Bing Maps now uses live traffic and geocoding from Nokia

By Aleks Buczkowski




Apparently the collaboration of Microsoft and Nokia goes beyond Lumia smartphones. After the latest up-date the – now uses Nokia’s live traffic and geocoding algorithms. Bing Maps can now offer the same traffic information that is already available at Nokia Maps in 24 countries (Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, UK and US).

Why is it a good news?
This info is really important for all Bing Maps users from one basic reason – Nokia is the owner of Navteq – the biggest mapping data player on the planet. Not only their traffic data is one of the most accurate but also their geocoding algorithms (taking latitude and longitude information and connecting that to a readable address) will surely offer better routes and directions for Microsoft-mapping service users.

But this not the most important conclusion… the most important thing is that those two giants are teaming up to build better location-based services and apps. With their financial potential and Nokia’s announcement of the new Nokia’s Where Platform, can bring LBS to whole new level. I’m looking forward to see where it will go!!!



source: Nokia Conversations, The Verge

This map shows 24h traffic isochrones for anyplace in the world

By Aleks Buczkowski



Typical travel planning tools like Google Maps give you directions and travel times from point A to point B. The routes are selected based on algorithms using real-time or historic traffic information. It’s cool and very practical. But what if you’d like to use such a tool for urban planning or simply to learn something about your neighbourhood? In that case the information you’re looking for is how far can you get in particular time… to any point. In cartography the tool for analysing such an information is calledisochrone and it’s a line on the map connecting points at which something occurs or arrives at the same time.

Recently I found a map which shows one of the coolest usage of isochrones out there. Isoscope is a project created at urban mobility class at the University of Applied Sciences in Potsdam. It allows you to pick any point in the world and generate 2 to 10 minutes isochrones for any day of the week. The tool is using the HERE API which allows for calculating areas reachable within a given time automatically (based on historical speed profiles of HERE) and well-known Leaflet Java Script library.


“We wanted our project to shed light on situations when urban mobility is compromised, when the pulse of the city falters, such as during traffic jams,” said Sebastian Kaim, who developed the tool along with Flavio Gortana and Martin von Lupin.

User can play with the tool using this simple menu. Essentially what you can do is to select typical day of the week and travel time distance isochrones. What you get is a set of 24 isolines displayed together for selected points. Now by sliding through hours on the top of the menu you can observe the changes in the traffic flows.

One of the coolest features of the tool is adding isochrones for pedestrians. Now it starts to bring the true value to urban planners. Imagine that using the API we could identify the areas where pedestrian travel time is close to car travel time. Having such an information about your destination would you still choose a car instead of walking?

Source

Mapwheel – beautiful direction table on Kickstarter

By Aleks Buczkowski

Do you remember a MapWheel? It’s an Australian start-up which found an interesting niche. They produce custom-made direction plaque (aka orientation table, toposcope or topograph) that shows the direction and distance from a your chosen home location to your selected points of interest. Everything is done via a web tool which allows users to customise MapWheel by choosing central location, points of interest, materials, fonts and border patterns. The final product is laser engraved and shipped to you worldwide.

MapWheel is now searching for funding on Kickstarter. So if you like the idea please support the project. There are 10 days to go and they’ve collected $8,639 out of $30,000 goal.


What I like about MapWheel is that it’s not a trivial and boring idea. It’s a perfect gift for someone who loves geography and maps. Something personal and useful but at the same time beautiful and smart. Hopefully the project will get funding.

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DesignSense Signs Up CADREBEL.COM as its GeoTools-CADPower distributor in the US

August 26th, 2015: Bangalore-India & San Clementa, CA-USA - DesignSense Software Technologies today officially announces CADREBEL.com as its United States distributor for its CAD products – GeoTools & CADPower.

"Our goal is to make our clients successful by reducing its the cost and complexity of engineering" said Mr. Nainar Ramaswamy, Managing Director of DesignSense Software explaining about the purpose of this software.

CADPower is a general purpose CAD productivity tool that runs on the BricsCAD and AutoCAD platforms. It offers over 250+ tools for productivity and process, ranging from advanced Polyline management, Annotations, Bill of Quantities and Estimation, Reporting, Querying and extracting commonly required information from standard .dwg data.

GeoTools offer CAD tools for the geo-data user, ranging from coordinate annotations, drawing of map grids, coordinate conversion, Civil tools, Google Earth interaction and so on.

“Both products have one single goal in mind – to eliminate difficult, repetitive & boring tasks by automating & packaging them into defined workflows that the software plays out for you” said Rakesh Rao, Chief Architect of the products.

“GeoTools & CADPower offer light-weight, easy to use solutions that complement BricsCAD nicely and extends its power significantly” said Serge Jonnert of CADREBEL. “With a proven history of 16 years in the CAD market, these are established products already and now available on BricsCAD”.

DesignSense Software Technologies:
DesignSense Software Technologies Private Limited is a global software product company engaged in developing solutions for simplifying the entire life-cycle of design and engineering processes.

Its area of interest and domains include AEC & GIS-CAD productivity solutions, Tool Design, mobile/desktop & cloud-driven apps for the design community.

# 282/C, 10th Main, 5th Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru – 560041, India

CADREBEL - TENSEI LLC:
CADREBEL provides affordable desktop, mobile, and cloud based technologies for innovation and design management in AEC, construction, civil, road, landscape, sheet metal, and mechanical design, as well solutions to meet regulatory requirements in medical devices, pharma, aerospace, energy, oil and gas.

Tensei LLC – CADREBEL is the official US distributor for Bricsys products for Southern California, Southern Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Hawaii.

tensei LLC, 15 Calle Almeja, San Clemente, CA 92673, USA


Contact:
Rakesh Rao
Director
DesignSense Software Technologies Private Limited, Bangalore-INDIA
Cell: +91-9243438300 Blog: Smarter .dwg CAD

Source

USGS evaluates Sigma Space’s Single Photon LiDAR as a key technology for its 3D Digital Elevation Program

Sigma Space technology may enable first high-resolution 3D map of the Unites States and the Planet



Through a recent contract awarded to two evaluating companies, the United States Geological Survey has requested from Sigma Space the collection and processing of Single Photon LiDAR (SPL) in a test area in upper Connecticut. SPL is a disruptive LiDAR technology created by Sigma, which enables collection of elevation data at much higher speeds and resolution than conventional LiDAR systems. While SPL is by now a well developed technology in use by the US DoD and in commercial data acquisitions, this is the first attempt by USGS to validate the technology as an enabler for its3DEP program. The 3DEP program by USGS aims to create a comprehensive 3D map of the US. If done at the highest quality level, but using conventional LiDAR technology, such program could cost more than $ 1.5 billion and take 8 years to complete, according to the National Enhanced Elevation Assessment. However using SPL the cost could be reduced by up to a factor of ten and completed in one year.

