Geodesy and Mine Surveying

DEVELOPMENT OF COORDINATES CONVERSION AND

TRANSFORMATION STANDARDS FOR THE DANUBE WATER PROJECT
Lect.Dr.Eng Tiberiu Rus1, Prof. Dr.Eng. Constantin Moldoveanu1,
Lect. Dr.Eng. Valentin Danciu1, Dr.Eng. Ivan Kaltchev2
1- Technical University of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Geodesy, Department of Geodesy and
Photogrammetry, Lacul Tei Blvd. 124, 020936 Bucharest, Romania, E-mail: rus@utcb.ro
2 -Geo Plus Ltd., 215 Blvd. Tzar Boris, 1-st floor, office 7, 1618 Sofia, Bulgaria,
E-mail: ikaltchev@geoplus-bg.com

ABSTRACT
Romania and Bulgaria started to develop in partnership a system of monitoring, warning
and dissemination of data on the quality of environment in the border-area counties. The
project it is achieved under the strategic project WATER - integrated water management
and is financed under the Romania - Bulgaria Cross-border Cooperation Programme
2007-2013. The project goal it is to establish a common management and control
system of the quality of the Danube waters under extreme conditions, caused by natural
and technological disasters. The project area includes about 500 km on Romanian and
Bulgarian common Danube border area. In order to implement the designed activities in
the project area, one of the major infrastructure needed it is the geodetic network and
based on that a geo-database including digital maps, specific data and metadata, GIS
applications, et al. Along the history, from geodetic point of view, for different
activities on the Danube (navigation, water level and quality monitoring, floods
management) different kinds of Coordinate and Reference Systems (CRS) were used by
Danube countries. For the Romanian-Bulgarian sector, an important issue of this project
it is the establishment of a common CRS including horizontal and vertical position.
Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest (TUCEB - Romania) and
Executive Agency for Exploration and Maintenance of the Danube River (EAEMDR Bulgaria) are the responsible partners for Activity 6 of the WATER project. The main
goal of the Activity 6 it is to adopt and to implement a common CRS according to the
European INSPIRE Directive. This paper presents geodetic research and applications
performed on Activity 6 of the WATER project in order to establish coordinates
conversion and transformation standards. The theoretical and practical implementation
of horizontal CRS, named ETRS89 (European Terrestrial Reference System) and
vertical CRS, named EVRS (European Vertical Reference System) are presented.
Research on possible connections between these CRS and previous CRS (as Black Sea
1975 and Baltic Sea) are investigated. The final results of this activity can contribute to
the modern realization of the most recent connection between the national geodetic
networks of Romania and Bulgaria.
Keywords: WATER project (WP),
transformation, reference system

geodetic

network,

coordinates,

conversion

and

13th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2013

INTRODUCTION
Subactivity 6.1 of the WATER Project (WP) was dedicated to the Establishment
(creation) of a common geodetic system for measuring the levels of the Danube River
between Romania and Bulgaria harmonization of the data. Both parties realized on
that subactivity, an Implementation Plan [3] including the main activities necessary to
define and to establish a unified geodetic CRS (Coordinate Reference System) on a
common part of the Romanian-Bulgarian Danube.
Subactivity 6.2 Surveying of landmarks and development of conversion standards
have as major objectives to implement the common CRS adopted by both parties and to
use this CRS for the other related activities of the project. This subactivity it is in
progress and will be finalized by September 2014.
The level of the Danube River is measured by the gauge stations - the depth gauges
along the river located in the two countries [11] on the relevant banks of the river (Tab.
1).
Table 1
No.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Nameofthegauge
station

BULGARIA
NovoSelo
Vidin
Lom
Oryahovo
Nikopol
Svishtov
Ruse
Tutrakan
Silistra

Location
(distance
fromSulina
inkm)

833.75
790.30
743.00
678.00
597.50
554.30
495.60
433.00
375.50

Nameofthegauge
station

ROMANIA
Gruia
Calafat
Bechet
Corabia
TurnuMagurele
Zimnicea
Giurgiu
Oltenita
Chiciu

