UK's National Mapping Agency is Working on a Project To Create Almost Real-Time Maps of Streets

The UK's national mapping agency is working on a project to create almost real-time maps of the nation's streets, which it says will help with everything from 5G rollout to autonomous driving. From a report: The Ordnance Survey (OS) pilot project will see the vehicles of utility companies using a dashboard mounted camera to record the view of the road as they travel. The images from the camera are processed to identify details such as road signs, traffic lights, lamp posts, bollards, drains and man-hole covers which are then sent to the OS. Highly precise maps are vital for everything from 5G deployments to smart city planning and autonomous driving projects. For example, 5G signals are easily blocked by common street features like signs, hanging baskets, trees or bus shelters. 'Having a very detailed map means you can optimise where you put your 5G stations to get the best views down the road. By having very detailed asset maps and street furniture maps we can produce much better planning and reduce the number of stations you put out,' said OS interim CEO Neil Ackroyd.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.