“The key concept behind the high efficiency of SPL is the ability to use single photons, elementary light particles, to make a range measurement,” explains Dr. Marcos Sirota, CEO of Sigma Space. “Conventional LiDARs use hundreds or thousands of photons per measurement. That is why our system is so much faster. Furthermore, the detector physics and associated electronics enables our system to operate in full daylight, in comparison to other photon-sensitive technologies that can operate only at night,” he added. Also, because SPL uses green laser light it has both topographic and bathymetric capabilities in a single LiDAR.

After receiving the request, and one coordination phone call with USGS and the evaluating companies, Sigma Space personnel were able to collect SPL data for the entire 500 square mile test area in one weekend, with densities in excess of 20 points per square meter. In addition, they simultaneously collected RGB imagery for a large part of the test area at 4 cm resolution, using a MIST camera, courtesy of Visionmap.

SPL technology is also to be proven soon in space. NASA’s ICESat II mission, to be launched in 2017, adopted SPL as the LiDAR technique for its Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter. The primary objective of the mission is to measure polar ice sheet elevation change and sea ice thickness. Sigma provided the timing and on-board processing electronics for the 64 channel, single photon LiDAR system. Sigma also provided the optical assembly for the pointing determination system which tracks the laser and telescope pointing with respect to the star field, in the instrument.

Sigma Space Corporation produces next-generation LiDAR, laser ranging, attitude determination, spectroscopy, radiometry, and optical communication instrumentation for remote sensing and defense applications. Sigma Space offers advanced science, engineering and geospatial data services to private and government clients, including NASA and DoD. www.sigmaspace.com



View source version on businesswire.com:http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150827006044/en/


Contact:
Sigma Space
Natalie Lau, 301-552-6000

Source

AUVSI, CEA: Drone Restrictions Would Hurt Californians, Innovation

The following statement is attributed to Brian Wynne, president and CEO, Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), and Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, regarding the passage of California Senate Bill 142, which would restrict the flight of unmanned aerial systems (UAS):

“California SB 142 is an unnecessary, innovation-stifling and job-killing proposal. As consumers and businesses alike continue to adopt drones for personal and professional use, we agree issues of privacy should be addressed. This legislation, however, is the wrong approach. SB 142 would damage California’s leadership and handcuff innovation, just as this largely California-based and dynamically expanding industry is poised to bring major job growth to the state – adding roughly 18,000 new jobs and more than $14 billion in economic impact in the first decade once federal guidelines are implemented.

“SB 142 may look like a privacy bill, but it would open the door to a new class of frivolous lawsuits in California and create inconsistencies with federal law. The U.S. Supreme Court long ago ruled that property rights do not extend infinitely into the sky. In other words, only the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can regulate airspace; states and municipalities cannot. Additionally, the legislation does not contain any commercial, research or educational exemption – a serious concern as major companies are poised to invest billions in this technology and provide exciting new services to consumers. And the 350-foot flight limit SB 142 would impose is arbitrary, rather than based on the realities of UAS operation.

“Drones hold the power to create new businesses, improve our lives and transform the way we do business. The safe integration of UAS into our transportation system will displace noisy trucks, reduce urban traffic and cut our fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Drones also will allow for game-changing innovations such as the faster delivery of life-saving diagnostics and medicine, improved crop production and efficiency, and safer work environments for those performing building and bridge maintenance.

“The FAA is now developing regulations to incorporate UAS into the national airspace – rules that should arrive very soon. The California State Legislature should not disrupt this process with artificial statutory restrictions while the FAA process moves toward a conclusion. We hope Governor Brown will recognize the overreach of the Legislature and allow this flourishing industry to succeed and thrive in California.”

AUVSI spearheads and CEA is a supporting member of the UAS safety campaign “ Know Before You Fly,” which provides prospective UAS operators with the information and guidance they need to fly safely and responsibly.

About AUVSI: The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International is the world's largest non-profit organization devoted exclusively to advancing the unmanned systems and robotics community. Serving more than 7,500 members from government organizations, industry and academia, AUVSI is committed to fostering, developing, and promoting unmanned systems and robotic technologies. AUVSI members support defense, civil and commercial sectors.

About CEA: The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the technology trade association representing the $285 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative and regulatory advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces CES – The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online at CE.org,InnovationMovement.com and through social media:http://www.ce.org/social.




Contact:

AUVSI
Tom McMahon
571-255-7786
Email Contact
www.auvsi.org
or
CEA
Tyler Suiters
703-907-7654
Email Contact
www.CE.org

Source

Siteco presents its new RoadScanner Compact™ mobile mapper at INTERGEO 2015

Oct. 15-17 2015 - Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH - Messepiazza, 70629 Stuttgart, Germany

28 August, 2015, Bologna, Italy - Siteco Informatica srl will participate at Intergeo, Hall 4, Booth E4.088.

INTERGEO is the leading trade fair for geodesy, geoinformation and land management. It covers a wide variety of fields, ranging from surveying, remote sensing and photogrammetry, to complementary solutions and technologies. It is the ideal meeting point for all those who want to discover the latest innovations, share expertise, offer innovative solutions.

At Intergeo, Siteco will present its product line:

- The ALL-NEW Road-Scanner Compact (RS-C) model, a small but high performance, scalable,fully integrated Mobile Mapping System.

It's the latest model belonging to the Road-Scanner family, the first scalable high performance, fully integrated Mobile Mapping Systems which allows the flexible interchangeable use FARO, Z+F, Riegl and other scanners. Different configurations are available with excellent price/performance ratio.

- The new Road-SIT Survey release that features many improved functions to speed up the drawing of 2D and 3D maps, and a revolutionary philosophy to make every user feel at ease by having the complete control of the geographical context. It's fully compatible with MMS scanners such as Teledyne Optech’s Lynx, Trimble MX series, Topcon IPS-3 and others. This module is part of Siteco's Road-SIT suite that combines in a single work environment, all the features necessary to efficiently manage the information relating to the road network. It provides modules for Roadway and Airport Pavement Management, and comprehensive Asset Management.

We welcome you to attend a live demonstration of our products at Hall 4 Booth E4.088.

