Multi-dimensional modelling for the national mapping agency: a discussion of initial ideas, considerations, and challenges

The Ordnance Survey, the National Mapping Agency (NMA) for Great Britain, has recently begun to research the possible extension of its 2-dimensional geographic information into a multi-dimensional environment. Such a move creates a number of data creation and storage issues which the NMA must consider. Many of these issues are highly relevant to all NMA’s and their customers alike, and are presented and explored here. This paper offers a discussion of initial considerations which NMA’s face in the creation of multi-dimensional datasets. Such issues include assessing which objects should be mapped in 3 dimensions by a National Mapping Agency, what should be sensibly represented dynamically, and whether resolution of multi-dimensional models should change over space. This paper also offers some preliminary suggestions for the optimal creation method for any future enhanced national height model for the Ordnance Survey. This discussion includes examples of problem areas and issues in both the extraction of 3-D data and in the topological reconstruction of such. 3-D feature extraction is not a new problem. However, the degree of automation which may be achieved and the suitability of current techniques for NMA’s remains a largely unchartered research area, which this research aims to tackle. The issues presented in this paper require immediate research, and if solved adequately would mark a cartographic paradigm shift in the communication of geographic information – and could signify the beginning of the way in which NMA’s both present and interact with their customers in the future

Manual for CEMS-Rapid Mapping Products: Valid for the portfolio since April 2019, status 31 August 2020

This Manual provides guidance on the use and interpretation of products delivered by the Rapid Mapping service. Rapid Mapping is a module of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) - one of the six core services of the European Union’s Earth observation programme Copernicus. The JRC is responsible for CEMS and implementing a part of it through service contracts with European industry and academia. Rapid Mapping is one of the two modules under CEMS’ Mapping component, which delivers on-demand geospatial information derived from remote sensing data to support emergencies that require an immediate response. Rapid Mapping in particular provides in rush mode (24/7) geospatial information on the impact of a selected disaster anywhere in the world from optical and radar satellite images (typically at resolutions <10m). It can be directly triggered by the so-called authorised users in the European Member States and other countries participating in the European Civil Protection Mechanism (one authorised user per country, typically the civil protection authority) through DG ECHO’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre in Brussels. Not authorised users can activate the service through an authorised user. This manual is the reference document to which any user should refer for handling Rapid Mapping products. The product delivery package of Rapid Mapping contains a series of ready-to-print maps and a vector data package. This manual gives a detailed overview of the product characteristics, describing hence the ready-to-print maps and the vector data package. The document is an updated and extended version of the “Product User Manual of Copernicus EMS Rapid Mapping” (Dorati et al., 2018) and reflects changes which were introduced in the product portfolio in April 2019. The initial version was extended to increase transparency and usability of the products. Added were sections on e.g. ready-to-print maps, quality control, product releases. The content of this manual is also available online at https://emergency.copernicus.eu/mapping/ems/online-manual-rapid-mapping-products. This technical report reflects the status as of 31 August 2020. The online manual is updated regularly whenever minor revisions are made. New versions of this technical report will be issued only in case there are major changes to the portfolio.JRC.E.1-Disaster Risk Managemen