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July 2014
PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING
and physics necessary to post process the data are es-
sential for accurate 3-dimensional (3D) measurement
and representation of the Earth’s surface. Lidar may
be employed from a ground station, aircraft (fixed wing
and rotary), moving vehicle or other platform.
•
Radar Measurements for Topographic Mapping
.
This well-established technology is similar to lidar in be-
ing an active system that directly measures features on
the Earth. Modern remote sensing radar systems emit
polarized long wave electromagnetic (radio) energy, with
the ability to penetrate cloud cover, and record the return
signal to create an image of the landscape below. Radar
systems have been extensively developed so that they are
now measurement systems as well. Utilizing complex
technologies such as synthetic apertures and interference
patternmeasurements, radar topographic data have been
collected from aircraft, satellites, and the Space Shuttle.
This technology requires specialized knowledge in its use
and application for geospatial mapping.
•
Image Interpretations and Thematic Mapping
.
Image interpretation and thematic mapping services
involve elements of thematic accuracy rather than geo-
spatial accuracy. These applications of remote sensing
technology would not be considered surveying by the
Model Law definition and, in the absence of a specific
state law that may include these services, would not be
subject to the federal laws that govern architecture and
engineering procurement. However, these services do
share the elements of knowledge, skill, expertise, pro-
fessional judgment and potential impact to life, health,
safety, property and/or the public welfare that define a
professional level service. While not services subject to
Model Law licensure, these services would be considered
professional level services as defined in this document.
Distinguishing Between Professional Services and
Technical Services
Not all geospatial services fall in the category of professional ser-
vices defined above. Services that do not require independent
professional judgment or have the same element of impact to
the public that warrants professional level work are considered
technical services, not professional services. This includes ser-
vices wherein the data products are not to be presented to the
public in any way that would imply an expectation of authorita-
tive positional or thematic accuracy and wherein misrepresenta-
tion of positional or thematic accuracy will not result in potential
harm to the public or to the business purpose of the client. Re-
source or habitat related aerial photography acquisition that is
not geo-referenced, image processing for display only purposes
and processing or formatting of existing data for referential pur-
poses fall into this category.
Examples of technical services include:
1. Reference mapping that does not have published coordi-
nates or coordinate grid;
2. Aerial photography or mosaics for reference or resource
use (not georeferenced); and,
3. Digitizing or formatting of existing geospatial data,
where the data are to be published only for referential,
and not authoritative, purposes.
These
Guidelines
do not attempt to recommend a procure-
ment methodology for technical services. Rather, we recom-
mend that the reader researches technical services procure-
ment publications from other professional organizations.
Future Technologies
Geomatics, remote sensing and photogrammetry are very dy-
namic fields of professional practice. As new technologies be-
come available in the future, photogrammetric mapping pro-
fessionals will continue to develop new ways of implementing
photogrammetry and remote sensing principles and processes
to produce geospatial mapping services and project delivera-
bles.
Within the past two decades, new sensors, new software and
vastly improved computer processing capabilities have dra-
matically transformed the level of automation in photogram-
metric mapping. Many tasks that previously required a high-
ly skilled technician with many years of training can now be
either partially or fully automated to the extent that a much
less skilled individual can perform that same task. This trend
will undoubtedly continue. However, and as stated in previous
sections, it is not the level of automation by itself that defines
whether or not a service requires professional oversight and
supervision. As technology continues to increase the level of
automation used to develop mapping deliverables, the profes-
sional nature of a service must continue to be evaluated based
on the characteristics and intended use of the deliverables, re-
gardless of the technologies or tools used or the level of auto-
mation incorporated within those processes.
As new technologies become available to the geospatial map-
ping community, it is the intent of these
Guidelines
that the
same general criteria applied herein to assist in evaluating
the professional nature of current technologies be applied uni-
formly to new technologies as they are employed by the geo-
spatial mapping professionals.
V. Procurement of PGMS
Although several procurement methods exist that can be used
by clients both in the public and private sectors, one that has
long been endorsed by ASPRS and that has received wide-
spread support in other professions is qualifications based
selection (QBS). QBS is an objective, fair and competitive pro-
cess used by owners to select professionals based on profes-
sional qualifications and capabilities in relation to the work
required; scope of work and cost of services are then negotiated
to best meet project requirements. Nothing in this section or
in this document is intended or should be read to prohibit any
