Aerial Mapping 101

Explaining the basics of aerial mapping and surveying

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Charting Electricity Grids with Topographic Mapping

Power poles, cables and wires weave such complex webs through cities, towns and suburbs that it’s almost impossible to track them all down visually on the ground. City planners and officials plus power companies know they need an accurate map of their community’s energy grid before construction or maintenance projects can be started. Fortunately, topographic mapping services can provide this important information.

The vast scope of electricity grids makes spotting potential hazards to power lines from the ground prohibitive. Power lines and transmissions can be damaged by encroaching vegetation such as nearby growing trees or vines, causing interruptions in electricity service. By using cameras and sensory equipment from the air, it is possible for aerial surveyors to spot out vegetation near electric power lines and create vegetation clearance reports. Trees and plants that are endangering power lines can then be trimmed or removed before they pose a problem.

Topographic mapping services can also assist planners when it comes time to build new transmission lines. Since many power lines run alongside streets, charting the paths of these roads will let planners know where to place the lines. Also, topographic surveys can map and determine the height of buildings, so lines will be able to avoid running into structures. Furthermore, planners will be able to scout out potentially obstructive vegetation, to either cut them down or avoid them.

Finally, knowing the boundaries of private and public property is important so energy construction jobs don’t trespass on the wrong property. Also, by identifying properties beforehand, utility officials can notify and consult with the property owners before the job commences. A topographic survey also determines political boundaries. Utility companies want to know what town, city, suburb or county they are operating in and what laws they are subject to, as regulations will differ across communities.

Electricity is a vital need for any community. Keeping electric service unimpeded by natural or man-made obstacles is a top responsibility for the company that provides it. Topographic mapping services can provide a valuable tool in maintaining that responsibility.

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Why Use a Digital Terrain Model?

When it comes to creating maps, there are some types that stand out above the rest. One of the most useful and comprehensive options is a digital terrain model, which not only shows elevation levels, but also any objects, such as trees and buildings, in the area. This type of map is used in many industries and for various purposes, making it a versatile option for a variety of needs.

When hiring a company to create your map for you, be sure to choose contractors who have extensive experience in this area and the equipment available to create a perfect replica. The best businesses make sure their pilots are trained in the best conditions for pictures before they ever send up flight crews to take photographs of the desired area. The timing is a major concern, since light angles and shadows will change throughout the day. The weather, altitude and equipment will also have a big effect on the final product, making it necessary for you to hire a company with top-of-the-line equipment as well as highly trained pilots and photographers. Experienced engineers are also an important part of creating an exact map for whatever your needs may be.

There are a several different industries that rely on the use of a digital terrain model. Companies working in land development can see exactly what sort of terrain makes up different areas, allowing them to use this knowledge in accordance with their plans. The mining and forestry industries also find great benefits in knowing what their desired areas look like at a three-dimensional level. Energy and utility companies can also use this type of map to make the best plan about how to get their services to their local population. There are many other industries and government agencies that have used these maps to determine every detail in their planning.

Whether you need a digital terrain model for the development of a new park or a you’re in charge of planning new power pole placement for a utility company, using a high-quality map can make the planning and execution stages much simpler. Make sure you hire an experienced company with the best in photographers, engineers and equipment.

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How to Choose an Aerial Mapping Provider in LA

Land use photos taken at different points in time of the same area can show the changes that take place to a landscape due to economic and industrial development. In the Los Angeles area, change has been frequent and drastic, making aerial mapping a regular feature. With various firms offering aerial mapping services in LA, Earth Graphics for example, what criteria can you use to choose one? Consider a few tips.

Experience Flyovers require a team of highly skilled individuals. At its core you’ll find an aircraft pilot and a photographer. These individuals bring a combination of head knowledge and experience to their jobs. Pilots for instance practice with simulation equipment for a minimum number of hours before they’re allowed to fly. Photographers need a thorough understanding of their camera and accessories before taking flight. Providers of aerial mapping services in LA also need to understand digital imaging and processing so that they can capture the area correctly during a flyover.

Technology Digital cameras and image formats have changed rapidly over the last decade. As consumers move to newer hardware and the latest operating systems, file types are also updated. The same goes for compatibility with web and mobile applications. Oftentimes a newer image format offers better compression, resulting in higher performance when those images are loaded by an app user. When searching for the right firm, ask about equipment to understand what type of results may be obtained.

Reputation A company with a reputation for quality is one of the most important things you should look for. See if there’s a portfolio that you can view either online or in person. Ask for a list of recent clients, and find out if you can get in touch with some of their references. Finally, a quick web search with the company’s name doesn’t hurt, and may help you to make a decision in regards to who you should hire.

Aerial mapping services in LA can help landowners, corporations and government agencies to make important decisions. With the above tips in mind, you can hire the right firm to provide high quality images to meet your needs.

