HxGN SmartNet for Asset Inventory
The project was to create a system for the collection and storage of asset inventory data based upon ESRI ArcGIS and the Leica Zeno 15 GIS handheld, and evaluate with respect to ease of use and geospatial accuracy.
The completion of an MSc in
Geospatial and Mapping Sciences
at the University of Glasgow was
the main driving force behind this
project. It seemed sensible to base
it on the creation and evaluation
of a system which could be beneficial
to Estates Technical Surveyor
Colin Bradford’s employer North
Ayrshire Council.
After investigation into existing
data standards and user
requirements, Leica Zeno Field
data capure software customisation
was carried out with respect to toolbars and attribute
data input forms. A
parent map was
created in ArcGIS and all necessary
elements including asset layers,
symbology, background mapping
etc. were output to the Leica Zeno
15 GIS data collector by means of
the ESRI AXF format.
Workflow chain
The collected data consisted of geospatial and attribute data relating to assets. The data was transferred using the ESRI AXF format via the Leica Zeno Docking Station. Once collected, the data was checked into ESRI ArcMap for storage, display and analysis.
Accuracy Evaluation
A separate geospatial accuracy evaluation was carried out based on accuracy achieved using both HxGN SmartNet and SBAS (EGNOS) RTK systems. This was based upon two main criteria. These were as follows:
Accuracy relative to Ordnance Survey Mastermap Topography Layer achieved using SBAS and HxGN SmartNet via OSTN02 transformation. This involved collecting data with the Leica Zeno 15 GIS handheld using normal working methods, i.e. holding the device above a feature. A large sample of well defined OS map features were selected and positions were measured using the Leica Zeno Field Software to collect GPS observations. Horizontal displacement error from the relative map points was recorded and the abbreviated results were as follows:
| RTK correction system | Mean horizontal distance error (m) | RMSE of horizontal distance errors (m) |
| SBAS (EGNOS) | 0.98 | 1.01 |
| HxGN SmartNet | 0.48 | 0.54 |
This evaluation may also indicate other factors relating to errors in the OS mappimg in addition to the evaluation of the Zeno GNSS performance.
Absolute accuracy achieved using SBAS and HxGN SmartNet. The basis for this evaluation was ten defined control points established using dual frequency, post processed static GPS. These points were then each measured twice using the Leica Zeno 15 / Zeno Field with a fixed antenna/ tripod assembly using both SBAS and HxGN SmartNet RTK. This resulted in a sample size of twenty for both RTK methods. Colin’s evaluation of the absolute accuracy achieved using Leica Zeno with both RTK methods was as follows:
| RTK correction system | Mean horizontal distance error (m) | RMSE of horizontal distance errors (m) |
| SBAS (EGNOS) | 0.77 | 0.81 |
| HxGN SmartNet | 0.20 | 0.22 |
After the accuracy evaluation, Colin Bradford came to the conclusion that HxgN SmartNet provided accuracy which was more than sufficient for the representation of the data. Should SmartNet be unavailable due to GSM/GPRS signal loss, then SBAS would provide a satisfactory backup.
Conclusion
The creation of an accurate inventory enabled effective asset management. A pre requisite to efficient management was accurate, reliable data relating to all relevant assets which enabled better planning and resource management based on data relating to condition, asset type, location etc. GIS provides the perfect platform upon which to store this data.
