High resolution aerial photos to improve public service

[as released] High resolution aerial photography from Bluesky is helping in providing better services across public sector organizations in the North East of England. Purchased by Tyne and Wear Research and Information (TWRI) on behalf of a consortium that includes local councils, emergency services and the Passenger Transport Authority, the GeoPerspectives imagery will provide benefits for a variety of applications. These include frontline use within emergency service response vehicles and supporting decision-making within the planning application process. At an impressive 10 cm resolution, the digital aerial photomap is detailed enough to view individual property boundaries, specific land uses and even street markings.

TWRI was established in 1986 to support the 5 Tyne and Wear district Councils through the assembly and analysis of statistical information. It provides a wide range of services including research, advice and consultancy within the themes of Census and Demographics, Crime, Gis / Mapping, Economy, Social, Area Profiler 2, Housing, Land and Property and News. TWRI also works with a wide range of organisations, including the police, fire service, probation, Government Office North East, Association NE Councils and North East Assembly.

The GeoPerspectives dataset was captured in the summer of 2008 at a resolution of 10 cm as part of a five-year update plan to maintain national coverage of the most accurate and up-to-date aerial photography of England and Wales. Using the latest digital imaging technology GeoPerspectives, a joint venture between Bluesky and Infoterra, provides national coverage of orthorectified aerial photography, digital terrain and surface models for 3D modelling, and colour infrared imagery for vegetation analysis.