Implementation of The National Map Road Database

The National Map is the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) next-generation topographic mapping product. This concept aims to achieve a more effective and regenerative public mapping program through local participation, inter-agency data sharing, and integration. This ambitious endeavor faces many significant challenges to its implementation, however. The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) was established by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-16 to establish a coordinated approach to establishing a National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). However, numerous federal initiatives attempting to consolidate spatial information continue to proceed with fairly poor interagency coordination. Such programs include the Census TIGER enhancement project, The National Map, and Geo-Spatial One Stop (GOS). This paper assesses the changing role of federal level mapping organizations and recommends the operational establishment of an overarching authority that can effectively manage The National Map and other components of NSDI. The successful development of The National Map will rely on sound management that considers the geographic information systems (GIS) requirements and capabilities across all levels of government. Merging a number of consolidation efforts under one umbrella authority will greatly increase the odds of successful implementation of the NSDI initiative. Integrating public road GIS data and systems is a daunting goal that is a cost prohibitive endeavor to undertake for any single agency. Collectively, however, it is in the best interest of the nation and should be pursued by the administration in the spirit of responsible governance. This report has been prepared under a grant from the United States Geological Survey to the University of Georgia.