies.

4.1 Management of the Country’s resources

One of the primary justifications for CCS implementation appears to come from the need to enhance the cadastral survey system to ensure the fulfillment of its important role in LIS/GIS. More specifically, it can be utilized to support the DCDB for use both outside of the cadastral area as well as within it. Apparently, it would not justify the expenses of the costly implementation if the CCS is solely for the purpose of improving the integrity of the current system. It does not appear to be justified either if the cadastre is intended to continue its current role of serving the limited scope of land conveyancing. Though that be the case, within the cadastral area it is clear that the CCS backed DCDB will certainly contribute to more efficient cadastral processes.

Associated with the aforementioned matter, the role and significance of LIS/GIS in the improved efficiency of managing man-made, physical and natural resources has been widely acknowledged. In this context, it is quite apparent that the envisaged CCS will, for example, enable cadastral data to be used in conjunction with other data types such as utilities, land use, topography, geology, soil types, population demography and coastal zones to solve general or specific spatial problems.

It may be argued that some of the fundamental spatial datasets may not directly need CCS, but it is evident that the system will contribute towards the development of nation’s spatial data infrastructure, specifically MaGDI (Malaysian Geospatial Data Infrastructure). This infrastructure is of essence as it is obvious that concerned datasets must be on the same datum and projection system for them to be integrated and for spatial analysis to be performed.

Facilitates DCDB Updates

One of the conceivable benefits of introducing CCS is the facilitating of work performed in the digital environment. In fact this aspect could be a significant contributing factor in ensuring the eventual success of the CCS. Also, it is quite apparent that the introduction of CCS partly comes from the need to support the digital cadastral database (DCDB) upgrades and updates. In upgrading, an appropriate number of connections from a coordinated cadastral control network to selected parcels corners have to be made through field surveys. A rigorous least squares adjustment of observed data as well as existing surveyed data residing in the DCDB can then be undertaken. This will then create the required single set of homogenous, survey accurate CCS coordinates for the boundary points. With reference to this survey accurate DCDB, Abd Majid A. Kadir , Sharum Ses and Abdullah Hisham Omar, (2002) has developed a technique called “ Automated Database Conversion System” for the purpose of upgrading and updating the current DCDB. Figure 8.0 shows the flow chart of upgrading and updating DCDB.

Figure 8.0: Automated Database Conversion System (ADCS) Prototype

Integration with other Spatial Datasets

The control network is anticipated to be a crucial component of the drawn-up CCS conceptual model. In a wider perspective, the significance of the control network can be attributed to its role in providing a reference system for locating spatial data and one that can be used for the accurate mapping of all land survey information. Advantageously, the accuracy of the coordinate references can be readily updated and that the system can also be adaptable to the latest survey techniques. Apart from that, the control systems itself can lead to a simple method for the restoration of boundaries and the checking of surveys.

The aforementioned approach is contradictory to the coordinates only concept- a concept that had been closely associated with the coordinated cadastre. The abandonment of boundary marks and the absolute use of coordinates to govern boundary positions are extremities of the concept which may not be suitable for the local circumstances. Nevertheless, hybrids of the concept can be judiciously applied in the case of land subdivisions for properly planned housing developments.

4.2 Benefits to the Cadastral Survey System

Other benefits that could accrue from the CCS implementation include the improvements that could be attained in the efficiency of cadastral surveying. This aspect had been described in numerous write-up such by Nisbet (1992), Smith, L. (1992), Carr (1990), Smith, G.L. (1988) and DOL (1986). Some of those that would be pertinent to the Peninsular Malaysia situation include the following:

• It would provide a means of assigning mathematical values (coordinates) of absolute position to parcel corners. Those coordinates in turn will provide clear identification of the boundary corner’s position, facilitating calculations for the purposes of re-fixing or re-establishing boundary corners.

• It would enable different surveys to be directly compared, and the closing of as well as the checking of work, facilitated. The direct inter-relation of one cadastral survey to another will also be possible with those surveys being linked into a common geodetic reference system. The use of common referencing will markedly facilitate the integration of all other types of survey data (e.g. cadastral, engineering, topographical etc.)

• The system would provide a uniform scale and orientation for surveys, apart from enabling the reduction of error propagation and the control of accuracy.

• The system is oriented to new technologies where computerized processing, plotting and position determination are increasingly coordinate-based. It is also common knowledge that coordinates provide the most efficient means of transferring data between for instance, electronic total stations, computers, plotters and GPS.

Common Geodetic Reference System

A unified coordinate system with referenced to the universally adopted datum is required to accommodate the present and future interest in the acquisition of digital data related to cadastral and topographic mapping information. Kadir, et.al. (2002) highlight the importance of providing a homogeneous geodetic infrastructure as the basis for integration of spatial data for sustainable development. The increasing use of GPS for various applications, such as providing spatial information for GIS/LIS applications, further highlight the shortcomings in existing local datum. The easy transfer of spatial data is crucial for both economic development and for the construction of all kinds of infrastructure.

