Keeping
the
mapping infrastructure up-to-date will continue to provide the main focus of Operations Division work
during 2005-2006. This includes maintaining OSNI’s large-scale digital data, our small-scales database
and the Pointer address database. This work is central to our vision and contributes directly to the
delivery of our own corporate strategy and DCAL’s Public Service Agreement (PSA).
The
efficiency of Operations’ work programmes and activities and the effectiveness of how our assets are
employed in carrying out the work of the Division directly contribute to OSNI’s goal of financial self-sustainability.
The
content, currency and quality of the data we collect support the customer quadrant of our balanced scorecard.
This year we will report on and further improve on the currency, relative position and thematic accuracy
and logical consistency of our large-scale database. In addition we will reduce the time between the identification of new building development and survey
being available to our customers.
Map
Revision Policy
The
provision of up-to-date maps is essential to the needs of a modern economy / society. It is crucial that OSNI’s mapping databases reflects the topographical change occurring in Northern
Ireland and this requires timely, effective and appropriate updating of our mapping data. This task is driven by a Map Revision Policy that we are in the process of reviewing.
Workflow
Intelligence
One of the most significant changes
to the Data Collection flowlines is the introduction of a workflow management system. This System Tracking and ACEMap Requests system (STAR) will control and manage all Data Capture activities,
carrying out many tasks automatically, undertaking quality procedures and gather change intelligence
using orthophotography and information from Pointer to populate the system. This will enable further
efficiencies in terms of targeting unsurveyed data, the provision of services to our customers and will
be crucial to future policy and strategy development of Operations and the Agency.
Field
Surveying
Midas Survey, a Data maintenance
system
is replacing the traditional hard copy field document with portable pen technology to allow the digital
map file to be updated directly by the Field Surveyor using GPS and EDM technologies. Areas to be updated are downloaded from the Large-Scale database and once updated and quality checked,
are returned to the database.
Digital
Photogrammetry
This group utilises aerial
photography
to assist with the maintenance of the Large-Scale database and has embraced the latest digital technologies
using the full Midas flowline to facilitate an effective and practical approach to its updating currency
commitments.
Digital Cartography
Digital
Cartography is the production of small-scale map products. The large-scale database is used to compile these publications that are available in both paper and
digital formats. The section maintains a small-scales database (1:50,000 scale) and incorporates information from the
large-scale database to generate small-scale products.
Current products include:
· Ireland
North
· 1:50,000 Discoverer series
· Road Atlas of
Ireland
· Street Maps
· Activity maps
· Special Mapping
Spatial
Data Management
Spatial Data in terms of OSNI
relates
to all information that contains location references. The management of this data within a number of spatial databases is the key function of this Branch.
The Branch undertake work associated with specifying, storing, managing and developing OSNI spatial
data, including the data collected and supplied by OSNI and external partners / suppliers, through ground
/ aerial surveys, derived mapping processes and other methods. The Branch also manages and carries out
change to the data, such as quality improvements and specification changes.
The
quality to which we do this and the management of the data therein, ensures that it is maintained, accessible
and secure, producing a quality product for our customers and protecting the government's investment
in creating the data.
Database Enhancement
This
section is responsible for the preparation and digitising of 1:10,000 scale data and the editing of
large-scale vector data that subsequently facilitates the production of hardcopy plots. The section
also produces raster images of the 1:10,000 sheets including geo-referencing of same. They ensure that
quality of the underlying data is maintained and any improvements or changes in specification are implemented.
Pointer
Operations
This section is responsible for
the collection
and maintenance of address data for the public sector in Northern Ireland. They also develop and manage the processes to update and maintain the data quality.
Spatial
Data Management
This section manages OSNI’s
spatial
data models, databases and specifications and ensure this occurs in a secure but accessible manner thus
facilitates customers use of the most current information.
Database
Development
Database Development section works
to
develop seamless links between the core OSNI systems such as Midas and Pointer. It is responsible for the ongoing technical development of new database technologies.
Geodetic
Survey and Development
The Geodetic Survey
and Development
section is responsible for developing and maintaining the geodetic infrastructure. This is the survey control network, or skeleton, on which the mapping hangs. It provides a cohesive framework that enables positions within Northern Ireland to be determined accurately,
and allows surveys and mapping to be correctly related through the use of a common reference system. For further details please view our 'technical' section.
