Spatial Data Needs The Future of the National Mapping Program (1990) / Chapter Skim
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3 Transformation and Transition
3 Transformation and Transition
Pages 14-40
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From page 14... ...
On the other hand, researchers, government administrators, business managers, earth scientists, military planners and developers, and others) saw computer technology as a tool providing alternatives to printed 14
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From page 15... ...
In 1989 the distinction between the two original endeavors, automated cartography and GIS, has become blurred. The argument could be made that any distinction is no longer accurate or even appropriate and might, indeed, be creating troublesome "pseudo-issues." It would be easy to dismiss this matter as mere word play, but the fact is that a rigorous, useful analysis of NMD's role in an era of technological transformation and transition is impossible unless some agreement is achieved concerning the nature of NMD's current and future role in what was formerly the "cartographic enterprise." To do this we must continue to compare and contrast GIS with automated or digital cartography.
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From page 16... ...
It is therefore useful in this presentation to describe briefly the characteristics of what is currently called GIS. The Nature of GIS To anticipate the future nature and use of geographic data, it is important to understand the means by which these data are processed.
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From page 17... ...
The data that tend to be processed by geographic information systems describe phenomena not only in terms of what and when, but also where. The magnitude of this locational component may be measured in units that range from centimeters to thousands of kilometers, and the ability to transform data from one scale to another is an important part of the geographic data processing.
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From page 18... ...
This process, however, is also changing. We are rapidly approaching a time when the primary processor of geographic data is no longer a human being looking at a piece of paper but a machine assimilating data in ways for which there is no human analogue.
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From page 19... ...
While mapping systems are primarily concerned with data preparation and presentation, the GIS is more concerned with data interpretation associated with onthe-ground applications. As the GIS user community has become more and more sophisticated in its ability to prepare and present its digital data, attention has now begun to focus on data interpretation and the techniques by which environmental phenomena can be modeled.
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From page 20... ...
The introduction of computer technology has, for this reason, triggered a good many changes in institutional relationships in the cartographic/spatial data handling communities. Many such alterations in relationships, including shifts between private and public sector responsibilities and opportunities, have yet to be fully evaluated.
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From page 21... ...
For example, issues such as label placement, line generalization, and scale change still need additional work. Meanwhile, several interesting, significant and complex changes occurred that are creating a need for fairly dramatic restructuring of the cartographic enterprise in the broadest sense and of the USGS's National Mapping Program more specifically.
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From page 22... ...
It is now possible to imagine geographic information flows inward from data donors to NMD's data sets as well as the traditional outward flow from the National Mapping Program on a routine basis. Spatial Information and the Economy The two-way flow of spatial data discussed above is a revolutionary concept and will require significantly altered conceptual and technical structures as well as revised thinking on institutional and national economic issues.
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From page 23... ...
were often compromised. Tradition, too, has played a role in making the print products of the National Mapping Program less useful in 1990 than they were several decades earlier.
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From page 24... ...
NMD is cooperating with DMA on this technology to acquire similar benefits at much lower costs, with a major new system development effort called Mark II that will implement advanced technologies and production procedures to satisfy National Mapping Program requirements through the year 2000.7 Mark II is designed to collect, populate, and maintain the National Digital
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From page 25... ...
By the 1980 Census the computer was being used to assist this process, and the GBF/DIME (Geographic Base Files/Dual Independent Map Encoding) files came into being as part of the mapping program.
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From page 26... ...
. It seems possible that as the USGS and the Bureau of the Census cooperated to create this landmark digital representation of the country, focusing on their own federal mandates and missions, they did not fully comprehend the character and size of the user community they would ultimately serve.
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From page 27... ...
This suggests a traditional sense of user requirements at the national, urban scale. In the committee's original discussion of the A-16 process, this "blind spot" in the concept of a National Mapping Program was also observed.
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From page 28... ...
In order to provide somewhat substantial documentation about this transformation, several committee members undertook interviews with these map/spatial data users. In particular, attempts were made to determine user satisfaction with current NMD products.
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From page 29... ...
Based on the responses received, a summary of the findings of these interviews is as follows: 1. Because the current National Mapping Program emphasizes the scales and content designed for regional rather than local needs, it fails to meet the needs of local governments and others concerned with areas where the detail of an urban fabric is required.
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Concept of a national digital spatial data base (1:24,000)
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From page 31... ...
This large-scale mapping creates finer textured data that fills in the spaces that are "empty" or character~zed by features at a higher level of abstraction on the 1:24,000 printed maps, such as land use. Additional Base Data Needs There are two important issues that must be recognized in connection with user requirements for NMD maps and spatial information, realities not yet dealt with in an explicit fashion.
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From page 32... ...
is the transportation network of streets, roads, and highways, NMD is not mandated to give the labeling and updating of this feature class a high priority. As this nation has evolved from an economy that is largely physical resource based to one that is transportation, information, and service based, certain aspects of traditional topographic mapping have become less important while others (streets)
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From page 33... ...
At the same time and continuing today, many of these private enterprises are involved in the mapping programs of federal and nonfederal agencies. The expanding use of GIS technology is creating demands for more detailed uniform information over ever-larger areas.
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From page 34... ...
. ironic that by mission, NMD cannot be completely responsive to its greatest source of revenue." It is unlikely that individual map user requirements will be much affected by the computer at this time.
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From page 35... ...
The cartographic community respects the leadership the USGS/NMD has provided in the early emer~mental stares of digital carto~raDhv and GIS devek~nm~nt a -- -r ~~ ~ ~~ char—~ ~ red— ~ 2. The National Mapping Program now includes digital cartographic data (that is, information digitized from, or as a by-product from, making its printed maps)
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From page 36... ...
7. The NMD has begun a major new system development effort called Mark II that will implement advanced technologies and production procedures to satisfy National Mapping Program requirements.
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From page 37... ...
9. Evidence of increased USGS/NMD concern with user requirements in relation to its internal production policies and procedures is contained in the Primary Mapping Economic Analysis,2 a study conducted in 1987 and 1988 to estimate benefits and costs associated with different USGS map revision production levels.
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From page 38... ...
Research is also required that will provide staff with expertise allowing adequate evaluation of contractor offerings of advanced hardware and software for managing srdd. The key is balance, that is, balance between the need to keep abreast of ever more sophisticated user requirements for data and the rapidly developing technology usedfor digital data production and fReprocessingaf cartographic data.
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From page 39... ...
national mapping infrastructure, but also to the science and resource management communities. To provide such assistance, NMD must not only conduct in-house research but also expand its existing contacts with industry and significantly increase its interactions with the university community.
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From page 40... ...
Examples of more specific research themes in these areas include digital spatial data modeling, hardware and software development, land-use/land-cover analysis, and the monitoring of global change. While there is some overlap among these themes, they do present some general categories around which an applied and fundamental research program could be structured.
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