te
1C
International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Vol XXXV, Part B6. Istanbul 2004
an active Research & Innovation department, including a group
working exclusively on remote sensing and photogrammetric
research. Work includes the use of new techniques for
capturing and updating spatial data from imagery; change
detection and feature extraction techniques from many sources,
including digital aerial imagery, satellite sensor imagery,
synthetic aperture radar and airborne lidar data. Ordnance
Survey Northern Ireland (OSNI) have upgraded their digital
photogrammetry systems, enabling direct update mapping of the
vector mapping database and linkage with newly complete
orthophoto coverage of Northern Ireland.
Two major aerial photographic projects started late in the last
reporting period and are ongoing. Simmons Aerofilms Ltd and
Infoterra collaborated to produce accurately-controlled 1:10,000
scale colour photography marketed as *UK Perspectives". The
orthorectified aerial photography database is claimed as
currently the only fully maintained imagery dataset of its type
for England. Cooper Aerial Surveys produced 1:11,000 scale
colour photography for the Millennium Map Company. A
millennium map of England based on aerial photography was
completed for England in 2000. Wales and Scotland are in the
process of completion.
3.2 Cameras and navigation
The use of GPS-based systems for photo-navigation has been
widely adopted, because of the perceived advantages of
achieving more precise flight lines and the potential for
reducing errors in navigation. Nevertheless, experience is
showing that GPS-based systems are not entirely trouble-free,
suggesting that thorough training is needed in their use, backed
by knowledge of the air navigation methods that evolved before
GPS was introduced. In the UK, numerous navigation systems
are in use, including the Tracker System, Computer Controlled
Navigation System 4, Autonomous GPS and real time L-Band
Differential GPS; dead reckoning and Ordnance Survey maps
also continue in use.
3.3 Airborne digital imaging
Commercial airborne digital imaging is offered by Aerofilms
Ltd. using a Daedalus AADS 1238 multispectral scanner and by
the NERC using a Daedalus AADS 1268 multispectral scanner
and a CASI scanner. The prospect of digital air survey cameras
produced by Leica Geosystems and Z/I Imaging is generating
considerable interest in the UK. Z/I Imaging launched the
Digital Mapping Camera (DMC) in 2001, and now have digital
cameras being used in digital production workflows around the
world. Z/l Imaging and the Leica Geosystems ADS40 have
seen a growing market acceptance and rapid customer take-up
of large-format digital aerial camera systems for survey and
map production. The long-term storage and retrieval of original
imagery in digital form are major considerations.
NEXTMap Britain is a new product available for England,
Wales and South Scotland. Initially funded by Norwich Union
Insurance, NEXTMap Britain has utilised Intermap's STAR-
3i® IFSAR to generate a seamless digital height model dataset.
The dataset offers DSM and DTM postings at 5m and
orthorectified imagery at 1.25 m postings. Data for North
Scotland will be available later in 2004. More details can be
found at: http://istore.intermaptechnologies.com/nm britain.cfm.
The Ordnance Survey has announced it will include an imagery
layer within the new Digital National Framework (DNF). The
population of this layer has caused some debate within industry.
A pan-government agreement is making this digital map and
T]
image data available across all UK government departments to
stimulate coherent service provision via e-government. This is
galvanising private sector airborne image and mapping
operators to develop their services.
3.4 Laser Scanning (Lidar) capabilities
This reporting period has seen a dramatic rise in the use and
application of lidar/laser scanning, both airborne and terrestrial.
Over sixty percent of respondents indicated working with
airborne systems and thirty percent with terrestrial. This
burgeoning level of activity is clearly shown in Figure A-l
where “lidar / laser scanning airborne”, a relatively new
category in the national report, already ranks close to “remote
sensing with space imagery” and “photogrammetry with GIS”
as a mainstream technical area identified by many respondents.
This rising trend is expected to continue into the future.
3.5 Satellite remote sensing
In September 2003, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited
(SSTL) successfully launched the latest three satellites of the
Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). SSTL and its
partners propose a network of affordable micro-satellites
providing imaging on a daily basis as an affordable solution to
the problem of disaster assessment and monitoring from space.
The satellites, for Nigeria, Turkey and the UK, will join AISAT-
1, another Surrey-built satellite, launched for Algeria in
November 2002. Together they will transform the ability of
international disaster relief organisations to monitor and provide
emergency assistance to disaster-stricken zones. The DMC may
be activated by organisations such as Reuters Foundation
AlertNet and the International Charter. Operational use of the
system is expected to develop during 2004.
Sira Electro-Optics Limited built the Compact High Resolution
Imaging Spectrometer, (CHRIS), for the BNSC. This
instrument is now in orbit on the European Space Agency
miniature satellite PROBA. CHRIS provides multispectral
coverage over the range from 400 nm to 1050 nm with a
minimum spectral resolution in the range between 2 and 10 nm.
The ground sampled distance is 25 m to 50 m selectable. 2002
saw the launch of the long awaited Envisat. UK instrument
designers provided major inputs to the spacecraft payload and
UK investigators are now also active in developing the data
applications. The Department of Environment Food and Rural
Affairs (DEFRA) part sponsored the AATSR instrument.
3.6 Development of web-based distribution
With Internet resources now routinely used in commercial and
research environments, 2000-2004 has seen further
development of web based distribution facilities. One example
is at Infoterra, where development of efficient raster web
delivery techniques currently includes serving the Imagery
Layer of OS MasterMap™. More widely they have developed
thin band web delivery engines for data and value added
products, and claim the creation of Europe’s largest geographic
ISP centre. In the public sector, DEFRA’s Rural Development
Service is making orthophotography available over their
Intranet (2003 onwards) for a wide variety of users and registers
the use of the satellite imagery based digital map product Land
Cover Map 2000.
3.7 Development of Internet based teaching materials
Geomatics.org.uk offers free resources to teachers to support
geographic information and surveying teaching in schools.
