UKMap Frequently Asked Questions

Our top FAQs, as complied by our ever helpful customer support team.

Click on one of the topics below to find out more or click here to ask a question

• So can I use UKMap for planning applications?

  Yes you can Local authorities require 1:1,250 scale mapping, not specifically OS mapping. UKMap is 1:1,000 scale so well within the criteria set.

• Why is UKMap so different?

  Traditionally all this type of mapping has only been available from one source, Ordnance Survey. UKMap now offers users a choice of large scale mapping and location information. With a simple and flexible licensing scheme, ownership of derived data and multiple map products all in one, UKMap really is very different to anything else we have seen so far.

• So why do it?

  We felt that the time was right for a new mapping product, one that met the needs of the modern user. Technology also played a big part in helping us complete a very complex and challenging mapping product.

• How did you do it?

  Well first we use our latest high resolution aerial photography, all captured using a very advanced digital camera at 12.5cm resolution. The aerial photos are orthorectified using GPS and a very detail terrain model from our own Cities Revealed LiDAR database. This gives us a very accurate stereo aerial photo database from which we can digitise; the accuracies of our air photo database and the subsequent features we digitise have been tested and show absolute positional accuracies compared to independent GPS points of 0.7m RMSE. We then digitise, using stereo pairs, all features we can see in the photo, such as fences, buildings, road markings, trees bridges etc. These are all digitised with some key tools so we ensure parallel lines, right angled corners and splines for curves. This all makes for a much neater, accurate and cartographically improved line map. The digitised maps are then printed and sent out to our field survey team who then walk every street, park, office complex in fact anywhere where there is public access to collect all the information we need and add that to our map, this includes house numbers, street names, shop names, locality information, office names etc. All this data is then complied into the UKMap database.

• Did you use another map source to do this?

  No absolutely not. All the buildings, roads and all line work was digitised from our own aerial photography, and all the information collected in the field by our survey team was done so by writing down on our digitised maps everything they could see. The only piece of third party data that is within the UKMap database, and it is optional, is the Postcode

• How do you work out where a boundary is when there might trees over it?

  Well firstly we are using very high resolution stereo aerial photography. That gives us up to six different images of any single object. So when digitising if we cannot see a feature in one image we switch to another one to give us a better view.

• How can I get hold of UKMap?

  London, our first UKMap city will be released in September 2009, soon after we will be releasing through a partner a web service to enable you to download UKMap direct from the web. If you need data before then please call us and we will see how we can help you in the meantime.

• Is there a specification listing on what features are captured?

  Yes, quite a few, we have a comprehensive specification document for licensed customers, this contain details of our 280 land use codes, 8 different feature types and a multitude of other information held in UKMap

• If I digitise or locate something of interest to me on your map and it is not already on there do you own that?

  The big difference with UKMap is the right granted to the licensed user to own any derived data they create using UKMap as a base or reference. To qualify as derived data the features cannot already be part of UKMap and features must not be a duplicate in whole or part of any UKMap feature. For example a boundary around an area to define an accident hotspot would be classed as derived data, but a selection of the centre points of all the houses within that boundary would not

• I see that UKMap is referenced to the UK National Grid; does this mean that Ordnance Survey has a control over your data?

  No, The OS do not exert any copyright interest in data referenced to and provided using UK National Grid co-ordinates;

• How much does UKMap cost?

  We have just released our prices and we hope you will find that them to be competatively priced and value for money

• How can I find out more about UKMap?

  Have a look at our unofficial blog

• I am a consultancy working for a clinet who wants a report with your mapping in. Am I licensed to do this or do I have to pay more?

  No you do not have to pay more. When you buy UKMap our licence allows you to provide unlimited copies inside reports within your normal business purpose.

• OK, so what happens if I want to print lots of maps, say bus route maps?

  Yes, this is different in that this is a commercial publication activity and for that there is a single one of annual fee, the price of which is dependant on the activity, just call us and we can go through what you need.

• So what is UKMap?

  UKMap is a modern, highly detailed, feature rich mapping database. It comprises of several map layers designed to be used as a single integrated geographic information database. UKMap layers include a 1:1,000 scale topographic map layer accurately locating all buildings, extensions, garages, property boundaries, roads, road markings, rivers, trees and many other features of our environment. Other layers include a location database holding addresses, commercial and retail names, building heights, tree heights, street names, government offices, and place names. In addition to these layers there is an aerial photography layer and a digital terrain model.

• Can sub contractors use UKMap?

  If you have a corporate licence, you receive sub-contractor rights. Please contact The GeoInformation Group.