Preparing OpenRoads Projects for SPCS 2022

As the surveying and transportation industry prepares for the implementation of the State Plane Coordinate System 2022 (SPCS 2022), many organizations are beginning to evaluate how the changes will impact their existing survey and design data.

While much of the discussion has focused on the transition from the US Survey Foot to the International Foot, the reality is that SPCS 2022 introduces much more significant changes. All states will see new coordinate zone definitions, and many will experience a substantial increase in the number of zones available. The new coordinate systems are specifically designed to avoid overlaps with current systems. This will result in coordinate shifts that require careful consideration when working with existing survey, geometry, and corridor files.

For agencies and engineering firms using OpenRoads Designer, the challenge is not simply updating DGN unit settings. Existing data developed using the current state plane zones and US Foot will need to be transformed into new coordinate systems while maintaining accuracy and consistency across active projects. Early testing has shown that while OpenRoads provides tools to support these transformations, large survey datasets may present performance and workflow challenges that organizations should evaluate before implementing a broad transition strategy.

The good news is that there is still time to prepare. As SPCS 2022 moves toward final adoption, agencies should begin assessing their existing data, testing workflows, and developing standards for managing both legacy and future coordinate systems.

The transition to SPCS 2022 represents the most significant changes to State Plane Coordinate Systems since the shift from NAD27 that occurred in the 1980s. Organizations that start planning now will be in the best position to minimize disruption and ensure a smooth transition when the new standards become widely adopted.

Robert Garrett

Robert has over 25 years experience as a practicing engineer and is licensed in the State of Tennessee. After graduating from Tennessee Technological University, Robert worked for the Mississippi State Highway Department, Bridge Design Division. Then he spent 12 years with the Tennessee Department of Transportation in the Roadway Design Office and later served as Regional Manager in the Design Survey Office. From 2000 to 2006, Robert worked for Robert G Campbell and Associates in Knoxville, TN where responsibilities included roadway, site, and utilities design projects. Joining Bentley Systems in March 2006, Robert wrote specifications & documentation for software development. Duties included testing, customer feedback and ensuring the products met the needs of the civil engineering user base. He also developed training material for education both internally to Bentley and for outside organizations. He served as Product Manager for Utilities Products, including the new OpenRoads Subsurface Utilities Design and Analysis software. Robert also provided guidance and implementation services for new technologies. He is a frequent presenter and trainer at user conferences.