in the system's tape storage unit, Since adjacent profiles may
be expected to be quite similar, the final tape from one profile
is used as the initial control for the next, and the operator
merely exercises his override option to produce the correct
profile.
Another important feature of this instrument goes into
operation when the final profile is obtained. During the
memory aided scanning, the tracing table platen can be inter-
changed with a miniature Vidicon tube which is the sensing
element of a closed circuit television system used for pro-
ducing orthophotographs.
2. The Orthophotoscope. This is essentially an xy
coordinatograph under a light tight cover. Its motion for each
profile is controlled by the final magnetic tape produced in
the stereoplotter. It positions a high intensity cathode ray
tube which exposes on a sheet of film the image being viewed by
the Vidicon of the closed circuit television system attached to
the tracing table in the plotter. Since the Vidicon is driven
in the z direction according to the terrain elevation, the
image which it receives is automatically corrected for scale.
Therefore the photographic record produced is a true ortho-
graphic projection and all planimetric and topographic features
appear in their correct position. The orthophotograph is
therefore a highly acceptable substitute for the usual map.
By interchanging gears in the drive mechanism and
inserting lenses between the cathode ray tube and the film, it
is possible to change scale between the stereoplotter and the
orthophotoscope.
3. The Line Drop Plotter. This unit provides information
for plotting contour lines. At the moment it is probably more
accurate than the Stereomat, but when perfected, the Stereomat
should be more efficient.
It is apparent that the combination of the automatic
orientation, contouring, and profiling, provided by the
Stereomat, with the digital profile and the orthophotograph
produced by the Integrated Mapping System would eliminate the
remaining bottlenecks in the photogrammetric-electronic highway
design system. When these devices are perfected, they will
doubtless be incorporated into the system.
There is one further development which eventually may
Prove more powerful than any so far described. Professor
C. L. Miller at Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been
experimenting with what he calls a Digital Terrain Model. His
research has been sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of
Public Works and the U. S. Bureau of Public Roads. This
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