Geographic information system index for the State of Tennessee

Abstract

Recently the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) has increased within Tennessee. As a result, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Tennessee State Planning Office, and the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury entered into an agreement to conduct a survey of GIS users within the State. The objectives were as follows: 1. To conduct and document a survey and subsequently develop a GIS index data base of existing map coverages, location-specific data bases, available transformation software, and transfer techniques that exist at various state, federal, county, and municipal agencies 2. To develop suggested standards for digitized data 3. To promote sharing of data by describing, in general terms, communications techniques that can be used to transfer data from one system to another 4. To create a map coverage of Tennessee and the 7.5minute quadrangle maps within the State that would allow identifi&ztion of existing map coverages for these units through a retrieval from the GIS index data base. Two hundred and sixty three agencies were contacted. One hundred and thirty-nine agencies maintained one or more computer system (including personal computers). Twenty-five agencies used GIS software. The number of coverages or layers that exist upon completion of the survey as computerized digital data for Tennessee was 4,741. One hundred and twenty location-specific data bases were available. The U.S. Geological Survey, National Mapping Division map accuracy standards and digital cartographic data standards were included as minimum guidelines for GIS users. Asynchronous, synchronous, and network communications were also described A data base containing the survey data was built for inquiries. A 7.5-minute quadrangle coverage of Tennessee was created to allow for identification on a quadrangle basis of existing coverages contained in the GIS index data base.