Nov/Dec 2004

The NEXTMap three-dimensional digital map of Great Britain is being extended to cover the rest of the United Kingdom, so that it will include England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.

The producer, Intermap, is also to "re-fly" parts of the country in order to update the mapping of main population centres such as London and the Thames Valley, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield. The original map was created by means of imaging from a Learjet aircraft flying at 28,000ft, and is said to have a vertical accuracy of better than one metre.

Three-dimensional mapping can be used to enhance many mapping applications in the telematics world, including navigation systems and route-finding applications. The NEXTMap range is also used extensively by Government and local authorities.