For a free ticket, write to sitecoinf@siteconinf.it

http://www.intergeo.de

About Siteco srl- A unit of the Gavio Group, one of Italy’s top industrial groups, Siteco was established in 1995 as a civil engineering infrastructure, software and technical consulting firm. In 2005 they developed the first scalable, high performance fully integrated mobile mapping system and have since then been delivering the most flexible roadway management mobile mappers in price, performance and software flexibility on the market .

Contact Information;

Siteco Informatica S.R.L.
Via della Salute 14 | 40132 Bologna | Italy
Phone: +39051/6414470 | Fax. +39051/400589 | E-Mail: Email Contact

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Trimble Introduces New High-Speed Data Communications Link for Industrial Applications

High-Speed, Wireless Data Link Provides High Level of Performance



Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) introduced today the new Trimble® TMR1 data link, an advanced, software-defined industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio band, networked transceiver providing license-free wireless communications around the world. The TMR1 data link offers dual-frequency operation with 902-928 and 865-870 MHz, available throughput up to 2.6 Mbps, and range as high as 70 miles (approximately 110 kilometers). With the seamless integration of serial and Ethernet, coupled with the high throughput, video can easily be streamed across the data links or sensors such as flowmeters or temperature/pressure gauges can be installed for continuous Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and monitoring applications. The TMR1 data link is ideal for a broad range of industrial control applications including electric utilities, water/wastewater management, machine control for agriculture and construction.

The Trimble TMR1 data link supports both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint network topologies. Unlike the majority of networked radios in the marketplace, the Trimble TMR1 supports multiple speed/modulation pairs within a single network while selecting the optimal speed for each individual remote radio. This unique capability automatically adapts to changing signal and noise levels by selecting the highest link rate/modulation pair maintainable for each individual radio link without forcing the entire network to operate at the speed of the slowest link. This allows the entire network to run at the highest speed possible despite changing noise levels and radio locations.

The Trimble TMR1 data link is equipped with dual data ports for simultaneous communication with both TCP/IP and serial port devices in the same network. An easy-to-use Web interface allows management across the entire network. To secure communications, all links are protected by Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) data encryption, Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) segregation, password authentication and Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology.

“Trimble is committed to developing next-generation, industrial communication products that meet our customer’s needs and provide advanced worksite connectivity options to enhance Trimble’s solutions as well as third-party applications,” said Jess Cobb, business area director for Trimble’s Wireless Infrastructure Group. “The Trimble TMR1 data link is an ideal, secure, high-speed radio transceiver for field operations that can deliver connectivity in the harshest environments, from mines and construction sites to agriculture and oil fields.”

Availability
The new Trimble TMR1 data link is available in a sealed, highly vibration-tolerant enclosure and as a board-level module for system integrators. Both the TMR1 Enclosed and the TMR1 Board Level are available now through Trimble’s Integrated Technologies Wireless Infrastructure international dealer network.

About Trimble Integrated Technologies Division
Trimble’s Integrated Technologies Division is a leading provider of high-precision OEM GNSS modules for positioning and navigation solutions as well as intelligent, robust wireless infrastructure products that serve a broad cross-section of major markets including survey, port automation, autonomous vehicle guidance, marine, agriculture, construction, robotics, mining, utilities and others. Complete, out-of-the-box data transmission products provide simple to deploy, scalable products that add value to businesses, while reducing costs. Easy to integrate radio and high-precision GNSS modules offer OEMs and system integrators the ability to differentiate their products and gain a competitive edge in the marketplace.

For more information, visit: InTech.trimble.com.

About Trimble
Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location—including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.

For more information, visit: www.trimble.com.

Source

Earth Observation Industry, International Financial Institutions and Development Agencies

By Riazuddin Kawsar



This post is to address, Earth Observation Information Services as an assisting mechanism to operatively connect Earth Observation Industry, International Financial Institutions and Development Agencies.

International Financial Institutions (IFI) and Development Agencies (DA):
International financial institutions (IFI) (e.g., World Bank (WB)) are providing financial supports and professional advises for development activities and thus ensuring the processes to accelerate development in developing countries in a self-sustained manner. Besides, Development Agencies/Programs (e.g., UN family) are financed through voluntary contributions, also contributing to the comprehensive development of the developing countries.

IFIs and DAs organise and manage their development activities according to sectors (i.e., guided by economic activities) or Themes (i.e., guided by organizational goals/objectives) (e.g., agriculture, debt management) and we, EO professionals, believe Earth Observation (EO) data and information services can play a major role by supporting the management of development activities across sectors and by contextualizing local learning from global experience. IN this context, the particular advantages of EO are EO Information is globally consistent in nature and the availability of historical EO information that can be compared to the current status.

Earth Observation Industry (EOI):
Earth Observation Industry is a combination of commercial/non-commercial Earth Observation data providers (EODP) (e.g., European Space Agency (ESA)) that are dealing with reception, archiving and distribution of Earth Observation (EO) data and Value Adding Earth Observation Companies (VAEOC) that are turning EO data into information and providing EO Information Services.

EO is such an awesome technology that can deal with almost all kind of development activities very efficiently. For an instance, to plan and manage our water resource, we need to know, globally how much fresh water we have. Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), an EO mission made possible to have an idea of how much ground water we have and how much we are extracting every day that was almost impossible to quantify few years back and that’s something remarkable.

Bridging EOI, IFIs and Das:
EOI is not a new entity anymore then again it’s a very new arena; to some it’s “a computer fantasy that can’t be a real tool for serious work”. The Non-EO people, who have considered EO as a possibility, appreciated it very much and from their exemplary experiences, some others are coming forward.

We, being an EO Professionals and as a stakeholder of EOI, are working across disciplines to ensure effective use of EO data by assisting non-EO people to use EO data efficiently. These have always been a vibrant experience and we love to do it again and again until we all in the same page.

Here, it’s worth to mention that EO data providers (i.e., ESA) have been working last couple of years to encourage EO data use among IFIs and supporting Value Adding EO Companies to assist IFIs with Earth Observation Information Services in their development activities. Besides, the commercial EO data providers like Planet Labs are also coming forward to assist humanitarian efforts.

Conclusion
Now, we have EO data providers, EO service providers and EO aware IFIs but still the assimilation process among EOI, IFIs and DAs is not evident and why is that? The noticeable reason can be: 1) the relatively small number of EO professional in IFIs and DAs, limiting the growth of EO usages. 2) EO data can be considered as Big Data as they comes in different formats and they are huge in size that requires special infrastructure and that is discouraging, in some extent. 3) Lack of necessary EO skilled professionals in the job market, which is the pre-requisite for successful EO integration in IFIs and DAs. Last but not the least 4) Lack of EO awareness, globally.

