THE SURVEY FRAMEWORK OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Angular and Linear Errors.—In the results which follow, the number of stations quoted on the chains is exclusive of all the stations on the base-extension nets at Minna, Rijau, Chafe, and Naraguta. The total number of stations can therefore be obtained by adding the numbers on all the chains and the base-extension nets and deducting the number of points common to other chains. The quoted fractional misclosures in length are the actual misclosures obtained and the theoretical fractional misclosures which might be expected to be developed through the chains from the probable errors of the adjusted angles.     

TRIGONOMETRICAL LEVELLING ACROSS THE INLAND ICE IN NORTH GREENLAND

Abstract

As part of the scientific work of the British North Greenland Expedition (1952–1954), a programme of trigonometrical levelling was carried out from the east to the west coast of Greenland, along a line across the inland ice between latitudes 76° 40′ N., and 78° 10′ N. The primary purpose of the work was to determine accurately the heights above sea level of a series of gravity stations, the gravity measurements being made in connection with determinations of ice thickness. For meteorological purposes it was necessary to know also the altitude of the Expedition's central station, situated in latitude 78° 04′ N., longitude 38° 29′ W. The accuracy necessary for the purpose of the gravity survey was a few metres for the altitudes, while the latitude of each gravity station had to be determined with an accuracy of ± 0.1 minute.     

Fine-resolution forest tree height estimation across the Sierra Nevada through the integration of spaceborne LiDAR,airborne LiDAR,and optical imagery

ABSTRACT

Forests of the Sierra Nevada (SN) mountain range are valuable natural heritages for the region and the country, and tree height is an important forest structure parameter for understanding the SN forest ecosystem. There is still a need in the accurate estimation of wall-to-wall SN tree height distribution at fine spatial resolution. In this study, we presented a method to map wall-to-wall forest tree height (defined as Lorey’s height) across the SN at 70-m resolution by fusing multi-source datasets, including over 1600 in situ tree height measurements and over 1600?km² airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data. Accurate tree height estimates within these airborne LiDAR boundaries were first computed based on in situ measurements, and then these airborne LiDAR-derived tree heights were used as reference data to estimate tree heights at Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) footprints. Finally, the random forest algorithm was used to model the SN tree height from these GLAS tree heights, optical imagery, topographic data, and climate data. The results show that our fine-resolution SN tree height product has a good correspondence with field measurements. The coefficient of determination between them is 0.60, and the root-mean-squared error is 5.45?m.     

INTERVISIBLE FEATURES

Abstract

It is frequently required to find whether a feature A of height h ₀ will interrupt the view between two other features A₁ and A₂, of heights h ₁ and h ₂ respectively. Suppose that the right line from A₁ to A₂, whose zenith distance is ζ at A₁, has a height h at A; it is then obvious that no more is necessary than to compute h and compare it with the known height h ₀ of the feature A.     

TRIGONOMETRIC HEIGHTS AND REFRACTION

Abstract

In the past there has been considerable discussion on the above subject in this Review. There is a bibliography at the end of this article in which the full titles of previous articles are given. For brevity, reference to them in the following text is made by number only. Recently, Gulatee summarized present knowledge and asked how other Survey Departments dealt with this matter. Consequently, it was considered that it would be helpful to set out in detail the procedure adopted by the Directorate of Colonial Surveys for obtaining trigonometric heights, with particular reference to primary and seoondary chains and nets.     

The Effect of Experience on Reading Topographic Relief Information: Analyses of Performance and Eye Movements

Abstract

Cartographers believe that experience plays a central role in high-order map reading tasks. The effect of experience on topographic map reading was tested in an experiment in which subjects viewed ten maps while their eye movements were recorded, and answered questions on absolute and relative heights. Experienced readers performed better on the questionnaire test, especially for the relative height portion. For maps that had distinctive relief features, experienced readers had shorter fixation durations (indicating less processing difficulty) and higher numbers of fixations (indicating greater attention) to areas containing absolute heights. Visual search by experienced readers was apparently guided by familiar patterns of contour lines that they had developed through experience.     

Local geoid determination and comparison with GPS results

Ellipsoidal heights have been determined for a test network in Lower Saxony withGPS. TheGPS results, with a relative precision of a few centimeters, have been used to compute quasigeoid heights by substracting leveling heights. This data set is compared to mainly gravimetrically determined quasigeoid heights using least squares collocation techniques. The discrepancies between the two data sets amount to about ±2cm, the maximum interstation distance is about50 km. This agreement shows, thatGPS can be used in combination with gravity information to obtain normal heights withcm-precision.     

TERTIARY TRIANGULATION: IS IT OVERDONE?

Abstract

The usual procedure in breaking down a primary network of triangulation is to go through a secondary scheme to a system of tertiary points. These are usually of the order of 1½ imiles apart, and are the co-ordinated points to which the detail survey, of whatever kind it may be, is fastened.     

AIR SURVEY: THE RAND METHOD OF HEIGHTING FROM NEAR VERTICAL PHOTOGRAPHS

Abstract

The method outlined below is a simple and rapid method, requiring no expensive equipment, of obtaining true heights from pairs of near vertical air photographs with a minimum of ground control. It is a direct application of the Fourcade theorem and, as it was finally developed at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1948-49, it has been given the name “Rand method” in the hope that this will connect it with Dr. Fourcade's country.     

