Aerial surveying company Bluesky has supplied nearly 4,000 square kilometres of detailed 3D height data to the UK's Kent County Council. Covering the whole of Kent the Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) show heights above sea level and can be used to create 3D visualisations of the earth’s surface and structures that cover it in order to provide real world detail. Kent Council plan to use the data for a range of applications including viewshed analysis of major works, feasibility studies, planning applications and site investigations.

“We previously had access to height data as part of the Mapping Services Agreement (MSA) but this was not included within the Public Sector Mapping Agreement (PSMA). We therefore needed to source replacement data in order to continue with a wide range of projects and applications that had come to depend on these type of models,” commented Ben Holmes, Senior GIS Technician for Kent County Council. “We selected the Bluesky data as they were able to provide the accuracy and coverage we required with a competitive price and quick turnaround. The in-perpetuity licence also made it very attractive.”

Kent County Council plan to use the Bluesky data in a wide range of application areas including prediction of archaeological sites, support for highways planning works, viewshed analysis of major works – for example an incinerator at Aylesford and production of ‘walk profiles’ to give ramblers a more accurate representation of difficulty. The data will also provide context for other types of mapping and will support feasibility studies and public consultations such as a proposed cable car system in the Dover area.

“The Bluesky data will be used in similar projects as those already completed and as there are no restrictions on the use of the data in relation to flooding, we hope to investigate it’s use in this area as well,” continued Holmes.

The Bluesky height models are available in a range of formats suitable for use in Geographical Information System (GIS), Computer Aided Design (CAD) or 3D visualisation software and are designed for applications that require a real world representation of the earth’s surface and the vegetation and buildings that cover it. From simple identification of ground surface features to more complex projects including flood risk assessment and mobile network planning, the data is offered free of Crown Copyright with flexible licensing terms.

CONTACTS: Website: www.bluesky-world.com Tel: +44 (0)1530 518 518