geospatial 062011 Rs. 100/- www.geospatialtoday.com
TODAY
Surveying technology is sprinting
into the Information Age. New approaches in gathering and applying geospatial information will help surveyors
add value to their services
Future Stock
ISSN 0972-6810
CONTENTS
02 NEWS 14 COVER STORY
Surveying technology is sprinting into the Information Age. New approaches in gathering and applying geospatial information will help surveyors add value to their services
18 INfORmaTION TECTOlOgY GPlates 1.0, the free software has come as a boon to many, the oil and gas industry, environmentalists, geologists and to those trying to understand the complex geological evolution through time
23 VISualISaTION bECOmES INTEgRal TO dESIgN
The Autodesk 2012 software portfolio equips users with better design, visualisation and collaboration capabilities to meet the ever changing business requirements
24 INTERVIEW Super Wang,
CEO, SuperGeo Technologies Inc 26 gEOSpaTIal maRkET - a uSER’S
pERSpECTIVE
The user of the geospatial industry is no different from a person who picks up a tooth brush from a store. Both manufacturer and the software provider look to maximise their profit margins
28 ThE TOWN Of fazIlka COmES Of agE
The citizens of Fazilka, an Indian town close to Pakistan, embarked on a novel mission of preparing a digital map with an aim of promoting their town and bringing back its glorious days
prof Ian masser Visiting Professor, Centre for Advanced Spatial Analyses, University College, London, UK Jack dangermond Founder and President, ESRI dr Shailesh R Nayak Secretary, Min of Earth Sciences dr V Jayaraman
Former Director, NRSC maj gen (dr) R Siva kumar CEO-NSDI, Head - NRDMS k R Sridhara murthi Senior Expert, Office of Advisor to PM, Innovation and Public Information Infrastructure, India m moni
Deputy Director General, National Informatics Centre, Government of India Rajesh C mathur Vice Chairman, ESRI India dr mukund Rao Consultant (National GIS), Planning Commission.
dr R Nagaraja Group Head, NDC, NRSC dr N l Sarda Prof. Computer Science &
Engineering Department, IIT Bombay
INfORmaTION TECTOlOgY Cover Story
future Stock
14
18
SpaCE TEChNOlOgY aNd aVIaTION SECTOR
TODAY
geospatial
Publications Director Ramprasad
Vice President (Operations) umamaheswar Rao p Sr. Assistant Editor T p Venu Assistant Editor Omer ahmed Siddiqui Copy Editor g Srinivas Reddy Head – Design Jayaraj frederick Sr. Designers masa Vijay, lakshmi d Designers
Srinivas p, Nagaraju N S Web
upender Reddy V
head - business & Events Wilson Rajan [email protected] - 099499 05432 Circulation & Subscription Unnikrishna Pillai S [email protected] - 095059 19923
marketing & Sales
mumbai Dr Shibu John Head - Strategy & BD [email protected] - 098676 82002 delhi k N Sudheer - Regional Manager [email protected] - 099101 66443 kolkata Nikhil Doshi - Region Head [email protected] - 098369 96293 Chennai W Sudhakar - Manager [email protected] - 097899 81869
geospatial Today is printed by P Chandrasekhar Reddy published by P Chandrasekhar Reddy on behalf of Spatial Networks Pvt. Ltd., Plot No.761, Road No.39, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad - 500 033 AP, India. and
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Editor: P Chandrasekhar Reddy
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CONTaCT uS
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 4
Editorial advisory board
24 Super Wang
CEO, SuperGeo Technologies Inc INTERVIEW
32
In the early twentieth century, Alfred Wegener gathered different types of evidence in support of the idea that the continents had moved across the surface of the Earth and that all modern continents were at one point of time stitched together, a super continent, what he called Pangea. It is believed that about two hundred million years ago the super continent broke apart and the continents drifted away. The movement of Earth’s tectonic plates has had a major part in the drifting of continents. It is the vigorous movements among these tectonic plates that often result in large-scale natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanoes and the tsunamis.
A GIS-based framework for Earth systems modelling and global design can help us understand Earth better. A direct interface between the rigid plate motion models on the Earth surface with the complex geodynamics of Earth’s interior is possible today. An Earth modelling software with the capacity to model the breakup of continents can be of real help to the students of Geology, Geophysics, Oceanography and Paleontology. GPlates is one such free-to-download software designed to help us understand the complex geodynamics.
Modern technology is making it possible to gain adequate understanding of Earth systems. Previously tectonic reconstruction called for highly technical and software programming skills but now exporting snapshots and sequences of Earth history is made easy for users to begin visualising, animating and interacting with Earth geological history. Scientists, researchers, students and the professionals in industry can not only understand climate change but also know about potential reservoirs of precious hydro carbons.
The oil and gas industry is one sector that would gain immensely.
The need to understand how the Earth is shaping up is becoming important as the issue of climate change is looming large. By interacting with Earth’s geological history we can also know potential reservoirs of hydrocarbons, potential risks and viability of oil fields, get clues as to where exploration may yield mineral prospects and understand what the planet’s internal heat engine is up to.
Though Alfred Wegener’s theory took decades to get accepted, there are no two thoughts about the modern software on hand.
Interacting with Earth’s geological history is after all a click away.
Best regards
Ramprasad Publications Director
CONTENTS
SpaCE Talk 30 NEWS 31 ClEaNup aCT
As the threat of space debris to orbiting satellites and new launches continues to grow in proportion, space agencies around the world feel it’s time to clean up the space
32 SpaCE TEChNOlOgY aNd aVIaTION SECTOR Ever increasing air traffic mandates the need for adopting
newer space technologies in communication, navigation and surveillance to improve safety and cost efficiency
36 RETaIl SECTOR COmES TO TERmS WITh lOCaTION INTEllIgENCE
Characterised by changing market dynamics and growing competition, the retail sector is catching up with location intelligence to maximise profits and avert longterm risks.
