3 The performance of the various devices or 
modules is not longer the same in a production 
line than in a single practice. 
4. The amount of the storaged data in the relational 
database -available for different applications- 
affects the system's response time. 
The advantages and the limitations of the current mapping 
process are clear. Some problems arose with the new 
production remain unsolved and require a lot of research to 
define clearly the way to break them out. The production of 
the scale 1:100.000 maps is done following an ancient 
procedure that includes both manual generalization, scribing 
and photographic colour separation. 
8. THE NEAR FUTURE 
IGAC has started recently what is called its second phase 
of modernization in order to: 
i Improving the performance of the overall system. 
Rupture of the existing bottlenecks in the 
production flow. 
3. Definition and testing of alternative methods to the 
production and updating of topographic maps 
(using and integrating different metric sensors, 
photographics and no photographics, obtained 
from aerial and satellite platforms). 
4. Research in map generalization to apply in the 
production of 1:100.000 scale. 
S. Integration of raster/vector data in the mapping 
production. 
The digital photogrammetry offers atractive possibilities to 
dinamize the mapping production and IGAC has taken its 
option in that way. It has started a preliminar project using 
a Digital Photogrammetric Helava Station which enables to 
process imagery from different sources (radar among them). 
The project results must clarify the advantages -and also 
the limitations- of the new tools and define the most 
suitable application lines for the Colombian needs. IGAC 
hopes that the big dream of the colombian cartographers, no 
one cartographic hole in the nation, become reality in the 
next century. 
9. CONCLUSIONS 
The last decade developments in photogrammetry and 
remote sensing are helping mapping agencies, including 
IGAC, to improve their work which is directed to create, 
maintain and update topographic databases . It's clear that 
the potencial of the latest technology must be strongly tested 
before it become a production standard. 
The successful implementation of a new mapping 
production system may be a real fact only by assuring the 
coexistence of three critical factors: 
I A head organization aware of the need of the 
change and its complexity. 
2: A highly qualified and engaged elite force. 
3} A strategic plan leading the way. 
A T.,049:93.1096 
522 
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXI, Part B4. Vienna 1996 
  
KEY 
ABS 
This 
towr 
deve 
date 
Cet 
ville. 
com 
diffé 
plan 
KUR 
Dies 
Stad 
Es i: 
vers: 
für p 
For 
envir 
envir 
Now: 
ques 
Since 
envir 
envir 
differ 
exam 
One ; 
envir 
The | 
can 
envir« 
A lon 
this - 
comp 
transi 
and 
devel