Pictometry: Saves Time and Money
In South Africa, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) is leading the way in adopting Pictometry® as its source of image based intelligence. The first instalment of 100 sqkm has been completed, while production for the balance of the 2000 sqkm is underway.
The key factors driving the Municipality’s decision to move from a traditional air photo product to Pictometry’s analysis tools and multiangle oblique imagery was two tiered:
1. the image warehouse of high resolution digital images (12cm GSD) is unmatched in the South African marketplace; and
2. the numerous, multi-angle images of any location allow users to access and measure all sides of any feature or area quickly and easily.
Stephen Canter, Manager Corporate GIS for the NMBM, advised “These two factors made selection of Pictometry a simple choice. Our Valuation and Disaster Management Sections immediately saw the benefits of Pictometry; with over 12 oblique views of any location.
The multiple, georeferenced views and power of the measurement functions greatly aid desktop verification of structures on properties, as well as identify increased population density within informal settlements.”
Initial users within NMBM will be the Valuations and Disaster Management Sections. Most of the sections of the Municipality will see the advantage of Pictometry within time. The Municipality will then ‘roll out’ Pictometry to Housing, Land Use Planning and all other departments who wish to view the Municipality with the Pictometry solution.
Stephen Canter exclaimed, “We would normally have to wait up to 6 months before we receive any aerial imagery from the data suppliers."
"With Pictometry sourced from AOC (part of the AAM Group) we have our images within 3 months after inception residing on a centralised server and distributed via url (http) to anyone in the Municipality".
At this stage NMBM have the Pictometry software to view and measure images in addition to an ESRI ArcMap plug-in where the Pictometry images are viewed directly inside the Municipality’s native desktop GIS application. With the development phase complete, preparations are underway to deploy Pictometry within the Municipality ESRI ArcGIS Server environment.
The integration of Pictometry and ESRI products was a driving force behind the selection of this oblique imaging information solution.
For more information on Pictometry, and to view coverage maps, click here.
Above: Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa
Some of the many features of Pictometry - multiple views, zoom functionality and measuring distances.