37 COlumN kevin macdonald
38 lbS CaTChINg up IN INdIa Growing base of mobile
subscribers and in-built navigation offered by automotive manufacturers are expected to propel the growth of LBS market in India
40 REaChINg OuT TO ThE pOOR
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme better known by the acronym MGNREGS is one of the more popular government schemes, but its success depends to a great deal on planning and monitoring
43 gERONImO EkIa - mISSION aCCOmplIShEd From developing a detailed model of Osama’s hideout, to
enabling real time monitoring of the raid, geospatial technology has played a key role in bringing Osama to justice
44 INTEgRaTINg mS OffICE WITh gIS
Integrating MS Office with GIS is interesting and possible
From the publisher’s desk
Interacting with Earth’s
geological history
leica Viva TS12 performance Robotic package
Infotech Enterprises opens new facility in kakinada SEz
A
s part of its business strategy to expand development centres in Tier-II towns, Infotech Enterprises Limited is setting up a new facility at the IT special economic zone (SEZ) at Sarpavaram in Kakinada. The new development centre will house 1,000 seats and will be built over an area of 100,000 sft. The new facility would be the company’s sixth centreNoida and Visakhapatnam.
Commenting on the new facility, BVR Mohan Reddy, CMD, Infotech said that the facility will play a key role in the growth path of Infotech, as Kakinada has become an attractive destination for software and services companies owing to the quality of engineering talent available there.
within seconds regardless of the location. The Leica Viva TS12 PinPoint EDM delivers the optimal balance of range, accuracy, reliability, beam visibility, laser dot size and measurement time.
Leica CS10 radio field
controller with fully integrated intenna technology offers a long range, secure and fast wireless connectivity to the Leica Viva TS12. With the precise Leica GRZ4 360° prism and a light weight pole users profit from a comfortable to carry solution for a full working day.
in India. Infotech currently operates out of Kakinada with 540 associates. It has two centres in Hyderabad (Madhapur and Manikonda), and one each at Bangalore,
The new development centre will play a key role in attracting quality talent, enabling Infotech to surge ahead on the growth path.
an infographic maps power cuts across India
A team of twitter users have collected information on power cuts across India and have developed an infographic that maps the geographical spread of power cuts across the country.
It all started when a twitter user saw lot of discussion on power cuts and thus came up with the idea of tweeting on power cuts with location information. Soon people started tweeting about the time and location of power cuts in their respective areas.
Ajay Kumar, a software engineer and social worker developed a web page that mapped the tagged tweets. The map provides information on the status of power cuts across India, which can help government authorities in identifying areas with acute power shortage and accordingly plan development activities.
Religious leaders use google Earth to increase social awareness
Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, along with his deputy Baba Sukhjit Singh, both religious leaders in Punjab are using satellite imagery from Google Earth to spread awareness regarding environmental cleanliness. They have so far managed to raise awareness for cleaning up Kali Bein, a rivulet in Punjab. Using satellite imagery they are showing to the common man how dirty black waters are polluting clean rivers. Earlier in 2009, the duo had initiated the
“Vatavaran Chetna” campaign in Punjab and Rajasthan, wherein images of polluted sutlej and Beas rivers were displayed on banners and hoardings. The babas are using satellite images to keep a close check on various water bodies in Punjab.
OSi awards data re-engineering contract to 1Spatial
1
Spatial has signed a significant contract with Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) to create a seamless, scale- independent core database for the integrated management of existing large-scale, small- scale, boundary and address information for Ireland.This database will be the
solution will provide a new data model to support Ireland’s economic regeneration. It will leverage existing data and expertise, ensuring no previous investment is lost, while at the same time enhancing OSi’s product and service offerings to deliver customer’s future needs.
foundation of OSı’s operations for the next two decades and will support the delivery of all future vector and cartographic products and services.
The contract follows a series of prototyping projects during which 1Spatial, with partner RMSI, has worked closely with OSi to ensure that the defined
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eica Geosystems has released the Leica Viva TS12 Performance RoboticPackage. The cost- effective system provides everything needed for efficient daily surveying in one powerful package comprising the Leica Viva TS12 Total Station, the Leica Viva CS10 Controller and the easy-to-use Leica SmartWorx Viva Onboard Software. The Leica Viva TS12 robotic total station uses years of experience to optimally find, lock and measure points to prisms with a single key press.
With the unique PowerSearch sensor any prism type is found
News
june 2011 geospatial TODAY |03
News
gujarat develops coral atlas
aSpRS to add a lidaR division
mapmaker aNd teams up with SatNav
T
he Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC) and Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Application andM
apmaker AND has formed a joint venture with SatNav Technologies.The deal enables AND to further grow its presence in India, an increasingly significant emerging market.
AND will offer the digital map of India to existing and new customers all over the world. Commenting on the deal, AND CEO Maarten Oldenhof said, “India has
always been of strategic interest to us, with its largely untapped location-based services market. It represents a growing opportunity for us.
This joint venture now gives us the increased thrust in the
The deal enables AND to target the vast untapped potential in the Indian LBS market.
region to give more value to our customers.”
The joint venture provides SatNav Technologies access to the best mapping technologies at the global level from AND and upgrades their Indian map IP in line with the standards followed worldwide. The deal marks an important step in integrating SatNav with the global GPS markets.
The atlas and a website on the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) were released by Mangubhai Geo-Informatics (BISAG)
have developed a coral atlas which maps corals along the 1,660-km coastline of the state.
T
he American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) board of directors approved the formation of a LiDAR division at its board meeting in Milwaukee. Lewis Graham, CEO of GeoCue Group, has been appointed interim division director until a national election for this position is held in late 2011.The new division would
evolution of laser scanning technology for mapping.
ASPRS is currently the only organised repository for technical information for mapping LiDAR. The Society has released guidelines for horizontal and vertical accuracy for airborne laser scanning. ASPRS is the keeper of the LAS, the ubiquitous file format exchange standard for kinematic lidar data.”
subsume the current ASPRS airborne and mobile LiDAR subcommittees (retaining them as subcommittees within the LiDAR division) and have a link on the ASPRS web site.
The rationale for forming a LiDAR division stems from the fact that technology in this area is currently exhibiting strong growth. According to Graham, “We are, I believe, at a critical point in the
Patel, Environment and Forests Minister for Gujarat.
The atlas provides details on the existence of corals in areas outside the Gulf of Kutch, notably off the coasts of Valsad and scattered areas off Saurashtra. For developing the atlas, maps were obtained from NRSA, Hyderabad, after which image processing and ground verification were carried out.