Location
(distance
fromSulina
inkm)
851.00
795.00
679.00
630.00
597.00
553.65
492.80
429.70
378.00

Fig. 1 Romanian water level stages along the Danube

For future water related activities on the Romanian Bulgarian Danube it is proposed to
use a common CRS, namely [4]:

Geodesy and Mine Surveying

Spatial Coordinate System: ETRS89;

Height Coordinate System: EVRS, implementation EVRF2007 - for (normal)
height;
Plane (projection) Coordinate System: UTM (Universal Transversal Mercator).

CONVERSION AND TRANSFORMATION STANDARDS

The common CRS adopted for WP it is compliant with Directive 2007/2/EC of the
European Parliament and of the Council Establishing an Infrastructure for Spatial
Information in the European Community INSPIRE [3]: ETRS89 for the horizontal
position and EVRS for the vertical position (Fig.2).

1
RO/BGNationalrealizationof
ETRS89WP

RO/BGNationalverticalreference
system(BlackSea1975/BalticSea)

Fig. 2 CRS proposed for the WATER Project (WP)

For the coordinate conversion and transformation the ISO 19111 (Geographic
Information Spatial Referencing by Coordinates) standard should be respected [12].
ISO 19111 defines a coordinate reference system (CRS) as a coordinate system which is
related to an object (such as the Earth) by a datum. A coordinate system is a set of
mathematical rules for specifying how coordinates are to be assigned to points. A
coordinate system will have one or more axes. A datum defines the position of the
origin, the scale, and the orientation of a coordinate system. ISO 19111 describes
several subtypes of coordinate reference system, coordinate system, datum, and
coordinate conversion, coordinate operation and coordinate transformation.
Based on mentioned theoretical background, conversion and transformation standards
were proposed [3], [4] to connect national CRS with proposed (European) common
CRS. It is for the first time when this problem it is investigated for the RomaniaBulgaria (Danube) border. These standards includes elements of position and
positioning, CRS definition, coordinate operations, 2D and 1D transformations, digital
images, georeferencing and practical aspects of data processing.
For the WP the ETRS89 it is proper for 2D positions, and EVRF2007 as realization of
EVRS, it is proper for the vertical positions. However ellipsoidal heights could be of
interest if an accurate (less than 2 cm) (quasi)geoid for the WP area will be available.

13th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2013

As long as the observations field campaign was delayed for the spring of 2014 year, this
paper presents some tests performed with available data in order to check the proposed
standards. A special atention it is considered for the heights as the Danube water level
should be observed with an accuracy of about 1-2 cm.
In Romania ETRS89 realization for the WATER Project (WP) includes ETRF00
coordinates adopted for the Romanian EPN stations and stations from Romanian GNSS
Permanent network (ROMPOS) closed the common border from the WP area [10],[14].
In Bulgaria ETRS89 realization it is based on BGS2005 [1]. For the EVRS realization
in Romania there are available levelling landmarks expressed as EVRF2007 or Black
Sea 1975 (Constanta) normal heights. Similar data are available for the Bulgarian part
of the WP geodetic levelling network expressed as EVRF2007 or Baltic Sea Kronstadt
(1982).
DATA PROCESSING
STEP 1 Horizontal CRS. For the transformation 1 (fig.2) from National realization
of ETRS89 to ETRS89 (ETRF05), a set of seven parameter (Helmert) transformation
for each country will be provided based on GNSS data processing from a common set
of GNSS permanent stations from RO and BG (fig.3). From Romania EPN stations
Bucharest (BUCU) and Constanta (COST) will be also included. A third set of
transformation parameters could be computed for direct transformation between
National realization of ETRS89 to ETRS89 (ETRF00 epoch 2005.0). Few EUVN_DA
(European Unified Vertical Network Densification Action) [6] landmarks will be
observed and used for this purpose, too. Results are not yet available as long as the
observation campaign was not performed.