Source

Water resource managment and Remote Sensing, a prospective issue that requires considerable attention

By Riazuddin Kawsar


Background:
Water Remote sensing is a means of monitoring the water color and temperature, which provides information on the presence and loads of optically active substances in the water and that has hundreds of practical applications in the arena water resource management.

For an example, Surface runoff from agricultural land can carry nutrients (i.e., nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilization of crops) into that water bodies that might cause algal blooms and have the potential to degrade the water quality (i.e., fish kills). Satellite remote sensing derived indicators such as chlorophyll, can monitor that algal bloom thus monitoring water quality in a spatio-temporal fashion.

Incessant pressure on water resource caused by population growth and climate variability is obvious and there is a little quantitative information available to capture the spatial and temporal variability in water quality and quantity and therefore hard to derive efficient and effective water resource management policy.

Water Remote Sensing Applications:
Satellite Remote Sensing (RS) or Earth Observation (EO) can be crucial in understanding the spatio-temporal dynamics of water quantity and quality, which can be used to simulate water resources management scenarios under different water quantity/quality demand and derive effective policy recommendations, accordingly. Besides, EO also can competently assist different phases of water resource management projects’ life-cycle. In this context, Some of the widely used RS techniques are itemed bellow:

Surface Water Quantity: In context of water resource management, one of the key argument is the lack of the ground data, which plays an important role in evaluating the status of water resource and taking useful measures to respond the threat of water scarcity. In this regard, EO can offers standardized and long-term observations to address such challenges.

The EO capability of multi-temporal imaging and satellite imagery based indices (i.e., Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI)), can efficiently identify, map and calculate the total surface area of the water bodies in different seasons (i.e., dry, wet) and by integrating satellite altimetry measurements we can quantify and monitor the water storage change over time.

The Aral Sea was once the world’s fourth-largest lake, but as can be seen in the four satellite images, has decreased in size over the last forty years; Images: USGS, EROS Data Center

Ground water Quantity: For planning and management of our water resource, we need to know, globally how much fresh water we have. Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), an EO mission made possible to have an idea of how much ground water we have and how much we are extracting every day that was almost impossible to quantify few years back.

GRACE continuously measuring the changes in earth’s mass hence gravity that are mainly due to water moving on and under the surface. The negative change in gravity is the indication of losing mass, which means falling water table and by monitoring the changes over time we can estimate the rate of diminishing water table, which has strong water policy implication.

GRACE satellite data showing California’s groundwater depletion in recent years. Image: NASAJPL

Surface Water Quality: Regarding water quality, there are several indicators, which are commonly used to describe and assess the water quality. Such as, water temperature, nutrients presence and abundance, total suspended solid, turbidity, presence of humic substances etc. EO can efficiently communicate with almost all kind of mentioned indicators very efficiently. For an instance, one of the most popular remote sensing based water quality parameters is chlorophyll-a, which can explain the nutrients presence and abundance in the water. Besides, Total Suspended Matter (TSM) concentrations as well as attenuation coefficient (Kd) can be used to measure the water turbidity and Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) can play the proxy role to assess the presence of humic substances in the water.

Multi-temporal analysis of these remote sensing based parameters can provide more deeper understanding of our water quality dynamics or variability over time (i.e., seasonal or long-term). Besides, remote sensing based water quality indicators in combination with land use and other spatial information, we can successfully not only detect the eutrophication sources but also can understand the mechanisms, which are most likely caused by high rate of unmanaged urbanization and intensification of agricultural use of lands surrounding the water bodies which put pressures on the water bodies’ ecosystem.

These images show true-color imagery and water quality (i.e., water clarity) data for Green Bay, Wisconsin during the summer of 2001. (Images courtesy Jonathan Chipman, Center for Limnology and Environmental Remote Sensing Center, University of Wisconsin)

Ground Water Quality: Besides the surface water quality assessment, we also can study ground water quality assessment using remote sensing technologies. For an example, we know groundwater discharge (GD) is a potential source of nutrients and algal bloom, which is an indicator of nutrient release in the water bodies. Now, If we know about the seasonal variability of ground water discharge and if the seasonal algal blooming variability correlates with the GD variability that can be an indicator of groundwater quality.

Water Project Management: EO-based information can be of important in view of implementing, coordinating, and monitoring large-scale water related projects and long term strategic planning (i.e. definition of priority interventions or understanding risks and vulnerabilities etc.). Different EO aided development projects has demonstrated the potentials of EO in water related project management.

For an example conducting projects on cross-boundary or trans-boundary water management issues are always difficult and complex in manner, regarding data collection and harmonization of available datasets where the particular advantage of EO is, EO service Information is globally consistent in nature that can facilitate the comparison capability of spatial facts and figures. Besides, EO based global water quality monitoring can identify where the water quality is deteriorating and requires local monitoring and water management program to tackle local challenges.

Last but not the least, EO also cal play a crucial role in project evaluation or impact assessment. Using EO information service we can very easily measure, either a water quality improvement project has met the goal or not by just analyzing satellite image in no time.

Conclusion:
The possibility of EO can potentially optimize the ground measurements and in such sense EO is simply awesome and can play a crucial role in water resource management but there are several changelings that we need to attain to successfully couple water specialist with EO. It’s obvious that EO information services are not widely used in the water resource management and one of the main reason of freely available EO data been underutilized due to the lack of staff capacity for processing and accessing EO data.

On the other hand the EO professionals’ density in land RS is remarkably higher than Water RS and to make water RS trendy, we should promote Water RS among the EO professionals. Besides, the number of studies/research on water RS or with water RS, are also not that significant, which should be enhanced by funding water RS related projects.

Source

Bluesky Maps Solar Potential of 100,000 Properties

Working with resource efficiency company Sustain, Bluesky has mapped around 100,000 Housing Association properties across the UK, measuring their potential for energy generation from solar panels.

Using a combination of high resolution aerial photography and detailed 3D models, Bluesky can accurately predict the potential for solar energy generation for individual houses based on a number of factors, including roof size and aspect as well as possible interference from neighbouring properties or trees. Sustain uses this information to prepare detailed reports for its Housing Association clients containing cost benefit analysis and, more recently, highlighting potential impact on fuel poverty avoidance.

“By using Bluesky’s solar potential maps, we can assess more properties across wider areas than would otherwise be possible,” commented Matthew Landick, Associate at Sustain. “We can then use this information to identify potential PV installation programmes based on geography, cost, and benefit to the Housing Association or even the resident. In recent projects we have also used this data to assess the impact of a solar installation on fuel poverty avoidance.

