As inaccurate map is not a reliable map. "X" may mark the spot where the treasure is buried, but unless the seeker can locate "X" in relation to know landmarks, the map is not very useful.
The U.S. Geological Survey publishes maps, image maps, and other products at high levelsof accuracy. Dependability is vital, for example, to engineers, highway officials, and land-use planners who use the Survey's topographic maps as a basic planning tool.
As a result, the U.S. Geological Survey makes every effort to achieve a high level of accuracy in all of its published products. An important aim of its accuracy control program is to meet the U.S. National Map Accuracy Standards.
National Map Accuracy Standards
To find methods of ensuring the accuracy of both location (the latitude and longitude of a point) and elevation (the altitude above sea level), the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing - and organization actively involved in the science of making precise measurements from photographs (photogrammetry) and acquiring information from aerial photographs and satellite image data (remote sensing) -- set up a committee in 1937 to draft accuracy specifications. Sparked by this work, agencies of the Federal Government, including the U.S. Geological Survey, began their own inquireies and studies of map accuracy standards. In 1941, the U.S. Bureau of the Budget issued the "United States National Map Accuracy Standards, "which applied to all Federal agencies that produce maps. The standards were revised several times, and the current version was issued in 1947. (The standards are printed on the reverse of this leaflet.)
As applied to the U.S. Geological Survey 7.5-minute quadrangle topographic map, the horizontal accuracy standard requires that the positions of 90 percent of all points tested must be accurate within 1/50th of an inch (0.05 centimeters) on the map. At 1:24,000 scale, 1/50th of an inch is 40 feet (12.2 meters). The vertical accuracy standard requires that the elevation of 90 percent of all points tested must be correct within half of the contour interval. On a map with a contour interval of 10 feet, the map must correctly show 90 percent of all points tested within 5 feet (1.5 meters) of the actual elevation.
All maps produced by the U.S. Geological Survey at 1:250,000 scale and larger are prepared by methods designed to meet these accuracy standards and carry the statement, "This map complies with National Map Accuracy Standards". Exceptions to this practice involve areas covered by dense woodland or obsured by fog or clouds; in those areas, aerial photographs cannot provide the detail needed for precise mapping. The U.S. Geological Survey test enough of its maps to make sure that the instruments and procedures the Survey uses are producing maps that meet the U.S. National Map Accuracy Standards.
Unavoidable Errors
There are certain kinds of errors in mapmaking that are unavoidable. Names and symbold of features and classification of roads or woodland are among the principal items that are subject to factual error. Mapmakers cannot apply a numerical value to this kind of informaiton; they must rely on local sources for their information. Sometimes the information is wrong. Sometimes names change or new names and features are added in an area. U.S. Geological Survey cartographers and editors check all maps thoroughly and, as a matter of professional pride, attempt to keep factual errors to a practical minimum.
"Errors" resulting from selection, generalization, and displacement are necessary results of mapping complex features at reduced scales. In congested areas, large buildings may be plotted to scale and the smaller buildings may have to be omitted; in showing buildings of irregular shape, small wings, bays, and projections usually are disreparded, and the outline is show in general form. At map scale, it may not be possible to show each of several closely spaced linear features in its correct position. In such cases, one feature, such as a railroad, is positioned in its true location and others, such as parallel roads and rivers, are displaced the minimum amount neccessary to make each symbol legible.
How the Survey Maintains Map Accuracy
In 1958, the Survey began testing the accuracy of its maps systematically. Presently, accuracy testing is performed on 25 percent of the mapping projects at each contour interval as a method of controlling overall quality. It is rare for a 7.5- minute map to fail the test, but this happens on occasion.
In testing a map, U.S. Geological Survey experts select 20 or more well-defined points; a typical point would be the intersection of two roads. Positions are established on the test points by field teams using sophisticated surveying techniques or by office personnel using photogrammetric methods to determine positions from aerial photographs. Vertical test are run separately to determine precise elevations. The mapped positions are checked against the field and/or photogrammetrically determined positions results. If the map is accurate within the tolerances of the U.S. National Map Accuracy Standards, it is certified and published with the statement that it complies with those standards.
By such rigorous testing of some of its maps, the Survey is able to determine that its procedures for collecting map information are working well enough to assure a high level of map accuracy.
---------------------------------------------------------- United States National Map Accuracy Standards
With a view to the utmost economy and expedition in producing maps which fulfill not only the broad needs for standard or principal maps, but also the reasonable particular needs of individual agencies, standards of accuracy for published maps are defined as follows:
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