National Geodetic Survey Discussion - FGDC Geographic Information Framework Data Content Standard Part 4: Geodetic Control Rick Foote Rick Rick 2015 FGCS Meeting, Crystal City, VA 1

Comparison of two documents ISO Spatial Referencing by Coordinates and FGDC Geographic Information Framework Data Content Standard Part 4: Geodetic Control (Draft) At the request of the FGDC Standards Coordinator, NGS was asked to look into the relationship between the content in both documents. The ISO document basically covers everything that the FGDC document covers, with the exception that the ISO documentation does not cover dynamic heights and geoid undulations, and there are some differences in terminology. 2

History of FGDC Geographic Information Framework Data Content Standard Part 4: Geodetic Control (Draft) first released [No known use of standard] identified as one of the documents we would 2013 update as evidence for the GAO 2014 Feb 28, 2014 – FGCS request to reaffirm, revise, 2015 or withdraw the standard.

History of Geodetic Control (Draft) 4 Design Principles Keep it simple Use single data types. Expect data providers to convert data to those data types Require accuracy values to make data more meaningful

History of Geodetic Control (Draft) – Example – designation – permanentIdentifier = DU0546 – designation – namespace = NGS – designation – URI = – coordinates – horizontal – latitude = – coordinates – horizontal – longitude = – coordinates – horizontal – accuracy – network = 0.33 cm – coordinates – horizontal – accuracy – local = 0.56 cm – coordinates – horizontal – geodeticDatum – datum = NAD 83 – coordinates – horizontal – geodeticDatum – datumTag = 2011 – coordinates – horizontal – geodeticDatum – epochDate = – coordinates – vertical – ellipsoidHeight = m – coordinates – vertical – ellipsoidHeight – accuracy – network = – coordinates – vertical – ellipsoidHeight – accuracy – local = – coordinates – vertical – ellipsoidHeight – geodeticDatum – baseDatum = NAD 83 – coordinates – vertical – ellipsoidHeight – geodeticDatum – datumTag = 2011 – coordinates – vertical – ellipsoidHeight – geodeticDatum – epochDate =

ISO web site 6

The next three slides are from Larry Hothem of USGS, who is the ISO/TC 211 Vice-Chair, and an invitation letter showing the June workshops to discuss revisions of the ISO

ISO/TC 211 Geographic Information/Geomatics ISO/TC 211 standards relevant to ICG WG-D, Reference Frames, Timing and ApplicationsISO/TC 211 standards relevant to ICG WG-D, Reference Frames, Timing and Applications –Spatial referencing by coordinates (IS 19111) –Geodetic codes & parameters (TS 19127) –Procedures for item registration (IS 19135) –Geodetic references (TR 19161) –ISO Registry for Geodetic Codes and Parameter IS – International Standard; TS – Technical Specification; TR – Technical Report

ISO/TC 211 Scope of ISO/TC 211 Standardization in the field of digital geographic information.Standardization in the field of digital geographic information. This work aims to establish a structured set of standards for information concerning objects or phenomena that are directly or indirectly associated with a location relative to the Earth.This work aims to establish a structured set of standards for information concerning objects or phenomena that are directly or indirectly associated with a location relative to the Earth. These standards may specify, for geographic information, methods, tools and services for data management (including definition and description), acquiring, processing, analyzing, accessing, presenting and transferring such data in digital/electronic form between different users, systems and locations.These standards may specify, for geographic information, methods, tools and services for data management (including definition and description), acquiring, processing, analyzing, accessing, presenting and transferring such data in digital/electronic form between different users, systems and locations. This work shall link to appropriate standards for information technology and data where possible, and provide a framework for the development of sector- specific applications using geographic data.This work shall link to appropriate standards for information technology and data where possible, and provide a framework for the development of sector- specific applications using geographic data.

IS – Spatial Referencing by Coordinates Scope: Definition of the conceptual schema and guidelines for describing geodetic reference systems.Definition of the conceptual schema and guidelines for describing geodetic reference systems. Purpose and justification: Produce a conceptual schema for geodetic reference systems.Produce a conceptual schema for geodetic reference systems. Any coordinate-based usage of geographic information needs a unique definition of the underlying reference system.Any coordinate-based usage of geographic information needs a unique definition of the underlying reference system. There are many well-established reference systems in common use. Standardization in this area will include selected inter-national reference systems.There are many well-established reference systems in common use. Standardization in this area will include selected inter-national reference systems.

11 Dear Colleagues, I would like to invite you to participate in a two-day workshop to discuss ideas and reasons for a possible revision to ISO 19111, Spatial referencing by coordinates. This International Standard defines a data model for describing reference frames and transformations between frames. The workshop will be organized by the Control Body for the ISO Registry of Geodetic Codes and Parameters. The exact dates in June for the workshop will be governed by prospective attendees’ availability. A Doodle Poll is being used to establish availability. You can find it at Please record the pairs of days you could be available. In addition to yes-no availability, I've included an "if-need-be" selection. Note that the venues for the proposed dates of June 11 through 17 are at a location in Southampton, UK, in conjunction with or after the next meeting of ISO Technical Committee 211 (TC211) (who maintain ISO 19111), and the dates of June 18 through 22 are at a location in Prague, Czech Republic, before the next IUGG General Assembly. Background In 1995, ISO (TC211) for Geographic Information / Geomatics adopted a project to develop a standard that would define the conceptual schema or model and guidelines for describing geodetic reference systems. A project team was formed that included experts in geodesy, geodetic reference systems, coordinate transformations, geodetic datums, etc. The team was led by a representative of the IAG. The principal goal of the team was to develop a standard that would be used by software developers and users of geographic information systems. The initial version of the standard was published in A revised and now current version was published in I would like to invite you to participate in a two-day workshop to discuss ideas and reasons for a possible revision to ISO 19111, Spatial referencing by coordinates. This International Standard defines a data model for describing reference frames and transformations between frames. The workshop will be organized by the Control Body for the ISO Registry of Geodetic Codes and Parameters. Note that the venues for the proposed dates of June 11 through 17 are at a location in Southampton, UK, in conjunction with or after the next meeting of ISO Technical Committee 211 (TC211) (who maintain ISO 19111), and the dates of June 18 through 22 are at a location in Prague, Czech Republic, before the next IUGG General Assembly. Background The work of the Control Body for the ISO Registry of Geodetic Codes and Parameters to develop a registry of reference systems and frames has identified issues with ISO 19111’s capability to describe modern dynamic 3D and 4D geometric reference systems and geoid- based vertical or geopotential datums. Before a new work item to revise is proposed to TC211 we wish to gather input from as many geodetic science experts as possible on the requirements for static and dynamic geodesy, regional and global reference frames, coordinate systems, etc. necessary today and for the foreseeable future. Topics for the Workshop may include, but not be limited to: Geodetic reference frames Geometric datums Geopotential or geoidal-based datums Vertical reference systems Geometrical (ellipsoidal) and physical (normal, orthometric) heights World height system Dynamic aspects of geodetic reference frames Transformations ( edited) Invitation to the next ISO Workshop Please send comments to Larry Hothem at

Discussion: 12 Would there be any negative impact to your agency’s work if the FGDC Geographic Information Framework Data Content Standard Part 4: Geodetic Control (Draft) Did not exist?