The scientific arm of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission.
Aerial & Topographic Mapping of the Hackensack Meadowlands District





The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission provides the public with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) resources in order to aid in planning, research and project development. In order to maintain an accurate and up to date database of features within the Hackensack Meadowlands District, it is important to update data types as well as data sources periodically.

In October of 2008 the NJMC solicited proposals for ortho-rectified aerial imagery, topographic contour lines & spot elevation data, planimetrics data as well as raw LiDAR data encompassing features within a 2000’ buffer of the Hackensack Meadowlands District Boundary. The data was gathered in March of 2009.

The data derived from the March 2009 flights include:

  • True color ortho-rectified Aerial Imagery
    • 6” pixel resolution
  • Topographic Contours & Spot Elevations
    • 1’ contour intervals
  • Planimetrics data identifying key features in the District
    •  Roadways & Center Lines, Building Roof Lines, Bridges, Rivers, and others.
  • Raw LiDAR point data

 

The data is available in:

  • GIS Geodatabase Form
  • Hardcopy CAD
  • Digital CAD
  • Aerial Images are available in SID & GeoTiff formats
  • LiDAR data in LAS 1.0 format

The GIS Department plans to update the District aerials/ orthophotos every 5 years, in order to keep the information up-to-date and conform to national mapping standards.

The NJMC has plans to utilize LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). LiDAR is an optical remote sensing technology that measures pulses of scattered light to determine distance and elevation for geographic purposes from an aircraft. This data collection method allows the user to examine millions of points with parameters like x, y, return, intensity, elevation. With these parameters the NJMC has the ability to create digital elevation models and digital surface models as well as identifying ground features or obstructions. For the first time the NJMC will have the data available to create a District-wide elevation model which may assist in future projects related to flood modeling, impervious surface detection and land use/ land cover changes over time.