Mapping plays an important role during disaster and disease outbreaks. The city of Pune in India is experiencing an outbreak of H1N1 influenza this week, and mapping is being employed to meet the challenge. At the same time, Australian officials have initiated a comprehensive investigation into the impacts that flooding disasters have had on the economy. Each of these events underscore the need for spatial data and its value for meeting the needs of disaster management and disease outbreaks that impact populations and regions in Asia.
Written by Matt Ball Thursday, 22 March 2012 04:06
The focus of Applanix on providing accurate positions for aerial data capture, without the need for ground control, has served the company well. With goal of improving the efficiency of mapping, the company was the first to bring a GPS inertial measuring unit (IMU) to market, and it has greatly improved mapping productivity by providing a detailed position for each image. The company continues to innovate with new products that harness the latest electronics, with efficiency gains that pay for themselves while improving precision.
For the first time Singaporean authorities have given permission for a photogrammetric UAV mapping/modeling flight over an important area of the city. In the context of the SEC-FCL (Future Cities Laboratory) project a pilot study is conducted with the goal to generate a high quality 3D city model of the NUS campus from UAV images. 800 images were needed to cover the area. Data processing is in progress.
With the planned launch of an Indian-built radar surveillance satellite (Risat-1) next month, it seems timely to address some of the advantages of radar imaging versus other imagery data types. In Asia in particular, the ability of radar imagery to see through clouds and fog in order to capture imagery of the ground below is a distinct advantage, however there are additional benefits.
Water is a valuable and important resource. Spatial data for water resources is captured through many kinds of map, imaging, surveying and other measurement tools. This data is used to monitor and understand these resources, and is an integral input for developing policy and planning as well as management of water resources. Several countries are currently reporting issues with respect to clean water availability, and are in need of improved tools, applications and strategies to ensure supply.