“The geographical outputs from Bluesky allow us to create far more interactive and user friendly deliverables for our clients than simply providing figures and spreadsheets, and enable us to analyse and aggregate the results in a more useful way, supporting decision making when taking works forward.”

Bluesky has a unique method of generating solar potential maps, using photogrammetric techniques to accurately measure and record factors that may contribute to the suitability of a property for photovoltaic (a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation) systems. Bluesky calculates the energy potential using high resolution aerial photography combined with 3D models of the earth’s surface to determine the size, aspect and gradient of each roof in the study area. The suitability of each roof is also considered, taking into account sharp angles and other impediments, such as sky lights or dormer windows. Potential obstructions, such as nearby buildings or trees, can also be identified and mapped. This data is combined with a given panel size to determine the number of potential panels and an estimate of solar irradiation.

Using the Bluesky generated measurements, Sustain calculate the potential yield of each property based on the number of panels, provided by Bluesky, and the recorded roof aspect and slope. The algorithms used by Sustain also take into account the location of the property to normalise the calculation from optimum or maximum to a realistic ‘expected’ or average yield.

Contacts:
Reader enquiries to Bluesky on tel +44 (0)1530 518 518

www.bluesky-world.com

Source

Commercial UAV Expo Issues Report on UAVs and Construction

Free Report Provides Insight from Leading Firms on the Value of UAVs for Construction Projects




The organizers of Commercial UAV Expo today announced the release of their most recent report, titled “Progressive Construction Firms Mobilize to Put UAVs to Work.” This free report provides key insights into how UAV technology is being implemented to improve efficiency, production and safety in construction projects. The complete report is available for download here.

The report comes as a result of increased demand from the construction industry for more information on implementing drone technology in construction projects. To date, more than 1,000 Section 333 exemptions have been granted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for operating commercial drones. Many of these exemptions are for construction related applications such as aerial surveying, construction site inspection and monitoring, aerial photography and 3D mapping.

In advance of Commercial UAV Expo, which will take place October 5-7, 2015 in Las Vegas, the report will delve into how industry leaders from leading firms including AECOM, Barrick Gold and DPR Construction are using UAV technology, where they are finding the greatest benefits from it, and how the value of UAVs data gathering solutions will grow in the near future.

Jon Amdur, Vice President and Program Manager for AECOM’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (DCS Division), Iain Allen, Barrick Gold’s Senior Manager of GIS and Scott Widman, Project Manager at DPR were interviewed for the report. Jon Amdur and Ian Allen are on the Commercial UAV Expo Advisory Board and will be chairing sessions at the event. Scott Widman will be speaking in two sessions at Commercial UAV Expo, “Reality Capture in Construction – Drone Data” and “Insurance Considerations.”

About Commercial UAV Expo
Commercial UAV Expo is a conference and exhibition exclusively focused on the commercial sUAS (small Unmanned Aerial Systems) market in North America covering industries including Surveying & Mapping; Civil Infrastructure; Mining; Construction; Process, Power & Utilities; Precision Agriculture; Law Enforcement, Security and Search & Rescue (SAR). Registration is available online now. Prices increase September 15. UAV professionals are encouraged to register early for the best rates.

Commercial UAV Expo is organized by SPAR Point Group, a leading organizer of conferences and trade shows with 15 years in the geospatial arena, including SPAR 3D Expo & Conference and International LiDAR Mapping Forum. SPAR Point Group is wholly-owned by Diversified Communications. Commercial UAV Expo will take place October 5-7, 2015 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.


Contact:
Lee Corkhill
207-842-5520
Email Contact

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Geography & Journalism : “40 Maps that explain our world”

By Muthukumar Kumar

Maps were perhaps the first drawings that humans drew on the sands of time but it is amazing to notice that maps still hold a very special place in our digital world as well. Maps for representing billionaires on the planet, Maps for showing the internet network, Maps here and Maps there! It is amazing to see the recent trend of representation almost all information in the form of a Map!

The Internet is full of these “fun to look and discuss” maps and we at Geoawesomeness covered some of these interesting and “sometimes” controversial maps that were making waves on the Internet like the “Stereotype Map“, “Emotions Map” and so on. A Staff at the WashingtonPostdecided to something more than that, he made a list of 40 Maps that explain our world. Surely the journalists’ these days love the concept of maps! If this trend continues, a degree in cartography could help you get a job at the media.

Guessing what these “40 Maps” could be about? Well, I’ll let you experience the list firsthand and would be interesting to hear what your favourite map was and if you agree with the list? Whether you agree with the information in the map is a different story altogether, I don’t agree with some of the representation the maps are depicting. Oops Spoiler Alert! Let me hold my thoughts right there!

Here’s my favourite map in the list – “Writing systems map of the world”. There is something amazing about this map! If you consider the population of the world and this map together, it is amazing to see that the most diverse place on the planet happens to be the most populous part of this little blue ball that is circling the sun! Coincidence or a little bit more than that, could be an interesting piece of research!

It’s such a diverse world out there!

What do you think? Let us know! Here’s the link to the article . 40 Maps that explain our world: bringing together geography & journalism!

Source: Washingtonpost

Map of every fossil found in the U.S.

By Aleks Buczkowski


Probability of finding a fossil in the stone is quite low. Especially if you don’t know where to do it.Cason Clagg – software developer and a fossil fanatic from Oklahoma decided to address this problem.

Cason gathered data about location of all fossil discoveries across the US from Paleobiology Database – a nonprofit public record maintained by hundreds of scientists across the world. Than using Processing 3.0 and geojson files he pinpointed each location on a map which he named “United States of Fossiliferousness”.

The interpretation of the map is quite straightforward. Brighter dots or larger circles show places that are richer in fossils. The map is beautiful but it’s usability is quite low. The scale to small so it won’t help you to identify the exact location of each fossil site. The next step is an app so that discovering fossil sites would be easier. Casos is working on it right now.

Different color versions of the map are available here.

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TerraGo Edge® Combines Smart Forms and Advanced GPS to Improve the Speed and Quality of Mobile Data Collection

Version 3.7 includes new intelligent, responsive forms that dramatically improve the speed, quality and efficiency of asset inspections, land surveys and any location-based data collection project




TerraGo, a pioneer of geospatial collaboration and enterprise mobility software, announces the availability of TerraGo Edge 3.7, which features smart forms as well as new GPS features and GIS enhancements.

TerraGo Edge smart forms can dramatically accelerate the data collection process by automating and accelerating user entries while also eliminating any unnecessary or redundant steps. Smart forms can be completely customized to meet the unique workflow requirements of customers in any industry.

