Puzzled over road markings
What’s up with the mysterious white and black crosses being painted on West Bay Road and elsewhere?
Auntie’s answer: The mystery has been solved thanks to the Lands and Survey Department. The markings you see on the roads are part of an upcoming aerial photography project. The crosses have been painted throughout all three islands “where they will serve as aerial photo controls for the data acquisition and processing phases of the project”.
Aerial surveys like this are usually conducted every four years, and it is expected that the 2017 project should start within a month, meaning that “imagery products” will be available to the public by the beginning of next year.
In case you were wondering why the government conducts these surveys, here is the detailed explanation: “These surveys are important for obtaining a true depiction of the Islands’ current land mass, and built environment. Government and private entities will utilise these updated maps as a tool to answer various queries. These may consist of, but are not limited to, realising recently constructed and proposed developments, assisting in historical analyses, monitoring the movement of sand along our invaluable beaches, and identifying areas where public infrastructure, such as roads, could be constructed or redeveloped.”
To get information on the availability of mapping products, go to the Lands and Survey Department website or stop by the department’s public counter at the Government Administration Building.
Category: Ask Auntie
The amount of detail available from the L&S maps is far greater than available through Google. When I got an image of my home, I could readily see the chain link fence lines, overhead wires and numerous other small details. Plus I could get older imagery at the same resolution.
This allows me to track changes to the property going back to the early 70s.
That is not available on Google which only goes back to 2004.
The photographs are available from Lands and Survey. I have several of my house from each time they have been taken.
Why it is necessary to do it so frequently is a puzzle. The reason given by L & S is simply lame.
Are these images made available to Google Maps or other maps services? Be great to have updated images for tourists 🙂
google have just updated the ipad app and google earth, new images from just a few weeks ago.
no