Toward a Unified United Arab Emirates Map Projection

Abstract

Toward a Unified United Arab Emirates Map Projection

Ahmad S. Massasati
The Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Department of Water Resources Studies
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Email: amassasati@yahoo.com

Hashim Al-Hashimi
The Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Department of Water Resources Studies,
Dubai, UAE

Abstract
Defining the shape of the earth "geoid" will always be a challenge. Mathematical models of the geoid such as spheroid or ellipsoid changes with progress in human scientific development. Mathematical projection of geodetic systems into a flat surface was made so that systematic transformation can be made. With the vast number of projection systems developed world wide and the recent advancement in GIS/GPS technology, unified projection systems became a necessity. As a developing country, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) uses different projections systems such as UTM WGS84, UTM Clark 1880, ERWDA Standards, and Dubai Local Transverse Mercator. While these projections are practical at the local level, problems will eventually surface specially with the establishment of a unified GIS for the entire country. This paper intends to discuss the various projection systems used in the UAE and show the potential problems and errors that might occur from using different systems. It also argues for the need of a unified projection system for the entire country.