GPS World

Author: Tracy Cozzens

  • Esri Conference Speaker to Share Insights into Polio Fight

    Dr. Bruce Aylward from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Dr. Vincent Seaman from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will share their stories with an audience of more than 16,000 attendees at the Opening Session of the 2014 Esri User Conference (Esri UC) on July 14. As experts in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, they will describe the challenges and opportunities involved in bringing fundamental healthcare to impoverished regions. They’ll also talk about the importance maps have in pinpointing where help is needed most around the world.

    “Polio, a terrible disease, is almost completely eradicated, but ‘almost’ isn’t good enough with a disease slated for complete eradication,” said Aylward.

    Most of the world hardly remembers polio, which has been reduced by over 99 percent in the past generation by vaccination. However, the disease survives in parts of just a few countries, and has repeatedly spread back from these places to polio-free areas worldwide. The urgency of preventing such spread and protecting the polio-free world led the WHO Director-General to declare a public health emergency of international concern on May 5, 2014.

    “The polio eradication program is an international effort to reach the most vulnerable people in the world, irrespective of geography, poverty, culture, and conflict,” said Aylward.

    The Esri UC, to be held July 14–18, will bring together thousands of people from more than 90 countries, all unified by their use of Esri’s geographic information system (GIS) technology. Of particular interest to Esri UC attendees will be the use of GIS in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Aylward will explain how the people working at WHO identify where there are new outbreaks in the world, how the disease spreads, and where it has been eradicated. Seaman will share how the polio program uses GIS-based maps and analyses in high-risk areas to plan vaccination campaigns targeting every child under the age of five and to provide better tools to assess the effectiveness of these efforts.

    “At the Esri UC Plenary Session, we like to feature innovative people doing important work around the world,” said Esri president Jack Dangermond. “Dr. Aylward and Dr. Seaman certainly qualify. We are honored to welcome them and excited that GIS can help fulfill the mission of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative as the teams of humanitarians use maps to understand and solve problems.”

  • CoreLogic Makes Available Land Records Management Solution

    CoreLogic, a global property information, analytics and data-enabled services provider, has introduced a new land records management solution to provide a single source of location information and property characteristics data for the oil & gas, utilities and telecommunications industries. SpatialRecord by CoreLogic integrates CoreLogic parcel-level spatial data with the company’s vast property-level database to provide expanded data analysis and more granular information.

    The patented technology used to create SpatialRecord technology converts raw data into easily digestible information that can be leveraged to make more informed exploration, planning, serviceability and compliance process decisions. SpatialRecord, appends and normalizes location information and property characteristic data that is often otherwise dispersed across a variety of sources so that it’s ready for client use quickly and without further analysis required.

    “Whether managing field infrastructure, planning the path of a new transmission line, or managing legal compliance and risk, it’s vital for oil & gas, utility and telecommunications companies to have access to complete information to make critical decisions quickly and accurately,” said Jay Kingsley, senior vice president for CoreLogic Spatial Solutions. “This integration of location information and property-specific data, combined with the quick turnaround and comprehensive front-end analysis, puts crucial information at a users’ fingertips, reducing the time and resources required and allowing a greater focus on core business activities.”

    SpatialRecord provides highly granular data that is updated daily from more than 4,700 sources on 99 percent of properties throughout the U.S. In addition to combining the data sets into a single, ready-to-use resource, the expanded integration of CoreLogic spatial and property-level data includes:

    • Land property use, as well as the actual and effective year a structure was built on the property
    • Land, structure and property valuation and tax information
    • Property and structure area
    • Construction and structure details, including specifics on the type of foundation, roof covering used, the number of bathrooms and the number of fixtures in each
    • Mailing addresses that coincide with site addresses, which can help prevent delays and mistakes in compliance processes and communications
    • Both first and last names of primary property owners, as well as first and last names of secondary property owners to increase accuracy in identifying and communicating with land owners

    “Combining the most granular property characteristics with parcel-level accuracy not only saves time and money, but also improves efficiencies in the complex processes of planning, exploration and compliance,” said Kingsley. “And the benefits extend to land and property owners as well. With a more comprehensive record of a property in hand, these companies are better positioned to work more effectively, minimize errors or disruptions and provide a higher level of service to individual land owners.”

