Spatial Data, Coordinate Systems, and the Science of Measurement

Abstract

Many disciplines work with spatial data and use a geographic information system to reference geospatial data. Based upon a concise definition of spatial data, this paper describes how spatial data and their accuracy are related to the measurement process and the choice of a coordinate system. The goal is to describe how 3D spatial data can be manipulated more efficiently and how spatial data accuracy can be established without ambiguity using the global spatial data model as the foundation for geographic information systems and the National Spatial Data Infrastructure.