National Spatial Reference System

Saudi Arabia National Spatial Reference System (SANSRS) is one of the programs within the National Geodetic Infrastructure at the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information. It is a fixed reference system that defines Cartesian coordinates, longitude, latitude, elevation, scale, gravity, and orientation throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The National Spatial Reference System consists of the following geodetic components: Geodetic Reference Frame (KSA-GRF), Vertical Reference Frame (KSA-VRF), and Geoid Model (KSA-GEOID).

On March 7, 2021, the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, approved the widespread use of the National Spatial Reference System (SANSRS) in surveying operations and geospatial data.

The National Spatial Reference System allows users to accurately determine and express locations within the Kingdom. It also contributes to identifying changes occurring on the Earth's surface and its gravitational field in both space and time.

The National Spatial Reference System is designed to meet national economic, social, and environmental needs. It is utilized across all applications and services to determine locations in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. Additionally, all geospatial products are referenced to it.

The Saudi Arabia National Spatial Reference System serves as a national spatial reference system, ensuring the provision of a unified framework that meets the needs of all users of geospatial information in the Kingdom (those in charge of surveying, mapping, and geographic information systems (GIS), etc.). The reasons for using the National Spatial Reference System include:

Accuracy: The National Spatial Reference System has been developed using the latest methods and technologies, ensuring the accuracy of its components.

Homogeneity: The National Spatial Reference System is considered a homogeneous reference, accurately providing users of geospatial information and positioning data across the Kingdom.

Consistency: The National Spatial Reference System is aligned with global reference frames, as well as with local reference frames within the Kingdom.

Access: The National Spatial Reference System provides easy mechanisms for accessing its components through the National Continuously Operating Reference Station (KSA-CORS) real-time network and online transformation tools.

Government entities in the Kingdom are the primary users of the National Spatial Reference System in implementing their projects and activities. This ensures the integration and compatibility of all geospatial information and products among all institutions in the Kingdom, leading to cost and time savings, in addition to providing a highly accurate end product.

In the educational context, universities, institutes, and educational institutions utilize the National Spatial Reference System during scientific research and educational activities in the fields of geodesy, surveying, and geospatial information. The private sector and individuals also benefit from the National Spatial Reference System.

The National Spatial Reference System is used in: geodesy and surveying, mapping, photogrammetry, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), constructions, hydrography, geographic information systems, national resource management, navigation, machine guidance such as precision farming, construction, and unmanned navigation devices.