The atlas offers a baseline study which can be used as a platform for conducting more work on the mapping of corals, especially those found far from the coasts and in the deep sea.
Ordnance
Survey releases new version of Ondemand mapping service
O
rdnance Survey has released an enhanced and updated version of OS OnDemand, its Web mapping service designed for professional users. Features in this release for the Web map service (WMS) include additional Ordnance Survey products added to the service, served as raster images and including Strategi, Meridian 2, OS VectorMap Local, Land-Form PROFILE and OS MasterMap Integrated Transport Network Layer; a more attractive annual charge model, increased from three to five bands; compliance with the INSPIRE Directive, which seeks to establish a framework for easier sharing of geographic information among European public bodies and improved accessibility to the public.promoting mushroom farming using gIS
Trimble acquires dynamic Survey Solutions and myTopo
fgdC releases version 4 to its geospatial platform
T
he Mushroom Development Foundation in Guwahati, in an attempt to organise farmers and boost the region’s socio-economy, has developed 12 mushroom villages in four states of the Northeast, including Assam. In developed nations mushroom is consumed on a daily basis and is expensive, but in India its consumption is less, in spite of its high nutritional value. In an attempt to organise mushroom farming in India, a website is being designed where photographs of mushroom farmers with their farm details will be provided. It will aid in developing an interface with farmers using GIS mapping to provide agri- technological inputs to them.T
he Federal Geographic Data Committee in the US has released Version 4 of the Geospatial Platform Roadmap.The Geospatial Platform is being developed to more effectively provide place-based products and services in the US. The Platform includes a managed portfolio of common geospatial data, services, and applications contributed and administered by authoritative
Accessible to both government agencies and their partners, the geospatial platform provides better access to place-based products.
The latest version of the Roadmap involves a stakeholder engagement process for sharing the vision for the platform and to obtain feedback from the geospatial community. The Geospatial Platform team endeavours to use the vital insights, ideas, and concerns provided by geospatial stakeholders while upgrading the utility of the platform.
T
rimble has acquired seismic survey software provider Dynamic Survey Solutions, Inc. The acquisition is expected to expand Trimble’s presence in the seismic survey industry.Dynamic Survey Solutions’
GPSeismic suite of software applications are designed specifically for the seismic survey industry to process and
a leading provider of print and digital maps for outdoor enthusiasts. The acquisition expands Trimble’s ability to offer unique map content and new outdoor-centric products while simultaneously enhancing its popular mobile apps – Trimble Outdoors, AllSport GPS, Geocache Navigator and Cabela’s Recon Hunt.
manage data. “The addition of GPSeismic enables Trimble to build a seamless platform where all aspects of the seismic surveying workflow are provided and supported by one organisation,” said Anders Rhodin director of Trimble’s Survey Business.
Trimble has also acquired Montana based MyTopo,
sources and hosted on a shared infrastructure, for use by government agencies and partners to meet the broader needs of the nation.
Clark labs and uNIgIS renew agreement
Clark Labs at Clark University and UNIGIS International have renewed their partnership and software agreement to provide students better access to geospatial technology. UNIGIS is a leading global network of universities offering postgraduate geographic information science and technology education through open and distance learning. UNIGIS through its partner institutions from around the world offers internationally recognised study programmes and qualifications. Through the network, students are able to access state-of-the-art technology and teaching and learning resources and gain hands-on experience to meet the needs of the GIS industry. Clark Labs’s pedagogic materials help UNIGIS faculty in encouraging students to acquire and consolidate their analytical skills as they learn to manipulate and read geospatial data.
fugro acquires seismic processing business of kelman Technologies
Fugro has inked a letter of intent to acquire the seismic data processing business of Kelman Technologies. Headquartered in Calgary, Kelman is a privately held company with operations in Canada, USA and Mexico. Kelman specialises in land data processing which complements Fugro’s existing seismic data processing capability. The acquisition helps Fugro in expanding its seismic processing footprint across the USA and provides an entry into the Canadian seismic market.
Kelman and Fugro can combine their seismic imaging and inversion technologies to provide a tool for developing unconventional oil and gas plays across the globe.
june 2011 geospatial TODAY |05
News
Leica Active Assist for on-line support in the field
Ordnance Survey awards new supply and maintenance contracts
ESRI and uS dOI introduce landsat data for the world
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eica Geosystems has released Leica Active Assist for Leica Viva GNSS and Leica Viva Total Stations. With Leica Active Assist support engineers can now directly connect to a customer’s field system and see exactly what the customer sees. For difficult support cases, the support engineer guides the customer quickly back to full productivity. With Leica Active Assist, a quick solution to any problem is certain, as an experienced professional can connect directly to field systems for assistance. LeicaO
rdnance Survey has awarded a new 4-year framework agreement for the supply and maintenance of geospatial data, which replaces previous data collection contracts. The framework agreement will run from April 2011 to March 2015 and sees Ordnance Survey developing its external supplier base for the supply and maintenance of topography, imagery andheight data and services, which are used to maintain the currency, accuracy and information content of its core databases.
The framework agreement is divided into three lots and has been awarded to the following companies:
The contracts enable Ordnance Survey to enhance its supplier base.
Lot 1: Remotely sensed data acquisition: Blom Aerofilms Limited, COWI A/S and Getmapping Limited.
Lot 2: Imagery data
management and processing:
Infoterra Limited.
Lot 3: Capture and maintenance of geospatial data content: Blom Aerofilms Limited; COWI A/S, Infotech Enterprises Europe Limited and Photarc Surveys Limited.
Neil Ackroyd, Ordnance Survey director of data collection and management, said “The new integrated data capture contract reaffirms Ordnance Surveys commitment to working with the broader geospatial community, providing opportunities for both the larger international organisations as well as British-based SMEs.”
and its dense active customer care support network. With Leica Active Assist, Customer Active Assist builds on the
already first-class support offered by Leica Geosystems
Care Packages (CCPs) are taken to the next level with best-in- class customer support.
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Department of the Interior’s US Geological Survey. ESRI provides access to the full multispectral, multitemporal Landsat data for free on ArcGIS Online as dynamic image services.
