Ensuring Standards in Geospatial Data

Abstract

Since evolution of modern civilization, land surveyors solely were legally entrusted with the task of geographic data collection for planning and development of any nation. Presently, society has become very complex and so has the high demand of geo-data facing the surveyor. In response to this, technological development of new sensors and ICT revolution - GPS, digital photogrammetry, DGPS, RTK (GPS), high-resolution satellite imagery, laser altimetry, radar (IFSAR, InSAR), GIS, computer technology, telecommunication, EDM, Internet, etc have been evolved to facilitate data acquisition to meet this challenge. This has resulted in unprecedented increase in generation of data in the history of surveying and mapping. Non-surveyors are now involved in data collection due to user-oriented application nature of these instruments. The implication of these scenarios was therefore examined and it was found out that there is the need for establishment of standards to harmonize the geodata issue; and that about three organizations already exist fur this purpose, viz: International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Federation of Surveyors (FIG), and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). The roles and functions of these organizations were also examined, and it was discovered that membership of nations or companies is voluntary, instead of mandatory. This constitutes a clog to the implementation of resolutions as they lack the power to sanction for non-compliance. Accuracy of data is often quoted by data providers or manufacturers without provision of methods for checking such claims. Non- standardization of data leads to data bastardization and it is becoming a big challenge to surveyors as they face unhealthy competition by quacks. It also poses security risk to national governance. It was further discovered that data acquisition, processing and dissemination, which hither-to used to be statutorily the exclusive preserve of surveyors is now being seriously jeopardized and compromised. A case was therefore made for the establishment of a strong and enforceable legislation to govern geo-data issues as obtained in cadastral surveying

Keywords: Geo-data, Information acquisition, Standards organizations and Legislation