3

I am trying to understand the difference between the two coordinates system. By so far I grasp that EPSG:3857 is used for a web-based map like Google Maps, OpenStreetMap.

I am getting a position (in lat,lon or EPSG:4326). Now my task is to figure out where it is next through its velocity(heading and speed) and time duration of the measurement.

new_pos = old_pos + velocity * time

Realise that the equation needs to be in meter calculation.

I then proceed to

  • Converted lat,lon into EPSG:3857
  • Perform calculation
  • Converted them back into lat,lon
  • Plotted the points onto a map based on EPSG:4326

and the points were far off the next measured point

Map: Red points (calculated from EPSG 3857), blue points (calculated from utm coordinates), green points(measured points)

Then I repeated the calculation except using UTM coordinates. The results were much better (as shown above by blue point)

I reckon the distance measurement should be roughly similar(1unit to 1 m...am I right?

I am working near the equator).

So I am wondering what is wrong down here and which measurement should I take?

Improve this question
3
  • maybe i should give reference i saw in this website gis.stackexchange.com/questions/163381/…. It seem to state that calculation should not be done for EPSG 3857... but I really wonder since I am working near Equator... how much it could really differ
    – user1538798
    Commented Dec 11, 2019 at 9:17
  • 1
    3857 uses a sphere with radius 6378137, while the polar radius is closer to 6356752 and even at 5° away from the equator, the distortion is 1.0038...UTM distortion is supposed to be no worse than 4 parts in 10000 or 1:2500.
    – mkennedy
    Commented Dec 11, 2019 at 18:43
  • @mkennedy from what you explain, it seem that distance(velocity * time) does not affect much for my case... and it would seem so(as the separation between points are pretty similar).....But what about angular direction... From my mapping above, it seem that there is pretty "sizable" deviation off about 20 degree?
    – user1538798
    Commented Dec 12, 2019 at 2:47

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
7

Both EPSG:3857 and UTM are based on Mercator projection. That is their likeness.

Differences have many:

  • Web Mercator (EPSG:3857) is Direct Mercator, it does not deform distances along the equator. UTM is a group of Transverse, they do not deform distances along each central meridian (not exactly since they are secant).

  • Web Mercator is spherical (but based on ellipsoidal datum, so not exactly conformal). UTM are ellipsoidal projections, and conformal.

  • Web Mercator is tangential to the equator. UTM are secant in the vicinity of each central meridian.

  • Web Mercator is one for the globe, so distances deforms far away the equator. UTM is divided in zones, so when the distance is being deformed far away each central meridian, you enter another zone, with another central meridian.

  • Web Mercator is optimized to just one purpose, serving a map to millons of users at the same time. UTM is optimized to get conformal zones in which distances are not deformed so much.

  • In Web Mercator parallels and meridians are horizontal and vertical lines. In UTM zones, not necessarilly: central meridian is a vertical line and the equator is an horizontal line, but all meridians and parallels are families of orthogonal curves.

More differences could be described. But they are enough.

In your case, none of them are being applied.

If you are transforming geodetic coordinates to the correct UTM zone, and if you are near the equator, and if your measurements are in the order of... less than 100 meters? You will find a difference in centimeters between them.

You are computing the delta X and delta Y of the heading exchanged in one of the processes.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.