“These Landsat image services expand the ability to monitor landscape change to Internet users worldwide,” says Jack Dangermond, president of ESRI. “We’re excited to showcase this valuable government resource that uses ArcGIS to rapidly deliver
Landsat data so that it can be used to help users understand changes in the world.”
ESRI has also published an interactive website that leverages these Landsat image services to provide a starting point for understanding earth changes over a period of time.
W
orking in close collaboration with the US Department of the Interior (DOI), ESRI has released the Landsat image services.These provide access to almost four decades’ worth of Global Land Survey (GLS) Landsat data developed by
ap keen on making state slum-free
South Korea police raids Google’s office over privacy issues gpS tracker mandatory in all new vehicles in up
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Kiran Kumar Reddy, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, has issued orders to the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) officials forS
outh Korea police raided Google’s office in Seoul, suspecting the company to have collected user location data without consent. This further adds to the global pressure on the mobile industry to address privacy concerns. The Korean authorities suspect AdMob, Google’s mobile advertising service, to haveSuspecting Google of collecting user location data without consent, the South Korea police raided Google’s office.
collects location data with user consent and the data is anonymised when sent to the company. Google relies on location data from handsets to serve targeted ads, and any kind of restrictions on that data could impact its bottom line. Further, the user privacy restrictions could also negatively impact location- based services.
collected personal location information without the consent or approval from the Korean Communication Commission. However, Google maintains that Android only
C
oncerned over the growing number of auto-lifting cases reported from the national capital region of Uttar Pradesh, the regional transport authorities have made it mandatory for installation of GPS tracker in all new vehicles. To promote installation of the GPS tracker, vehicles installing the devicethe insurance cover. An array of GPS trackers are available in the market at costs ranging from ` 7,000 to 11,000 depending upon the features, starting with tracking of the car, to gadgets with specially installed camera in the automobile that can also fetch visuals through the global positioning system.
Alleviation Development to provide their early approval and assistance. He has also ordered for a dedicated team of officials for monitoring and implementation of the programme on a mission mode basis, so that Andhra Pradesh would become a role model in its successful completion.
In AP, slum profiling has been competed by MEPMA in all 125 ULBs and general data on the population, tenure status, availability of basic environmental and social infrastructure and its linkages were obtained. All the 125 ULBs will be included under the RAY programme in a phased manner.
will get quick and ‘out of turn’ registration. Further, vehicle owners will get a strong assurance from the police department to trace the vehicle in the event of theft.
The GPS installation is offered as a onetime investment at the time of car purchase, and the vehicle owner will be entitled to special discount in implementation of “Slum- free AP programme” within the defined time schedule, following clear milestones.
The CM has asked the Ministry of Housing, Urban Poverty
aircel to use Ericsson’s location-based services
Aircel has inked a three-year contract with Ericsson for using its Mobile Positioning Centre (GMPC and SMPC) and features that support various applications to Aircel. Ericsson, a networking solutions vendor, will provide mobile positioning systems to 2G and 3G subscribers of Aircel.
Ericsson’s Mobile Positioning Systems (MPS) will offer location-based services to Aircel subscribers and can also support several positioning alternatives for GSM and WCDMA. The WCDMA positioning method that uses Cell ID with round-trip time measurement will also improve the positioning accuracy for 3G and 2G phones. According to Mallikarjun Rao, CTO, Aircel, on an average most Indians spend 90 minutes per day on the roads;
location-based services will definitely help in increasing the efficiency and enhancing the quality of their life.
google gears up to map the new Republic of South Sudan
Following the recent referendum in Sudan wherein majority of the voters voted for independence, Google has declared that it will map the new Republic of South Sudan, the world’s newest country which is expected to be formed this year. Google, in collaboration with the World Bank, Sudan Institute, Voices for Sudan, The Enough Project, 70 members of the Sudanese Diaspora and some other organisations, will initiate the project. As South Sudan is large and under-mapped, the mapping will particularly highlight the important markers like hospitals, roads, and schools, to aide humanitarian workers as they mobilise their resources. To start with the mapping process, Google has made available latest satellite imagery of South Sudan covering 125,000 sq km and 40 per cent of the UN’s priority areas in Google Earth.
june 2011 geospatial TODAY |07
News
maharashtra to issue Id card for agri lands
ISRO develops India’s fastest super computer
New aerial digital camera from Optech
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ptech Incorporated released the CS-8900, its new medium-format ortho- camera. The camera is rugged and provides high-definition mapping with the clarity of Optech’s patented Forward Motion Compensation (FMC). Standard features include patented field- replaceable shutter system;field interchangeable metric and athermal lens capability;
kinematic camera mounting
system; a wide range of aperture and shutter speed options; and near real-time light metering capability.
The camera controller is flexible to add additional Optech camera modules
The camera offers high- definition mapping and integrates with all the Optech’s ALTM Airborne Laser Terrain Mappers.
covering visible and infrared wavelengths. Additional ultra-light packaging options facilitate UAV installations.
The CS-8900 also integrates well with Optech’s complete line of ALTM Airborne Laser Terrain Mappers. Clients can use the CS-8900 with Optech’s extensive line of specialty airborne cameras to build custom active/passive imaging solutions supported by a single manufacturer.
I
SRO has developed a super computer “SAGA- 220” which is the fastest in India in terms of theoretical peak performance of 220 TeraFLOPS (220 Trillion Floating Point Operations per second). The computer has been developed at a cost of about ` 14 crore by the Satishhouse developments.
The system uses 400 NVIDIA Tesla 2070 GPUs and 400 Intel Quad Core Xeon CPUs supplied by WIPRO with a high speed interconnect. Each GPU and CPU of the computer provides a performance of 500 Gigaflops and 50 Gigaflops respectively.
Dhawan supercomputing facility located at VSSC.
This graphic processing unit based supercomputer is being used by space scientists for solving complex aerospace problems. It is developed using commercially available hardware, open-source software components and in-
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he state government of Maharashtra has expressed plans to introduce land title cards for every farmer in the state. The card will include detailed information on the land owned by the farmer and his family and also historic details of the ownership of the land till date. Satellite images will be used in preparation of the title cards. The images will be compared with the maps available with the government to identify the free land, developed land and forest land among others.The ID card is in line with the requirements of the proposed Land Titling Bill, which is likely to be tabled in the coming session of Parliament. The bill requires each piece of land in the country to be clearly identified with the history of the land.
