An Implementation Strategy for SDTS Encoding

Any implementation plan for the Spatial Data Transfer Standard (NIST 1992) must include the following minimum set of tasks: conceptual, logical, and format level mappings; verification of the mappings; and systems development. These tasks are used as a guide in formulating specific project plans. For a data producer to implement an encoding capability, the tasks are learning the SDTS, conceptual mapping, module mapping, building sample modules, format mapping, encoding a sample data set, and developing the system. NOTE: This article assumes familiarity with the SDTS constructs of modules, fields, and subfields and the relationship of the SDTS to ISO 8211 (American National Standards Institute 1986).     

Conversion of a U.S. Geological Survey DLG-3 Data Set to the SDTS Topological Vector Profile

The Digital Line Graph level 3 (DLG-3) is the term for U.S. Geological Survey digital spatial data stored in vector form. Prior to the approval of the Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS) as a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS), a system was developed to convert a DLG-3 data set to a sample SDTS transfer. The specifications of the SDTS Topological Vector Profile were used for the transfer (U.S. Geological Survey 1992). The process required expertise in cartography, geography, and computer science. Analysis revealed requirements for processes to transform spatial addresses, to translate and map DLG-3 spatial objects and attribute pairs to the SDTS, to compile data not available in computer-readable form, and to convert files to FIPS 123 (ISO 8211) standard. Mapping data to the SDTS proved to be complex and highlighted the need for appropriate training with regard to the SDTS and FIPS 123. Several issues were raised, such as the source of data quality information, platforms supported by the FIPS 123 Function Library software, and attribute translation criteria.     

Implementation of the Spatial Data Transfer Standard in the Commonwealth of Virginia

Present efforts to implement the Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS) within the Commonwealth of Virginia are centered in Virginia's Council on Information Management (CIM). Since 1992, mapping, surveying and land information systems activities have been identified as a responsibility of the Council "The promotion of access to federal and other digital data banks through standards" is an area of CIM interest specified in the Code of Virginia. Prior to adoption of the SDTS by Virginia in November 1994, a Technical Advisory on the SDTS was issued and a SDTS Training and Education Plan was adopted. The Council on Information Management has worked with the USGS SDTS Task Force in developing this plan.     

Opportunities for Use of the Spatial Data Transfer Standard at the State and Local Level

Dramatic changes in the way that spatial data have been collected and processed over that last 20 years is leading to a rethinking and restructuring on the most efficient ways to handle geographical information. These changes are taking place at the federal, state, and local governmental levels with great potential for the private sector as well. The formal adoption of the Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS) as the federal database transfer standard for spatial databases signals a new era in this long chain of developments. It offers more flexible and efficient database transfers than earlier tools, and will become the workhorse for implementing the new National Spatial Data Infrastructure. It offers organizations a standard that will make possible and practical a much wider sharing of databases than is currently being done today. Use of the SDTS presents an opportunity to many organizations to share data more easily and reduce the duplication of expensive spatial database resources.     

充分发挥科技奖励对测绘地理信息科技创新发展导向作用的研究

科技奖励是促进科技创新发展的一项重要政策,对于某一行业或领域引导科技创新发展方向、激励创新主体具有重要的作用和意义。本文从科技奖励角度,通过统计和对比"十一五"以来测绘科技进步奖获奖项目数量、分布和完成主体的变化趋势,对我国测绘地理信息科技创新发展现状进行了分析,并从新形势下对测绘地理信息科技创新发展的要求出发,提出了科技奖励在科技研发重点、推进区域协调的科技创新能力发展、激励重要创新主体等几个方面引导测绘地理信息科技创新发展的改革措施。