Introduction
The geographic mapping industry has widely acknowledged that the accuracy and timeliness of national maps have traditionally been poor. Even more troublesome is that the high current cost of data acquisition is restricting efforts by government agencies to effectively update this critical national resource. Existing out-of-date and inaccurate base maps are impacting the utility of national map data in not only traditional mapping applications, but also emerging applications including air and ground navigation systems, 3D visualization products and in orthorectification of airborne and satellite imagery. The high costs of traditional mapping techniques are restricting efforts of local and national governments in updating these maps on a nationwide level. The introduction of a nationwide geospatial data set including a seamless image layer with a resolution of 1.25 meters, and a seamless DEM with a posting of 5 meters, would permanently change the industry landscape.

Traditional photogrammetric mapping technologies are being challenged by high resolution Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IFSAR) systems. The first rigorous assessment of IFSAR for topography mapping was demonstrated in 1963. Ten years later, the IFSAR technology has advanced to the point where airborne systems are capable of accuracies in the centimeters. The flexibility of IFSAR system deployment (day or night operation), near weather-independent data collection, cloud penetrating capability, and quick turn-around time is providing an alternative to the conventional photogrammetric technology.

Intermap Technologies is the world’s leading IFSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) remote sensing imagery and elevation data products, company and a leader in the generation of cartographic and other mapping products. Using its IFSAR technology, Intermap has conducted national mapping programs under its NEXTMap banner for Britain, Indonesia, Jamaica, Vanuatu, The Solomon Islands and Puerto Rico

Figure 1: IFSAR derived DEM for the cloud covered country of Jamaica.

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