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Research at Ordnance Survey

Our Research activities focus on developing solutions to the technical challenges faced by us as an organisation.  In doing so, we often work collaboratively with universities and other institutions.   Find out more about what we do and how you can be involved in our research.

Usability

'Enter' key and tools

Understanding how people do and could use geographic information effectively is central to how Ordnance Survey can deliver content to meet users’ needs now and in the future.  With the focus on how people work and interact with the real-world and geographic information, this area of research draws on many aspects of User Centred Design.

Automatic change detection

Pylons at dusk

One of our main tasks is to keep our mapping and spatial data as up to date as possible.  To ensure this, we need to know when new houses have been built, when sites have been re-developed, and when any other changes have occurred which will affect our mapping.

Data improvement

Map extract

The aim of the Generalisation team is to automate the derivation of products (maps or datasets) from the large scale data that Ordnance survey collects and maintains. Full automation is often only inspirational, the real aim is to find the most cost effective way to create and maintain products.

Vernacular geographyComplicated motorway junction

In collaboration with the English Project, we are developing an ‘alternative name’ gazetteer. Alternative place names are unofficial names that do not currently appear on our maps.

3D data modellingAerial photo with 3D buildings added

We live in 3-dimensions and it is often not enough to model our world in 2-dimensions. we have been researching 3D digital mapping data for over a decade and our work has many facets.

The Linked Data WebAbstract idea of inked people

Part of Sir Tim Berners-Lee’s original vision of the web was that it should also be used to publish, share and link data. This aspect of Sir Tim’s original vision has gained a lot of momentum over the last few years and has seen the emergence of the Linked Data Web.

Mobile devicesMap on computer

With recent improvements in GPS technology on mobile devices, this project has the aim of gathering knowledge from the general public in regard to changes in their environment and submitting these to Ordnance Survey for map updates.

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For general enquiries, complaints, feedback or suggestions, email: customerservices@ordnancesurvey.co.uk or call us on 08456 05 05 05