TerraGo Edge delivers the best of both worlds to field operations and GIS departments with its open platform design and integration. With the GIS and GPS enhancements in TerraGo Edge version 3.7, field project teams can rapidly collect data with intelligent, user-defined forms, survey-grade accuracy, and custom basemaps, including real-time, cm-level accuracy and ArcGIS® Online custom basemaps.

New features in version 3.7 include:

• Form groups – new form element to organize multiple related fields
• Conditional fields – new attribute for radio button, combo or checkbox so additional fields appear based on user entry
• Barcode and QR code support – instantly scans standard codes and eliminates manual entry
• Repeating fields and groups – new attribute to dynamically “add another row”
• Expand/collapse – new feature to expand or collapse all groups and repeating fields
• Calculated fields – new form element to define a calculated result using other form field values
• Multiple form attachments – ability to attach two or more forms to a single Note
• High Accuracy CHC GPS integration – X20i (Sub-foot (30 cm)), X91i (Centimeter (8mm))
• Esri® ArcGIS® Online enhancements - access to custom maps

“TerraGo Edge’s new smart forms do much more than just transition data entry from pen and paper to mobile devices with advanced features that improve worker productivity, and make data collection faster and more accurate,” said Dave Basil, VP of Products and Services at TerraGo. “Our new mobile form design takes full advantage of the mobile interface to reimagine and reinvent the field user experience for data collection.”

Try the TerraGo Edge iOS or Android app for free.

Learn more about the latest enhancements in the upcoming webinar on September 15, 2015 at 12:00 PM ET. Register Now.

All product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About TerraGo
TerraGo develops software applications and mobile apps that make it easy for our customers to collect data, share information and work together anywhere, any time. From sharing feature-rich maps and imagery to deploying on-demand apps for a mobile workforce, TerraGo builds intuitive products that enable collaboration from any place on the planet.

Founded in 2005, TerraGo invented the industry’s most widely adopted geospatial collaboration technology with its innovative GeoPDF products and is revolutionizing field data collection with its TerraGo Edge mobile platform.

TerraGo’s customers include the world’s leading defense and intelligence departments, government agencies, non-profits and commercial enterprises in every industry, with over 2,000 global customers based in over 70 countries and all 50 US states.

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New Maptek laser scanners boost underground survey

Underground mine operators can improve site safety and survey productivity with recent releases from Maptek.

The updated I-Site 8200 laser scanners feature new tools and compatibility with Maptek Sentry surface tracking and Drive continuous survey systems.

The I-Site 8200SR is a fast and accurate solution for cavity surveys. A carbon fibre boom extends up to 10 metres into a tunnel or over a void. The 500-metre range scanner can also be used for surface applications such as stockpile, shed and silo scanning.

The I-Site 8200ER has a longer range at 750 metres and provides the best outcomes for mapping underground drives and tunnels as well as surface stockpiles.

A new backsight workflow allows survey resection by triangulating three coordinated targets to find the current real world position of the scanner.

Maptek Managing Director and chief executive of global operations Peter Johnson said making Sentry compatible with the latest I-Site laser scanners means more mining operations can benefit from the system.

‘Sentry combines laser scan data with sophisticated software to track and analyse surface movement over time. Any movement can potentially lead to failures, so early warning is vital.’

‘Researching ways that Sentry could function in low light led to development of an intensity-based grayscale image,’ Johnson said.

‘This benefits our underground customers as well as improving visibility for open pit applications at night.’

‘A great feature of Sentry is it provides absolute tracking. You can take the scanner away to perform another task and return it to the Sentry setup without having to start measuring from scratch,’ he said.

The Sentry update includes a rollback feature for easier data analysis, as well as translation and other enhancements.

The I-Site 8200 series laser scanners are also compatible with I-Site Drivefor continuously surveying from a moving vehicle.

Johnson said I-Site scanners helped with site safety through Sentry as well as providing conformance reporting using I-Site Studio, Drive and PerfectDig. Laser scanning provides a flexible solution for general survey and volumetric tasks, and the point cloud data can be used in geological face mapping and geotechnical analysis.

The I-Site 8200SR and I-Site 8200ER are available now.

About Maptek
Founded more than 30 years ago, Maptek™ is a leading provider of innovative software, hardware and services for global mining. Maptek solutions are used at more than 1700 sites in 75 countries, with applications across the mining cycle. Maptek develops industry-leading software Vulcan™, Eureka™, Evolution and BlastLogic™ for mine evaluation, planning, design, scheduling, operation and rehabilitation. I-Site™ is integrated hardware and software for 3D laser scanning, surveying and imaging. The spatial data collected can be used for geotechnical analysis, stockpile measurement, design conformance and movement tracking supported by software systems I-Site Studio, Drive, PerfectDig™ and Sentry.

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The University of Oklahoma Libraries Launches NavApp to Provide Mobile Indoor Navigation and Content for More Than One Million Visits Annually

Mobile App Uses Aruba Beacons and Meridian App Platform to Give Students, Faculty and Visitors Turn-by-Turn Navigation and Collaborative Content for the OU Libraries System




Aruba Networks, an HP company, (NYSE: HPQ) today announced that the University of Oklahoma (OU) has deployed Aruba Beacons and the Aruba Meridian Mobile App Platform to deliver a new mobile app that helps students, faculty and visitors navigate the OU Libraries, exhibits and other Norman Campus landmarks. The OU NavApp provides turn-by-turn directions and location-based and educational content for more than one million visits annually.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here:http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150825005485/en/

Based on Aruba's Meridian Mobile App Platform, the OU NavApp gives students, faculty and visitors access to collaborative content for the OU Libraries system. (Photo: Business Wire)

Following a successful proof of concept in the library’s Peggy V. Helmerich Collaborative Learning Center – a unique and popular technology space OU created – the University decided to expand its deployment to its entire seven-floor, 400,000 square foot OU Libraries system as well as other highly-visited attractions on campus including The National Weather Center, Fred Jones Museum and Sam Noble Natural History Museum.

The OU Libraries is the largest research library in the state of Oklahoma, has been featured in U.S. News & World Report as one of the most beautiful, historic campus libraries in the country and is renowned for its rich portfolio of historical books and special history of science collections. In addition to providing traditional library services to students and faculty, OU’s Bizzell Memorial Library is the site of a Galileo’s World exhibit that begins August 2015 and runs through 2016. The OU Bizzell Library was chosen to host this exhibit, as it possesses a complete and rare set of first edition Galileo publications from 16th century Italy, some of which even contain Galileo’s own handwriting in the margins.

