The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) said on Tuesday that Alaska Aviation Safety Project Manager Nicholas Mastrodicasa is receiving the U.S. Geological Survey's Henry Gannett Award.
The award honors distinguished contributions in creating topographical maps of the U.S., and Mastrodicasa has been mapping Alaska since 2006.
As manager for the Alaska Aviation Safety Project, he saw a need for better topographical data on the state to improve aviation safety and facilitate rescue efforts in remote areas.
Besides public safety, making detailed elevation maps also helps better manage economic resources, which helps the economy.
Mastrodicasa's work has led to the creation of the Alaska Statewide Digital Mapping Initiative.
“I applaud Nicholas for this well-deserved recognition and thank him for his ongoing and steadfast efforts to build the collaboration between state, local and federal agencies advancing this important project,” ADOT&PF Commissioner Marc Luiken said.
ADOT&PF is responsible for 11 ferries and 249 airports that serve 720 public facilities, 35 communities and 5,619 miles of highway in Alaska. Mapping is just one part of the department’s ongoing transportation infrastructure projects in the state.
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