Quality improvements for transport mapping

04 June 2009, 5:09pm

Ordnance Survey has completed a two-year programme of quality control on its flagship transport dataset: OS MasterMap Integrated Transport Network (ITN) Layer.

The programme has seen every road link in Britain checked by an Ordnance Survey data editor to ensure quality levels are maintained consistently across the country.

ITN Layer records the location of the nation’s roads, forming the foundation to many of the market-leading satnavs, and is relied on by the emergency services for route planning. Maintaining a high level of currency and accuracy is therefore essential.

The programme covered 10,625 ‘tiles’ of mapping and included checking the accuracy of road weight, width and height restrictions – information vital to help avoid misrouting heavy goods vehicles. Routing through local streets was also verified to ensure it was appropriate and safe.

Tom Satterthwaite, Ordnance Survey’s Senior Transport Product Manager, comments: “Our two-year revision programme has seen a root and branch refresh of our transport network. This means its quality levels are consistent across the whole country, so our users can continue to rely on it for delivering essential services.

“Ordnance Survey mapping is known for its accuracy and reliability, and I hope this programme reinforces that position.”

For the first time many utility assets have been connected to the road network, including electrical substations, waterworks and wind turbines, to enable easier and more accurate routing.

Mr Satterthwaite continues: “Refinements like adding utility assets reflect the needs of our customers. We have also improved how we represent complex junctions and the routing on private roads, so it’s as good as on any other. ITN Layer offers huge benefits for emergency services, freight companies, hauliers, local and central government. These quality improvements will further support them.”

ITN Layer is an accurate, detailed and up-to-date geographic reference base for Britain’s road infrastructure. Part of the OS MasterMap family, it complements the Topography, Address and Imagery Layers to support decision making and services.

www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk

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