UITS assists in program to provide aerial images

University Information Technology Services has teamed up with the Indiana Geographic Information Council to construct a database for the images provided by the Statewide Digital Orthophotography Program. \nWhen completed, the program will provide high-resolution color aerial photos of all 92 counties in Indiana, said Anna Radue, database and GIS specialist for IU. \nThe orthophotos can be accessed through the program's Web site, http://gis.iu.edu. According to the site, orthophotos are standard aerial photos that are corrected to correspond with three-dimensional properties. The end result is similar to a topographical map. \nRadue said the Web site, managed by the UITS Data Management Support Group, provides access to orthophotos, maps and elevation data for Indiana. Since the information is public domain data, users are able to download data sets with no restrictions. \nThe orthophotos provide information that supports homeland security, emergency planning and response and other government functions, such as property management, flood mapping and economic development, Radue said. \nThe new elevation levels shown in the photographs are very accurate, Radue said. Users will now be able to see things like hills and valleys with this feature. This information is useful to processes such as water management and transportation. \nRadue said another aspect of the orthophotos is an infrared feature, which will aid in monitoring wetlands. \n"The information made accessible by this program is multiuse data," she said. "It benefits a very large group of people."\nJim Bethel, associate professor of civil engineering at Purdue University, served on the committee for the Orthophotography and Elevation Workgroup. The committee members evaluated proposals submitted by companies interested in working on the project.\n"We looked at the general capabilities of the company before making our decision," Bethel said. \nThe committee looked at the manpower, subcontractors and partners of each company. They also focused on the cameras and equipment the company used to ensure the image quality of the photos was high, Bethel said.\n"We wanted a strong company that had the resources to complete this project in a short period of time," he said. \nRadue said the Indiana Department of Homeland Security was the main source of the funding for this program through the Indiana 2004 State and Local Homeland Security Grant. Other sponsors include the United States Geological Survey and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.\nBethel said he is pleased that funds were provided for the project. \n"I am looking forward to being able to use the information that will be made available by this project," he said.