Minnesota Department of Transportation

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Survey tools and technology

Last updated Feb. 11, 2021

MnDOT Office of Land Management Software

MnCon is a coordinate conversion program that performs conversions within or across the North American Datums of 1927 and 1983.  It works on keyboard input or ASCII (text) files of specific formats.  It converts between any two of 232 different map projections including: NAD27 and NAD83 latitude/longitude, NAD27 and NAD83 universal transverse mercator zone 15 extended, the three Minnesota state plane zones in both NAD27 and NAD83, 68 NAD83 Minnesota county coordinate system zones (including one covering all of St Louis County) and 159 NAD27 project zones.  Essentially MnCon replaces CONAD27, CONAD83 and the National Geodetic Survey's NADCON. Other individuals or agencies may use the MnCon at their own risk, with no expectation of user support.

Download

Install

  • Download and run MnCon.msi.
  • It will copy MnCon.exe to C:\Program Files (x86)\MnDOT-OLM-Software\MnCon by default, or to any other location the user specifies.

Notes

  • The current version of MnCon is 4.1.3, dated June 3, 2013

MnCogo32 is a coordinate geometry program developed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation for making survey calculations in field and office settings for horizontal and vertical curves, grading widths, and proportions.  It also calculates Public Land Survey section breakdowns.

It accepts four input file types: Comma-delimited, GEOPAK Print Points, GEOPAK XY, and SDMS.

The Section Subdivision function will write an input file that can be read by Bentley GEOPAK Cogo. PlotPLS.mvba is a Bentley MicroStation V8 macro written by MnDOT that can also use the same input file. A copy of that macro will be placed in the local MnCogo32 installation directory by the installer (Macro version 1.0.3, 10/7/2015).  Other individuals or agencies may use MnCogo32 at their own risk, with no expectation of user support.

Download

Install

  • Download and run MnCogo32.msi.
  • It will copy MnCogo32.exe to C:\Program Files (x86)\MnDOT-OLM-Software\MnCogo32 by default, or to any other location the user specifies.

Notes

  • The current version of MnCogo32 is 1.3.3, dated Feb. 24, 2020.

MnDataSheet is a program developed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to view any English or Metric control point data sheet in PDF format from the MnDOT Geodetic Database by entering the GSID number for that control point.  It can also retrieve an NGS data sheet given the ACRN for a control point.  Other individuals or agencies may use the MnDataSheet executable file at their own risk, with no expectation of user support.

Download

Install

  • Download and run MnDataSheet.msi.
  • It will copy MnDataSheet.exe to C:\Program Files (x86)\MnDOT-OLM-Software\MnDataSheet by default, or to any other location the user specifies.

Notes

  •  Other individuals or agencies may use MnDataSheet at their own risk, with no expectation of user support.
  • The current version of MnDataSheet is 1.3.2, dated July 20, 2017.
  • New software format notes

MnGetDataSheets  is a program developed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to collect a set of GSID numbers that represent points in the MnDOT Geodetic Database.  The program will write a single PDF file, in either English or Metric units, containing the data sheets corresponding to the list of GSID numbers.  Other individuals or agencies may use the MnDataSheet executable file at their own risk, with no expectation of user support.

Download

Install

  • Download and run MnGetDataSheets.msi.
  • It will copy MnGetDataSheets.exe to C:\Program Files (x86)\MnDOT-OLM-Software\MnGetDataSheets by default, or to any other location the user specifies.

Notes

  • Other individuals or agencies may use MnGetDataSheets at their own risk, with no expectation of user support.
  • The current version of MnGetDataSheets is 1.3.2, dated July 18, 2017.
  • New software format notes

MnLevel  is a program developed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to read and adjust a comma-delimited file that contains field data for a level run, as output by Trimble Geomatics Office. MnLevel computes the closure and writes a report file of the adjustment. Other individuals or agencies may use the MnLevel executable file at their own risk, with no expectation of user support.

Download

Install

  • Download and run MnLevel_Install_111.exe.
  • Run the resulting MnSetup.exe file.
  • It will copy MnLevel.exe and Trimble Level Run.pdf to C:\Program Files(x86)\MnDOT-OLM-Software\MnLevel by default, or to any other location the user specifies.
  • There is no help file, but tool tips will help the user run MnLevel successfully, and a PDF documentation file will be installed along with the program.

Notes

  • The current version of MnLevel is 1.1.1, dated December 16, 2009.

MnLTrans  is a coordinate transformation program developed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to transform coordinate values between two systems, based on a least-squares analysis of a set of points having coordinate positions in each of the two systems.  Other individuals or agencies may use the MnLTrans executable file at their own risk, with no expectation of user support beyond the included help file.

MnLTrans loads one or more ASCII files with points in each of two coordinate systems, locates points with common point numbers, transforms source system coordinates to target system coordinates, and computes a statistical analysis of the transformation.

MnLTrans supports MnDOT 80-Column, GEOPAK Delimited, Comma Delimited, GEOPAK Print Points & Cogo Input, and SDMS Points File formats.

Download

Install

  • Download and run MnLTrans_Install_112.exe.
  • Then run the resulting MnSetup.exe file. 
  • It will copy MnLTrans.exe, MnLTrans.hlp, and History.txt to C:\ Program Files(x86)\MnDOT-OLM-Software\MnLTrans by default, or to any other location the user specifies.
  • The help file contains all the documentation available for MnLTrans.

Notes

  • The current version of MnLTrans is 1.1.2, dated October 29, 2013.

