Merrick & Co., a leader in LIDAR, digital ortho imaging, photogrammetry and GIS mapping won a contract with the city of Norman, Okla. The project coverage includes a total of 238 sq miles in both rural and urban areas.

Merrick will deliver a full suite of topographic mapping products including LIDAR data, breaklines, a digital terrain model (DTM), 1-ft contours in urban and suburban areas, 2-ft contours in the rural areas, color and panchromatic digital orthophotography at half-ft (urban and suburban areas) and 1-ft (rural areas) pixel resolutions. Final deliverables are expected in October 2007.

Joyce Green, manager of the city’s GIS services division, said, “We need to update our topographic data in order to manage our resources and perform city business. We are currently using data that was collected in the mid 1980s and our landscape has changed significantly since then.” Green continued, “We are also beginning our storm water master plan to more effectively manage citywide drainage. In addition, the topographic data will support our work to comply with the Environment Protection Agency’s NPDES Phase II Stormwater Program.”

The data will be used throughout city departments including planning, engineering, utilities, and parks and recreation. The public can obtain data from the GIS division for the minimal cost of reproduction.

Source: GISuser.com, Merrick & Co.