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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
