Vertical Control Networks in Indonesia

Abstract

The new vertical control network in Indonesia (VCNI) has been established and developed since 1980. The network includes some old leveling benchmarks on the island of Java. Geographic condition and the availability of infrastructures in the country were the main constraints in the development of VCNI to fit the national development program priorities in the first 25-year plan.

The VCNI composed by first order vertical control networks (FOVCN) and second order vertical control networks (SOVCN). Up to present, FOVCN are on the islands of Java, Bali, Lombok and Madura; and SOVCN are on the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Ambon and Seram. In total 5,855 leveling benchmarks (BM) along 23,307 line km have been established to constitute VCNI, consisting of 1,930 BM and 4,657 line km of FOVCN, and 3,925 BM and 18,650 line km of SOVCN.

This paper describes the present status of VCNI and discusses its vertical datum problems related toward the unification of national vertical datums, as well as related to the VCNI user’s need identification. Plan for future development of VCNI is also highlighted.