BIng Maps

The paper deals with the current situation of digital archives of aerial photographs, space photos and satellite imagery, in relation to the importance of this documentation in the archaeological research. The data-set is very huge but, for different reasons (unavailability, costs, difficulties in the access to digital archives), the usability is often problematic. The primary requirement is surely to digitize existing archives and to georeference images, with the dual aim to ensure their dissemination and, above all, the preservation. Then, it would be desirable to network each other the various Italian digital archives, which would then possibly linked also to foreign ones. So, the objectives that should be pursued are make it easy to consult the existing digital archives belonging to Public Bodies and allow scholars a free or low cost access to the data of private companies, by use with exclusive purpose of scientific research.

We describe a comparison of the accuracy of OpenStreetMap for Ireland with Google Maps and Bing Maps. Five case study cities and towns are chosen for this comparison. Each mapping system is analysed for accuracy under three main headings: spatial coverage, currency, and ground-truth positional accuracy. We find that while there is no clear winner amongst the three mapping platforms each show individual differences and similarities for each of the case study locations. We believe the results described in this paper are useful ...

Location, usually defined by postal address information or geographic coordinate values, is one of the leading themes in geography. Famous global mapping services such as ArcGIS Online, Bing Maps, Google Maps, or Yandex Maps can provide users with address information of any geographic coordinates using reverse geocoding. The accuracy of retrieved addresses is quite essential for a service user. Several researchers have evaluated the accuracy of the process based on the positional errors between the retrieved and actual addresses. This article proposes a different assessment based on text similarity algorithms. In this study, the authors examine the outcomes of 15 different text similarity algorithms by comparing them with the reference data. They benefit from the binary logistic regression to evaluate the results. At the end of the case study, they conclude that the soft-term frequency/inverse document frequency algorithm is the most appropriate to measure the quality of postal addresses of all tested services. The Jaccard algorithm also produces successful results only for Google and Bing Maps services. Moreover, the study allows the reader to assess the results of reverse geocoding derived from the global map platforms that serve in the test region.

Geocoding is a method used to convert address information into geographical coordinates. It plays a vital role in displaying the relationship between geographic features and semantic information expressed in texts. The objective of this study is to reveal the quality of online geocoding from postal addresses in Turkey provided by Google Maps and Bing Maps services. The quality of geocoding services in urban areas is evaluated using two particular metrics; positional accuracy and address similarity. Positional accuracy measures the distances between point features obtained through the online geocoding and reference data. Address similarity indicates the relationship between two postal addresses based on a similarity index known as the Levenshtein distance. The same performance assessment was also made with the United States' address data to make comparisons and discussions. The results show that services have different geocoding capabilities in both countries because of the differences in the addressing formats.

Location information, better known as geospatial information, is an indispensable element in city planning and management activities. It enables city planner and manager to develop optimum plan based on location and its spatial dependencies. Geospatial information supports the most detailed level of planning up to individual parcel and building. It supports management of city affairs, such as building permit and taxation, efficiently. Further, it also enables better service deliveries to those who request. In order to performing these activities well, geocoded address must first be developed. This paper investigates status, issues and challenges in developing geocoded address in Indonesia. The following aspects were examined: regulations, availability, base data to develop geocoded address, actors, and applications. A case study on developing geocoded address for a segment of Jalan Kaliurang in Yogyakarta for urban area and Baturetno Village for rural area were presented. This paper found that although geocoded address is a vital element for many development activities, it is still undeveloped.

European Space Agency -the body in charge of space exploration and development of new technologies for fourteen Western European countries. Hyperspectral -electro-optical sensor capable of distinguishing fine shades of different colors and thereby providing information on the chemical composition of objects on the ground. Indian Remote Sensing satellite. Low Earth Orbit -circular orbits typically between 100 and 1,000 kilometers above ground. These orbits are ideal for high-resolution commercial and military remote sensing systems because they lessen the technical demands placed on the satellite sensors. MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates -a subsidiary of the U.S. company Orbital Sciences, which was originally selected by the Canadian Space Agency to develop and operate the RADARSAT-2 satellite and market all the resulting data. Multispectral -electro-optical sensor capable of producing color imagery. National Aeronautics and Space Administration -the U.S. agency in charge of research and development relating to space. North Atlantic Treaty Organization. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration -the branch of the U.S. Department of Commerce presently in charge of licensing and regulating the commercial remote sensing industry. Panchromatic -electro-optical sensors capable of producing only black-and-white imagery. Return Beam Vidicom -similar to a television camera. Research and Development Laboratories -this company is currently developing the RADAR-1 commercial satellite. Surface-to-air missile. Synthetic Aperture Radar -radar sensor capable of collecting imagery at night and in poor weather conditions. Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre -although developed and operated by the French Space Agency (CNES), Spot Image manages the SPOT systems on a commercial basis. Surface-to-surface missile. Space Technology Development Corporation -the U.S. Office of Naval Research is subsidizing STDC in the amount of $60 million to develop and deploy the Naval EarthMap Observer (NEMO) satellite. Texaco Energy and Environmental Multispectral Imaging Spectrometer -hyperspectral sensor developed by Texaco for fracture analysis and environmental protection purposes. United Nations.

