Spatial Innovision Limited, one of the Caribbean's leading providers of services in satellite imagery, surveying, mapping and other services, is on the verge of revolutionising the business of land surveying in Jamaica.

The company, which has been operating throughout the Caribbean for the past 15 years, was recently commissioned by the Government to set up 13 virtual reference stations (VRS) around the island that will allow for the use of satellite imagery in land surveying instead of the traditional surveying tool.

This is expected to not only speed up the length of time it takes surveyors to conduct their work but also "maximise accuracy in their readings at real time", according to chairman and CEO of Spatial Innovision Limited, Silburn Clarke.

lower cost

Addressing the launch and commission of the virtual reference station, code-named gFIX.net, at The Knutsford Court Hotel last week, Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Robert Pickersgill, said the new technology would not only provide for more accuracy in the field of surveying but also lower cost.

"At present, persons within the lower socio-economic stratum cannot afford the cost to survey their land for the purpose of registration. In fact, the current system largely benefits land surveyors and lawyers. We aim to change this with the commissioning of gFIX.net," he said.

Additionally, Pickersgill said the technology would be a useful tool to map natural hazards through its support of disaster management and mitigation activities, as well as aid in crime fighting.

"This will enable us to stop second guessing about the areas that are most vulnerable to the effects of natural hazards and to plan accordingly," he said.

"Programmes such as Ananda Alert, the Nationwide Child Alert System, and Crime Stop can benefit from … its tracking capabilities," he said.