The Ordnance Survey (OS) has announced the latest expansion of the national map of Great Britain (GB), the OS National Geographic Database (OS NGD).
Three and a half years since its launch, the database has expanded into an unprecedented collection of datasets to deliver the most detailed and data-rich digital map in history.
Described as the biggest change to OS data access in a generation, the database brings together a high volume of authoritative geographic data for GB into one location, providing improved access and richer attribution.
OS has now released 16 data collections and 70 major data enhancements into the OS NGD, which, it says, makes it the richest map of Britain ever created.
The latest data release includes full GB coverage of bus and cycle lanes, supporting local authorities and central government in promoting Active Travel and public safety. This follows the partial coverage released in September last year.
The update also adds improved postcode unit areas and points data, a new retail areas dataset which provides a geographical view of retail activity across GB, and OS’s structures data has been enhanced with third-party bridge information which help identify the location of emergency incidents.
Early next month, the OS Emergency Services Gazetteer (OS ESG) will be enhanced with third-party bridge information, slipways and weirs.
Solving national challenges
This year marks the 225th anniversary of the creation of OS’s first map, commissioned with the single purpose of protecting national security.
Today, OS NGD data is being used to help solve diverse national challenges and helping to improve decision-making across the public and commercial sectors.
Access to authoritative and trusted data under the Public Sector Geospatial Agreement enables 6,000 public sector organisations across GB to provide crucial services, such as emergency services and public safety, transport and infrastructure management, and healthcare access and planning.
The emergency services are additionally supported with bespoke offerings such as the OS ESG and the Vernacular Names Tool.
“Providing detailed, trusted and accurate data has been part of Ordnance Survey’s DNA since its first map was created 225 years ago,” said Tina Kennedy, Chief Customer Officer at Ordnance Survey.
“And despite the unprecedented scale of datasets already delivered with the latest data release, OS continues to deliver further enhancements and products to meet the growing needs of our customers and deliver greater value, because high-quality data is an asset for everyone.”
Out with the old
Alongside the latest release of data into the OS NGD, OS is currently progressing an end-of-life roadmap where some of its older products will be retired.
One example is the OS MasterMap Topography Layer, OS’s most popular product, which was launched in 2001. Its successor will be OS BaseMap Pro, which is currently in its prototype phase and will be ready for full launch next year.
The new product will continue to provide the most detailed and trusted basemap for GB but in a more advanced format, suitable for modern applications, and will provide a gateway to unlock and allow usage alongside OS NGD analytical data.
Customers and partners are being actively supported and encouraged to adopt replacements from OS’s latest generation of OS NGD-derived products.
