Investment in new London commuter rail services 
has generated requirements for control and large 
scale route mapping for the London Underground 
Jubilee Line Extension and the CrossRail Project 
which is planning to drive main line railway 
tunnels under the centre of London. The Channel 
Tunnel Rail Link is also expected to require 
extensive route surveys once the final alignment 
has been selected. 
2.7 Research and development 
University College London reports the following 
research programmes: 
* stereomatching algorithms; 
* dynamic geometry of satellite imaging; 
* automatic monitoring of environmental change; 
* automated non-contact surface measurement; 
* change detection using SAR; 
* involvement in NASA Mission to Earth; 
* measurement in hazardous environments; and 
* calibration of CCD cameras. 
The National Physical Laboratory continues to 
develop precision photogrammetric cameras, bundle 
solution and image analysis for high precision 
metrology. 
Newcastle University is researching the use of 
polaroid photography for photogrammetry; and 
photogrammetric measurement of ten sample city 
centre sites to estimate building surface area 
naturally available for fitting photovoltaic 
modules. 
Camera Alive demonstrated a remote real time 
photogrammetric system based on electronic stills 
cameras and a stereo image processing system to 
the Photogrammetric Society in February 1992. 
Nuclear Electric continues to develop specialised 
short range cameras for use in nuclear plants. 
The Oxford Orthopaedic Centre has developed a TV 
image-assisted digitising system, and automatic 
landmark identification for hip X-rays. 
Laserscan reports the development of a stereo 
matching and real time transformation system for 
the Royal Aerospace Establishment, Farnborough. 
2.8 Significant Changes in the period 1989-1992 
Some take the view that photogrammetry has reached 
a state of maturity in both development and 
application. Advances in related technologies, 
such as GIS, GPS, IT, reduction in computer costs, 
etc, have improved its performance and range of 
applications more radically than developments 
within the subject which have been less 
spectacular. The following trends were noted: 
* Analogue plotters, although no longer made, are 
still widely used and there appears to be a 
brisk trade in second-hand instruments both in 
UK and overseas. This may indicate that 
analytical plotters have not proved 
54 
sufficiently more productive for routine air 
survey to justify the investment where 
serviceable analogue instruments are still 
available. 
* Analytical plotters are now used almost as 
widely as analogue instruments. The associated 
software has broadened the range of 
applications of close range measurement and 
encouraged the use of non-metric or semi-metric 
cameras. A growing market for low-cost 
analytical plotters is reported (forty AP190s 
have been sold). 
* Digital photogrammetry and stereo image 
analysis systems, using digital or video 
imagery or scanned photographs, are now 
considered to be economically viable and 
operationally robust, particularly for close 
range non-contact measurement and inspection. 
* Aerial survey cameras with forward motion 
compensation are now widely used for large 
scale mapping for engineering projects because 
of the improved image quality and ability to 
operate in more marginal weather conditions. In 
combination with analytical plotters, it now 
appears to be economic to produce 1:200 scale 
plans by a combination of field and 
photogrammetric survey methods. 
* GPS is being used increasingly to establish 
photocontrol on the ground and Airborne GPS is 
being tested experimentally to supplement or 
replace ground control. The predicted savings 
in time and cost have yet to be demonstrated in 
practice. 
* User friendliness is now being taken seriously 
by photogrammetric system designers to make 
photogrammetry accessible to non-specialists 
and occasional users. 
* Economic constraints were widely reported to be 
inhibiting national monitoring schemes, 
education, research and investment, and have 
certainly reduced the private sector market, 
increased competition and reduced prices. The 
Ordnance Survey has introduced shift working 
for the first time to reduce production costs, 
in line with private sector practice over many 
decades. 
2.9 The overseas contribution 
The three largest photogrammetric employers 
(Ordnance Survey, Directorate of Military Surveys 
and BKS Surveys Ltd) retain substantial overseas 
commitments in technical assistance, military 
mapping and terrain modelling and contract 
mapping. Many of the companies supplying systems, 
contract services and consultancy also trade 
worldwide. 
Specialist services in underwater inspection and 
non-contact measurement, developed by Camera Alive 
to meet the needs of the North Sea oil industry, 
have been extended to Europe, the USA, Brazil, 
West Africa, South East Asia and Australia. 
The Universities and Polytechnics continue to 
attract a substantial proportion of overseas 
students for graduate, postgraduate and specialist 
courses. 
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