Bluesky aerial thermal survey data helps Harrow tackle 'beds in sheds'
Thermal imaging and laser scan data collected by aircraft is helping Harrow Council tackle the growing problem of unscrupulous landlords renting out sheds and outbuildings as dwellings. Supplied by aerial mapping company Bluesky, the map accurate thermal images are combined with detailed laser scanning (LiDAR) measurements to give staff at Harrow Council a much better understanding of where unpermitted developments may have been erected and their potential occupation evidenced as 'hot spots' in the data. The Bluesky data is being combined with additional council information such as waste collection, parking permits and noise complaints, for example as part of the government funded 'Hot Harrow' project. "The combination of thermal survey data, LiDAR, Council information and additional intelligence from third parties gives us a truly holistic picture of the borough," commented Matt Pennells, Senior GI Officer and Web & GIS Project Manager at Harrow Council. "While 'beds in sheds' is a serious and growing issue there are a number of other applications of this intelligence. The Bluesky data will feed into energy efficiency improvement projects and helps us tackle fuel poverty and the LiDAR data will be used for flood modelling and 3D visualisations. The 'Hot Harrow' project with funding from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills will also allow us to develop models and working practices to share these valuable resources with residents and businesses, opening up a host of other application areas."
Pictured: Aerial thermal survey image from Harrow, by Bluesky
Bluesky: www.bluesky-world.com
OS Locate app pinpoints position with no phone signal
Ordnance Survey's latest free iOS app, OS Locate, allows hikers and outdoor sportspeople to pinpoint their exact location on the map, anywhere in Great Britain, the agency says. Designed to be used alongside an Ordnance Survey paper map, the app converts GPS location readings from a mobile phone to Ordnance Survey National Grid references. OS Locate does not require a mobile signal to function, using a smartphone's inbuilt GPS system. The app includes a 'Share' button to allow users to connect with friends and family using messaging and social media (when there is a mobile or Wi-Fi signal), to let them know where they are. Ordnance Survey is also working on an Android version of OS Locate.
OS Locate: www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/shop/os-locate
HP receives pan-government accreditation at IL3
Technology giant HP Enterprise Services has announced it has been granted UK pan-government accreditation at Impact Level 3 (IL3) for its secure government cloud hosting service ECS-G VPC (Enterprise Cloud Service - Government Virtual Private Cloud) and desktop service WP360G (WorkPlace360G).HP's IL3 accreditation covers all of the data centre, security and service management operations required to deliver cloud services. The announcement follows the recent award of CSA STAR (Cloud Security Alliance Security Trust and Assurance Registry) silver certification for ECS-G from the BSI (British Standards Institute), making HP the first major Cloud Service Provider in the UK to receive this award, the company says.
HP: www.hp.com
