Surveying and Mapping Research 1978-1988: An Overview

As background for forecasts of surveying and mapping research in the 1978-1988 decade, the experience of the 1965-1978 period is reviewed. Prognostications for the next decade by several authors in the fields of land surveys, geodetic surveys, engineering surveys, and oceanographic and hydrographic surveys are discussed. Major research objectives in each field are spelled out and a prediction is presented for each objective. Predictions include: development of photogrammetric survey standards; use of inertiial-surveying systems; development of economical minicomputers and automated plotters; use of satellites for position determination; adoption of the North American datum of 1983; implementation of a nationwide digital cartographic data base; introduction of holographic techniques; conversion to metric measurements on cartographic products; and increased automation of cartographic procedures. Technology for implementing most of the predicted developments already exists, in theory; to reduce them to practice requires engineering, funds and incentive.