Canadian Geospatial Digest for November 11th, 2024

1. Solar Solutions Developed by the University of Waterloo for Safer Airports
2. Real-time provincial road traveler information is part of the new Living Atlas content
3. London, Ontario, welcomes Canada’s ‘authoritative source’ for severe storm research
4. Flood risk mapping in Canada is ongoing
5. Canadian Companies Forge New Partnership in Geospatial Data Innovation
6. Explore Urban Toronto’s New Interactive Map Features
7. Be Part of Mapping the Future in Vancouver

Solar Solutions developed by the University of Waterloo for Safer Airports

With support from FedDev Ontario, researchers at the University of Waterloo are creating strategies for integrating solar panels into airports safely. The Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA) team, led by Drs. Costa Kapsis and Derek Robinson, employs drones and simulations to investigate and reduce solar panel glare, which could be dangerous for pilots and air traffic controllers. They are developing criteria for the best location of solar panels through testing, 3D mapping, and virtual reality modelling. Their efforts seek to strike a balance between safety and energy efficiency, laying the groundwork for robust, environmentally friendly airports across Canada. Read the full article here!

Real-time provincial road traveler information is part of the new Living Atlas content

Esri Canada has added live feature services that offer real-time traffic and route updates for a few Canadian provinces in the ArcGIS Living Atlas. These capabilities display road conditions, traffic incidents, construction zones, and even real-time traffic camera images, with data updated every 15 minutes from provincial 511 services. These live services are currently available in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan, with other provinces to follow. Road event points and lines, incident reports, closure details, and planned work are examples of layers. As winter rolls on, these services are crucial for assisting organisations and drivers in navigating unforeseen delays and keeping up with road conditions. Find out more details about the article here!

Source: ESRI Canada

London, Ontario, welcomes Canada’s ‘authoritative source’ for severe storm research

Western University has opened the Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory (CSSL) in London, Ontario, making it Canada’s leading research centre for extreme weather data. CSSL, which has received a $20 million contribution from ImpactWX, will focus on extreme weather events such as tornadoes, hail, thunderstorms, and flash floods. Led by Greg Kopp, the lab includes the Northern Tornadoes and Northern Hail Projects, as well as the forthcoming Northern Mesonet Project, which will centralise meteorological data from monitoring sites. As weather consequences from climate change worsen, the lab hopes to assist politicians and emergency planners in making informed decisions, increasing resilience and even influencing building regulations. Read more about article here!

Also, follow the below links to check the webpage of Northern Tornadoes Project and dashboard:

https://ntpopendata-westernu.opendata.arcgis.com/

https://westernu.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/19460b79cf24493680e5792f5247f46d

Source: CBC News

Flood risk mapping in Canada is  ongoing

Canada has committed $164.2 million in the National Adaptation Strategy to improve flood risk mapping across the country, hence strengthening flood resilience. Over 250 projects are underway, with data from Swiss Re and Aon assisting hazard mapping. However, obsolete maps and inaccurate flood data continue to have an impact on property owners and insurers. Steven Sanders of ICEYE highlighted instances where outmoded risk perceptions misled Canadians, particularly as extreme weather events grow increasingly common owing to climate change, urbanisation, and ageing infrastructure. Advanced technology, such as SAR satellites, is delivering enhanced, high-resolution flood data to help insurers correctly analyse and price flood risks. Collect more information here!

Source: insurancebusinessmag.com

Canadian Companies Forge New Partnership in Geospatial Data Innovation

Can-Explore is a specialist in urban asset management company has teamed up with Jakarto which is a 3D mapping pioneer company to improve Canada’s capabilities of geospatial data collection and shares . Using Jakarto’s innovative platform, Can-Explore can now effortlessly exchange high-quality mobile scan data captured with Leica’s Pegasus TRK 700 Neo scanner with clients and partners. This collaboration enables Can-Explore to provide verified, precise data for projects in one location. With their combined experience, the two firms can fulfil the rising need for precise, verified mapping data, allowing cities to design and operate their infrastructure more sustainably and effectively. Read the full article here!