Control Network Availability

In a wider perspective, the significance of the control network can be attributed to its role in providing a reference system for locating spatial data and one that can be used for the accurate mapping of all land survey information. Advantageously, the accuracy of the coordinate references can be readily updated and that the system can also be adaptable to the latest survey techniques. Apart from that, the control systems itself can lead to a simple method for the restoration of boundaries and the checking of surveys. Series of control networks available to support CCS implementation (Figure 9.0):

Figure 9.0: Control Network

• MASS (Malaysian Active GPS) Stations form the first level of geodetic control definition, which are fundamental to the definition of the datum. They will form the zero order or fiducial geodetic network. The absolute accuracy of MASS stations is at least 2cm at 95% confidence interval (Abdul Kadir Taib et.al., 2003).

• PGGN (Primary Geodetic GPS Network) Stations, consisting of 238 stations spaced roughly 30km apart throughout the whole of the Peninsular, will form the second level of datum definition and control. This network had been determined with an absolute accuracy at few centimeter level and a relative accuracy of 1-2 ppm for the horizontal component (Teng, et.al., 2003)

• CCI (Cadastral Control Infrastructure), consisting of the cadastral control networks of various station spacings, according to requirements. Based on the outcome of the repeatedly mentioned pilot studies, they should be at levels of roughly every 5km and 2.5km for semi-urban areas as well as the suggested 0.5 km for urban areas (CCS Report of Module B). It appears apt to include existing standard traverse marks as well, in the whole infrastructure. In such a case the spacing for certain areas covered by the standard traverse network may be in the order of 0.1 to 0.4 km.

Efficiency in Survey

It is common knowledge that land surveying has its own methodologies based on certain principles and one of the main principles is the principle of control or "working from the whole to the part". Under this principle, a network of primary points is established throughout an area; these being then interspersed with secondary points, which subsequently may be further broken down to lower order control points. Individual surveys can then be connected to the control points in the vicinity and this will help ensure error accumulation to be solely confined to that area of survey.

Use of Coordinates Based Survey Equipments

The country's move towards CCS itself has been partly induced by the availability of new technologies, including measuring equipments that are more advanced and increasingly coordinate-based (Abd Majid A. Kadir and Shahrum Ses, 1999). In relation to the said system, the most applicable and useful surveying tool- in the immediate term- apparently includes GPS.

Due to legal uncertainties, GPS has not been previously utilised in surveys for title. However, there certainly will be a change to this situation, as its usage has currently been made possible by a recent directive and issuance of a guideline from the DSSM’s office in 1999 (DGSM Circular No. 6/1999). This means that surveyors in both the private and public sectors can now legitimately use GPS for cadastral surveying and consequently, it appears reasonable to expect an increased use of the technology in the near future, particularly in the conducive environment of CCS (Abd Majid A. Kadir and Ghazali Desa, 2001). The currently ongoing project on the development of RTK network for Peninsular Malaysia will further enhance the use of GPS for cadastral surveying.

With the CCS that will be based on the GDM2000 geocentric datum, GPS will obviously have a significant role to play. The technology will be extensively and gainfully utilized in the task of densifying cadastral control network, in which the network is fundamental to the effectuation and operations of the CCS. In addition, the important task of connecting existing as well as new cadastral surveys to the control network may to a certain extent, warrant the use of GPS. In this case GPS receivers could be placed over control points and as these points may, in certain circumstances, be at some distance away from the survey, this could save field time.

Apart from the above, GPS would most certainly be applicable for surveys of the perimeter and the inside of large land developments. In a broader context, GPS can also be readily utilised under the CCS environment, for other positioning tasks. Such works can be carried out without the need to undergo transformation processes, as is currently the case, since there will be direct correlation between measured and mapped positions under the said environment.

In spite of the above, and although GPS can be expected to make inroads with the implementation of CCS, there are currently certain limitations to its usage. Urban areas with the many high-rise buildings, in particular, may not be that conducive, as the need to obtain uninterrupted lines of sight to the satellites will to a certain extent restrict its employment. Apart from that, the current state of GPS technology does not as yet appear to be at a stage where it will entirely supersede other survey equipments that are currently in use. This is apparently the case for Peninsular Malaysia as, amongst the constraints of GPS include the fact that GPS could not occupy or find a pre-determined position precisely (Noordin, 1993); whereas this capability is obviously very much needed, since in practice boundary points may at times be pre-computed before being fixed on the ground.

In summation, it is clear that GPS has various roles to play in the establishment of CCS as well as in cadastral surveying under the CCS environment- obviously, its use will be highly facilitated under the said system. More specifically, it can be utilized to obtain centimeter accuracy, and in particular can provide easy connection of cadastral surveys to the control infrastructure, apart from the work of establishing the infrastructure itself.