  • Rand McNally Releases Digital World Atlas for Education

    Rand McNally has launched a new online educational tool that delivers dynamic maps with social studies, history and geography content as well as reading programs and writing lesson plans. The online service, Rand McNally World Atlas, was designed to be cross-curricular and intuitive for both educators and students.

    At the heart of World Atlas is an engine that allows educators to annotate and share maps. The flexible, easy-to-use tool lets teachers access historical maps, boundaries and demographics on present day maps; create custom maps; and easily share maps back and forth with students, teachers and other classes. Educators can print out a fully populated or outline map of any place in the world.

    “Rand McNally World Atlas harnesses technology to help students understand the world around them,” said Stephen Fletcher, CEO of Rand McNally. “Not only does World Atlas illustrate and support topics across curricula, but the interface allows teachers and students to easily share ideas and assignments.”

    World Atlas includes a variety of thematic maps and data layers including population density, climate, historical boundaries, and natural hazards. Maps can be annotated and customized, and then downloaded, printed and shared with other educators and students.

    With World Atlas, it’s possible to:

    • Customize maps with a wide range of thematic overlays.
    • Use dozens of lesson plans and resources to help build presentations.
    • Access world event articles for reading and writing connections.
    • Print or download custom maps anywhere in the world.
    • Create individual accounts for students allowing them to customize and save their own maps.
    • Access from anywhere with an internet connection, from the classroom or from home.
    • Use one intuitive, easy-to-use tool for a wide variety of purposes.

    World Atlas is aligned with state and the Common Core standards. The product is available via annual subscription from Rand McNally. For more information on World Atlas, or to sign up for a free online demo, visit World Atlas.

  • Pegasus:Two Mobile Mapping Contest Deadline Extended

    Because of overwhelming interest in the Pegasus:Two Mobile Mapping Contest, the Leica Geosystems Mobile Mapping team has announced an extension of the contest deadline. Entrants now have until August 31, 2014, to submit their detailed proposals and project timelines.

    “We are very excited about the interest shown in the Pegasus:Two mobile mapping solution and the resulting enquiries into the contest,” says Stuart Woods, project manager at Leica Geosystems. “Extending the contest deadline provides potential entrants with more time to create and prepare their entries. There are many fantastic ideas developing throughout the world and we’re extremely curious to learn about them.”

    The winner of this contest, who will receive free use of a Leica Geosystems’ Pegasus:Two mobile mapping system for six months plus $10,000 USD to spend on the project, will be announced on September 8.

  • Trimble Demonstrates Concept Applications for Google’s Project Tango

    Trimble showcased today two concept apps running on the latest tablet platform of Google’s Project Tango program, an initiative to give mobile devices a human-scale understanding of space and motion. The Trimble concept applications, SketchUp Scan and Trimble Through The Wall, demonstrate potential new ways construction professionals could use their Google tablets for greater efficiency and insight on the job in the future.

    The concept apps were demonstrated at the Google I/O Developer Conference.

    Trimble's SketchUp Scan allows Tango users to create as-built SketchUp models of rooms using a simple scanning process.
    Trimble’s SketchUp Scan allows Tango users to create as-built SketchUp models of rooms using a simple scanning process.

    Using depth sensors on the Tango device, SketchUp Scan enables users to quickly capture a room, apartment or entire floor in 3D and automatically create an editable model. This model can be shared by email or on a variety of social networks, including Google+, Facebook and Twitter. The model also can be uploaded from the Tango device to the 3D Warehouse, Trimble’s platform for posting and sharing 3D models.