Geocoding is a tool that can be used in many areas such as the development of disaster prevention systems, crime mapping and the monitoring of communicable diseases, and which has gradually gained importance. However, the use of geocoding is not yet possible in some areas where it could serve as an effective tool, for various reasons such as inconsistencies in address formats, including inaccurate numbering systems, misspellings, the use of abbreviations and a lack of data that refers to the geocoding process. This study seeks to address these problems by way of a standardization process. To that end, it employs a method that decomposes addresses used as input data in geocoding, identifies spelling mistakes and abbreviations, and reorganizes the addresses through the Natural Language Process (NLP). As test data, the addresses of primary schools in the district of Eskisehir are taken. First the geocoding process is performed on the data set, using both Google geocoding API and ArcGIS geocoding API. Then, the addresses are reformatted into three address formats by applying standardization processes. Geocoding is performed on the re-formatted addresses and the results compared to the non-standardized results. The standardization used is shown to make a significant improvement in the accuracy of the geocoding results. The method used in this study is significant not only in increasing the accuracy of the geocoding process, but also in sustaining its wider use.

Geocoding is a method used to convert address information into geographical coordinates. It plays a vital role in displaying the relationship between geographic features and semantic information expressed in texts. The objective of this study is to reveal the quality of online geocoding from postal addresses in Turkey provided by Google Maps and Bing Maps services. The quality of geocoding services in urban areas is evaluated using two particular metrics; positional accuracy and address similarity. Positional accuracy measures the distances between point features obtained through the online geocoding and reference data. Address similarity indicates the relationship between two postal addresses based on a similarity index known as the Levenshtein distance. The same performance assessment was also made with the United States’ address data to make comparisons and discussions. The results show that services have  different geocoding capabilities in both countries because of the differen...

Geocoding is a method used to convert address information into geographical coordinates. It plays a vital role in displaying the relationship between geographic features and semantic information expressed in texts. The objective of this study is to reveal the quality of online geocoding from postal addresses in Turkey provided by Google Maps and Bing Maps services. The quality of geocoding services in urban areas is evaluated using two particular metrics; positional accuracy and address similarity. Positional accuracy measures the distances between point features obtained through the online geocoding and reference data. Address similarity indicates the relationship between two postal addresses based on a similarity index known as the Levenshtein distance. The same performance assessment was also made with the United States' address data to make comparisons and discussions. The results show that services have different geocoding capabilities in both countries because of the differences in the addressing formats.

Geocoding is a method used to convert address information into geographical coordinates. It plays a vital role in displaying the relationship between geographic features and semantic information expressed in texts. The objective of this study is to reveal the quality of online geocoding from postal addresses in Turkey provided by Google Maps and Bing Maps services. The quality of geocoding services in urban areas is evaluated using two particular metrics; positional accuracy and address similarity. Positional accuracy measures the distances between point features obtained through the online geocoding and reference data. Address similarity indicates the relationship between two postal addresses based on a similarity index known as the Levenshtein distance. The same performance assessment was also made with the United States’ address data to make comparisons and discussions. The results show that services have different geocoding capabilities in both countries because of the differenc...

Geocoding is a method used to convert address information into geographical coordinates. It plays a vital role in displaying the relationship between geographic features and semantic information expressed in texts. The objective of this study is to reveal the quality of online geocoding from postal addresses in Turkey provided by Google Maps and Bing Maps services. The quality of geocoding services in urban areas is evaluated using two particular metrics; positional accuracy and address similarity. Positional accuracy measures the distances between point features obtained through the online geocoding and reference data. Address similarity indicates the relationship between two postal addresses based on a similarity index known as the Levenshtein distance. The same performance assessment was also made with the United States’ address data to make comparisons and discussions. The results show that services have different geocoding capabilities in both countries because of the differences in the addressing formats.

Prevailing geological condition as always governs from planning through design and construction of underground infrastructures especially in urban soft ground environment is stressed, as is the significance of vast uncertainty and risk that exists. Comprehensive geological and geotechnical investigation basically helps identifying inherent geological uncertainties and preparing specific project risk-register. Having sub-surface geological longitudinal profile along entire tunnel alignment enables configuring final vertical alignment matching with underground stations. Following routine and detail geological investigation practices, geotechnical insitu (field) and laboratory test results are carefully evaluated as input parameters are used to select of appropriate tunnelling method, tunnel lining design, procurement of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), station excavation design; both temporary and permanent structures in design stages. Additionally, the inputs are used to estimate potential ground deformation, and enables setting three threshold levels of geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring; warning, alarm and action level in order to protect the surrounding buildings, roadway structures and underground utilities. If encountering different site condition from the designed geological condition, it is going to be significantly impacted value engineering in term of overall construction cost estimation and scheduling. Therefore, project owner and developer are solely responsible to provide representative geological condition consequently demands pre-excavation ground treatment. When the project is ready to bid, the performance specification and project risk register can be tying into the bidding stage as being contractual obligation for a successful design-builder. In construction stage, construction dewatering impacts the existing groundwater regime and consequently experiencing surface settlements for overlying structures during tunnelling and station construction. Excavation stability plays well under direct geological influence; both urban soft ground shield tunnelling and open-cut station excavation under the Earth Retaining or Stabilising Structures (ERSS). Citing Singapore urban metro-rail projects, the authors suggestively prepared this presentation aiming to propose 8.7 km long proposed metro-rail tunnel section of 28 km long Yangon Mass Rapid Transit Line-1 (YMRT-1), which is currently planning.

