The U.S. Geological Survey conducted an in-depth analysis of customer requirements to understand data and information needs for The National Map, conducting interviews and surveys to draw on a broad set of needs for multiple disciplines. The feedback and findings are now available in report format on the USGS website in a 42-page document that covers topics such as a ranking of priority datasets, needs for consistency of data, ease of use for a web portal, and the availability of historical data.
Larry Sugarbaker led the detailed survey and reporting effort with surveys that went out to member of The American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) and the International Map Trade Association (IMTA), along with attendees of the 2008 ESRI International User Conference. All told, more than 2,200 people voiced their opinions about the future of the National Map between February and August 2008, and this feedback forms the basis for a 5-year strategic plan for the National Geospatial Program.
The report addresses the changing landscape toward a Web 2.0 world where the idea of a map is morphing toward application services. The survey set out to address requirements on consistency of data, quality of data, frequency of data update, different delivery mechanism for data, analytical service support and the need for published map products.
There are twelve key findings and recommendations in the report under the following topics:
- Need for nationally consistent data
- Awareness and brand recognition for The National Map
- A hierarchy of priorities for geospatial framework data
- Expanded geospatial data needs beyond the 8 framework layers
- Data at a scale and resolution that makes the most sense for users
- Data quality control for accuracy, completeness and currency
- Update requirements with a minimum 3-year update cycle
- A need for historical geospatial data
- Public availability without restrictions
- Web viewing and services with a focus on data rather than products
- An ongoing need for topographic maps
- Customers willingness for tradeoffs on content, schedule and quality for topographic maps
While the report from this effort is just now being made available, the findings from the survey process have already been driving improvements to The National Map. While all base datasets are being improved, a priority is being placed on those data sets of highest priority. The National Map viewer is also undergoing a major overhaul that is set for release soon.
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Is this survey not weighted toward remote-sensing folks, so is the % for imagery real? Previous informal surveys put it below DEMs, which were harder to get then w.r.t. imagery.
That’s a good question, but I believe that imagery has risen in priority due to the hard work that the National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) has done on framing Imagery for the Nation — http://www.nsgic.org/hottopics/imageryforthenation.cfm. This effort emphasizes the benefits for local, state, regional, tribal and federal agency where imagery acquisition often overlap and result in wasted dollars.
Why do you think the survey was biased towards remote sensing? In the white paper, it says that of the 2200 respondents, only 400 were from the ASPRS and IMTA combined. The paper also breaks down preferences among the three sample sources (ASPRS/IMTA, ESRI UC, USGS structured interviews). You can see the differences in Further, the imagery included in The National Map (orthorectified true-color high resolution) isn’t really valuable to remote sensing applications because it lacks other than visible spectra.