    “Many 3D applications for smartphones and tablets attempt to capture the full scope of a room, but SketchUp Scan has the unique ability to create an editable 3D SketchUp model,” said Omar-Pierre Soubra, director of Collaboration at Trimble. “Having the ability to edit the 3D model of the space right after the image capture enables users to add features—from windows and doors, to furniture, office equipment or nearly anything else—using millions of 3D models available in the 3D Warehouse.”

    Trimble's Through the Wall application gives building operators the ability to see what's behind the wall.
    Trimble’s Through the Wall application gives building operators the ability to see what’s behind the wall.

    Trimble Through The Wall leverages the tracking capabilities of Tango devices to reveal what is located inside walls and other structures. Using data from Computer-Aided Design (CAD) or 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, such as Tekla Structures, Trimble Through The Wall can display and overlay pipes, electrical wires and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) infrastructure on top of walls, at their correct location.

    “Trimble’s leadership in technologies for building design, construction and renovation—as well as our portfolio of positioning, modeling and visualization software—made it only natural for us to develop a Tango concept application that tracks and displays what is behind a wall,” said Bryn Fosburgh, vice president responsible for Trimble’s Construction Technology Divisions. “Since Tango devices are designed to be aware of their environment and location, they provide an excellent complement to our strategy of making construction more efficient and transparent.”

    SketchUp Scan and Trimble Through The Wall are concept applications running on the Project Tango Tablet development kits. These development kits are provided by Google only to professional developers, providing a “sandbox” in which developers can experiment with various concept applications. The final functionality of Trimble’s concept applications are still under design.

  • Mercury Rising: When to Expect the Warmest Day of the Year

    US-Warmest-Day-of-the-Year-Map

    Following the first official day of summer, many areas in the United States are approaching their highest temperatures for the year. To give people a better idea of the warmest time of year for their area, the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) has created a new “Warmest Day of the Year” map for the contiguous United States.

    The map is derived from the 1981–2010 U.S. Climate Normals, NCDC’s 30-year averages of climatological variables including the average high temperature for every day. From these values scientists can identify which day of the year, on average, has the highest maximum temperature, referred to here as the “warmest day.”

    Although the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth peaked at the summer solstice on June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere, temperatures for most of the United States tend to keep increasing into July. The temperature increase after the solstice occurs because the rate of heat input from the sun during the day continues to be greater than the cooling at night for several weeks, until temperatures start to descend in late July and early August.

    But, this isn’t the case everywhere. The “Warmest Day of the Year” map shows just how variable the climate of the United States can be. For instance, the June values in New Mexico and Arizona reflect the North American Monsoon, a period of increased rainfall affecting the Southwest United States. Because these areas tend to be cloudier and wetter from July through September, the temperature is highest on average in June. Similarly, the persistence of the marine layer along the Pacific Coast leads to cool temperatures in early summer with the warmest days on average later in the season.

    Temperature Normals are important indicators that are used in forecasting and monitoring by many U.S. economic sectors. Knowing the probability of high temperatures can help energy companies to prepare for rising electricity demand and farmers to monitor heat-sensitive crops. They are also useful planning tools for the healthcare, construction, and tourism industries. You may want to check the Normals before planning your next event or vacation.

    While the map shows warmest days of the year on average throughout the United States, this year’s actual conditions may vary widely based on weather and climate patterns. For prediction of your actual local daily temperature, and to see how it matches up with the Climate Normals, check out a local forecast at Weather.gov.

  • Eagle Mapping Expands into Large-Area Projects with Airborne LiDAR

    The Riegl LMS-Q1560 airborne laser scanner.
    The Riegl LMS-Q1560 airborne laser scanner.

    Eagle Mapping Ltd., a North American digital airborne mapping company, is now using the new Riegl LMS-Q1560 airborne laser scanner system. Designed to capture ultra-wide swaths and complex environments, the high-performance Riegl LiDAR will enable Eagle Mapping to expand into new markets including large-area, forestry and urban mapping applications for governments and first-nation organizations.

