Preface: Multiray Photogrammetry Meets Advanced LiDAR

2009 represented a further milestone in the Photogrammetric Week Series: The 100th Anniversary – conventionally numbered as the 52 Photogrammetric Week (see footnote) – was celebrated. It documented once more the visions, missions and applications of a geospatial science, which is continuously developing cutting-edge hardware for improved data collection, powerful software packages for workflow automation and servicing new applications. A lively panel discussion gave birth to the headline of this year’s Photogrammetric Week: “Multiray Photogrammetry Meets Advanced LiDAR”. The 2009 participants may well remember questions that came up seeking an “All-in-one photogrammetry” to process aerial photos delivering object point coordinates, high resolution point clouds for DSM generation, 3D City models and true orthophoto. The discussions continued to state that the dense sampling pattern of multiray photogrammetry would be superior over LiDAR sampling. Some came to the conclusion that airborne LiDAR would become obsolete, which is definitely not true. It is always a pleasure for the organization of this event to reflect on such discussions and to continue the spirit of the Photogrammetric Week Series over the years. As there is no other scientific event as focussed as this series we will do our best to keep this spirit alive from event to event.