Remote Sensing
Modern aerial surveying techniques using a wide range
of the electromagnetic spectrum offer good prospects
for use in various aspects of the work of Rijkswaterstaat.
Equipment is now available which uses for example, the
microwaves and infra-red bands.
In the period from 1971-77, the Netherlands Interdepar-
temental Working Community for the Application of
Remote Sensing techniques (NIWARS) investigated the
suitability of the new techniques for a number of civil
engineering problems such as detecting oil pollution at
sea, cooling water discharges, ship routing, etc. Rijks
waterstaat (including the MD) took part in these investi
gations and now uses several of these techniques. After
the conclusion of the NIWARS-project, the MD was
given a major role in introducing the new techniques
and the coordination of the relevant research, within the
Rijkswaterstaat. The MD also coordinates the remote
sensing activities of other ministeries.
One of the results is the recent decision to purchase an
oilpollution detecting system, operating a Side Looking
Airborne Radar. This system will be operational in 1983.
Automation
The MD has used computers and plotters since they first
became available. A lot of routine work readily lent itself
to computer processing as the relatively simple pro
blems were well formulated. After the smooth and
successful start with simple work, the computer has
now become an indispensable aid in the new working
methods. Automation originally referred to large
computers only, but nowadays relatively simple elec
tronic desktop calculators with the necessary peripheral
equipment, are used to perform and (to some extent)
process measurements on the spot. In general it can be
said that within Rijkswaterstaat automation is applied
more intensively in the geodesy sector than in other
technical fields.
Fig. 4. Organization of MD.
instruments. The department is also in charge of the
development and adaption of apparatus, and it renders
support in the choice and use of advanced electronic
devices for location and underwater inspection.
The section for Marine Geodesy and Special Measure
ments advises on geodetic problems at sea and on
rivers regarding positioning-, sounding- and sonarsys-
tems; it also renders specialised assistance to all depart
ments of the Rijkswaterstaat.
The department for Economic and General Affairs is in
charge of planning and conducting aspects, financial
control, administration and domestic affairs.
Organisation
Due to the complexity of the many tasks of the MD, the
organisation could not be based on the performance of
a complete activity by only one department (Figure 4).
Instead each department is specialised in performing
only one part of the job.
The department for Aerial Mapping is in charge of
photogrammetric and cartographic activities of
mapping and the application of non-topographic
photogrammetry (e.g. for the use of building, shipping
archeology). Together with the department for Systems
and Instruments the Division for Aerial Mapping investi
gates the possibilities of applicating remote sensing
techniques.
The department for Field Work is in charge of all MD
survey-activities in the field. This department works
nation-wide. A total of 80 measuring parties is divided
over 9 branch offices.
The department for NAP and Numerical Processing is in
charge of the maintenance of the NAP on the one hand
and on the other hand all computing activities.
Moreover, this department supports all automation
procedures within the MD, including the automatic data
processing.
The department for Systems and Instruments is in
charge of the technical management of systems and
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Final remarks
The place which the MD holds within Rijkswaterstaat
and the geodetic world can be readily shown by listing a
few facts.
- Since the first year of its existence, the MD has used
photogrammetry in map making, encouragement in
this direction having been given by prof. dr. ir. W.
Schermerhorn. Photogrammetry is also used for
special non-topographic applications. The MD has
currently the largest number of photogrammetric
instruments in The Netherlands and was also among
the first within the international surveying world to
computerise photogrammetric mapping.
- The MD is the only one in the world capable of
conducting hydrostatic levelling on a large scale.
- The MD plays an important part in the introduction of
remote sensing techniques in The Netherlands.
Its importance within Rijkswaterstaat is most clearly
indicated by the fact that it became an independent
Directorate in 1959. This meant that the specialization of
geodesy received equal status along with the other
special technical fields within Rijkswaterstaat, such as
traffic engineering and information processing. Conse
quently, the MD is committed to following develop
ments in geodesy and keeping an eye open for their
potential uses within Rijkswaterstaat.
NGT GEODESIA 82