The information on land, its usage, current owner and proposed projects on it, if any, would help the government in forming policies as well as developmental plans.
Interactive maps to aid in rebuilding Queensland
I
n the aftermath of the devastating natural disasters that struck Queensland in 2010 and 2011, interactive maps of the destruction caused by the floods and Cyclone Yasi have been released by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) to aid in rebuilding and reconnecting communities affected by the disasters. The interactive maps are developed using ground and aerial imagery from across the state and are available in the form of downloadable PDF files. The maps can be used to compare the before and after impact of the calamities, essential to gauge the extent of damage. Area-specific aerial images showing the destruction caused by Cyclone Yasi are also available. These images show the path of the cyclone, and the impact on infrastructure.A search option enables the users to locate their property.
democratising design with autodesk 123d
BMC develops contour maps to deal with floods SoI to develop new roadmaps
The contour maps will help in preventing water flooding during monsoon.
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umbai residents may not have to wade through water logged roads this year, as the Brihan Mumbai Corporation (BMC) has developed contour maps of the city to detect flooding spots. The contour maps include a composite multi-N
avigating any of the cities or villages in India will soon be much accurate and easier. Survey of India (SoI) has embarked on a new mission to develop detailed road maps forA
utodesk released a new consumer product called 123D designed for kids of all ages. A free, downloadable design tool, 123D allows anyone to design 3D models, and then turn them into real-life products. “It used to be that in order to make things you needed these big expensive machines,”Autodesk CEO, Carl Bass said.
“Now you can produce things
since detailed information on the terrain of Mumbai was not available with the civic body. The civic official made a presentation on the maps.
While the entire project is expected to be ready by 2012, the maps will be ready for use this monsoon.
defence establishments.
The ‘Defence Series Maps,’
will have details of defence establishments and will be made available exclusively to defence authorities.
Ponoko and Techshop to help everyday ‘makers’ produce products. Ponoko offers a service where people send their designs to the company, and the company will make the parts and send them back to the consumer for assembly.
Techshop enables makers to buy their own materials, and then assemble their idea in the Techshop workshop, in the company of other makers.
dimensional digitised map of Mumbai, the need for which was stressed upon by a fact- finding committee set up in the wake of the 26 /7 floods, the entire country. Two sets of maps will be developed and printing is expected to start in June. The ‘Open Series Maps’
will be available to the general public, and will not include at high quality, at relatively low volume and relatively low cost. He added, “The logic behind this free product isn’t completely altruistic.
Autodesk is, after all, a business – and a large one at that. Some of the 123D users will ‘graduate’ up to Autodesk’s more professionally-oriented products.”
Autodesk has also teamed up with two companies
Ordnance Survey reaches INSpIRE milestone
Metadata about Ordnance Survey’s products has been made available through data.gov.uk, alongside INSPIRE-compliant view services through the OS OnDemand Web map service. The INSPIRE Directive establishes a framework for easier sharing of geographic information among European public bodies and improved accessibility to the public. One of the first steps for organisations producing data which falls under INSPIRE was the creation of metadata. Ordnance Survey’s metadata is now available for other public bodies and the public to access on their website and on data.gov.uk. In addition, customers of the OS OnDemand Web map service will be able to view INSPIRE-related products as a raster image via an INSPIRE- compliant view service. A further update later in the year will see OS VectorMap District and the National Address Gazetteer added to OS OnDemand.
delhi to control pollution using remote sensing devices
The transport authorities in Delhi are using remote sensing devices that record the amount of fumes emitted by vehicles.
Twenty such devices will be fitted on vehicles and will work for all types of automobiles including those that run on diesel, petrol, CNG and LPG. The device upon sensing pollution from any vehicle will automatically generate location code, time of monitoring and make a note of the number plate of the vehicle. The Remote Sensing Device (RSD) uses an IR/
UV source/detector module to emit the beam of IR/UV energy to check the amount of exhaust given out by vehicles. During the process, a high-resolution, high-speed video camera will take a photograph of the vehicle’s license plate.
june 2011 geospatial TODAY |09
News
Odisha now has shoreline change atlas
avenza releases geographic Imager 3.3 for adobe photoshop World cleanup campaign uses google Earth
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airam Ramesh, Hon’ble Minister of Environment &Forests, released the shoreline change assessment atlas of Odisha and a report on shoreline change. This makes Odisha the third state to have a detailed shoreline change assessment atlas indicating the accretion and erosion status of the coastline. It is to be noted that the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest has assigned the Institute of Ocean Management (IOM) and Anna University, Chennai to prepare the shoreline map of the entire
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yber-environmentalists from Cambodia to Brazil have initiated a world cleanup 2012 campaign to banish trash from the countryside in countries across the world.These environmentalists are using Google Earth-based software to plan the cleanup process. The campaign started in February this year and is being led by a 50-member international team in 30 countries.
According to Tiina Urm, spokeswoman for “Let’s do it – World Cleanup 2012,”
they further aim to expand the project to at least 70 more countries.
Fifty thousand volunteers in Estonia in 2008 used
The campaign will use Google Earth in planning country side cleanup across the world.
the Internet to coordinate the clanup and managed to collect 10,000 tonnes of illegally dumped trash in one day. The campaign now aims at mobilising 300 million people in 100 countries to collect 100 million tonnes of trash in 2012. The campaign also aims at making people realise that not only the government has the responsibility of cleaning the nation, but also civilians.
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venza Systems, Inc.released Geographic Imager 3.3 for Adobe Photoshop. This release is fully compatible with Adobe Photoshop CS 5.1, which is also known as Adobe Photoshop 12.1 in Adobe CS5.5, as well as Adobe Photoshop 12.0.4 in Adobe CS5. “We’re delighted to release Geographic Imager
Additional Geographic Imager 3.3 features include support for Adobe Photoshop CS5.1 (also known as Photoshop 12.1 in Adobe CS5.5) on Windows and Mac; support for Adobe Photoshop 12.0.4 in Adobe CS5; new Pixel-as-Point preference option; and new create single layer option for terrain shader.
