#NSGICMidyear: For the Nation RoundUp
Bill Burgess opened a session on the state of the various NSGIC “for the nation” efforts: Imagery (ITFN), Lidar (EFTN) and Transportation (TFTN).
He started by noting the efforts have “not the revolutionary charge we hoped for.” What we’ve learned: Multi-agency efforts are destined to failure without high level support. In future, perhaps a single agency should take the lead.
Imagery was first for the Nation was begun six years ago, suggested by Ted Koch (WI). The economy “got in the way.” Project Summary Phase 1 report has been “around” and edited, will be released to NGAC and public and serve as basis for Phase 2 (business case). NAIP (1 M) and High Res (Clear30 will make a commodity of this, so perhaps that’s an option) are the two parts. Congressional Hearing on USDA IT this Wednesday. Will Craig will be testifying speaking for IFTN.
Greg Snyder, USGS made the case for Elevation for the Nation (LiDAR) describing it as enhanced elevation data arguing businesses need it, that it’s more than bare earth. He also noted that the “data is ahead of the applications” based on what he saw at The International LIDAR Mapping Forum. Current status: Working on the 2010 National Enhanced Elevation Study - requirements, cost effectiveness, implementation alternatives. That’ll take a year. “We are in the concept stage.”
Steve Lewis, GIO USDOT introduced TFTN, along with reps from the two contractors selected. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong, he began…but the contract was signed for development of strategic plan Feb 2 (one year, four workshops, report). The two contractors are Koniag (Alaska Native Corporation) and Applied Geographics (of Boston). Some challenges noted: TFTN is a concept, not a program - we need to define it as a program. It’s very different from IFTN. How might we use VGI? Role of DOT?
Q: Multimodal data please (Barry from DC)
A: Yes, said Lewis but roads first, even though they are “the most difficult.”