With its extensive collections including 17,000 linear feet of manuscripts and archives, more than one million photographs and more than a million maps, as well as its unique collaborative learning center, the OU Libraries is a popular destination for students, faculty and visitors. However, as Matthew Cook, Emerging Technologies Librarian for OU explained, it can be complicated to navigate.

“It's an intimidating building, especially for first-time users, which include many of our incoming freshmen, and it’s a bit obscure. The resources and services are not immediately apparent when you walk in the front door,” Cook said. “With the beacons and mobile app, we can now leverage the technology that’s already in our freshmen’s pockets – their mobile devices – to combine the offline and online experience and guide them between resources. Essentially, these solutions let us tap into and better serve the needs of this growing #GenMobile generation of user.”

OU deployed Aruba Beacons and used the Meridian Mobile App Platform to design their interactive, feature-rich NavApp, which is available for both Android and iOS. Cook explained that when users who have downloaded the app enter the OU Libraries system, their experience is truly transformed. The app is organized by type of user – student, faculty or visitor – so that users can quickly and easily find the information and resources most relevant to them.

The app provides a map and turn-by-turn navigation for every publicly accessible area along with all of the physical resources, so users can easily find their way through the buildings and locate resources, gallery exhibits, restrooms and elevators. Cook noted that OU relies on the accessibility features built into the Meridian Mobile App Platform so they can provide users with disabilities the easiest route to elevators, for example, or during a storm, guide students using the library to the safest location. Said Cook, “Beyond the obvious convenience and efficiency the app brings our users, there’s a safety and security element as well.”

“We have the content in place and the navigation is working beautifully,” said Cook. “Now we need to monitor the number of users downloading the app to determine how successful it is, ultimately, and how much further we can expand the deployment.”

Click here for a video of the OU Libraries NavApp in action:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTpuYP1of1I

About Aruba Networks, an HP company

Aruba Networks, an HP company, is a leading provider of next-generation network access solutions for the mobile enterprise. The company designs and delivers Mobility-Defined Networks that empower IT departments and #GenMobile, a new generation of tech-savvy users who rely on their mobile devices for every aspect of work and personal communication. To create a mobility experience that #GenMobile and IT can rely upon, Aruba Mobility-Defined Networks™ automate infrastructure-wide performance optimization and trigger security actions that used to require manual IT intervention. The results are dramatically improved productivity and lower operational costs.

To learn more, visit Aruba at http://www.arubanetworks.com. For real-time news updates follow Aruba on Twitter and Facebook , and for the latest technical discussions on mobility and Aruba products visit Airheads Social athttp://community.arubanetworks.com .




© 2015 Aruba Networks, an HP company. Aruba Networks’ trademarks include Aruba Networks®, Aruba The Mobile Edge Company® (stylized), Aruba Mobility-Defined Networks™, Aruba Mobility Management System®, People Move Networks Must Follow®, Mobile Edge Architecture®, RFProtect®, Green Island®, ETips®, ClientMatch®, Virtual Intranet AccessTM, ClearPass Access Management SystemsTM, Aruba InstantTM, ArubaOSTM, xSecTM, ServiceEdgeTM, Aruba ClearPass Access Management SystemTM, AirmeshTM, AirWaveTM, Aruba CentralTM, and ARUBA@WORKTM. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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Trimble Takes Flight with New Multirotor Unmanned Aircraft System

Latest Addition to UAS Portfolio Makes Working in Tight Spaces Easy



Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) announced today the ZX5 Multirotor Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), a new aerial imaging and workflow solution that captures and processes geo-referenced photo and video data for mapping, agriculture and inspection applications. The Trimble® ZX5 complements the UAS portfolio with the ability to reach smaller, remote environments faster, while providing accurate mapping data for improved productivity in the field and back office.


"Unmanned aerial systems are powerful tools that are transforming geospatial-based mapping and inspection applications to positively impact our world," said Todd Steiner, product marketing director in Trimble's Geospatial Division. "Adding a multirotor solution to our portfolio provides options for our customers working across multiple environments to collect accurate spatial data, transform it to intelligence and create deliverables."

With the ZX5, Trimble extends its unmanned aerial portfolio to include both fixed-wing and multirotor solutions, providing customers with a choice to meet their specific requirements. Trimble's fixed-wing UX5 provides longer flight capabilities for large, open environments including farms, mines, canals, flood areas and forests – while the ZX5 is more suited for mapping smaller sites, including facades, obstructed areas, construction sites and standard aerial mapping applications.

The ZX5 Multirotor is built for everyday jobs where image capture from tight spaces is common. Its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities allow users to work in tight places and obstructed environments where fixed-wing solutions are less suitable. It requires no launcher, is easy to assemble and includes everything needed to capture high-quality geo-referenced photos for aerial mapping and inspection applications.

The ZX5 includes a 16 megapixel camera to capture high-quality aerial imagery, down to 1 mm ground sample distance. The ZX5 also can be equipped to capture live video imagery for civil infrastructure, utility and oil and gas pipeline inspections.

Data captured by the ZX5 can be imported into Trimble Business Center Photogrammetry Module software to create detailed ortho-photos, digital elevation models, point clouds, volume calculations and 3D models, all without requiring specialized photogrammetry knowledge or experience. It also integrates with Trimble's state-of-the-art Inpho® UASMaster module for advanced photogrammetric processing.

In addition, the Trimble ZX5 has been granted a Section 333 exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Training Partner
Trimble also selected Juniper Unmanned as an official training services provider for Trimble's UAS products. In this role, Juniper will provide classroom and field training for Trimble UAS customers worldwide.

Availability
The ZX5 is available now through Trimble's Geospatial Distribution Channel. To learn more about Trimble's portfolio of unmanned aerial solutions, visit: http://uas.trimble.com.

About Trimble's Geospatial Division
Trimble's Geospatial Division provides solutions that facilitate high-quality, productive workflows and information exchange, driving value for a global and diverse customer base of surveyors, engineering and GIS service companies, governments, utilities and transportation authorities. Trimble's innovative technologies include integrated sensors, field applications, real-time communications, field-to-office processing and software for modeling and data analytics. Using Trimble solutions organizations capture the most accurate spatial data and transform it into intelligence to deliver increased productivity and improved decision-making. Whether it's more efficient use of natural resources or extending the life of civil infrastructure, reliable information is at the core of Trimble's solutions to transform the way work is done.

For more information, visit:https://www.trimble.com/Industries/Geospatial/index.aspx.

About Trimble
Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location—including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.

For more information, visit: www.trimble.com.

