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PERSPECTIVES ON THE USE OF SPATIAL INFORMATION 
John D. Bossler 
Director, Center for Mapping, The Ohio State University 
1216 Kinnear Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43212, United States of America 
ISPRS Commission II 
KEY WORDS: 
Spatial data, Elements of Usage, Accuracy, Standards, Sharing. 
ABSTRACT 
Accurate, current and well-defined spatially referenced digital data is in demand to 
satisfy the hungry appetities of GIS. The data most in demand is listed and some 
comments concerning the required accuracy of these data are related. Several 
major impediments to sharing data are discussed along with incentives to enhance 
sharing. Some thoughts on new ways of acquiring digital are provided. 
INTRODUCTION 
The title of this paper, “Perspectives 
on the Use of Spatial Information,” 
allows me to discuss a wide array of 
topics that are important in the 
information age. Since both this paper 
and the presentation of it are finite in 
length, | have chosen topics that are 
on my mind as a participant in today’s 
GIS/LIS community. 
In an overall sense, the use of GIS is 
increasing at an enormous rate 
(Daratech, 1993) because data is 
becoming available, the systems are 
becoming easier to use and most 
importantly, because the use of 
modern GIS enables users to make 
important decisions quicker and more 
economically than by traditional 
means. On the other hand, the use of 
digital spatial information is impeded 
by many factors. Some of the most 
Important impediments are the lack of 
digital data itself, understanding 
(diffusion) of the technology, training, 
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lack of information related policy, 
standards, incentives, quality 
control/quality assurance methods and 
institutional problems. 
The discussion in this paper is directed 
toward identifying the data and 
information most in demand, and 
identifying a subset of the impediments 
to acquiring, sharing and using these 
data. 
NEEDED DATA AND USAGE 
From a national perspective in the 
United States, a number of data sets 
are being created and used at an 
almost insatiable rate. It is difficult to 
prioritize these and even more difficult 
to develop a taxonomy for them, 
however, it seems clear that one data 
set is unique and fundamental to all 
the others--that data set is geodetic 
control. Geodetic control provides the 
spatial component to all other data 
sets and hence, can be considered to 
be the most important. Digital terrain