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River Navigation Survey File Formats Used in New Orleans District |
MicroStation Format
The New Orleans District supports distribution of navigation data in only MicroStation SE CADD Design File format, also known as DGN files. Other Commercial Off-the-Shelf CADD software and CADD redlining tools will support viewing and plotting these files.The design files are 3-dimensional with X-Y coordinates stored as survey feet in LOUISIANA STATE PLANE 1702 map grid projection. The Z-coordinate values (or elevations) are stored as feet in the vertical datum specified in the notes section of the survey file.
IHO S-57 Format
The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) has developed technical standards and specifications related to digital data exchange formats for Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS). IHO Special Publication 57 (IHO SP-57) is the IHO Transfer Standard for Digital Hydrographic Data. It includes a theoretical model, object catalog, and a format called S-57 format.In 1996, USACE issued the Engineering Circular (EC) Number 1130-2-206, DISSEMINATION OF ELECTRONIC GEOSPATIAL DATA ON NAVIGATION PROJECTS. This circular expired in 1998; however, it provided interim policy for distributing electronic geospatial data on navigation projects to the public. It allowed distributing of electronic navigation data in standard industry formats (ie: DGN), until the Corps finished developed conversions to DX-90 format (pre S-57 format).
In May 2001, New Orleans District completed a pilot effort for converting Corps GIS data sets to S-57 formats according to the methods described in the IHO document, Use of the Object Catalogue for ENC (UOOC) and in support of the USACE E-Charting Master Plan. See related information at the Atchafalaya River Electronic Navigation Chart Project WWW site for detailed discussion and downloadable data.
Vector Product Format
The National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) undertook a demonstration project in cooperation with the New Orleans District. This project was completed in September 1996. It developed and fielded a protoype VPF production system that will provided rapid update of electronic digital nautical charts of the Mississippi River crossings and Mississippi River Southwest Pass in NIMA's Vector Product Format (VPF). This project did not proceed beyond testing phase and public release of VPF format data did not occurr since no commercial VPF readers were available.
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Contact Information:
Ralph Scheid 504-862-2995 Ralph.A.Scheid@usace.army.mil Updated August 13, 2008 |
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