Fig.3 GNSS permanent stations on the WP area

After Coordinate conversion from GRS80 ellipsoid to UTM projection can be easily
performed for all WP landmarks from the water stages.
STEP 2 Vertical CRS. For the transformation 2 (fig.2) from National vertical
reference system (Black Sea 1975 MN75 for Romania and Baltic Sea 1982 for
Bulgaria) to EVRF2007 a set of transformation parameters adopted by EUREF for each
country it is available [12],[6]. The transformation equation it is presented below:
H_EVRF2007 = H_national + a1 + a2Mo (LAT - LATo) + a3 No (LON - LONo) cos(LAT) (1)

Geodesy and Mine Surveying

where a1, a2 and a3 coefficients are known; LAT, LON ellipsoidal coordinates; LATo, LONo
reference point coordinates.

All the landmarks observed by precise levelling and gravity can be determined in the
national vertical system and after, by transformation eq.(1), in the EVRF2007.
Table 2
Country
RO
RO
RO
RO
RO
RO
RO
RO
RO
RO

Point
ID
RO102
RO107
RO118
RO142
RO143
9
23
19
20
22

Point name
Bailesti
Calarasi
Hodivoaia
Turnu Magurele
Vinju Mare
Negru Voda (RO-BG)
Calafat
Giurgiu
Turnu Magurele
Calarasi

ETRS89-RO
B (deg)
L(deg)
44,032732
44,187677
43,917877
43,768856
44,432561
43,788889
43,996667
43,895278
43,751111
44,197778

23,352459
27,335867
25,779621
24,881293
22,864746
28,156944
22,932500
25,959444
24,876944
27,354722

H-MN75
[m]
61,222
15,593
95,494
36,216
94,044
161,821
69,919
20,634
29,931
18,750

As examples there are results in Tab.2 (landmarks from Romania) for EUVN stations
situated (fig.4) in five areas (Vidin, Turnu Magurele, Giurgiu, Calarasi and Negru
Voda). Three of these areas will be directly connected by precise levelling (Vidin,
Giurgiu and Calarasi) on Danube bridges.

Fig.4 Computation tests five areas with EUVN landmarks

Based on TransDatRo software [5] official implemented by National Agency for
Cadastre and Land Registration, conversion of (B,L) coordinates to UTM plane
coordinates was performed in the same time with transformation of Black Sea 1975
heights to EVRF 2007 (Tab.3). A numerical test for the height transformation was
performed also with online transformation software [13] and the results were identical.
Table 3
Point ID

N_UTM
[m]

E_UTM
[m]

H_EVRF2007
[m]

RO102

4878199,132

688507,740

61,285

RO107

4912274,333

1006395,048

15,668

13th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2013

RO118

4873867,732

883755,307

95,565

RO142

4853526,220

812403,005

36,284

RO143

4921609,306

648412,558

94,104

4873382,404

1075894,892

161,899

23

4873318,036

654946,220

69,981

19

4872210,072

898337,281

20,705

20

4851538,487

812137,641

29,999

22

4913513,371

100781,812

18,825

A comparison of Black Sea 1975 normal heights and EVRF2007 normal heights was
performed in Tab.4. The results indicated a medium difference of -67 mm.
Table 4
ETRS89-RO
B [deg]

L[deg]

MN75
[m]

EVRF2007
[m]

Diff.
[m]

