INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND REMOTE SENSING 
(ISPRS) 
XVII CONGRESS — WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — 1992 
MEMBER REPORT FOR CANADA 
1988 — 1992 
COMPILED BY 
Dr. Réjean Simard and Jean-Pierre Lemieux 
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Committee 
Canadian Institute of Surveying and Mapping 
CORRESPONDENTS 
Commission IV: 
Dr. Mike Toomey, Land Information Services Division, 
Forestry, Lands and Wildlife Alberta 
Commission V.1: 
Dr. Sabry F. El-Hakim, Institute for Information Technology, 
National Research Council of Canada 
Commission VII: 
Dr. Robert A. Ryerson, Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, 
Energy, Mines and Resources Canada (Secretary, Commission VII) 
SUMMARY 
Since the last Congress in 1988 there has been an increase in 
activities in the field of photogrammetry and remote sensing in 
Canada. One need only mention the new efforts in global change 
research initiatives to appreciate the scope of these new develop- 
ments. This report highlights some of Canada's activities and 
achievements over the period since the last Congress. Other 
activities in Canada have also been reported directly through the 
general Commission. 
The last four years have seen continuing growth in the Commis- 
sion IV subject area. The differences between automated cartog- 
raphy and spatial database concepts are more widely, and better, 
understood. Spatial data distribution standards are under continu- 
ing improvement, and interim standards are frequently used. 
Topographic map compilation is almost entirely digital with 
stereo-compilation on encoded analogue equipment and on 34 
analytical stereo plotters. Digital elevation model techniques 
produce interpolated contours. Over 1.2 million square kilo- 
metres of digital topographic mapping has been 
photogrammetrically compiled by various government agencies 
since 1988. Digital orthophoto is being combined with vector 
files and viewed on low-cost workstations. 
Topologically-structured information prepared fromcartographic 
files is being used in geographic information systems (GIS) by a 
rapidly growing group of GIS users. Updating the spatial data 
continues to attract funding. Remote sensing both by satellite and 
airborne scanners is being used for update purposes. Develop- 
ments include testing geometric correction of MEIS and SAR 
imagery, integration of GPS positioning with inertial navigation 
and scanning sensors, software extensions for the digital video 
plotterto cope with SPOT data, and investigation and prototyping 
of object-oriented database structures. 
The Working Group on Digital and Real-Time Close-Range 
Photogrammetry's most important activity during this period was 
organizing a successful international conference on Industrial 
Vision Metrology in July 1991 in Winnipeg, the result of which 
was an SPIE proceeding, Vol. 1526. This report describes the 
terms of reference and the objectives of the Working Group, the 
Canadian activities, and the Winnipeg conference. 
91 
Canada has played a central role in Commission VII during the 
1988-1992 timeframe. Through its ISPRS member society, the 
Canadian Institute for Surveying and Mapping, Canada has been 
honoured with the responsibility for Commission VII, under the 
leadership of Mr. Frank Hegyi, President of Ferihill Technologies 
Ltd. of Victoria, British Columbia. 
Canada's contributions in the field of image interpretation have 
continued to grow over the period since the last Congress. The 
contributions have been marked by a growing spirit of interna- 
tional co-operation. A number of partnerships have been formed 
with groups, both public and private, around the world on all 
continents. 
PARTI- COMMISSION IV: CARTOGRAPHIC AND 
DATA BANK APPLICATIONS FOR PHOTOGRAMMETRY 
AND REMOTE SENSING 
The period since March 1988 has been one of continuing growth 
in the application of photogrammetry and remote sensing tech- 
nologies to cartographic mapping activities. Database design and 
implementation have advanced significantly and the differences 
between automated cartography and spatial database concepts are 
more widely and better understood. Spatial data distribution 
standards are now a matter of ongoing design and enhancement by 
the Canadian General Standards Board and an interim exchange 
format is in everyday use. 
Topographic map compilation is almost entirely digital with 
stereo-compilation being performed not only on encoded ana- 
logue equipment, but also on 34 analytical stereo-plotters — an 
increase from the 22 devices reported in 1988. Digital elevation 
model data collection by spot heights and breaklines during the 
photogrammetric compilation stage continues to be specified by 
many government mapping agencies. Contours are then inter- 
polated. Over 1.2 million square kilometres of digital topographic 
mapping has been photogrammetrically compiled at 1:20 000 or 
1:50 000 by the provincial and federal mapping agencies since 
1988. 
Orthophoto mapping continues to be used for a variety of urban 
and rural applications, and the last year has seen great interest in 
digital orthophoto production from scanned aerial photography. 
Given the large quantity of digital vector mapping compiled for