ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Quantum Spatial, Inc. (QSI), the nation’s largest independent geospatial data firm, this week was presented with two MAPPS 2018 Geospatial Products and Services Excellence Awards during the MAPPS Winter Conference.
In the Airborne and Satellite Data Acquisition category, QSI won for its work with the U.S. Geological Survey to collect and process topo-bathymetric LiDAR, natural color imagery and hyperspectral imagery for a 54-mile stretch of the Kootenai River in northern Idaho. During this project, QSI tested new remote sensing methodologies to discover and model fluvial processes that leveraged multiple instruments on a single airport platform. Quantum Spatial demonstrated how topo-bathymetric LiDAR was an efficient and cost-effective method for future inland riverine mapping. This project showed how the process could improve flood hazard preparedness; be used to gain a better understanding of river ecology, flow dynamics and connectivity to better manage and restore fish habitat; quantify sediment transport and morphology dynamics; and increase accuracy of predictive models to guide future planning and development.
In the GIS/IT category, Quantum Spatial won for the Marine Minerals Information System (MMIS), a project QSI developed for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). The goal of MMIS was to develop a GIS that would serve as a central authoritative system of record for all available ocean sand and minerals geospatial data and non-geospatial documentation. MMIS characterizes and spatially displays marine minerals geospatial data along the Outer Continental Shelf and offers a robust set of tools designed for viewing, analyzing, and modeling that data. Using an agile development methodology, QSI combined more than 30 years of data in different formats, resolutions, accuracy, scale and completeness – including more than 150,000 historical and current geospatial data elements – into a new standardized data model. By standardizing this information, MMIS will enable more reliable public policy decisions, improve integrity of BOEM resource management and leasing oversight, and increase coastal resiliency.
“We are honored that our topobathy and MMIS work were chosen as the top projects in their categories given the number of impressive products and services entered in this year’s competition,” said Michael Shillenn, vice president at QSI. “QSI’s award-winning projects highlight our expertise in remote sensing, analytics and eGIS project development to deliver insights for better managing our natural resources and facilitating future planning efforts.”
The annual MAPPS Geospatial Products and Services Excellence Awards are given to projects in eight categories: airborne and satellite data acquisition; photogrammetry/elevation data generation; remote sensing; GIS/IT; surveying/field data collection; small projects; technology innovation; and, licensed data products.
QSI will share details about its award-winning projects in Booth 805 during the International LiDAR Mapping Forum (January 28-30), also happening this week in Denver as a part of GeoWeek. In addition, at its booth, QSI is showcasing its cutting-edge applications for surveying and mapping, using high-resolution LiDAR, hyperspectral imagery and topobathy, as well as projects that include remote sensing and advanced analytics, for a wide range of uses, including the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 3D Elevation Program, emergency response and planning, forestry and utility vegetation management.
About Quantum Spatial, Inc.
Quantum Spatial is the nation’s largest independent geospatial analytics firm, provides geospatial intelligence to government and corporate organizations to mitigate risk, plan for growth, better manage resources and achieve advanced scientific understanding. A pioneer in advanced mapping technology, QSI’s end-to-end solutions deliver data and services of the highest quality and accuracy, leveraging the widest array of technologies in all types of landscapes. Clients use the company’s acquisition, processing, analytics and visualization solutions in a range of technical and scientific disciplines – from geology and biology, to hydrology, forestry and civil engineering. Utilities, oil and gas producers, engineering and construction firms, as well as the military and major government agencies, are QSI customers. QSI has multiple offices around the country.