The Transverse Mercator Projection Paper

The Transverse Mercator Projections is a transverse cylindrical conformal projection also known as the Gauss-Kruger, it is one of the well-known projections in the world for its variation of the Mercator projections (Chang, 2010). The Transverse Mercator Projection (TMS) is similar to the Mercator projection which uses Standard Parallel whereas TMS uses the Standard Meridian. This means that it is longitudinal in the meridians not in the Equator, making it to be conformal and not preserving a true direction (Chang, 2010). The center of the meridian is located in the middle of the region of concern. The positioning reduces distortions of all properties of the region. This projection is well suitable for north–south zones.

Angles and shapes are presented appropriately, as a result of conformality. The figure beneath displays a region of the world which is mapped on the Transverse Mercator projection. Figure 1 : Region of the world which is mapped on the Transverse Mercator projection. The State Plane Coordinate System uses this projection for all north–south zones. The TMS is the base for two common coordinate systems. The UTM and Gauss–Krüger coordinate systems (Chang, 2010). Method used in Projection Cylindrical projection with central meridian located in a specific area. Lines of contact For the tangent projection any single meridian is used. Two virtually parallel lines that are equidistant starting from the central meridian are used for the secant projection. However, the lines are around 180 km from the central meridian for UTM projection. The Linear graticules The central meridian as well as the equator. Properties (ArcGIS Resource center, 2013) Shape The shape is Conformal. The Small shapes are preserved. The Larger shapes are gradually distorted away from the central meridian. Area The Distortions increase with distance from the central meridian. Direction Accuracy of local angles is maintained everywhere. Distance There’s accurate scale along the central meridian regarded the factor of scale is 1.0. If it is lower than 1.0, two straight lines with precise scales that is equidistant from and on either side of the central meridian are used (ArcGIS Resource center, 2013). Limitations The Data on a spheroid/ellipsoid is not projected past 90° from the central meridian. Actually, the range on a spheroid/ellipsoid ought to be limited …show more content…
• USGS 7-½ minute quad sheets (ArcGIS Resource center, 2013).
• North America (USGS, central meridian with a scale factor of 0.926) (ArcGIS Resource center, 2013).
• Topographic maps of the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain after 1920 (ArcGIS Resource center, 2013).
• UTM and Gauss–Krüger coordinate systems. Divide the world into 60 north and south zones six degrees wide. Each region with a scale factor of 0.9996 and false easting of 500,000m. Regions which are south of the equator have a false northing of 10,000,000m to confirm that all the values of y are positive. Zone 1 is at about 177° W (ArcGIS Resource center, 2013).
The Gauss–Krüger coordinate system is a lot like the UTM coordinate system. For instance, Europe is divided into regions that are six degrees wide with central meridian of region 1 equal to 3° E. Limitations are alike as those of UTM excluding for the scale factor, that is equal to 1.000 instead 0.9996 (ArcGIS Resource center, 2013). Specific places similarly add the zone number times one million to the 500,000 false easting value. GK zone 5 might have a false easting value of 500,000 or 5,500,000m (ArcGIS Resource center,