RO102

44,03273248

23,352458

61,222

61,285

-0,063

RO107

44,18767743

27,335867

15,593

15,668

-0,075

RO118

43,91787669

25,779621

95,494

95,565

-0,071

RO142

43,76885594

24,881292

36,216

36,284

-0,068

RO143

44,43256133

22,864746

94,044

94,104

-0,060

43,788889

28,156944

161,821

161,899

-0,078

23

43,996667

22,932500

69,919

69,981

-0,062

19

43,895278

25,959444

20,634

20,705

-0,071

20

43,751111

24,876944

29,931

29,999

-0,068

22

44,197778

27,354722

18,750

18,825

-0,075

Point ID

Height anomalies model included in the TransDatRo software [5] it is based on

EGG97 model and FEM (Finite Element Model) realized with identical set of points
from EUVN_DA and national levelling networks. (A distorsion model was
implemented for 2D transformation, too.). In order to compare TransDatRo height
anomaly model with another model, EGM2008 model was chosen. Various
interpolation functions were applied for height anomaly interpolation from EGM2008
model (Tab.5).
Table 5
ETRS89
L

Bisquare

Height anomaly
BiTriang.
linear

44,03273248

23,35245846

41,569

41,569

41,569

41,574

RO107

44,18767743

27,33586712

35,945

35,945

35,945

35,967

RO118

43,91787669

25,77962154

38,591

38,591

38,591

38,593

RO142

43,76885594

24,88129264

40,079

40,079

40,079

40,081

RO143

44,43256133

22,86474635

41,665

41,665

41,664

41,660

EUVN_DA
ID

RO102

Nearest
neighbor

The interpolation methods for EGM2008 height anomalies have not significant
influence as it can be observed in Tab.5.

Geodesy and Mine Surveying

Table 6 presents the normal heights computed with TransDatRo model and EGM2008
model [9],[15]. The differences are situated between 4 cm and 36 cm.
Table 6
ETRS89-RO

EUVN_DA
ID

B[deg]

L[deg]

RO102

44,03273248

RO107

H[m] MN75
EGM2008

23,35245846

H_ETRS89-RO
[m]
102,634

61,065

61,222

44,1876774

27,33586712

51,183

15,237

15,593

RO118

43,91787669

25,77962154

134,051

95,459

95,494

RO142

43,76885594

24,88129264

76,239

36,160

36,216

RO143

44,43256133

22,86474635

135,613

93,948

94,044

TransDatRo

Another test was realized by computing the Black Sea 1975 (MN75) normal heights for
nine landmarks from Bulgarian levelling network (Tab.7) with TransDatRo software
if we consider the incorporated height anomaly model extended in the RomanianBulgarian Danube border. These results will be compared with precise levelling results.
Table 7
Point
ID

Point name

2500056
2500767
2500960
2501064
2501421
80013
81009
82005
83002

ETRS89-BG

B[deg]
3
43,993333
10
43,680000
4
43,820000
1
44,090000
397
43,755000
Silistra (RO-BG) 44,126000
Ruse (RO-BG) 43,856500
Nikopol (RO-BG) 43,712700
Vidin (RO-BG) 43,993100

L[deg]
22,885000
24,908333
25,971667
27,243333
28,106667
27,273000
25,951600
24,897900
22,897500

UTM_TransDatRO
N [m]

E [m]

H_MN75
[m]

4872859,639 651146,122
4838458,016 331402,014
4852394,804 417305,254

37,517
185,461
159,863

4881897,802
4845256,880
4885903,767
4856468,944
4842111,121
4872856,710

130,405
162,064
14,417
19,328
24,027
31,694

519479,521
589090,555
521841,162
415742,943
330653,115
652149,028

A final test was performed based on a few landmarks, from Romanian national levelling
network from the project area, with normal heights on Baltic Sea vertical reference
system. These data are available from the previous national database when in Romania
Baltic Sea system was official used. The Baltic Sea normal heights from Romania (on a
common Danube border) were transformed to EVRF2007 heights with transformation
parameters officially implemented for Bulgaria. The results were compared with official
EVRF2007 normal heights for these landmarks. A difference of less than 3 cm was
obtained (Tab.8) indicating the consistency of official implemented transformation from
national Romanian and Bulgarian vertical reference systems to EVRF2007 and if we
consider that the standard deviation of EVRF2007 heights it is about 2.5 cm.
Table 8
Point
name

Point
ID

MN75
[m]

Baltic Sea
[m]

Negru Voda (RO-BG)

161,821

161,681

Diff.
[m]
0,140

EVRF2007 EVRF2007
Diff.
computed
[m]
[m]
[m]
161,902
161,900 0,002

13th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2013

Calafat

23

69,919

69,744

0,175

69,979

69,968

0,011

Giurgiu

19

20,634

not avail.

