PROTECTION OF THE STATE GEODETIC NETWORK POINTS: INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND PRACTICES

Geodetic stations are the basis for mapping, construction, navigation and monitoring of natural processes. Their protection is regulated by national laws and international standards. The problem of destruction or damage to the State Geodetic Network (SGN) points is a systemic one for many regions and countries of the world. The following global challenges can be identified: 1) urbanization: construction and infrastructure projects destroy markers (for example, in India and Brazil); 2) climate change: sea level rise threatens points in coastal areas (Florida, Bangladesh); 3) wars and conflicts: Syria, Yemen (geodetic networks were destroyed by 60-80%). The number of geodetic points in each country varies significantly depending on the size of the territory, geodetic infrastructure and the level of network detail. Below are the current data for the United States, Germany, China, Japan, and Ukraine. It should also be noted that in recent years, most countries have been actively modernizing the system, and some of the classic points may be eliminated or lost due to the refusal to support certain points in favor of GNSS technologies. The purpose of the study is to compare approaches to the preservation and protection of geodetic points of state networks in the USA, Germany, China, Japan and Ukraine. It is argued that the preservation of geodetic points is important to ensure the accuracy of geospatial data. For effective protection of these objects, it is necessary to implement a number of organizational, technical and legal measures. General recommendations for the protection of geodetic points primarily include legislative regulation, namely: the introduction of clear rules of liability for damage or destruction of geodetic network points; harmonization of international legislation on the protection of geodetic points; regular updating of legislation to reflect modern technologies in the field of geodesy. It is necessary to pay attention to technical measures: marking geodetic points with special warning signs informing about their significance; using geodetic raps with anti-vandal protection (concrete bases, metal stops); making reserve points to compensate for losses. Special work should be done to monitor and record signs through digitalization and maintenance of national databases of geodetic points; implementation of monitoring systems using GPS trackers and photography to detect damage; regular field inspections of the condition of geodetic points. For Ukraine, the following specific recommendations can be made: strengthening legislative responsibility; updating the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Article 360) with increased fines for the destruction of geodetic points; ensuring close cooperation between the StateGeoCadastre, the National Police and local authorities in identifying violators. From a technical point of view, it is worth modernizing existing geodetic stations by adapting them to modern GNSS technologies and installing virtual geodetic stations to reduce the risk of losing physical stations. Educational activities will not be superfluous. To do this, it is necessary to develop a series of training seminars for land surveyors, builders, and farmers, and to conduct public campaigns to raise public awareness of the importance of geodetic points in everyday life (through the media and social networks). In general, international experience shows that effective protection of geodetic points is possible only with a combination of strict laws, technology, and a conscious society.