The development of the Geodetic Reference Frame of Palestine (PAL-GRF2023)

Abstract

Accurate spatial data, including precise mapping, in effective land management, and robust Geographic Information se Systems (GIS), is fundamental for national development. in Recognizing this, the Palestinian Land Authority (PLA) initiated ad a crucial project to establish a modern geodetic framework. co Palestine's existing geodetic networks are remnants of the British im Mandate era, severely outdated and inadequate for current in spatial data demands. This deficiency hinders the production of ov accurate cadastral and topographic maps and impedes the seamless integration of spatial information into vital land pr information systems. The "Development of the Palestinian ef National Geodetic Framework (PAL-GRF)" project involved pr establishing 10 new local stations across the West Bank, each fitted with forced centering steel pillars. These stations were Hi integrated with fiducial stations from the International GNSS as Service (IGS) and ITRF2020 networks to ensure global pr consistency. Palestinian Land Authority engineers conducted ac extensive GNSS observations, with each station observed tec simultaneously for at least 8 hours. All data was rigorously (G processed using the Bernese GNSS Software (BSW52) and products from the CODE analysis center. The project re successfully determined precise final coordinates for all PAL- un GRF2023 network stations within the ITRF2020 system at epoch sh 2023.50. This includes detailed Cartesian and ellipsoidal In coordinates and velocity components for each station. m Furthermore, the project derived essential datum Sy transformation parameters to enable seamless conversion ex between the new PAL-GRF, the historical PAL1923, and the ev current CORS-Network coordinate systems. This new ge framework provides a reliable and accurate foundation for all future geospatial activities in Palestine.