GTRMB


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Image Classification Techniques in Remote Sensing

What is Image Classification in Remote Sensing?
Digital image classification techniques group pixels to represent land cover features. Land cover could be forested, urban, agricultural and other types of features. There are three main image classification techniques.

Image Classification Techniques in Remote Sensing:

• Unsupervised image classification
• Supervised image classification
• Object-based image analysis

Pixels are the smallest unit represented in an image. Image classification uses the reflectance statistics for individual pixels. Unsupervised and supervised image classification techniques are the two most common approaches. However, object-based classification has been breaking more ground as of late.

What is the difference between supervised and unsupervised classification?
Unsupervised Classification

Unsupervised Classification Example

Pixels are grouped based on the reflectance properties of pixels. These groupings are called “clusters”. The user identifies the number of clusters to generate and which bands to use. With this information, the image classification software generates clusters. There are different image clustering algorithms such as K-means and ISODATA.

The user manually identifies each cluster with land cover classes. It’s often the case that multiple clusters represent a single land cover class. The user merges clusters into a land cover type. The unsupervised classification image classification technique is commonly used when no sample sites exist.

Unsupervised Classification Steps:

• Generate clusters
• Assign classes

Unsupervised Classification Diagram

Supervised Classification

Supervised Classification Example: IKONOS

The user selects representative samples for each land cover class in the digital image. These sample land cover classes are called “training sites”. The image classification software uses the training sites to identify the land cover classes in the entire image.

The classification of land cover is based on the spectral signature defined in the training set. The digital image classification software determines each class on what it resembles most in the training set. The common supervised classification algorithms are maximum likelihood and minimum-distance classification.

Supervised Classification Steps:

• Select training areas
• Generate signature file
• Classify

Supervised Classification Diagram

Object-Based (or Object-Oriented) Image Analysis Classification

Object-based Classification

Traditional pixel-based processing generates square classified pixels. Object-based image classification is very different in that it generates objects of different shape and scale. This process is calledmulti-resolution segmentation.

Multiresolution segmentation produces homogenous image objects by grouping pixels. Objects are generated with different scales in an image simultaneously. These objects are more meaningful than the tradional pixel-based segmentation because they can be classified based on texture, context and geometry.

Object-based image analysis supports the use of multiple bands for multiresolution segmentation and classification. For example, infrared, elevation or existing shape files can simultaneously be used to classify image objects. Multiple layers can have context with each other. This context comes in the form of neighborhood relationships, proximity and distance between layers.

Nearest neighbor (NN) classification is similar to supervised classification. After multi-resolution segmentation, the user identifies sample sites for each land cover class. The statistics to classify image objects are defined. The object based image analysis software then classifies objects based on their resemblance to the training sites and the statistics defined.

Object-Based Classification Diagram

Object-Based Nearest Neighbor Classification Steps:

• Perform multiresolution segmentation
• Select training areas
• Define statistics
• Classify
• Remote Sensing Data Trends

In 1972, the Landsat mission was first launched. The Landsat mission measured the Earth reflectance. Satellite image classification was done using the reflectance statistics for individual pixels. Unsupervised and supervised classification were the two image classification techniques available in the 1970’s.

Object-based image analysis is a growing method for image classification in digital image processing.

Image Classification Timeline

Over the years, there has been a growing demand for remotely-sensed data. Specific objects of interest are being monitored with earth observation data. Examples include food security, environmental concerns, public safety and more. In the most part, the data acquisition is from satellites and aerial photography. The new market of satellite imagery is aiming at higher spatial resolution at a wider range of frequencies.

Remote Sensing Data Trends:

• More ubiquitous
• Higher spatial resolution
• Wider range of frequencies

This improvement in the quality of remotely-sensed data does not guarantee more accurate feature extraction. The image classification techniques used are a very important factor for better accuracy.

Remote Sensing Trends

Selection of Image Classification Techniques

Water Object-Based Image Classification

Let’s say water is the feature that wants to be extracted from a high spatial resolution digital image. A user may decide to choose all blue pixels in that image. But other pixels in the image may be mistakenly classified as water. This is the reason why unsupervised and supervised image classification has a salt and pepper look.

Humans naturally aggregate spatial information into groups. Multiresolution segmentation does this task by grouping homogenous pixels into objects. Water features are easily recognizable after multiresolution segmentation. This is how humans visualize spatial features.

• When should pixel-based (unsupervised and supervised classification) be used?
• When should object-based classification be used?

The spatial resolution of the imagery is an important factor when selecting image classification techniques. (Object based image analysis for remote sensing)

Low – medium spatial resolution: Pixels and objects are similar in scale. Traditional pixel-based and object-based image classification techniques perform well.

High spatial resolution: Objects are made up of several pixels. In this case, object-based image analysis is superior to traditional pixel based classification.

Spatial Resolution: Low | Medium | High

Image Classification Techniques Selection

• High resolution = Object-Based
• Medium/low resolution = Object-based/pixel-based

Unsupervised vs Supervised vs Object-Based Land Cover Classification Accuracy Case Study

Image Classification Techniques Accuracy Assessment

A case study from the University of Arkansas comparedobject-based vs pixel-based classification. Color infrared high spatial resolution aerial imagery and medium-spatial resolution satellite imagery was used.

Overall, object-based classification outperformed both unsupervised and supervised pixel-based classification methods in this study. The higher accuracy was attributed to the fact that object-based image classification took advantage of both spectral and contextual information in the remotely sensed imagery. This study is a good example of some of the limitations of pixel-based image classification techniques.

Growth of Object-Based Classification
There has been much growth in the advancements in technology and the availability of high spatial resolution imagery. But image classification techniques should be taken into consideration as well. The spotlight is shining on the object-based image analysis to deliver quality products.

According to Google Scholar’s search results, all image classification techniques have shown steady growth in the number of publications. Recently, object based classification has shown much growth.

This graph displays Google Scholar’s yearly search results using the “AllinTitle:” search phrase.

The Growth of Image Classification Techniques for Publications

If you enjoyed this guide to image classification techniques, I recommend that you download the remote sensing image classification infographic.

References:
1. Blaschke T, 2010. Object based image analysis for remote sensing. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 65 (2010) 2–16
2. Object-Based Classification vs Pixel-Based Classification: Comparitive Importance of Multi-Resolution Imagery (Robert C. Weih, Jr. and Norman D. Riggan, Jr.)
3. Multiresolution Segmentation: an optimization approach for high quality multi-scale image segmentation (Martin Baatz & Arno Schape)
4. Trimble eCognition Developer: http://www.ecognition.com

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