New Computer Simulation Method for First-Order Design of Geodetic Network: Aiming for Low Cost

Abstract

Optimization of a geodetic network is a process in which a specific stage (or stages) is designed in such a way that the obtained result meets the assumed (optimum) design requirements. The goal of this article is to present a new method for designing observation plans first-order design (FOD) that aims at maximally reducing the number of observations (the cost criterion) while maintaining the a priori established quality criteria (accuracy and reliability). To achieve this goal, a categorization of points was introduced and the criteria were arranged into a hierarchy. Because the method uses computer simulation, sequential estimation was also used to speed up the computational process. The cost model is a general model defined as minimization of the number of observations in the network, regardless of their weight. The study was carried out using the example of a geodetic network designed for the National Stadium in Warsaw. The results bear out the effectiveness of reduction of observations and show the impact that strict criteria have on the scale of this reduction.