The spatial data transfer standard (FIPS 173) the key to data sharing

Abstract

The Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS) was approved by the Department of Commerce as Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 173 on July 29, 1992. As a PIPS, the SDTS will serve as the national spatial data transfer mechanism for all Federal agencies and will be available for use by State and local governments, the private sector, and research organizations. Efforts will continue to broaden the use of the SDTS, both within the United States and internationally, by seeking approvals from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Standards Organization (ISO). SDTS will transfer digital spatial data sets between different computer systems making data sharing practicable. This standard is of significant interest to users and producers of digital spatial data because of the potential for increased access to and sharing of spatial data, the reduction of information loss in data exchange, the elimination of the duplication of data acquisition, and the increase in the quality and integrity of spatial data.