GIS

INDUSTRY | LBS | GPS | GIS | REMOTE SENSING | GALILEO UPDATE

 

UN proposes global geospatial information mechanism

“There is general agreement of an urgent need for an inter-government consultative mechanism that can play a leadership role in setting the agenda for the development of global geospatial information, and to promote its use to address key global challenges; to liaise and coordinate among member states, and between member states and international organizations,” according to a statement by the United Nations (UN). During a meeting on Global Geospatial Information Management (GGIM), Cochair Hiroshi Murakami said while there are various international organisations that have been working on geospatial information, the UN feels that there is a need for an official mechanism that would link the outcomes of such organisations to specific policy decisions and actions of member states.

www.futuregov.asia

US appoints 15 geospatial advisors

The US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar appointed 15 individuals to serve as members of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC) for 3 years. They are Dick Clark, State of Montana; Jack Dangermond, ESRI; Dr. Jerry Johnston, US Environmental Protection Agency; Anne Hale Miglarese, Booz Allen Hamilton; and Matt O’Connell, GeoEye ; Joanne Irene Gabrynowicz, University of Mississippi; Laurie Kurilla, Ventura County, CA; Dr. E. Donald McKay, State of Illinois; Dr. Timothy Nyerges, University of Washington; Pat Olson, Aero-Metric, Inc.; Mark Reichardt, Open Geospatial Consortium; Anthony Spicci, State of Missouri; Gary Thompson, State of North Carolina; Gene Trobia, State of Arizona; and David Wyatt, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

www.doi.gov

USDA unveils rural mapping Atlas

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is giving citizens a new way to access a host of county-level data. The Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America is an online mapping tool that captures more than 60 statistical indicators encompassing demographic, economic and agricultural data from across the U.S. By releasing the county-level data, the USDA hopes to spur additional economic development.

http://iowaindependent.com

Israel weighing Street View benefits despite security concerns

While Google’s Street View map service has sparked privacy debates around the globe, in Israel, government officials are worried that the service could endanger public figures by giving terrorists detailed information that could be used in carrying out attacks. Israel is weighing whether to allow Google to photograph Israeli cities to promote tourist sites despite risks to privacy and safety.

www.latimes.com

Karnataka to map government schools

The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in Indian State of Karnataka will use GIS to map about 74,000 government schools in the state. The project also includes a web-based application for accessing the district information system of schools education (DISE) database and the integrated database of schools. DNA India

Ground mapping for Chinese Army

People’s Liberation Army (PLA), China, got a new digital ground mapping information system to make battlefield visible and transparent. The system is made up of several mobile shelters including mapping, environmental simulation and satellite positioning. It can display not only 3-D geographic information, but real-time track. It can also display the dynamic positions of the troops and main battle equipment.

www.defpro.com

Mapping telecom dept’s land assets

The Indian telecom department will soon start mapping of the land assets directly under its custody and those transferred to its constituents like Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), Telecom Consultants India Ltd (TCIL) and ITI Ltd. This mapping of the department’s land assets will also include the government land holdings in Tata Communications and details of all commercial premises, heritage buildings and land belonging to the telecom department that is disputed or encroached. Economic Times Road maintenance in Assam, India Indian State of Assam is planning to set up a GIS-based road asset management system by 2012 to streamline the maintenance of road network in the state. The state government will have to incorporate the system as part of its plan to improve nearly 800 km of state roads to obtain the USD 200 million loan from the World Bank.

www.telegraphindia.com

Digital maps in census in Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s Planning Minister AK Khandker has said that digital maps for each and every moujas (an administrative unit) and areas have been prepared for the first time through aerial photography to bring accuracy in the upcoming Population and Housing Census-2011 to be held next month. The Planning Minister said that all the necessary preparations have been taken this time to successfully hold the census overcoming the shortcomings of the previous censuses. This will be the 5th census in the country after the last census was held in 2001.

www.unpan.org

Delhi Metro’s airport corridor mapped on GIS

The Delhi Metro’s showcase Airport Express Corridor, connecting the Indira Gandhi International Airport to the heart of the city, was rolled out for the public recently. This will be the first line in the country to be mapped on GIS to enhance safety, maintenance and traffic regulation. Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Limited, the company operating the line, has mapped all the emergency services, including fire stations, police stations, hospitals etc along the alignment.

www.thehindu.com