ROCHESTER, NY – December 11, 2008 – Oblique aerial imagery captured by Pictometry International Corp., a leading provider of geo-referenced aerial image libraries, is featured in a Next Generation

9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) Proof of Concept project completed earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).

The Proof of Concept focused on expanding emergency call answering capabilities to include an efficient way for emergency responders to answer calls from people using voice, video, text messaging and other increasingly popular consumer technologies. Participants in the project, including prime contractor Booz Allen Hamilton, include the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), L. Robert Kimball & Associates, Texas A&M University, and Columbia University.

 

“The objective for NG9-1-1 is to answer the question ‘what is needed for the future of 9-1-1?’ We now have the answer. What’s needed is the ability to respond to ‘any device, anywhere, any time,’” said

Dr. Robert Cobb, NENA Development Director. Explaining that NG9-1-1 efforts became more urgent after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, Cobb added, “After Katrina, it was clear that emergency response capabilities need transportable Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP). NG9-1-1 efforts so far have been focused on making PSAPs transportable and easily replicable -- particularly for those occasions like Katrina when they’re needed the most.”

As part of the project, five state-of-the-art PSAPs from across the country were selected to pilot potential software solutions. Four PSAPS utilized Pictometry imagery of regions in Indiana, New York, Minnesota, Montana and Washington as well as the university development labs involved in the project. Pictometry’s proprietary oblique image capture process captures imagery at an angle to reveal full visual detail of a location as opposed to traditional orthogonal (straight down) aerial image captures. When combined with Pictometry software, users can access up to 12 different high-resolution views of any location. The software also enables users to measure directly from the imagery and insert GIS content and other data. Pictometry imagery is currently used by counties and cities in 47 states across America.

“Pictometry began with a commitment to help emergency responders make a difference. Today, we remain committed to that cause as we continually find ways to put powerful oblique imagery at their fingertips when they need it the most,” said Dante Pennacchia, Pictometry’s Chief Marketing Officer. Noting that Pictometry is a proud member of NENA’s Next Generation Partner Program and is currently involved with similar work in Europe through EENA (the European Emergency Number Association), he added, “Pictometry is proud to support NG9-1-1 efforts and to partner with public safety organizations to prepare for the future.”

 

About Pictometry

Pictometry International Corp. is a leading provider of geo-referenced, aerial image libraries and related software. Pictometry has captured over 50 million digital aerial images in over 600 counties in the United States covering over 70 percent of the United States population. Using its proprietary imaging process, Pictometry® captures geo-referenced, high-resolution oblique (at an angle, producing a 3-D like view) and orthogonal (straight down) Intelligent Images®, within which structures and land features can be measured. Pictometry customizes and markets these technologies for government and commercial applications, offering non-traditional software solutions to aerial imaging needs. Pictometry’s imagery and software enables users to “See Everywhere, Measure Anything, Plan Everything”® using a patented digital information system. Pictometry has its headquarters in Rochester, NY and an office in Europe. Pictometry is a second order visualization tool that does not produce authoritative or definitive information (surveying) from its digital, aerial images. For more information on Pictometry, visit www.pictometry.com.