3.3 to follow the latest update of the Adobe Creative Suite,”
said Ted Florence, President of Avenza. “This release of Geographic Imager will be fully supported and compatible with Adobe Photoshop CS5.1 on both Windows and Mac. We’ve also included some priority fixes from user requests,” he added.
in recording shoreline erosion and accretion. The Hon’ble Minister also released a fact sheet and CD on shoreline change assessment of Orissa country. The shoreline study
aims to develop standardised methods for mapping and analysing shoreline movement, which will be used
along with a CD on mangrove Atlas of Bhitarkanika, a poster on shoreline change assessment report on ‘use of TED along Dhamra Coast.’
Indian
meteorological dept to advise farmers
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he Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has introduced the Agro-Advisory Services (AAS) that uses high- power computer systems to provide farmers information about monthly and seasonal variation in weather conditions.This will help the farmers to prepare in advance for minimising agricultural losses.
The AAS has completed its first phase on March 31 this year, and has so far benefitted as many as 2 million farmers across the country. The weather forecast and cultivation selection service of AAS has received tremendous response from farmers. The services are offered through a PPP model and are available through SMS and interactive voice recording system (IVRS).
As many as 475 districts in the country are receiving the AAS bulletin.
david dibiase to head ESRI’s education team
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ongtime GIS educator David DiBiase joins ESRI as the director of education within the company’s industry solutions division. David takes over from Dr Michael Gould, who is returning to Europe to manage ESRI’s education programmes in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. DiBiase begins part-time consulting at ESRI immediately and will assume leadership of the education team on August 1, 2011.“I have followed the ESRI education team with
admiration for many years and look forward to contributing to its continued success as director,” says DiBiase. He currently directs the John A.
of geography and faculty coordinator of its certificate and master of GIS degree programmes that are offered online through the university’s World Campus. DiBiase has Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in cartography from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
He is both a certified mapping scientist, GIS/LIS (American Society for Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing) and a geographic information systems professional (GISP).
Dutton e-Education Institute within the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Pennsylvania State University.
He is a senior lecturer in the university’s department
monitoring government projects
The Government of India will be using satellite imagery to monitor developmental projects such as road construction or drinking water facilities in real time across India. Indian National GIS Organisation, a specialised institution to provide an independent report on the progress of existing projects and the need for new projects, will be set up probably within a year.
The primary objective of the new body is to help ministries such as environment, water resources, urban & rural development in integrating satellite-based technology with the infrastructure creation process. A committee of experts headed by secretary of Earth Sciences Ministry, Shailesh Nayak has been set up to prepare the framework of the National GIS body which will be formed in a public-private partnership mode.
News
gCzma to check mangrove plantation by corporates
NAVTEQ releases real-time traffic for Russia
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orporates setting up industries along the Gujarat coastline are responsible to plant mangroves to compensate for those destroyed. In order to verify the claims made by industries regarding mangrove plantation, Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has decided to use satellite imagery. As per the GCZMA plans, the Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC) will be required to submit details on mangrove plantations carried out, names of the company, areas of land selected for mangroveN
AVTEQ has launched the NAVTEQ Traffic in Russia, offering comprehensive, real-time traffic information to nearly 16.5 million people in three major cities – Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. Detailed information on traffic speeds offered by NAVTEQ Traffic enables drivers to make routing and rerouting decisions. A recent Frost& Sullivan study reveals that 93 per cent of Russian consumers are interested in having access to real-time traffic information. A Navteq proprietary study shows that with regular use, drivers with NAVTEQ’s real-time traffic info enables users to choose optimum routes.
traffic-enabled navigation could spend 18 per cent less time driving on average than those without navigation. A quality-tested comprehensive solution, NAVTEQ Traffic offers up-to-the minute traffic information to map data, enabling wireless transmission directly to in- vehicle navigation systems, personal navigation devices and cell phones.
SEZ (MPSEZ) is one of the companies whose claims are to be verified. MPSEZ has declared to have carried out mangrove plantation over plantation and their exact
location along with GPS co- ordinates through satellite images. The Adani-group promoted Mundra Port and
1,035 hectares. Ahmedabad- based Centre for Environment Education was appointed by the company for monitoring its plantation.
hyderabad
initiates real-time monitoring of dump sites
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reater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has implemented off-site real-time monitoring system (OSRTS) to monitor the cleanliness of local areas including sanitation, street lights, checking roads for violation issues, building permits, etc. The system will also ensure transparency in the functioning and accountability of civil officials. Every morning GHMC field staff will photograph every garbage bin which will be geo-tagged with the help of GPS in the mobile phones. Details including coordinates with location, longitude & latitude data, date and time are stamped on the relevant images which are sent to the concerned server and will also be available online at www.osrts.in:8080/igms.
haryana uses digital maps to check encroachments
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n an attempt to check encroachments in sectors and markets, the Haryana Urban Development Authority is preparing a digital map of original plan of each sector that will be provided to the residents welfare association (RWAs) and market associations. By using the map, residents canon an average 20 queries and complaints are received from residents every month for which a lot of time is wasted.
With the digital maps, this time will be saved. In addition, these maps will also provide vital information on parks, hospitals, markets, schools &
colleges, police stations, rest houses and hotels.
verify whether existing and upcoming constructions are as per the municipal norms. In addition, daily routine issues for which residents visit the municipal office such as width of road, area of park, area of parking lots and width of back lane, will be easily accessible on the digital maps. According to a senior municipal official,
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r V K Dadhwal was appointed as Director, National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) on April 30, 2011. He took over from Dr V Jayaraman. Into his 28th year of service with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Dr Dadhwal has always excelled in all the projects he was involved with. The numerousawards are a testimony to his dedication and hard work.
In the period 1987-2006, he bagged six awards, starting with ISCA Young Scientist Award, INSA Young Scientist Medal, Indian National Remote Sensing Award, Hari Om Ashram Prerit Dr Vikram Sarabhai Award, ISRO-Astronautical Society of India Award, ISRO Merit Award
Dr V K Dadhwal takes over as Director of NRSC
Dr V K Dadhwal, Director, NRSC
and he is the Corresponding Member, International Academy of Astronautics since 2010.
