Government

USGIF Releases Modeling, Simulation, and Gaming Technical Paper

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 00:09:00 -0400

The Advancing the Interoperability of Geospatial Intelligence Tradecraft with 3D Modeling, Simulation, and Game Engines white paper highlights technology trends that are influencing the convergence of GEOINT and the modeling, simulation, and gaming (MS&G) tradecraft.

CompassTrac Version 7.7 Now Available

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 10:49:00 -0500

The release incorporates several new features and enhancements for Department of Transportation (DOT) and Public Works operations.

New U.S. Space Policy Plans for Permanent Moon Occupancy

adolphuse@bnpmedia.com (Emell Derra Adolphus) — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 09:00:00 -0500

Five takeaways from the recently published space policy and what it means for the future of space exploration.

Ground Penetrating Radar Surveys Could Save Transportation Departments Money

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 09:12:00 -0400

The Maine Department of Transportation uses PaveScan ground penetrating radar technology to improve road pavement quality and service life.

Geospatial Data Act Includes Contracting and Privacy Issues

john@jmpa.us (John M. Palatiello) — Wed, 15 May 2019 08:45:00 -0400

The Geospatial Data Act, as enacted, seeks to improve the coordination and use of geospatial data by the federal government.

Congressman Gonzalez Urges Inclusion of Flood Mapping Reform

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 11:00:00 -0400

Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) joined fellow membersover the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Aerial Mapping Opportunities Abound

trunickp@bnpmedia.com (Perry Trunick) — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 09:00:00 -0400

It appears the aerial imagery segment is booming. The goal of more data and higher resolutions expressed in government and private sector programs suggests a strong, ongoing demand for geospatial services.

Palatiello Promotes USGS 3DEP Before Congress

Wed, 27 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0500

Speaking on behalf of the 3DEP Coalition, John Palatiello, urged full funding of the national LiDAR and IFSAR program that would enable the entire United States to be mapped with consistent elevation data.

Subsidence Survey Would Aid in Climate Controversy

john@jmpa.us (John M. Palatiello) — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 09:00:00 -0500

Having won control of the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), will ask the Democrat caucus to create a select committee on climate change similar to a former panel behind the failed effort to pass cap-and-trade legislation when her party last held a Congressional majority in 2009-2010.

Taking 3D Scans Identifies ADA Compliance Conflicts

Mon, 07 Jan 2019 09:00:00 -0500

When Sisemore-Weisz & Associates landed a contract to help the city of Tulsa verify compliance to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the strengths of 3D scanning immediately came to mind.

Smokey the Bear's Message to Surveyors

trunickp@bnpmedia.com (Perry Trunick) — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 09:00:00 -0500

Each season of wildfires in the U.S. seems to be the worst on record. When the problem is that big, how does the individual make a difference?

Census Challenged to Geolocate Every U.S. Business

trunickp@bnpmedia.com (Perry Trunick) — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 09:00:00 -0500

Whether the Census Bureau is collecting data on a household or a business, the basic collection unit is the individual address.

Violence Preceded Famous Mason-Dixon Survey

Wed, 12 Dec 2018 09:00:00 -0500

When a boundary dispute arises, the problem can either be resolved amicably or by adjudication, depending on the relationship between the adjoiners. In some instances, as in the case of the boundary dispute between Maryland and Pennsylvania, the dispute escalates to violence.

One Surveyor's Legislative Journey on Capitol Hill

Tue, 17 Jul 2018 09:00:00 -0400

As is the case with a literal hill, navigating Capitol Hill can be difficult, challenging and there are a lot of obstacles. However, with the right knowledge, navigator and some courage, even this hill can be circumnavigated.

Traversing the Law: Keg Island Is Example of the Island Rule in Surveying

lucas_j@bellsouth.net (Jeffery N. Lucas, PLS, Esq.) — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 08:30:00 -0400

Present-day Keg Island exists in the Mississippi River where the river flows between the states of Iowa and Illinois. It is over a mile long, maybe a quarter of a mile wide at its widest point, consisting of about 128 acres – and it is uninhabited.

Geospatial Opportunities Come From Asking, "Why Not?"

trunickp@bnpmedia.com (Perry Trunick) — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 15:00:00 -0500

It’s a new era for the geospatial professions, and it’s only just beginning.

Geospatial Images Improve Humanitarian Aid Effort

john.stenmark@comcast.net (John Stenmark LS) — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 09:00:00 -0500

Each year, millions of people around the world are forced from their homes by natural disasters or political unrest.

New Direction for MAPPS

Wed, 31 Jan 2018 08:45:00 -0500

The winter meeting of MAPPS had many of the trappings members have come to expect, but the event agenda was adjusted to provide an opportunity to describe some significant changes in the structure of the organization and what they will mean going forward.

Executive Order Will Drive Demand for Surveying and Mapping

john@jmpa.us (John M. Palatiello) — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -0500

Lost among many pre-holiday activities, including President Trump signing the tax bill into law, was the President's issuance of an Executive Order on Critical Minerals on December 21.

Geospatial Community Responds to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria

kingv@bnpmedia.com (Valerie King) — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 09:00:00 -0400

When disaster strikes, surveying, mapping and geospatial technology play a crucial role in assessing the impact.

Drone Stakeholders Push for State, Local Policy Coordination

Fri, 20 Oct 2017 09:54:00 -0400

A total of 29 companies and organizations wrote a letter to President Trump suggesting a pilot program be developed.

Guest Column: The Marriage of Surveying and Civil Engineering

Thu, 05 Oct 2017 09:00:00 -0400

As flood insurance premiums keep rising and floodplain technical requirements keep expanding, the involvement of surveyors and engineers is growing exponentially and their marriage, in this area in particular, is becoming more and more important.

Editor's Points: Ethics in Land Surveying

trunickp@bnpmedia.com (Perry Trunick) — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 09:00:00 -0400

Disasters can bring out the best and worst in people.

Aerial Imagery Captures Hurricane Irma Flooding, Damage

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 15:22:00 -0400

Woolpert has taken on two contracts related to high-resolution aerial imagery of Florida for damage assessment.

Surveying for the Fossil Creek Tunnel

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 12:00:00 -0400

The City of Fort Collins, in northern Colorado, has long been known for its outdoor allure.

EPA Contracts Geospatial Firm for Digital Support

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 11:11:00 -0400

Woolpert is a part of a five-year $266 million CSRA contract for infrastructure and application consolidation.

How to Influence Policies that Impact Surveying, Geospatial Professionals

kingv@bnpmedia.com (Valerie King) — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 09:00:00 -0400

Every profession is affected by government policy in some way or another. The bigger the impact a given policy has, the more those affected tend to voice their concerns.

Editor's Points: Surveyors as Activists

trunickp@bnpmedia.com (Perry Trunick) — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 09:00:00 -0400

In my short time at POB, I’ve learned that surveyors are outspoken.

Design-Build Meets Geospatial Tech, Virtual Construction

john.stenmark@comcast.net (John Stenmark LS) — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 08:00:00 -0500

It’s hard enough to build a complex industrial structure 12 stories tall. Putting one into a deep, concrete-lined hole is even more difficult.

Editor's Points: Rights of Access for Surveyors

trunickp@bnpmedia.com (Perry Trunick) — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 08:00:00 -0500

As I listened to the discussion of government competition at the MAPPS winter conference, I couldn’t help pointing out one of the issues land surveyors face — rights of access.