and time they know they can turn to somewhere else. This has
alerted EMA to devise ways and explore options to positively
respond and efficiently meet such customer needs. For instance:
Orthophoto Mapping with GPS Survey
EMA has introduced orthophoto mapping to meet urgent
customer needs in part of the areas in the country where there is
no line map coverage. The last three years have proved to be both
challenging and successful times for EMA. With the dawning
peace and introduction of the free market economy, development
enterprises have sprouted all over the country. This has
accelerated the demand for geo information more than ever.
Realizing that EMA can not address all these requests with
conventional line mapping, it has introduced the technology of
orthophoto mapping assisted with GPS survey. It was a daring
attempt that proved to be successful. We can now proudly cite
successful example of contract mapping projects with the use of
these technologies. For the Sheraro - Humera mapping project in
Tigray for land capability feasibility study, SPOT imagery with
GPS survey was employed to produce 31 orthophoto maps of
1:50,000 scale. In the execution of the Abay - Tekeze mapping
project for watershed master plan preparation, the technology of
Spatial Triangulation using SPOT data was used with the
assistance of IGN France along with GPS survey to produce 48
sheets of 1:50,000 scale orthophoto maps.
Digital Technology
EMA has now developed the use of digital technology in its
various geoinformation production activities. Its survey and
photogrammetric works are now partially digitally processed.
Computer Assisted of cartographic activities have already began.
Over the past two years the programs Arc/Info, Erdas 8.2 and
SOS/MAP and the SUN workstation as an application server have
been installed and accordingly a LAN established. Three digitizer
workstations were installed for cartographic activities together
with an HP raster and vector plotter and a GIS workstation. Two
workstations for GIS and remote sensing were installed for
remote sensing activities. Consultancy and training have been
provided in these areas by a number of international experts. With
continued SIDA assistance mapping activity will continue to be
more & more digital and respective competent staff developed in
the coming two years.
4. THE DEVELOPMENT OF REMOTE SENSING
TECHNIQUES FOR RESOURCE STUDIES
Remote Sensing technology has brought new opportunities for
resource studies, change detection, land use land cover mapping
etc. Realizing the benefits of this appropriate tool EMA has
introduced the new technology by establishing a small Remote
Sensing Centre with a view to develop it to a national scale. So far
a good number of pilot projects have been successfully executed,
some for experimental purposes and others based on user
demands. It has been strengthened with effectively trained
manpower and the ERDAS system upgraded to 8.2 version with
installation of two workstations for GIS and remote sensing in a
LAN environment.
5. ACCELERATING BASIC TOPOGRAPHIC
MAPPING AND MAP REVISION PROGRAMMES
The surveying and mapping activities of EMA involve the
planning and production of National Series topographic maps.
20
These include the execution of geodetic survey, all scales of
topographic and planimetric maps, thematic maps and atlases,
geographic and other related research works for rural and urban
development purposes.
In the area of topographic mapping, EMA is presently engaged in
the production of 1:50,000 and the revision of the 1:250,000
national topographic map series.
The 1:50,000 National Topographic mapping project was first
started with the assistance of the British government(DOS) and
latter continued with Swedish assistance(SIDA) and has been
going on since 1971 and to date about 45% of the country is
covered based on the choice of priority areas of socio-economic
potential development.
The 1:250,000 scale topographic map revision has started in
1993. There is an entire coverage of the country with this scale.
They were published from 1965-1972. The survey for the map
revision indicated that though most of these series of maps have
to be revised about 30% needed the most priority. Revision of
these maps is planned in two phases and presently the first phase
comprising 12% of total coverage has been completed. The
second phase, comprising 18% of the total coverage, has already
begun with a revised project document that stipulates acceleration
through experience gained in the execution of the first phase and
by making use of the new digital technology introduced.
EMA has now started implementing its plan of a radical
transformation into digital mapping technology in the execution
of the mapping and map revision programs. These include
acceleration the mapping and map revision programs through the
introduction of digital orthophoto mapping and the establishment
of digital database for the creation and revision of maps as well as
for GIS applications to address specific needs and requirements.
This has led, first, to the setting of a time frame in which the
activities of the 1:50,000 mapping program has to be completed.
Secondly, as this entails the boosting of resources it has led to the
appraisal of the required resources in terms of transfer of
technology, human resource development and logistics. In fact
this has served as the fundamental core for the development of the
Ten-Year Master plan that is to serve EMA in its transition to
digital mapping technology. We have already taken the first steps
on this line and are building momentum to carry us through.
SUMMARY
In summary we see the coming three to five years as a period of
fast mapping technology transformation for EMA. Of course we
are very aware of the huge investment capital required to bring the
change. Its source is not yet assured as well. But we are hopeful.
This is because, first the present government, unlike the cases in
many developing countries, is aware of the role of geoinformation
in the countries socio-economic development and fully supports
our programmes. Secondly, EMA has already established the trust
in the effective use of assistant fund which could be additional
basis for continued technical cooperation to promote development
programs of geoinformation in the country.
As we were successful, over the years, in building a strong and
respectable mapping organization with the emphasis in
conventional technologies so we aspire to build an efficient and
modern mapping organization where full digital mapping
technology and modern management systems are utilized.
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXI, Part B6. Vienna 1996
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