| Base Cartographic Standards 1. Development and review of National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy (NSSDA) This draft standard was packaged as a part of the multipart "Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standard," which also comprises Standards for Geodetic Networks from the Federal Geodetic Control Subcommittee (FGCS) and an introductory part that ties the two standards together. The Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standard is the first effort by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) to integrate standards from different applications. The Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standard was released for public review at the beginning of calendar year 1997. Publicity includes notices in various E-mail lists and the following journals: P.O.B. (March 1997), GIS World (April 1997), and Geo Info Systems (March 1997). The public review period closed May 15. A review panel to adjudicate comments from the public review was formed from membership in the Subcommittee for Base Cartographic Data (SBCD) and the FGCS. The panel included representatives from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Geodetic Survey, Census, Forest Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The SBCD successfully applied for FGDC standards development funds to finance travel for non-Federal participants in the review panel. Mike Schadauer of Minnesota DOT represented the State segment of the geospatial data community through National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC). Craig Berry of Walker & Associates, Seattle, represented the private sector as Chair, Standards Committee, American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS). The review panel convened October 14-16, 1997 of Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standards. Changes to the NSSDA as results of adjudication include reverting to RMSE as the accuracy statistic, inclusion of a worked example in the appendices, addition of a glossary, and various editorial changes. References to appropriate metadata data elements are included, although the public review comments overlooked metadata. Norm Anderson of Lockheed Martin is developing a model to guide users of the standard to the appropriate part of the standards for their application. The final draft of Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standards and the log of comments and adjudication will be forwarded to the FGDC Standards Working Group for recommendation for FGDC endorsement in early 1998. The National Geodetic Survey has agreed to maintain the introductory part that relates the various parts of the standard together. 2. Development and review of the Digital Elevation Data and Digital Orthoimagery Standards Both standards underwent a six month period of public review, from March through August of 1997. Comments received during the public review period were categorized and documented in preparation for the adjudication process to follow. A review board was formed to adjudicate the comments received during the public review of both standards. The board is chaired by the U.S. Geological Survey and includes members from the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National States Geographic Information Council, and the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Comments have been distributed to the board members and preliminary review and adjudication began. The board will convene in early 1998 to perform final adjudication to reach consensus with respect to changes required for each standard commensurate to the public review comments. 3. Development and review of the Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS), Part 5: Raster Profile Extended A new Part 5: Raster Profile of SDTS was developed by the Raster Convergence Working Group (RCWG), and is being sponsored by the SBCD. The RCWG is an ad hoc working group, jointly staffed by the USGS and the National Imagery and Mapping Agency. The Raster Profile Extended is intended to replace the current draft Part 5: Raster Profile of SDTS. The new profile has extensions for the Basic Image Interchange Format (BIIF), and for GeoTIFF formats. The BIIF extensions provide interoperability of SDTS and U.S. military standards, and the GeoTIFF extensions provide interoperability of SDTS with a commonly used private sector image format. The combination of these user extensions greatly enhances the usability of the profile and makes the standard more acceptable to a broader user community, providing a direct tie between private, Federal, and military raster data user and producer communities. The Standards Working Group (SWG) approved the profile as an appropriate FGDC standards activity, after the proposal was subject of a thirty day public review. The SWG also reviewed the working draft of the standard and gave conditional approval to release the draft for public review in November of 1997. The RCWG and the SBCD decided to further refine the profile before release for public review, and expects to release it in early 1998. 4. Development and review of Business Plans for Orthoimagery and Elevation Business plans were developed for the orthoimagery and elevation data themes. These plans document Federally-sponsored data activities that further the development of NSDI-Framework. The plans are an attempt to capture current program emphasis, future program direction and evolution, and a "needs" section defining what is required to support the future program strategy (e.g. data policy modifications, supporting tools and systems, changes to institutional and business practices). The business plans have been endorsed by FGDC. The approaches and needs identified in the business plans will be built into the SBCD 1998 work plan. |
