Surveying and Mapping Beyond 2000

Abstract

Two areas that demand major research commitments include real‐time surveying and mapping systems and geographic data bases. Future developments in these areas are vital to the computer integration of engineering processes, and the automation of construction. Global positioning and machine vision systems have already demonstrated the potential for performing real‐time surveying and mapping tasks. Some of the fundamental problems and benefits associated with geographic data bases have also been demonstrated by the Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) file system being developed by the U.S. Bureau of Census. However, many complex technical problems in both areas need to be resolved. In addition, the shortage of qualified surveying engineers and problems in surveying education can be major obstacles to the implementation of these new technologies.