Permanent Committee on Topographic Information
What's New
National Topographic Information Coordination Initiative (NTICI)
The framework under which a collegiate approach to topographic mapping of Australia will be undertaken is the National Topographic Information Coordination Initiative (NTICI). Through the NTICI, ICSM's Permanent Committee on Topographic Information (PCTI) plans to develop, a whole of government approach to the collection, availability and maintenance of topographic information to meet the needs of governments and the public - adding value to the topographic layers of the ASDI whilst recognising the different but complementary roles and responsibilities of the spatial data agencies in the different jurisdictions.
This Initiative can be viewed in full at NTICI. .pdf format, 1.1MB
Government Topographic Mapping Agency - Forward Programs
Forward programs for a selection of topographic mapping agencies can be accessed here. These include projects being undertaken under NTICI.
New Australian Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy
ICSM has fully revised the existing standard for describing the spatial accuracy of digital data: Spatial Data Horizonatal Accuracy Standard - 2009.
The original was developed in the 1950's and revised in the 1970's - the National Mapping Council's Special Publication #3 (SP3), Standards of Map Accuracy (2nd edition, December 1975). This was a very simplistic standard which had not kept up with modern technology and expectations.
It must be noted however, that this new standard does not replace the vertical accuracy standard contained in SP3:
"Vertical accuracy, as applied to the contours of standard published maps shall be consistent with the criterion that not more than 10 percent of the elevations tested shall be in error by more than one-half of the contour interval. In checking elevations taken from the map, the apparent vertical error may be decreased by assuming a horizontal displacement within the permissible horizontal error for a map of that scale".
A Short History of the Committee
Since ICSM's inception in 1988, a series of Working Groups have been convened to undertake specific projects relating to topographic mapping. One such related group is the Data Framework Technical Subcommittee which has developed a high level Harmonised Topographic Data Model for Australian mapping agencies. This Working Group is currently evaluating further expanding this model to suit the needs of the twenty first century.
In November 2003 a new Permanent Committee on Topographic Information (PCTI) was created. This was established in recognition of the long-term, on-going need for a coordinated approach to topographic data collection, management and delivery. This is to involve all the ICSM jurisdictions including other key government and industry stakeholder groups where necessary. Their work is to be carried out in accord with ANZLIC - the Spatial Information Council's implementation of the ASDI.
Australian Topographic Map Index
The formation of the committee coincided with the establishment of the Australia-wide topographic map index on the ICSM web site. It is planned that this index will grow over time.
Currently, work is being undertaken to include information relating to spatial topographic data covering Australia.
PCTI Terms of Reference
The PCTI is to:
- Recommend initiatives to ICSM that are relevant to the future of topographic mapping carried out in Australia, Australian Territories, and New Zealand;
- Provide a framework for enhanced cooperation;
- Liaise with key government bodies and industry stakeholder groups on matters of prioritisation and national coordination of topographic mapping and data projects;
- Advise on initiatives that aim to raise the awareness of industry and the community to the benefits of topographic mapping; and
- Identify and develop, and promote 'best practice' standards and guidelines
for topographic mapping and data generation, maintenance, and dissemination
that are within the ambit of ICSM.
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