Feedback on the New Datums

2015 Geospatial SummitApril 13 to 14, 2015

U.S. Geological SurveyKari J. Craun

Our major products/services which will be affected by the new datums:•The National Map databases (base geospatial information)•US Topo •ISO 19111 Geographic Information – Spatial referencing by coordinates•Geomagnetic observatory time-series data•Landslide hazard assessments, digital spatial data•3D Elevation Program (3DEP) data, products, services•USGS Earthquake Program•USGS Water Information (stream gages, water quality data, etc…)Our preparations to date include:•Awareness, education on possible impacts•Preparation of justification for revision of ISO 19111

Preparation

We are excited because...Expected advantages of the new datums for your organization, its products, or services

• New data collected using sensors such as lidar, ifsar, other remote sensing data, will be associated with the new datums and thus adoption of these datums in software will be critical.

• The new datums will provide (from USGS users):• Closer alignment with global reference systems• Improved locations for magnetic observatory reference points• More accurate representation of the physical world in our elevation (and other

georeferenced) products

We are concerned because...Expected challenges of the new datums for your organization, its products, or services

• There will be challenges with integrating legacy data associated with NAVD88 and NAD83 with data referenced to the new datums

• It will be important for metadata associated with legacy data to have correct datum references

• Converting existing 3DEP products will be a large effort. Metadata will also have to be updated. Some legacy data will be on old datums while new data will be on new datum; this may result in user confusion.

Advantages / Challenges

The tools, products, or services we need most (from NGS or others) are:•Official transformation models between the old and new datum(s) •NGS to potentially work with major commercial GIS and geoprocessing software vendors to test their conversion softwareThe outreach we need most (from NGS or others):•Request that NGS actively participate in the revision of ISO 19111•NGS provide updates on the schedule for implementation of the new datums; •NGS continue to provide training in the form of webinars and video training

Transition Tools / Outreach Needs