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Digital Orthophotography in GIS

Aerial photographs operate as excellent visual aids for one to see a comprehensive view of a particular area or observe changes over time. Maps, of course, are essential in any sort of quantitative planning to make calculations and plans for projects or research. Digital orthophotography combines the visual aspect of an aerial photograph with the geometric characteristics of a map to form highly useful images.

While aerial photographs provide a distinct perspective, they cannot be used as accurate maps due to the displacement created by the camera angle, lens tilt, and topographical relief. In orthophotography, this displacement is fixed, the scale is quantified, and the photo is made geometrically regular. Once an aerial photo has been corrected, it can be used to measure distances.

GIS (Geographic Information System) can be combined with digital orthophotography to create map-like images in which a particular point or feature can be searched. GIS is a system designed to allow individuals to interact with and visualize the geographic features of terrain by storing geographical data and allowing for manipulation by the user. Using this tool, an operator can add digital elements to a map, such as lines, text, or landmarks.

Because of the technicality of this technology, precision and skill are required to create digital orthophotographs that are accurate and useful. First of all, it is important that the photograph be free of any scratches or residue. While traditional enlargement would minimize these imperfections, the digital process used to enlarge orthophotos will highlight them. Also, if an insufficient number of data points are obtained, especially in areas of elevation change, the final product will contain measurable errors.

Digital orthophotography with GIS have proved useful for many uses. They provide helpful information for geological surveys, analyses, and investigations. Furthermore, these tools can be used to correct errors on topographic and digital maps. By using Earth Graphics, LLC, where specialists have with a significant amount of experience and the most recent technology, one can utilize the advantages of these images.

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The Wonders of Remote Sensing

When exploring, investigating, or developing remote or dangerous regions, it is important to get extensive comprehensive data that can more clearly help corporations and government agencies make decisions. Aerial mapping companies such as Earth Graphics use remote sensing to help those organizations collect important data without substantial risk.

Remote sensing is the collection of data or intelligence regarding an object or environment without making physical contact. This technique moves beyond simply taking images or photographs, as it collects information through the use of electromagnetic radiation. This can be accomplished through either passive or active techniques and is used to explore objects and events on and surrounding earth.

The information collected is used in a multitude of fields for an array of purposes. For example, it can be used to determine the moisture levels of soil, which can be used to understand water patterns particularly as they pertain droughts. It can be used to map undiscovered and dangerous terrain that may possess important resources. Other weather patterns and potential natural threats can be predicted, helping evacuate those at risk. Additionally, forests can be monitored to track tree use and help preserve endangered plants and animals. It can also prevent the spread of diseases that can destroy vegetation as well as aid in the fight against forest fires, allowing for more efficient planning and more effective approaches.  

Companies can also use the collected information to predict retail earnings and understand their customer base through photographs of cars parked outside of their stores. In addition, companies can prevent theft and other potential hazards.

The government uses sensing technology even more extensively, as they can track ships and planes helping them navigate and predict events. They can also use the technology for surveillance of potential threats even across the globe, more easily anticipating tactics and making more sound decisions.

On a more individual level, mapping services such use the data to create maps and understand locations, allowing individuals to quickly and easily obtain directions to a variety of locations. Cellphones provide easy access to the most concise routes, and even can predict traffic patterns and travel times.

Remote sensing has a multitude of uses and has become a necessary part of any industry and its success.

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Aerial Mapping Begins with Good Aerial Photography

Maps play a necessary part in navigating in areas where one is less familiar. Aerial mapping is the process of taking photographs an area from the sky and then translating those images into map format.

In these photographs, you can determine the locations of natural and manmade structures. Taking great aerial photography is vital to the process, so you should work with a company that takes steps to ensure they're getting the clearest, most accurate images. Earth Graphics, an aerial mapping company that has been in business for almost thirty years, takes weather conditions and altitude into consideration when taking these photographs to ensure the best result.

In addition to what the weather is doing, these photographers have to take into account the angle of the sun. Any photographer will tell you that lighting is important, and because the sun is natural light, you cannot move it if it's in the wrong position. Therefore, consideration must be given to the time of day the photographs are taken. When you combine that with optimum weather and cloud conditions, and the altitude at which the photos are taken, you end up with an extremely intricate process.

Even once the photographers have obtained ideal conditions, the process of taking the pictures still requires a meticulous eye. Professionals involved in aerial mapping need a great understanding how professional cameras work, particularly when it comes to exposure. Because the cameras will take several images in a short period of time, it's important to know the geographic center of each image at the point of film exposure. This is referred to as the exposure station.

Once the images are on film, they can be translated into many different formats for viewing perhaps. The images can become digital files to view electronically, or they can even be combined with terrain models to create orthophotographic depictions. Images can also be enlarged and arranged in photo mosaics for presentation purposes.

Great aerial mapping is only possible with great aerial photography, and in order to obtain the best outcome, professionals must ensure they have the optimum timing, altitude, and environmental conditions before photos are taken. With high quality photos, maps can be rendered much more accurately.