On February 27, 2001, GRADD launched another innovative technology, a GPS Base Station.  The Base Station was installed at the GRADD office and was surveyed two weeks later to put it in full operation.  Over the course of several months, GRADD diligently worked on setting up the system for the region.

The Base Station serves the entire GRADD region and beyond.  Local entities, including the Regional Water Resource Agency, have used the Base Station to correct the data for manhole covers and other types of line or point features.  Owensboro Municipal Utilities also uses the Base Station to locate pump stations, wells, and other data pertaining to their utilities.

GRADD and some of the surrounding ADDs have used this Base Station to complete state contracts with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, for the collection of road centerline data for our seven counties.  GRADD has used the Base Station for correction of data for structure points collected in Henderson and Hancock Counties.

The Base Station is a Trimble Continuously Operating Reference Station  (CORS) consisting of mapping grade and survey grade data.  GPS reference stations provide coordinates and data in the RINEX format.  The Base Station operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The mapping grade data is available for free download on the Internet.  The survey grade data is also available, but a fee will be charged.  Request download instructions at billsmith@gradd.com or stevegardner@gradd.com.

For more information about GRADD's GIS/GPS Services and the Base Station, please feel free to contact Bill Smith or Steve Gardner at GRADD at (270) 926-4433.