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B.C. Active Control System (BCACS)

Last updated on April 11, 2024

The British Columbia government, in cooperation with other levels of government and industry, is making it easier for users to collect, merge and overlay geographic data through the B.C. Active Control System (BCACS).

BCACS is the active component of the province’s geospatial reference framework, which integrates satellite-based positioning and broadcast communication to provide users with standardized, low-cost and instantaneous positioning.

The BCACS network is comprised of 20 permanent and continuously operating Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based satellite receivers. These are strategically located to provide coverage across the province. View information about GPS active control points across British Columbia:

Product Details

Raw GNSS observation data is collected from GNSS receivers, which are located on accurately positioned boundaries in B.C.

BCACS GPS base stations provide data which allow users to correct the coordinates obtained with their single receivers to achieve positions accurate to less than 1 metre. Post-mission data is available for the whole province by subscription or on a pay-per-download basis.

Hourly post-mission files are assigned letters “a” through “x”. “a” is assigned to files beginning at 00:00 UTC and “x” is assigned to files beginning at 23:00 UTC. See the RINEX Time Correlation Table (PDF, 9.2KB) to determine the appropriate files for your specific times of occupation. The table relates the file labelling format to UTC time, Pacific Standard Time and Pacific Daylight Time.

How to Acquire

Access to the BCACS system post-mission data is provided through FTP download. To acquire BCACS data please submit your request to GeoBCInfo@gov.bc.ca.

Municipal Data

Municipal active control systems provide a common geospatial reference for all agencies with spatially positioned data. Benefits include shared access to data, decreased maintenance costs and improved accuracy of positional information.

The Metro Vancouver Real Time Kinematic service was developed through a partnership between the B.C. Government, Metro Vancouver and its municipalities.

The Capital Regional District (CRD) Real Time Kinematic service was developed through a partnership between the B.C. Government, the CRD and its municipalities.

BCeID

You will need a Basic or Business BCeID to acquire B.C. Active Control System data.

The Natural Resource Sector Business Service Desk provides support for geospatial applications and services related to natural resources.

Experienced staff are available to respond to questions by phone or email. All queries are tracked and kept open until a satisfactory outcome has been reached.

By phone:

  • Within Victoria: 250 952-6801
  • Toll free within B.C.: 1 866 952-6801

By email:

Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Canadian Geodetic Survey

At the national level, Natural Resources Canada maintains the Canadian Spatial Reference System, Canadian Active Control System and other geodetic tools.

GeoBC

The BCACS base stations and post-mission data are managed in part by GeoBC.