4.3 Aligning to and Supporting to the Government Policies.

National Science and Technology Policy

This policy aspires to transform Malaysia into a scientific and progressive society whereby not only will the people make full use of current technology but also contribute to the development of science and technology of the future. The inevitable use of modern survey, positioning and computer technologies in the CCS endeavor is already obvious. Through the rigors and experience of implementing the system, it can be to a certain extent, be expected to contribute to the development of knowledge and expertise in the concerned field of science and technology.

National Development of Policy and the National Industry Policy

These policies on national development also lay emphasis on science and technology as an important framework in the socio-economic planning and development of the nation. It also accentuates the importance of ensuring environmental protection to ensure sustainable development for the country, and in this particular context, the role and contribution that could be expected of CCS is already obvious. The development of human resources is also given emphasis, in which case the processes of CCS implementation would in some ways certainly provide some form of contribution as well.

National Improvement in Productive Capacity Policy and the Policy on

Increased Productivity and Quality of the Public Sector

These policies stressed on the improvement of current systems as well as the use of enabling and suitable technologies – these aspects are evidently very much the aim of the proposed CCS implementation.

CONCLUDING REMARK

The move to implement CCS can be traced to the related initiatives made by DSMM. The reasons given for the intended change are basically to solve the drawbacks of the present cadastral survey system and to take advantage of the fully coordinated cadastral survey system. Irrespective of those reasons, there are however other benefits such as (1) efficient management of the Country’s resources, (2) the practice of Cadastral Surveying, and (3) supporting of the Government Policies.

The main components of the CCS that are considered fundamental to the cadastral reformation are (1) the common national geodetic framework - the GDM2000, (2) the cadastral control infrastructure (CCI), (3) the cadastral survey practice, (4) coordinates and (5) the DCDB. The implementation of CCS in the Peninsular Malaysia with the above components will definitely affects the current practice of cadastral surveying to a certain extent. It is obvious that the implementation of CCS will affect numerous parties that have dealings with land matters and spatial information. Evidently, it would to a varying extent, impact upon government departments and agencies, private and public companies, and member of the public.

It is quite obvious that the implementation of CCS will involve a significant amount of expenses. The immediate and major costs appear to be for those that are related to the technical aspects of implementation. In addition, there would be other costs such as for training, publicity and the conduct of outreach programs. On top of that, costs for the start-ups that certainly include manpower and equipment as well, would also be followed by continued or recurring operational and maintenance costs.

REFERENCES

Abdul Kadir Taib et.al. (2003). The Realization of GDM2000. GDM2000 Seminar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Abd Majid Kadir, Shahrum Ses, Tee Chong Seng, Teng Chee Boo, and Tan,Seng Huat (1998). Introducing Geocentric Datum in Defining Coordinate System of Peninsular Malaysia: Studies on Coordinate Transformations. The Surveyor. 4th quarter, 1998.

Abd Majid Kadir and Shahrum Ses (1999). Report on Contract Research for Feasibility Study on a Coordinated Cadastral System for Malaysia: The Adjustment of Large Cadastral Network with Reference to RSO Coordinate System. Kuala Lumpur: Department of Survey and Mapping, Malaysia.

Abd Majid Kadir, Shahrum Ses, and Abdullah Hisam Omar (2002). Final Report On Module B: Methodology For The Development Of National Digital Cadastral Database.

Abd Majid Kadir and Ghazali Desa (2002). Report On Module D: Institutional Issues On The Implementation Of The Coordinated Cadastral System For Peninsular Malaysia : A Study On The Legal And Organisational Aspect.

Abd Majid Kadir, Sharum Ses and Abd. Hisam omar (2002). Report on Contract Research for Feasibility Study on a Coordinated Cadastral System for Malaysia: Methodology for the Development of National Digital Cadastral Database. Kuala Lumpur: Department of Survey and Mapping, Malaysia.

Abd Majid Kadir and Ghazali Desa (2001). Report on Contract Research for Feasibility Study on a Coordinated Cadastral System for Malaysia: Institutional Issues on the Implementation of the Coordinated Cadastral System for Peninsular Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Department of Survey and Mapping, Malaysia.

Abd Majid Kadir et.al. (2003). Geocentric Datum (GDM2000) for Malaysia: Implementation and Implications. Paper presented at the Seminar on GDM2000, Kuala Lumpur.

Ahmad Fauzi Nordin (2001). Institutional Issues in the Implementation of the Coordinated Cadastral System for Peninsular Malaysia: A Study on the Legal and Organizational Aspects. Unpublished MSc Thesis, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

Azmi A. Bakar (2003). Pembangunan Cadangan Garis Panduan Amalan Ukur Kadaster Berkoordinat Semenanjung Malaysia.