Dr Dadhwal holds a Ph D in Plant Physiology from Indian Agriculture Research Institute, Delhi. He has done research and specialisation in crop modelling remote sensing applications in agriculture, terrestrial carbon cycle, and land cover land use change modelling, land surface processes. He made a mark and name as the Dean of the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) and also headed the Crop Inventory and Modeling Division of Space Applications Centre, ISRO. With over a hundred peer- reviewed journal publications to his credit, Dr Dadhwal is a recognised voice in the world of Remote Sensing and geospatial sector. Apart from being the editor of Journal of Indian Society of Remote Sensing, he is also the Science Panel Member of Terrestrial Carbon Observation (TCO) of FAO, Rome. Known for his intellectual acumen and soft- spoken nature, he has gained a special place among the space fraternity.
At this crucial juncture when India is on a high growth path and the role of satellite imageries is ever increasing not only among the government organisations but also in the private sector, his taking over NRSC assumes great significance. With a large EO satellite constellation, NRSC has to play a vital role in the dissemination of satellite imagery and development of applications.
Profile
june 2011 geospatial TODAY |13
involvement and contribution to their clients’ needs.
New approaches for positioning
While the tools are changing rapidly, the basic functions of surveying remain intact:
Surveyors capture positions and dimensions, collect relationships among objects, and record information and attributes about them.
Optical measurements are widely used measuring and positioning tools. Total stations provide different levels of functionality and productivity across multiple price levels. While basic total stations provide reliable, accurate measurements, robotic instruments are emerging as the leaders in flexibility and productivity. By eliminating the need for an operator at the instrument, a survey crew with a robotic total station can put more people to work setting points.
Several modern total stations incorporate video technology, enabling surveyors to see exactly what the instrument sees, and to capture georeferenced images. Operators can control the system from a data collector on site or remotely via Internet or radio connection. The use of high-speed measurement and
Future stock
S
urveyors gather information, use it and produce more of it. While much of a surveyor’s information is based on measurements and observations in the field, a significant amount of data comes from cadastral or titling systems, GIS, and engineering and development systems. In many applications, the efficiency and long-term success of a surveying operation is directly related to how well information can be acquired, moved, shared and acted on.In recent years, the technology to support these functions has made both evolutionary and revolutionary advances.
A decade ago, a field survey system included components from multiple sources and manufacturers. Office processing and design software – commonly optimised for engineering applications – introduced additional challenges. As a result, interaction between instruments, data collectors and software was difficult, and constraints and disconnects in the flow of information often hampered productivity. Today, advances in measurement technologies are combining with increased computing power and high- bandwidth communications to provide multi-level systems that bring surveyors to new levels of
video technology for surveying applications has grown. These instruments combine 3D scanning with the functionality of a robotic total station. For engineering and monitoring applications, remotely controlled total stations provide precise, continuous measurements without human interaction.
At the other end of the scale, even the most basic total stations provide increased functionality and reliability.
Compact, low-power
measurement systems for angles and distances are the norm, and field software provides
Cover Story
Surveying technology is sprinting into the Information Age. New approaches in gathering and applying geospatial information will
help surveyors add value to their services
Dr Lucinda Coombe & Miguel Amor
While basic total stations provide reliable, accurate measurements, robotic instruments are emerging as the leaders in flexibility and productivity.
3D scanning produces dense datasets tied directly to local or regional coordinate systems. The georeferenced data can be supplemented by digital images and combined with data from total stations, GNSS or remote sensors.
Pic: Trimble
fast, simple operation. Using either onboard or handheld collectors, surveyors can quickly capture measurements and attributes. Setting out and other construction work is completed quickly and with less chance for user error.
The fastest growing segments in surveying technology are the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) surveying systems. Mature, stable satellite constellations are providing accuracy and flexibility to satellite surveying. RTK operations are widespread, and static post-processed methods are often used to establish high- accuracy reference points, or to install control on individual project sites. Using GNSS, survey points that previously might have taken hours to capture can now be collected in minutes. The time to initialise a RTK solution is just a few seconds, and multipath technology is improving performance in difficult conditions or under canopy.
The GNSS constellations themselves are changing.
Several current generation US GPS satellites provide L2C data,
and a new third frequency (L5) will become widely available in the coming years. The Russian GLONASS system continues to improve as well. GNSS and GPS receivers capable of using the L2C and L5 signals are already in the market. Surveying with GNSS will increase as the planned European, Chinese and other satellite systems come on line.
A major growth area for GNSS lies in providing the infrastructure for positioning.
This is especially true in developing countries, where
limited geospatial reference frames can hamper construction and economic development.
But, in many of these regions, wireless telecommunications is making rapid progress.
These networks provide the communications backbone for active real-time geodetic reference networks (RTN).
Wherever an RTN comes on line, opportunities emerge in surveying, construction, agriculture and GIS applications.
The distinction between surveying with GNSS and optical total stations is narrowing.
Systems for integrated surveying combine a GNSS or GPS receiver with a target for a robotic total station. The operator can easily switch between the two measurement methods as needed to optimise accuracy and productivity. For example, a surveyor on a site that has no existing control monuments can use a Trimble Integrated Survey rover in conjunction with an RTN. By combining free stationing with simultaneous RTK observations, the integrated approach quickly establishes geodetic coordinates for the total station.
Data collection and field computing
Latest computer systems have faster processors, larger memory and operate at much lower power. This creates the opportunity for added functionality in a handheld or tablet configuration while still meeting field users’ needs for rugged construction and long battery life. New field computers incorporate communications systems that enable field crews to receive updates and send their information to the office. Field computers can include cameras and simple GPS receivers as well
The fastest growing segments in surveying technology are the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) surveying systems.
The fastest-growing segment of surveying technology, GNSS combines accuracy, precision, long range and fast, simple operation. When used with a real-time network, the GNSS provides exceptional flexibility and cost efficiency.
Survey crew equipped with a robotic total station can get precise position measurements without the need for a dedicated instrument operator
Pic: Trimble Pic: Jim Prehn
june 2011 geospatial TODAY |15
as communications systems for robotic total stations.
The communications capabilities of field computers add important productivity benefits. For example, a survey crew on a construction site can collect position information as well as photos of a problem or conflict.
The field data can go directly to the office or virtual project community site. Engineers and managers can access the data, make the appropriate decisions and changes and then send the information back to the crew in the field.
