2010 – 2015 Galvanising an Emerging Spatial Industry
CRCSI puts government, universities and the private sector at the forefront of spatial capabilities in global navigation satellite systems, spatial data infrastructures, data fusion and rapid spatial analytics.
Some of our notable achievements during this exciting five-year period included:
2010-12
Vital climate change data improves Australia’s management of rising sea levels
CRCSI researchers significantly improved Australia’s ability to manage the effects of climate change such as coastal sea-level rise. Working with the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, the CRCSI team delivered coastal elevation models and sea-level rise maps for the Urban Digital Elevation Management Project. Development of a national web portal prompted over 300,000 map downloads. This suite of outcomes led to the development of Geoscience Australia’s ELVIS, and improvements in the national elevation product.
World-first results in integrating GPS and Galileo signals for improved positioning
A range of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) users experienced direct benefits as a result of research by Curtin University-based CRCSI researchers. The team achieved a world first by integrating GPS and Galileo signals. The research lead to improvements in real-time, high accuracy GNSS positioning. Components of his project culminated in the development of the National Positioning Infrastructure
Australian research provides world-leading emissions and deforestation management advice
A joint CRCSI and CSIRO team completed research into management of emissions from deforestation/forest degradation in developing countries. CRCSI researchers produced a Forest Carbon Tracking Guide for Australia’s International Forest Carbon Initiative, a key contributor to global action on climate change.
CRCSI developed Flight Assist System reaches 1000-hour milestone and deployed into second aircraft
Continued research by Queensland University of Technology resulted in the development of advanced techniques for real-time control of aircraft for the capture of power line infrastructure. It included new turn strategies, dynamic ‘in-wind’ flight and altitude control to reduce pilot workload and a reduction in mission distances of approximately 15%. This eventually became a component of the Fugro ROAMES business.
Sustainable use of Kokoda Track through Australia – Papua New Guinea regional research partnership
CRCSI researchers delivered three datasets to complete a cross-government project for the sustainable use of the Owen Stanley Ranges region, including the Kokoda Track. The elevation data, satellite imaging of forests, and multiple maps provided by the researchers meant the joint Australian and PNG taskforce helped protect the area into the future.
Major Digital Rights Management project generates huge international interest and saves millions
Web developments by CRCSI researchers to embed shared information with licensing data was implemented in three government departments and laid the foundations for the uptake of creative commong licencing frameworks across Australia.
2012-13
A world-first in integrating GPS and Chinese BeiDou satellite signals to demonstrate the benefits in Australia of precise, real-time positioning in obstructed environments.
The research proved that the hybrid solution integrating the high elevation BeiDou satellites allowed instantaneous precise positioning to be achieved in challenging areas such as open-pit mines, urban canyons and high multipath environments where a single constellation solution (e.g. GPS only) would normally fail.
A further world-first in demonstrating the use of the Japanese QZSS LEX signal in delivering real-time, centimetre accurate precise point positioning (PPP) in Australia. This research involved a collaboration between the CRCSI research team and colleagues at the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and ultimately lead to an “Australian-made” LEX message for testing. The use of a satellite-based delivery system pointed towards a strategy for providing a truly national positioning infrastructure, not limited by the vagaries of mobile phone coverage.
2014-15
Improvements to the Australian Geographic Reference Image (AGRI)
The AGRI project produced a nationwide geo-referenced image mosaic comprising almost 10 000 satellite images. The CRCSI developed a new photogrammetric processing approach that reduced the need for ground control by more than 95% and reduced the image registration task from almost 10 000 scenes to just 105 orbit segments resulting in savings of several million dollars in processing costs.
Overcoming limitations in the International GNSS Service (IGS) orbits
The IGS provides high accuracy global orbit and clock products for real-time and post processed GPS positioning. The CRCSI research team based at Curtin University in Western Australia discovered technical problems with the IGS regional orbit products that reduced positional accuracy. This team started working with the IGS to develop a new international standard for conversion of IGS products into regional frames of reference to be adopted for global use.
World first results in integrating GPS and Galileo signals for RTK positioning
The CRCSI research team at Curtin University in Western Australia achieved a world first by integrating GPS and Galileo signals to demonstrate use for real-time kinematic positioning. This research demonstrated the practical potential and a theoretical foundation for real-time, high accuracy positioning based on signals from multiple GNSS constellations.
Improving understanding of cancer outcomes
Queensland University of Technology-located CRCSI researchers developed novel Bayesian modelling tools to better understand the spatial and temporal variation in the treatment of cancer in the community. They also examined the optimum location of the provision of cancer treatment services. One model predicted cancer incidence based on factors such as distance to health services, while another assesses the current state of service provision in relation to the demand for services in small areas. These models assisted health policymakers to make more informed decisions for future service promotion and the redistribution of cancer treatment services. This work became the foundations of the Australian Cancer Atlas.
A new way to remotely measure crop and pasture biomass
Efficiently measuring and mapping green biomass using remote sensing offers substantial benefits for improved management of pastures. Working with the University of New England, CRCSI researchers validated the use of a cheap lightweight and easily deployable airborne, near infrared and red reflectance sensors to quantify and map pasture biomass using specific spectral indices for use in farm decision management systems.
Digital Elevation Modelling
In response to the Coalition of Australian Government desire to better manage the impact of sea level rise, the CRCSI led the development of the National Elevation Data Framework (NEDF) program coordinating the over 200,000km2 of high resolution DEM mapping along the built up areas of the Australian coast. This dataset made Australia one of the most advanced countries in the world for modelling sea level rise in populated areas.