Intelligence Collection from Open Sources: Geospatial Applications and Critical Infrastructures. Το άρθρο αυτό, πέραν από τις υποδομές εστιάζεται και στην αεροδιαστημική τεχνολογία και συγκεκριμένα πως αυτή μπορεί να βοηθήσει πρακτικά στον προσδιορισμό ενδεχόμενων  υποδομών ζωτικής σημασίας. Οι τελευταίες, εάν διαταραχθούν ή καταστραφούν, μπορούν να επιφέρουν σημαντικές επιπτώσεις στην ασφάλεια, την υγεία, την προστασία, την οικονομική ευημερία των πολιτών και την αποτελεσματική λειτουργία των κρατών.
Ακολουθώντας τις προβλέψεις του νομικού πλαισίου που έχει διαμορφωθεί στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση αλλά και στη χώρα μας, η ανάλυση αυτή χρησιμοποιεί αποκλειστικά ανοιχτές πηγές για να κατηγοριοποιήσει αρχικά υποψήφιες  υποδομές ζωτικής σημασίας σε τομείς και υποτομείς.
Ακολούθως με τη χρήση διαθέσιμων στο ευρύ κοινό γεωχωρικών εφαρμογών, που βασίζονται σε αεροδιαστημικά προϊόντα, διερευνάται εάν είναι δυνατός ο εντοπισμός των υπόψη υποδομών σε αυτές. Τέλος, μέσα από μια σύγκριση των δυνατοτήτων που έχουν οι υπόψη εφαρμογές, γίνεται μια προσπάθεια επαλήθευσης εάν πράγματι κάποιες ήδη έχουν χαρακτηριστεί ως υποδομές ζωτικής σημασίας. Από την επαλήθευση αυτή καταλήξαμε σε ορισμένα, χρήσιμα, κατά τη κρίση μας, συμπεράσματα.

In the last years Bing Maps has been updated to offer new ways for tourism, but it has abandoned the primary aim: be a real alternative to Google Earth. Microsoft has not yet solved the problems of how to save the images; a screenshot is the only method. After the case study of Veio, Bing Maps returns and shows a hidden “Ostia”, revealing buried structures and building of not excavated areas (Regio III, Regio IV, Regio V and the Harbour of Trajan). Through the use of Photoshop CC 2015 Trial and the plug-in Sharpener Pro, it was possible to improve the sharpness of screenshots, identifying additional anomalies that were invisible from a first interpretation.

The wide commercial spread of very high resolution data which can enable the precise description of important targets (such as critical military facilities) along with their accurate coordinates has created fears that these data could be a valuable tool if they fall in the wrong hands. Until recently this dissemination was nearly uncontrollable. Google and Microsoft via their online, geospatial applications enriched with very high-resolution images of the world, enhanced the concerns that such detailed imagery constituted an essential threat to internal security. The main hypotheses of this paper are that this technological breakthrough cannot be rolled back, it is here to stay, and since it has security implications it need to be controlled. The key research question to be addressed is what are the options governments have to control the distribution of these data ensuring that their national security interests are properly safeguarded?

L’osservazione obliqua dall’alto offre chiaramente l’opportunità di analizzare il territorio da una prospettiva diversa, ma con maggiori soluzioni. Bing Maps è la soluzione gratuita con maggiori prospettive

In the last years, the aerial archaeology confirmed the importance and the potentiality of aerial photography in the study of landscape that already was realized by Giacomo Boni, Franz Stolze and O.G.S. Crawford between the late nineteenth and the early twentieth century. Aerial photography is today a tool used in numerous fields: from geology to civil engineering, from the study of the environment to the identification of pollution sources, from architecture to archeology; in fact it is becoming a valid and indispensable tool for the study of the ancient topography. In this last field, the aerial photograph is really important if it is used as instrument of knowledge and research. The aerial view is sure the most useful tool for observe the modern landscape and all evidence or “marks” that would be unintelligible if they are observed from the ground. The great diffusion of internet has made possible the creation of catalogues that allow consulting maps, orthophotos, aerial and oblique images online; the Italian regions have decided to publish all data on internet with the creation of websites (WebGIS). However, it is possible to encounter serious difficulties in finding the photographic material because of high costs and long times, but thanks to the use of Bing Maps, a web mapping service of Microsoft™, it is possible to break down such restrictions. Bing Maps has high resolution oblique photographs, so called “Bird’s Eye”, that allow to realize a free virtual aerial survey thanks to combined use of aerial and oblique images. This approach has been used to observe the modern landscape of Veio obtaining new archaeological useful data, without cost, for the reconstruction and update of ancient topography of Etruscan town.