Digital mapping data currency through sharing: a practical study

Abstract

Organisations began sharing information long before the introduction of computers and GIS and whilst the data-sharing task has become less arduous due to their continued evolution, this has also increased the complexity. The quantity of shared data has risen markedly over the last decade. This is in addition to the demand for data to be not only spatially accurate but also up to date in both content and currency. Since the late nineteen eighties cadastral information has been actively maintained in all Australian States through the use of Digital Cadastral Data Base's (DCDB). Up to date cadastral information is available to customers in the form of incremental updates. Despite each state also maintaining their topographic information (DTDB), a similar mechanism does not presently exist. With the background of current data sharing practices and relevant local and overseas examples this paper outlines the results of a recently completed data sharing study. This study proposed a conceptual model for topographic map production through the use of data sharing and incremental updates.