Perhaps the largest direct value provided by current field computers is their ability to deliver immediate results. For many applications, a survey crew can make checks and quality control while still on a site. Before the crew leaves, they know that their data are complete and correct, and that they have not missed or forgotten anything. This eliminates costly rework and return visits to the site.
Scanning – The surveyor’s newest tool
3D scanning has emerged as an important tool for many surveying applications, and scanners are driving civil engineering and related disciplines to move to 3D datasets and computing systems.
For engineering, the rich data has many uses including engineering design and planning, construction quality control, monitoring, measurements for volume computations and detailed architectural surveys. New scanners can collect more than 50,000 points per second, with a precision of a few millimetres.
In just a few years, 3D scanners have moved through multiple
generations of development.
Field hardware is smaller and more durable, and office software is making it easier to handle large datasets. Knowing that scanning is a common tool for surveyors, some manufacturers provide a survey workflow for scanning. This approach reduces the learning curve for new operators, and improves the ability to combine and check multiple scans while still in the field. In the office, the once-lengthy process of registering multiple scans into a single point cloud is simpler.
Scanning data can be put to use almost immediately, enabling technicians to concentrate on analysis and results.
The survey approach to scanning makes it possible to combine information from total stations and GNSS with data gathered by 3D scanning . All of the sensors can operate in the same reference frame. It’s possible – while still in the field – for a survey crew to examine and confirm that information from three different measurement systems is complete and consistent, erasing the need for revisits to the site to collect missing data.
One of the most important benefits of 3D scanning is its capability for visualisation.
Dense datasets that include colour and intensity for the points can be combined with high-resolution images to create a 3D representation of a site or facility. Users can view the site from any location and create virtual walk-throughs. Project managers can create simulations of construction processes to ensure that machines and materials will fit into the available spaces.
Computing in the cloud Platforms for cloud-based computing and data management are the best approaches to manage increasing data load. Connectivity is the enabling technology for this trend, and modern data collectors are well equipped to handle the communications load.
The communications infrastructure for information transfer can also deliver correction data for real-time GPS and GNSS positioning. For example, a project to provide light rail service to Dulles Airport near Washington, DC, has installed a dedicated communications network to support real-time positioning as well as transfer of data files and other project information.
In addition to plans and survey information, a project platform can contain schedules, work orders, reports and other documents for the project.
New scanners can collect more than 50,000 points per second, with a precision of a few millimetres.
Data from 3D scanners can be modeled into vectors and surfaces for CAD systems. The plane of the building and arched entry are computed from point cloud data and superimposed on the rectified high-resolution photo.
Courtesy: Trimble
Cover Story
GIS and cadastral systems are frequent users of cloud computing. In many countries, public records for cadastral information and land titling are available online. This is a valuable time saver for surveyors conducting background research on property, as such research previously required hours of pouring over old, written records. By enabling surveyors in the field to access online records, they can react quickly to information or evidence they find on site.
Real-time online access to GIS data benefits a variety of applications including environmental and natural sciences, utilities and emergency services, as well as asset management and maintenance operations. Large capacity field computers make it possible to carry larger datasets in the field.
By using a common reference frame across the disciplines, coordinate transformations are not necessary. This makes it more convenient for technicians who are not trained surveyors to combine survey data with information from other sources. As a result, GIS crews updating or expanding existing information can double check new findings against older data while still on site.
Specialisation delivers productivity
Surveyors use GNSS, robotic systems or manual total stations for the work, choosing the technology that best meets local conditions or project specifications. Surveying is moving to interior construction as well, where it provides layout and checking for piping, electrical and mechanical systems.
The survey approach to scanning makes it possible to combine information from total stations and GNSS with data gathered by 3D scanning.
Surveyors take advantage of widespread communications networks such as the Trimble Connected Community to share information via centralised project platforms.
Multiple disciplines and stakeholders can access a variety of project data and services from remote locations.
Surveying technology has moved underground as well, and total stations and scanners play an important role in constructing tunnels and underground facilities. In addition to keeping the tunnel alignment where it should be, total stations and scanners are used to collect information on volumes and monitor possible trouble spots for deformation. By keeping close track on the tunneling progress, the survey systems reduce expensive over- or under- excavation. Using direct reflex (DR) measurements, a total station can measure an existing face and compare it to the tunnel design, and then guide the tunnel crew in marking the next set of holes for drilling and blasting.
Ahead of the curve Around the world, economic constraints and social conditions demand a variety of surveying solutions. In regions with high labour costs and skilled work forces, robotic total stations and RTK GNSS are attractive because they provide increased productivity and reduced crew sizes. In other areas, low labour costs make it economical for
manual total stations and post- processed GPS.
Fortunately it’s possible to ride both ends of the technology curve. One of the primary benefits of modern surveying technology is its ability to reduce errors. Regardless of the surveying method, a modern system allows the surveyor to catch and correct mistakes quickly, usually before the survey crew leaves the site, eliminating the need for rework
The variety of technologies and solutions enable surveying operations to invest in surveying technology at different levels.
While investments in positioning and IT infrastructure offer long-term advantages for a wide cross-section of users, the use of smaller, simpler systems will remain widespread for many years to come. Across the full spectrum of surveying technology, surveyors can be confident that they will receive a solid payback in efficiency and accurate results.
Dr Lucinda Coombe Marketing Director for Survey, Trimble navigation
Miguel Amor
Marketing Director for Survey, Trimble navigation
june 2011 geospatial TODAY |17
GPlates 1.0, the free software has come as a boon to many, the oil and gas industry, environmentalists dealing with the issue of climate change, geologists and to each and everyone who are trying to understand the complex geological
evolution through time
Sabin Zahirovic and R Dietmar Müller
Innovation
The study of the earth’s tectonic shifts has always been an issue of great importance and priority to scientists the world over. The Earth’s tectonic and geologic evolution has always baffled man. The knowledge of the tectonic shifts helps in understanding the problem of climate change. The comprehension also helps the oil and gas industry in a major way, to track the positions of iron ore, to know the depositional environments of resources.
Today, we have software: GPlates that can not only provide a direct interface between the rigid plate motion models on the Earth surface but also model the breakup of continents in Gplates.