    “The Riegl LMS-Q1560 is a powerful laser scanner developed to acquire data over large geographic areas at high altitudes,” said James Hume, Eagle Mapping President. “This will allow us to map expansive cities, counties and tribal lands quickly and cost effectively.”

    Riegl designed the powerful dual-channel LMS-Q1560 laser scanner with integrated medium-format camera for a variety of airborne mapping projects with an emphasis on wide-swath coverage. With a 58-degree field of view, the laser can be operated at a maximum pulse repetition rate of 800 kHz capable of measuring 530,000 points per second on the ground from an altitude up to 15,500 feet AGL.

    “The Riegl LMS-Q1560 is the most cost-competitive airborne laser scanner on the market today,” said Hume. “We can fly at a higher altitude and collect a denser spacing of elevation data than any other LiDAR system out there.”

    In addition, the Riegl LMS-Q1560 has a forward-and-look capability which, when combined with its wide field of view, enables the device to capture data from multiple angles effectively and accurately at an extremely high point density. The sensor also utilizes Multiple-Time-Around processing, echo digitization and waveform analysis to simultaneously track more than 10 pulses in the air.

    This means the LiDAR can collect tightly spaced elevation points even in complex environments. Examples are built-up city centers with a variety of buildings and vertical structures, as well as extremely rugged mountain terrain where elevations change dramatically and abruptly.

    “Whether working in the mountains of British Columbia or over a densely developed urban center, we will capture accurate elevation points between soaring peaks as efficiently as we do between high-rise office buildings,” added Hume. “And regardless of the terrain, we’ll collect more data in a day and finish jobs faster than we could before.”

    Over nearly three decades, Eagle Mapping has built its reputation on finding more accurate and affordable mapping technologies. Focusing primarily on the global mining industry, the Vancouver firm was among the first to deploy airborne LiDAR technology for mapping. More recently, the Canadian firm configured a high-density, narrow-swath Riegl VQ-580 LiDAR with a DiMAC medium-format camera on a single aircraft to simultaneously collect elevation and image data for efficient mapping of pipeline and transmission line corridors.

    “As we expand into urban and large-area projects for government clients, we will continue to support our extensive client base in the international mining and corridor mapping markets,” said Rodney Cope, vice president of sales and marketing.

    Eagle Mapping operates a Cessna 206 and Piper Navajo aircraft based in British Columbia. The Navajo carries the new Riegl LMSQ1560, and the Cessna is equipped with the Riegl VQ-580 LiDAR and DiMAC digital camera. The firm maintains field offices in Bellingham, Washington, USA, and Medellin, Colombia, in South America.

  • Generate Contour Maps on iPads and iPhones

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    CMTINC.COM (Corvallis Microtechnology, Inc.) has added a new dimension to its iOS-based GPS/GIS application software by releasing the Contour – Volume – Stakeout app for iPad and iPhone. Now that higher accuracy GPS receivers are available for use with iOS devices, it makes sense to develop GPS/GIS apps that utilize elevation values, the company said.

    The Contour – Volume – Stakeout app will generate contour lines and a colored contour map based on elevations or on the values of any numeric variable of interest (such as the amount of fertilizer to apply). It can compute volumes (such as the amount of soil to move) based on the contour information. It also provides stakeout functions to let the GPS guide the user toward a point or along a line or area boundary.

    The data to be contoured can be digitized and entered via the app itself, or it can be imported via Shapefiles or a text file. To aid data collection, the app provides a function to generate sampling grid points over an area. The contour map can be printed to PDF. The contour data can be exported to a text file. The Feature data can be exported to DXF and Shapefiles, and the contour data can be exported to a .CSV text file.

    The app is now available at the iTunes App Store.

  • Android App Geotags and Maps Photos, Video, and Voice Notes

    Red Hen Systems‘ MediaMapper Mobile is an Android app that lets users snap a photo, record a video, make an audio note, and collect project data, while automatically geotagging it. The result is geotagged media that when displayed will show its exact location on a map. The media can be shared via email or a direct upload to a server.

