The Croatian Positioning System – CROPOS Launched

CROPOS – The Croatian Positioning System for precise positioning and navigation using satellites has been launched today after several years of activities for its establishment, in which 13.2 million kuna was invested.

The installation of CROPOS itself is valued at 1.4 million kuna, and in these costs, the European Union participated with 75 percent through the PHARE 2005 program, while Croatia contributed 25 percent. The purpose of the CROPOS system is to enable the determination of position on the territory of the Republic of Croatia in real-time with high accuracy. The CROPOS system consists of 30 reference stations spaced 70 kilometers apart, arranged to cover the entire area of the Republic of Croatia. The stations are interconnected and linked to satellites orbiting in precise orbits, and these connections allow for very precise position calculations according to user requirements.

The operation of CROPOS will be monitored by the State Geodetic Administration. Its director, Željko Bačić, reported that three services are available to CROPOS users. The first, with an error of up to one meter, could be applied in geoinformation systems, navigation, traffic management, environmental protection, agriculture, and forestry. The high-precision service with centimeter accuracy is intended for surveying, cadastre, engineering geodesy, measurement of state borders, aerophotogrammetry, and hydrography.

The third service, with an error of less than a centimeter, is intended for scientific and geodynamic research and the creation of geodetic foundations. The State Geodetic Administration has already received 20 requests for registration and use of CROPOS, says Bačić, who expects real expansion after the market penetration of mobile phones with satellite navigation capabilities, when anyone with such a device will be able to use CROPOS services.

The head of the European Commission Delegation in Croatia, Vincent Degert, who was present at the launch of CROPOS on behalf of the EU, assessed that this is the latest technology that can help the development of activities such as transport and agriculture and increase the efficiency of public services. The system was launched by the State Secretary in the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Spatial Planning, and Construction, Davor Mrduljaš. In his opinion, CROPOS is important not only for geodesy but for the entire community, as it has a range of users from citizens to top professionals in spatial planning, transport, public services, armed forces, police, and other activities. (H)