Photo Science Inc., a Quantum Spatial Company, has been honored with the 2013 MAPPS Geospatial Products and Services Excellence Grand Award for its project entitled, "Coastal Resilience Data for American Samoa." The project was presented on Feb. 12, 2014 during an awards ceremony at the MAPPS Winter Conference at the Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, Calif.

Kurt Allen, Quantum Spatial Vice President, who accepted the award, said, “This project represents the core values of Quantum Spatial - client focused, innovative, and technical excellence. The data developed from the American Samoa project will greatly improve the geospatial infrastructure of the islands and help decision makers plan for and respond to natural hazards in the region such as tsunami and storm surge inundation, flooding, sea level rise, and other future climate related impacts."

Coordinating geospatial projects is no small task, but add 5,000 miles across an ocean, almost continuous cloud cover, and difficult terrain and the logistical challenges increase exponentially. Additionally, because of the remoteness of the project, Quantum Spatial was required to fabricate sensor mounts to facilitate sensor swapping. The shoreline delineation techniques developed in this project has already been employed in a mapping project in Hawaii. By overcoming these challenges Quantum Spatial was recognized for its professionalism and technological ingenuity as the Grand Award recipient of the seventh annual MAPPS Geospatial Products and Services Excellence Awards Competition.

"Each year the projects entered into the Excellence Awards Program showcase the diversity and breadth geospatial technologies do to enhance quality of life and provide long lasting societal benefits," said John Palatiello, MAPPS Executive Director. "I want to congratulate all the firms that entered a project. These products and services highlight the enormous benefits the private sector geospatial community provides to their clients and the citizenry every day."