ease the 
research 
g formal 
es and 
Internal 
Facility 
NO WoO; 
activity 
the UK, 
3avia (2), 
America 
Jdle East 
nd which 
and the 
1e use of 
5 
net 
products 
airborne 
moisture 
chniques 
image 
3 
7 
jring this 
  
e Algorithms for the estimation of evaporation from 
thermal images 
e Offshore basin screening (oil slick mapping) 
e Frequency domain SAR processor 
Use of SAR for crop yield forecasting/crop information 
system 
Coastal applications 
Data management techniques 
Widespread research into applications of neural nets 
Use of remotely sensed data for biodiversity studies 
ATSR-2 algorithm development projects 
3.7 Significant changes in the period 1992-96 
The development of coherent UK Earth Observation 
programme policy for research and support through the 
amalgamation of diverse research council remits and 
programmes in 1993-94 was singled out by many 
respondents as probably the single most significant 
change that has occurred during the relevant period. The 
increased focus on commercial development supported 
by successful BNSC programmes and the 
commercialisation of remote sensing application sales 
were also cited. However, whilst these developments 
were welcomed it was pointed out that no new money 
was being made available from Government to support 
these programmes. Of considerable concern to many 
respondents was the trend of declining Government 
research and development funding making it much harder 
for organisations to obtain funding to undertake original 
Earth Observation research. 
Other trends which were noted were: 
e The generally declining prices for archived satellite 
imagery were acknowledged as a positive 
development. 
e Availability of ERS-1 SAR data since 1991, including 
development and deployment of UK developed ATSR 
and ATSR-2 instruments and products 
e Continuing downward trend in costs and increasing 
sophistication of image processing software and 
hardware 
e Increasing access to GPS technologies allowing more 
accurate ground control 
e Spread of access to the Internet from academic and 
research institutions to all sectors of the community, 
including development of on-line image finding 
services. 
4. THE FUTURE FOR PHOTOGRAMMETRY 
AND REMOTE SENSING 
While the pattern of activity in both photogrammetry and 
remote sensing in the period 1992-96 has expanded 
(Table 4.1), the forecast by organisations of activities 
over the next period 1996-2000 shows considerable 
optimism, with remote sensing forecast to be the more 
buoyant. 
Apart from the obvious continuation of existing trends, 
specific forecasts from organisations include: 
e the development of a UK national height model 
93 
the use of higher resolution satellite imagery 
e the use of terrestrial, airborne and 
radargrammetry 
* easier use of digital systems on lower-costing 
hardware platforms, merging PCs and workstations 
e wider acceptance and use of photogrammetry and 
remote sensing as tools by non-experts 
* a diminishing distinction between photogrammetry 
and remote sensing 
the continuing integration of both technologies into 
GIS 
e the role of AGI in facilitating the spread of information 
on spatial data handling. 
satellite 
TABLE 4.1 Present and future for photogrammetry and 
remote sensing: 
  
Photogrammetry Remote 
  
Sensing 
Status 1992-96 
Expanded 33 39 
Constant 19 27 
Diminished 10 5 
Forecast 1996-2000 
Expand 36 54 
Constant 21 15 
Diminish 8 0 
  
5. SOURCES OF INFORMATION 
The Photogrammetric Record, edited by K B Atkinson, 
and the Photogrammetric Society newsletter, produced 
by D M Stirling, are the main sources of information on 
photogrammetric activity in the UK. A list of corporate 
members is published in every issue of the Record and of 
individual members in each April issue. The index to Vol. 
XIV of the Record is published in the October 1994 issue. 
Information about the Photogrammetric Society can also 
be found on its WWW pages at 
(http://cesgi1.city.ac.uk/photsoc/). 
The main source of information on remote sensing activity 
includes the Remote Sensing  Society's official 
publications: The International Journal of Remote 
Sensing, edited by A P Cracknell, the Newsletter, edited 
by C Power and occasional monographs. Information 
about the Remote Sensing Society and its activities can 
also be found on its WWW home page: 
(http://www.geog.nottingham.ac.uk/rss/top.html). 
Information on access to the Society's bulletin board can 
also be found there. A list of corporate members is 
regularly published in the Society's Newsletter along with 
new members. 
The responses to the questionnaires and related 
correspondence are deposited at the two Society's 
registered offices at UCL and at Nottingham University. 
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXI, Part B6. Vienna 1996