• GO

Print

The demand for a unified system for standardised geo-spatial formats, land cover classifications and tolerances for data accuracy is increasing, say experts from the ISPRS Congress workshop on ISO/TC211 and CEN/TC281 Standardisation.

Olaf Ostensen of the International Standards Organisation (ISO) and Hans Knoop of Outreach – a program to promote the adoption of ISO/TC211 standards in user communities – believe the current push for data standardisation is in large part due to the US’ military incursions.

'The demand for standards has been growing over the last ten years,' says Ostensen. 'International military operations have been a major driver, as always.

We also see the UN working on its own strategy in the form of spatial data infrastructure because they realise the problem of not being able to get the available information when they really need it.'p>

At present, different countries have different tolerances for data accuracy. These data variations have made it difficult to carry out international projects.

'Right now, every country has its own system. In one area, the definition for forest means a land cover of many trees while for someone living in the desert, it can mean three palm trees,' says Knoop.

'With standardised data infrastructure, incompatibility will no longer be a concern. We will be able to analyse global data efficiently and enhance spatial data exchange regionally and internationally.'

(ISPRS News)

ASM Newsletter is distributed by e-mail every two weeks. It reports on events in the spatial industry in Asia and events outside the region which will impact on Asia.