Mapping the future

By Louis Demargne, Fugro EarthData

As technological innovations advance, so too does the importance of geospatial information systems in infrastructure projects, explains Louis Demargne.

Geospatial services have become increasingly important to infrastructure projects, urban planning, and emergency response. What is the reason for this rapid growth?
Louis Demargne. In recent years, there have been a number of important technology advances related to geospatial data acquisition and processing. These innovations have resulted in higher levels of data accuracy, more efficient map production, and increased data deliverable options. Airborne lidar mapping is one great example. Using laser technology to accurately map terrain elevation over large areas, lidar completes in days what would have taken an army of surveyors months to achieve on the ground.

Additionally, increases in computing power and the introduction of web-based technology have broadened the accessibility of geospatial data through enterprise GIS systems. As the number of users accessing and manipulating a given dataset increases, so too does the overall value of that geospatial investment.

There's also a growing acceptance of geospatial technologies among the general public. Look at the varied ways people are using Google Earth and Bing Maps. From driving directions to real estate shopping, to community watch programs, people are using geospatial data to support personal decision making. Given this geo-savvy public, there will be little patience for government and businesses that fail to capitalize on high quality data for critical planning and management operations.

Fugro EarthData has a reputation for innovation. What are some of the recent technology advancements that you've been working on?
LD. We focus our R&D efforts in a couple of different areas. First, we look for ways to increase the value of geospatial data through expanded end-user applications. Our semi-automated image classification methodology is one recent example. Unlike traditional methods, which rely on manual photointerpretation, our approach exploits the spectral and contextual information contained in digital multispectral imagery to map different types of surfaces, such as soils, plant or tree species, and pervious/impervious surfaces. Less influenced by human error or variances, this method provides more consistent and accurate mapping deliverables.

We also look for ways to streamline data production for increased efficiency and faster project turnaround. As a society accustomed to on-demand services, we are developing ways to host and disseminate these large volumes of geospatial data products for our clients through web-based GIS applications. Doing so will save our clients valuable time and resources by providing a central source for multiple users to access and analyze geospatial data through the Internet.

Finally, we work to fill technology gaps through new sensor development. Our latest sensor innovation is a panoramic mapping system, which enables simultaneous vertical and oblique mapping, produced to nationally recognized map accuracy standards. We are getting a lot of positive feedback on the system so far, with some noting its potential to revolutionize airborne mapping as we know it.

What makes panoramic mapping so appealing?
LD. First, it's highly efficient. With the panoramic camera, we are able to fly at up to twice the normal flying height of current imaging systems, which means we acquire larger areas more quickly. Second, we are acquiring not only the vertical imagery typically associated with aerial mapping projects, but any number of oblique angles from 0 to 50 degrees at a resolution of up to 3 inches. Third, it's a photogrammetric solution, not a pixel-based solution, so even the oblique imagery is photogrammetrically accurate and suitable for topographic and planimetric mapping. And last, it is an ArcGIS-compatible solution, which allows for seamless integration within existing ESRI-based systems.

Why should infrastructure managers be interested?
LD. Panoramic mapping serves a number of applications related to infrastructure. These include urban planning, ensuring adequate housing, education, health, and transportation; asset management, mapping buildings and the features associated with those buildings, as well as other structures; property appraisal, detecting and measuring new structures on residential or commercial buildings and estimating property taxes; and disaster response and recovery, providing situational awareness for first responders and estimating damages for more efficient recovery.

Louis Demargne is vice president of marketing at Fugro EarthData, overseeing strategic marketing, communications, and proposal activities. Technically trained, Mr. Demargne has over 15 years of geospatial experience, specializing in the introduction of new technologies and applications to the marketplace. He holds a master's degree in remote sensing from the University of Paris VI, France.