GIS

Doing Business – Data Irregularities Statement

The World Bank Group has issued the following statement on August 27, 2020 on the Doing Business Report:

Over the 17 years of its existence, the Doing Business report has been a valued tool for countries seeking to measure costs of doing business. Doing Business indicators and methodology are designed with no single country in mind, but rather to help to improve the overall business climate.

A number of irregularities have been reported regarding changes to the data in the Doing Business 2018 and Doing Business 2020 reports, published in October 2017 and 2019. The changes in the data were inconsistent with the Doing Business methodology.

The integrity and impartiality of our data and analysis is paramount and so we are immediately taking the following actions:

• We are conducting a systematic review and assessment of data changes that occurred subsequent to the institutional data review process for the last five Doing Business reports.

• We have asked the World Bank Group’s independent Internal Audit function to perform an audit of the processes for data collection and review for Doing Business and the controls to safeguard data integrity.

We will act based on the findings and will retrospectively correct the data of countries that were most affected by the irregularities.

The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank has been briefed on the situation as have the authorities of the countries that were most affected by the data irregularities.

The publication of the Doing Business report will be paused as we conduct our assessment. www.worldbank.org

AerialSphere launches nextgen mapping technology

AerialSphere have launched XP360 web application and API, which creates an online home search experience that is transforming the residential real estate market – enabling agents to better attract and engage clients with the latest in mapping technology. XP360 features a simple, user-friendly interface that empowers brokers and agents to add a new level of interactivity in home searches that goes way beyond traditional aerial views of homes. It gives prospective home buyers the ability to see homes, neighborhoods, schools and other points of interest. https://aerialsphere.com.

R&D agreement with the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network

HS2 Ltd has has signed an agreement with leading railway research centres in UK universities that will enable it to access world-leading research capabilities, knowledge and facilities. The agreement with the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) will enable HS2 Ltd to be at the forefront of innovation in the rail sector. The first project under the new agreement will be led by the University of Birmingham and will use simulation models to improve understanding of the performance of expansion joints used on high-speed rails. www.hs2.org.uk/

3D maps now with Velodyne Lidar

Velodyne Lidar, Inc. has announced Kaarta Cloud® which exclusively supports Velodyne’s lidar sensors. The new cloud-based application is a platform to process, store, and share 3D spaces. Paired with high quality lidar to capture the environment in 3D, the data is uploaded into cloud to quickly and easily process it into a point cloud for use.

Mobile scanning systems are continually advancing and the possibilities for use are expansive. There is growing interest in lidar imaging for post-earthquake assessment, surveys of damaged buildings, aiding first responders in emergency situations and more. https://velodynelidar.com.