    “MediaMapper Mobile is unique because it geotags photos as well as audio and video,” said President and Founder Neil Havermale. “This easy-to-use app has the ability to geotag information and display it on a map, allowing users to analyze and respond quickly and efficiently to what is happening in the field. It is the simplest and most affordable high-tech solution for detecting, gathering, and analyzing geospatial information.”

    MediaMapper Mobile offers a convenient way to collect and geotag media in the field. It connects wirelessly to GIS equipment to collect geotagged video, audio, and high-resolution imagery.

    Using MediaMapper Mobile, gas and pipeline inspectors, pilots, and natural resource managers in the field can collect visual and audio recordings of what they see and hear along pipelines, coastlines, forests, and more. They can fill in inspection and collection forms while traveling, and gather diverse sensor data such as percent humidity, temperature, slope distance, and azimuth. GPS details about location, such as time, latitude, longitude, and altitude are viewable.

    Once data collection is complete, media files can be transferred to a laptop or computer to view and analyze using Google Earth or Red Hen Systems isWhere software. There is no need for extra equipment — MediaMapper Mobile has the necessary features to gather and record a wide variety of essential data.

    This version of MediaMapper Mobile is improved over older versions because it can interface with various Bluetooth devices (GPS receivers, Laser Range Finders, Blue2CAN), collect features of interest, take sequential photos based on time and distance intervals, and control external cameras such as GoPro from the Android device.  Red Hen Systems added features and gave it an extensive user interface makeover to enhance its appearance and usability.

  • gvSIG Joins United Nation’s Mountain Partnership

    MPflowers

    The gvSIG Association is a new Mountain Partnership member, with GIS maps as focal point. The Mountain Partnership is a United Nations voluntary alliance of partners dedicated to improving the lives of mountain people and protecting mountain environments around the world.

    “The gvSIG Association hopes to collaborate in this international alliance, working together with the common objective to achieve sustainable mountain development around the world,” the association said.

    The Mountain Partnership addresses challenges facing mountain regions by tapping the wealth and diversity of resources, knowledge, information and expertise, from and between its members, to stimulate concrete initiatives at all levels that will ensure improved quality of life and environments in the world’s mountain regions.

    Currently, 53 governments, 14 intergovernmental organizations, and 167 major groups (such as civil society, NGOs, and the private sector) are members.

    “With this agreement, we add our knowledge and experience in free geomatics to the work of a lot of organizations that take part in this alliance already,” the gvSIG Association said.

  • Proteus Completes Satellite-Derived Forest Inventory Pilot in Abu Dhabi

    Tree crowns above 1m2 are extracted, then a Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) is applied to provide an indication of tree health. Green indicates a healthy tree, red indicates a less healthy tree (within the Abu Dhabi forest plantations). So far this process has been applied to over 4,000,000 trees in Abu Dhabi.
    Tree crowns above 1m2 are extracted, then a Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) is applied to provide an indication of tree health. Green indicates a healthy tree, red indicates a less healthy tree (within the Abu Dhabi forest plantations). So far this process has been applied to over 4,000,000 trees in Abu Dhabi.

    Proteus FZC, a provider of satellite-derived mapping and classification services, has completed a demonstration project using satellite imagery to inventory tree plantations in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The tree mapping pilot is a spin-off of a larger Emirate-wide habitat and land use/land cover (LULC) project now being spearheaded by Proteus.

    In the pilot, the Proteus team processed multispectral data collected by DigitalGlobe’s WorldView-2 commercial imaging satellite to identify the species and conditions of individual trees within the pilot area. Proteus managed the project, in which GMV of Spain performed image processing and automatic tree extraction with local ground-truthing support from Nautica Environmental Associates in Abu Dhabi.