Cross, P. (1998). Report on Contract Research for Feasibility Study on a Coordinated Cadastral System for Peninsular Malaysia: Use of a Global Geocentric Datum. Kuala Lumpur: Department of Survey and Mapping, Malaysia.

Cross, P. (2000). Development of a Geocentric Based Cadastral Control Database. Kuala Lumpur: Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia.

DOL (1986). Feasibility Study into a Coordinated Cadastre for South Australia. Department of Land (South Australia).

DSMM (2000). Development of a Geocentric Based Cadastral Control Database- Progress Report. Kuala Lumpur: Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia.

Kamaludin Omar and Abd Majid Kadir (2001). Final Report on Module A: Definition and Realization of Geocentric Datum for Peninsular Malaysia. Report submitted to the Licensed Land Surveyor Board of Peninsular Malaysia and the Department of Survey and Mapping, Malaysia.

National Land Code (1965)

Nisbet, K.A (1995). Procedures for the South Australia Legal Coordinated Cadastre. Proceedings of the International Conference on Cadastral Reform ’92. Australia. The University of Melbourne. 220-240.

Smith, G.L. (1988). Implementation of a Coordinated Cadastre for South Australia. The Australian Surveyor. Vol.34(3). 251-277.

Smith, L. (1992). Coordinated Cadastre Developmant in Queensland: A Policy Framework. Proceeding of the International Conference on Cadastral Reform ’92. Australia: The University of Melbourne. 431-445.

Williamson, I.P (1996). Establishing Coordinated Cadastres – Australian Experiences. International Conference on Cadastral Reform, Korea. Melbourne: University of Melbourne.

Williamson, I.P. and Hunter G.J. (1996(c)). A Coordinated Cadastre for Victoria. A Scoping Study for the Office of Surveyor General and the Office of Geographic Data Coordination. Victoria, Australia: Department of Treasury and Finance, Victoria.

-----------------------

THE ELEMENTS

OF CCS

STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS PLAN

THE CONCEPT OF COORDINATES/BOUNDARIES

CHANGE

OF

SURVEY

PROCEDURES

CHANGE

ON

TITLE

PLAN

CHANGE OF

PROJECTION

COMPUTATIONAL PROCEDURES

CHANGE OF

GEODETIC DATUM

LICENSED

LAND

SURVEYORS

OTHER

PROFESSIONALS

GOVERNMENT

SURVEYORS

LAND

ADMINISTRATOR

LAND

OWNERS

PUBLIC

CCS IMPLEMENTATION

THE ELEMENTS OF CCS

GDM2000

DCDB

Cadastral Control

Infrastructure (CCI)

Cadastral Survey

Practice

COORDINATES

THE ELEMENTS OF CCS

Change of Geodetic Datum

Change of Projection

Computational Procedures

The Concept of

Coordinates/Boundaries

The Change of

Survey Procedures

The Change on

Title Plan

THE COST ELEMENTS OF A

BASIC CCS IMPLEMENTATION

Connection of Parcel Corners To Control

Setting-Up of

Control Infrastructure

Resurveys

DCDB Re-coordination

With Survey Accurate

Coordinates

Development of State

Digital Cadastral

Database

GDM2000

Processing

GPS Surveys

Monumentation

Designing CCI

Network

Geocentric Cassini/RSO

Coordinates of Control

Points & Site Identification

STATE

CCI Layer

In NDCDB

CCDB

ADJUSTMENT

QUALITY

CONTROL

DATA

COLLECTION

TEMP

NDCDB

DATA

INTEGRITY

CHECK

TRANSFORMATION

INPUT

Connection

Lines

EDITING

SDCDB

AUTOMATED DATABASE CONVERSION SYSTEM

NDCDB

CCDB : Cadastral Control Database

SDCDB : State Digital Cadastral Database

Tertiary: 5, 2.5, 0.5 &

0.1 – 0.4km Spacing

First Order: 238 stations

MALAYSIAN

ACTIVE GPS

STATIONS

PRIMARY GEODETIC

GPS NETWORK

CADASTRAL CONTROL

INFRASTRUCTURE

CCI

PGGN

MASS

Zero Order: 8 Stations

Unique

Single Set of

Survey Accurate

Coordinates

Legal

(Contributory)

Evidence of

Boundaries

Unique

Parcel

Identifier

Appropriate

Data

Modeling

Layered

GDM2000

Geocentric

Cassini/RSO

Projection

System

Based on

Highest Geodetic

Order

Adequate

Density

“Whole-to-Part”

Survey Concept

Least Square

Adjustment

Coordinates

Cadastral

Survey

Practice

Cadastral

Control

Infrastructure

Common

National

Coordinate

System

Digital

Cadastral

Database

(DCDB)

CCS

Complete

Cadastral

Map

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download