Turnu Magurele

20

29,931

29,757

0,174

29,990

29,980

0,010

Calarasi

22

18,750

18,600

0,150

18,844

18,818

0,026

CONCLUSIONS
Based on a theoretical background, conversion and transformation standards were
proposed to connect Romania and Bulgaria national CRS with proposed (European)
common CRS. It is for the first time when this problem it is investigated for the
Romania-Bulgaria (Danube) border. For the Water Project, the ETRS89 it is suitable for
2D positions, and EVRF2007 as realization of EVRS, it is suitable for the vertical
positions. This paper presents tests performed with available data in order to check the
proposed standards. A special atention it is considered for the heights as the Danube
water level should be observed with an accuracy of about 1-2 cm. Tests results indicates
that the CRS proposed, available data together with future data, can be used for the
implementation.
REFERENCES
[1] Bulgarian National Committee of Geodesy and Geophysics, National Report on Geodetical and
Geophysical Activities in Bulgaria 2007 2011, Prepared for the XXVth IUGG General Assembly,
Melbourne Australia, 28 June 7 July 2011
[2] Romanian National Committee of Geodesy and Geophysics, National Report on Geodetic and
Geophysical Activities 2007-2010, XXVth IUGG General Assembly, Melbourne, 28 June -7 July 2011
[3] Implementation Plan of the Activity 6 on WATER project (MIS 161) funded under RomaniaBulgaria cross border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013
[4] Technical Specifications for the implementation of the Activity 6 on WATER project (MIS 161)
funded under Romania-Bulgaria cross border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013
[5] Avramiuc N., Dragomir P., Rus T., Algorithm for direct and inverse coordinate transformation
between ETRS89 CRS and S-42 CRS, International Symposium, Alba Iulia, Romania, 7-9 May 2009
[6] Dragomir P., Rus T., Avramiuc N., Dumitru P., EVRF2007 as Realization of the European Vertical
Reference System (EVRS) in Romania, International Symposium GeoCAD08, Alba Iulia, Romania, 0910 May 2010
[7] Dragomir P., Rus T., Avramiuc N., Dumitru P., Draft of the Technical Normative Regarding the
Realization of the National Spatial Geodetic Network and the Implementation of the ETRS89 in
Romania, National Conference Modern Technologies for the IIIrd Millenium, 8th Edition, Oradea,
Romania, 2010
[8] Ihde, J., Luthardt, J., Boucer, C., Dunkley, P., Farrell, B., Gubler, E., Torres, J.
European Spatial Reference Systems, (http://crs-geo.eu /References - Papers And Publications)
[9] Pavlis, N. K., S. A. Holmes, S. C. Kenyon, and J. K. Factor (2012), The Development And Evaluation
Of The Earth Gravitational Model 2008 (EGM2008), J. GEOPHYS. RES., 117, B04406,
DOI:10.1029/2011JB008916
[10] Rus T., Moldoveanu C., Danciu V., Considerations on the Romanian State of Romanian National
Geodetic Network, International Symposium GeoCAD12, Alba Iulia, Romania, May 2012
[11] Rus T., Moldoveanu C., Danciu V., Geodesy Contribution to the Danube Water Project,13th
International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2013, Albena, Bulgaria
[12] ISO/DIS 19111 (Geographic Information Spatial Referencing by Coordinates) - ICS 35.240.70
Web:
[13] http://crs.geo.eu (CRS Portal, BKG, Germany, visited on 15 April 2014)
[14] http://gnss.rompos.ro/spiderweb (GNSS ROMPOS website, visitedon15April2014)
[15] http://earth-info.nga.mil/