    “This pilot demonstrates the viability of using very high-resolution multispectral data to establish a baseline inventory of tree type and health within diverse forest plantations,” said Proteus Project Manager, Richard Flemmings. “We mapped every tree crown larger than one meter in diameter in the pilot area with minimal ground truthing and delivered the results in an Esri geodatabase.”

    Abu Dhabi has planted forest plantations totaling nearly 20 million trees that provide aesthetic and environmental benefits throughout the Emirate. Comprised of gaff, acacia, mesquite and other species, these plantations require continuous irrigation with desalinated water at considerable expense. The Environment Agency — Abu Dhabi (EAD) — requested the pilot as it seeks to find an efficient and cost-effective way to monitor the forest stands.

    “These forest plantations are valuable resources for Abu Dhabi,” said Flemmings. “EAD envisions a monitoring program that identifies isolated health problems so they can be remediated.”

    Proteus applied image processing techniques using all eight WorldView-2 multispectral bands plus one panchromatic band, with an emphasis on the mid-infrared spectra. This multi-step processing distinguished several tree species by their individual canopies and detected stress, possibly related to irrigation, salinity or infestation issues, in some of the trees.

    Compared to the traditional ways of monitoring forestry plantations in the area, which implies walking along the tree lines to detect damaged/dead trees, remote sensing offers a cost-effective alternative.

    “We used pan-sharpened imagery to create the baseline plantation map, but less expensive lower-resolution imagery such as Landsat could be used for ongoing periodic monitoring,” said Flemmings. “This individual tree mapping technique can be applied to create forest inventories of other species elsewhere in the world.”

    Aside from the tree plantation pilot, Proteus is engaged in a fine-scale satellite-derived terrestrial and marine LULC and habitat mapping project for the entire Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The three-phase, multi-million dollar project will ultimately include 60,000 sq. km. of land area and the coastal marine environment down to the 15-meter contour. Advanced processing algorithms are being used to extract LULC and habitat features from high-resolution multispectral satellite imagery acquired over both land and sea. Tree plantations are one of the LULC types identified by the Proteus team in the larger EAD project.

    In the coastal Arabian Gulf, Proteus is delivering seabed classifications to depths of 15-20 meters. Deliverables for each phase of the Abu Dhabi mapping project include bathymetric analysis, orthorectified mosaic, LULC/habitat ecological classifications, geospatial models, printed maps at multiple scales, and knowledge transfer.

    Since 2011, Proteus has been delivering solutions for mapping and classification projects using multispectral satellite imagery. These mapping projects have been delivered for environmental, oil & gas, engineering and other coastal zone applications in Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.

  • New GEO Business Show Deemed a Success

    Success of the inaugural GEO Business show, held in London May 28-29, means the new gathering will take place again.

    The show saw more than 1,600 attendees from 39 countries. It combined a bustling central trade exhibition — featuring 118 exhibitors showcasing the latest geospatial technology and services — with a conference program of cutting-edge keynotes and presentations plus 96 commercial workshops.

    GEO Business is organized in collaboration with the UK’s key geospatial and survey organizations — the Survey Association (TSA), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES) and the Association for Geographic Information (AGI).

    “The show’s unifying vision was to promote closer collaboration across the geospatial community and to provide a platform that effectively showcases both the professionalism of this industry and the role that it will play in the future economic growth of our country,” the organizer said in a statement. “To cite the words of one exhibitor, Derry Long, business development manager at MBS Survey Software, the new show marked ‘the dawn of a new era for the geospatial community’.”

    “From the moment the doors opened, there was a real buzz on the show floor and it was evident that we had gained the support from the community in the launch of this show,” said Versha Carter, group exhibition director of GEO Business. “It was fantastic to see the entire geospatial industry united together doing business. There was a genuine sense of the industry coming together to connect and share their experiences and methods, to see how they could learn from each other and improve the way they work. We now have a really solid foundation from which to grow and develop the show, and are already looking forward to GEO Business 2015.”