MnMultShot  is a coordinate analysis program developed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to compare coordinate values on points that have multiple positions.  Other individuals or agencies may use the MnMultShot executable file at their own risk, with no expectation of user support beyond the included help file.

MnMultShot loads one or more ASCII coordinate files, then compares coordinates and computes a statistical analysis of all points with identical numbers located in any of the files.

MnMultShot supports MnDOT 80-Column, GEOPAK Delimited, Comma Delimited, GEOPAK Print Points & Cogo Input, and SDMS Points File formats.

Download

Install

  • Download and run MnMultShot_Install_241.exe.
  • Then run the resulting MnSetup.exe file. 
  • It will copy MnMultShot.exe, MnMultShot.hlp, and History.txt to C:\ Program Files(x86)\MnDOT-OLM-Software\ MnMultShot by default, or to any other location the user specifies.
  • The help file contains all the documentation available for MnMultShot.

Notes

MnTrans is a coordinate transformation program developed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to transform coordinates in one or more ASCII point files to new values in an output file, based on translation, rotation, and scale factors entered by the user.  Other individuals or agencies may use the MnTrans executable file at their own risk, with no expectation of user support beyond the included help file.

MnTrans supports MnDOT 80-Column, GEOPAK Delimited, Comma Delimited, GEOPAK Print Points & Cogo Input, and SDMS Points File formats.

Download

Install

  • Download and run MnTrans_Install_112.exe.
  • Then run the resulting MnSetup.exe file. 
  • It will copy MnTrans.exe, MnTrans.hlp, and History.txt to C:\ Program Files(x86)\MnDOT-OLM-Software\MnTrans by default, or to any other location the user specifies.
  • The help file contains all the documentation available for MnTrans.

Notes

  • The current version of MnTrans is 1.1.0, dated October 2, 2008.

MnViewControl  is a program developed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to facilitate the handling of the MnDOT_Geodetic_Control.kmz files, which display the control points in the MnDOT Geodetic Database in the user's default KML viewer. New for this version is the ability to load files for individual MnDOT districts, as well as two options for loading the entire state. For the whole state, using the option with the display off is advised, as the display on choice can take a long time to load depending on the user’s device. Note that whatever choice is made, all points in the state are contained in each file. The only difference between them is in what counties the points are initially displayed. For example, one could load the Mankato District file, then manually select other counties in the Rochester District to display from the same file. Other individuals or agencies may use the MnViewControl executable file at their own risk, with no expectation of user support.

Download

Install

  • Download and run MnViewControl.msi.
  • It will copy MnViewControl.exe to C:\ Program Files(x86)\MnDOT-OLM-Software\MnViewControl by default, or to any other location the user specifies.

Notes

HP33s Programs is a PDF document containing a collection of programs developed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation for making survey calculations.  Other individuals or agencies may use the program code in this file at their own risk, with no expectation of user support.

The user must key these programs into an HP33s calculator manually by following the instructions in the document.  The lack of an interface to a PC (or to anything else) was a deliberate choice by HP to make the calculator acceptable for professional examinations.

The package includes traverse, inverse, triangle, intersection, horizontal and vertical curves, area, and angle arithmetic functions.  Each program label includes a checksum that verifies all its steps have been entered correctly.

Download

Notes

  • The current version of HP33s Programs is dated April 1, 2010.

HP35s Programs is a PDF document containing a collection of programs developed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation for making survey calculations. Other individuals or agencies may use the program code in this file at their own risk, with no expectation of user support.

The HP35s calculator has several known bugs, but it seems to work well with this set of programs.  Search for 'hp-35s buglist' on the internet to find more information.

The user must key these programs into an HP35s calculator manually by following the instructions in the document.  The lack of an interface to a PC (or to anything else) was a deliberate choice by HP to make the calculator acceptable for professional examinations.

The package includes traverse, inverse, triangle, intersection, horizontal and vertical curves, area, ratio, and angle arithmetic functions. Each program label includes a checksum that verifies all its steps have been entered correctly.

Download: Quick reference guides are available for download in two versions

Notes

  • The current version of HP35s Programs is dated May 10, 2012.

(View as PDF)

Beginning in April, 2010, all new or updated MnDOT-OLM software will be delivered via a new installer, and only Windows XP or newer Windows operating systems will be fully supported.  Once installed the new programs will store configuration files and/or output files differently from previous versions.  If there is a previous version on the computer, please copy any personal files stored in the installation directory and uninstall the old version before installing the new version.

Due to varying IT policies for granting WRITE access to users, configuration files and/or output files from MnDOT-OLM software will be stored in a data folder to which each user can read or write without restriction.  In Windows XP the folder is C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\MnAppsData\.  In Windows Vista or Windows 7 the folder is C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\MnAppsData\.

The new installer is much smaller because it assumes certain files are already installed.  Operating systems previous to Windows XP may require installation of an additional package or may not work at all.

The default installation path is C:\Program Files(x86)\MnDOT-OLM-Software\{program name}.  Shortcuts for the program and for the data folder will be placed in Start Menu\MnDOT-OLM Software\ or Start Menu\Programs\MnDOT-OLM Software\.  If neither location exists, the user must choose one of them.

Optionally the installer can add a desktop shortcut for the program, a quick launch shortcut for the program, or a desktop shortcut for the data folder.  Note that shortcuts created by the installer will be available for all users. The program shortcuts will link to the common program location, and the data folder shortcut will link to the current user's private data folder.