Estimation of the Positional Uncertainty in Line Simplification in GIS

Abstract

This paper presents a new model for handling positional uncertainty in the process of line simplification. It considers that positional uncertainty in a simplified line is caused by (a) positional uncertainty in an initial line propagated through the process and (b) a deviation of the simplified line from the initial line. In order to describe the uncertainty in the simplified line, the maximum distance is defined as a measure. This measure is further adopted to determine parameters to a line simplification algorithm. Therefore, this model makes a step forward in the implementation of an uncertainty indicator for the line simplification. As compared existing models, the proposed uncertainty model in this paper is more comprehensive in uncertainty assessment for line simplification.     

FURTHER NOTES ON RANGE-FINDING WITH A THEODOLITE

Abstract

Since writing the article which appeared in E.S.R., no. 36, p. 364, the writer has used this method to obtain thousands of spot heights with differences of elevation varying up to 7,500 feet in a single shot. The results of this experience and the modifications introduced in the method may be of some iilterest.     

A LiDAR–optical data fusion approach for identifying and measuring small stream impoundments and dams

This article outlines a semi‐autonomous approach for using a fusion of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and optical remote sensing data to identify and measure small impoundments (SIs) and their dams. Quantifying such water bodies as hydrologic network features is critical for ecosystem and species conservation, emergency management, and water resource planning; however, such features are incompletely mapped at national and state levels. By merging an airborne LiDAR‐derived point cloud with a normalized water index using airborne optical imagery we demonstrate an improvement upon single‐source methods for identifying these water bodies; classification accuracies increased over 10% by using this multi‐source fusion method. Furthermore, the method presented here illustrates a cost‐effective pathway to improve the National Inventory of Dams (NID) and includes a framework for estimating dam heights, with results showing strong correlations between derived dam heights and those recorded in the NID (r=.78). With the steady increase in available LiDAR coverage, the 87,000+ dams in the NID could be updated using this technique, a method which could also be expanded for global inventories of SIs and dams.     

Integration of airborne thematic mapper simulator (TMS) data and digitized aerial photography via an ISH transformation

Abstract

In water sampling it is very common to use human experience to determine sampling locations. We present results from a neural network analysis of multispectral imaging data from the Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager (casi) to determine significant water sampling locations. In this study Lake Tegel in Berlin, Germany, was overflown on different days. The analysis of the remote sensing data results in a clustering of the overflown water body for each pass. The neural network clusters found for each pass have been related to each other. This procedure enables us to optimize the number and location of water sampling stations.     

THE ADJUSTMENT OF TRIGONOMETRICAL LEVELS AND THE EVALUATION OF THE COEFFICIENT OF TERRESTRIAL REFRACTION

Abstract

This paper is written primarily with the object of ascertaining how other Colonies and Dominions deal. with the adjustment of their trigonometricallevels; further, since the greater part of Nigeria is now covered by a framework of levels of primary accuracy it is of interest to examine the results. Moreover, the evaluation of the coefficient of refraction, and from it the temperature lapse-rate, is of some importance in view of the recent publication of the War Office Aneroid Tables. These tables are based on a standard lapse-rate of temperature.     

EARTH CURVATURE AND REFRACTION

Abstract

1. For both geodetic and geophysical reasons it is desirable that a method of determining the curvature of the earth at a large number of points, as well as the heights of these points, should be developed. The fact that these two quantities are intimately related in the process of height determination by reciprocal vertical angles has in general been ignored. The present paper does not profess to provide a complete solution; but rather to set forth the requirements and to make some suggestions towards meeting them; and to stress the need for research in the matter of terrestrial refraction, which is certainly long overdue.     

THE ERRORS IN A RADIAL LINE PLOT OF AIR PHOTOGRAPHS

Abstract

Lieut.-Col. Browne's interesting method of combii1ing radial line plots (“The Application of Transformation Factors to the Adjustment of Air Photographs”, E.S.R., x, 73, 119-130) depends for its success on the basic accuracy of the radial line plots of the individual air photo strips. It therefore poses the very interesting question: What accuracy can we expect in a graphical radial line plot?     

THE GEODIMETER: AN INSTRUMENT FOR THE ACCURATE MEASUREMENT OF DISTANCES BY HIGH-FREQUENCY LIGHT VARIATIONS

Abstract

The constant K in equation (12) represents distance expended through time lags in the instrument itself, and, although the value of K can be calculated from electrical data, this would not be very satisfactory and it would be better to determine it directly by means of observations over a line of known length. In addition, the point from which K would be reckoned is not a convenient one for actual field measurements. Instead of this, it is more convenient to choose an index mark on the instrument itself and referall measurements to this and thence to the mark over which the instrument is set up.     

LIDAR Validation Using GIS: A Case Study Comparison between Two LIDAR Collection Methods

Abstract

In the summer of 2000, the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada was selected for a high‐resolution elevation survey utilizing LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging). Two different LIDAR systems were used to acquire data for the area. The vertical accuracy specification for the survey called for heights to be within an average of 15 cm of measured GPS heights and 95% of the data to be within 30 cm. Prior to the application of these data to geoscientific problems, extensive validation procedures were employed. High precision GPS and traditional surveys were conducted to collect height validation checkpoints. Two validation methods were developed in a GIS environment that involved comparing the checkpoints to the original LIDAR points and to an interpolated “bald earth” DEM. A systematic height error between flight lines for one of the LIDAR methods was detected that related to the calibration procedures used in the survey. This study highlights the differences between laser systems, calibration and deployment methodologies and emphasizes the necessity for independent validation data.     

SARAWAK TRIANGULATION REPORT. SEASON 1932–3

Abstract

The first part of the season (November–January) being spent on urgent reconnaissance of both the primary chain and secondary series in the Samarahan, Sadong, and Simanggang Districts, it was not until loth February that observing was begun. The programme called for two observers, one occupying primary stations and one occupying the secondary points, the secondary rays from primary stations being observed at one occupation of the point.