Skip to main content

Toward a Coordinated Spatial Data Infrastructure for the Nation (1993) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

1 Executive Summary
Pages 1-6

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 1...
... In the context of this study the Mapping Science Committee focused its efforts on the generic issues of spatial data management, collection, and use, particularly in geographic information systems and other similar methods of analyses. A major challenge over the next decade will be to enhance the accessibility, communication, and use of spatially referenced data to sup 1
Read the entire page →
From page 2...
... if existing data were shared, thus reclucing duplication of efforts of data collection. The committee maintains that improvements in the national spatial data infrastructure are critical to the maintenance of a competitive position for the United States in an increasingly international economic arena.
Read the entire page →
From page 3...
... However, unless the National Spatial Data Infrastructure is robust and the spatial data bases, policies, and standards are in place to facilitate the access and use of spatial data nationally, opportunities in areas from environment to development will be lost. An enormous amount of resources is expended annually in spatial data systems, data collection, and manipulation.
Read the entire page →
From page 4...
... Overlap in data collection also appears to occur between federal and state agencies, and among state, local, and private sector organizations, all at a significant cost to the public. These institutions are collecting spatial data at many scales, levels of accuracy, levels of detail, and categories of data, making the sharing of spatial data very difficult (if not impossible)
Read the entire page →
From page 5...
... , procedures, and specifications for spatially referenced digital data, and create a series of incentives, particularly among federal agencies, that would maximize the sharing of spatial data and minimize the redundancy of spatial data collection.
Read the entire page →
From page 6...
... In an era of instantaneous nationwide and worldwide transmission of information, compartmentalization of spatial data collection and management may no longer make sense as it has in the past. Survival in an increasingly global economy, dominated by ever larger private-public sector coalitions in countries outside the United States, may be possible only if commitments are made in this country to a national policy for increased information development and sharing.
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • national spatial
  • data infrastructure
  • referenced data
  • spatially referenced
  • data coverage

  • mapping science
  • data technologies
  • data nationally
  • increasingly global
  • similar complex

  • national organization
  • international economic
  • global economy
  • federal information
  • data throughout

  • allow identification
  • central oversight
  • endangered species
  • information processing
  • national policies

  • annual expenditures
  • collecting spatial
  • hardware expenses
  • extensive overlap
  • countries outside

  • instantaneous nationwide
  • complex environmental
  • similar methods
  • question addressed
  • ready access


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.