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GeoConnections and U.S. FGDC streamline cross-border geospatial data sharing
A little cooperation can go a long way. And a lot of cooperation can accomplish wonders. That's why GeoConnections and the U.S. Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) have been working together since 1999 to adopt common geospatial data standards for both Canada and the USA.
By adopting standards and exchanging data more freely, the two countries are better equipped to coordinate security programs, manage cross-border natural resources, respond to disasters, protect the environment, and streamline trade, to name but a few of the advantages.
The FGDC is coordinating the development of the U.S. National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) in cooperation with organizations from state, local, and tribal governments; the academic community; and the private sector. The NSDI encompasses policies, standards, framework data, and procedures for organizations involved in producing and sharing spatial data.
In Canada, GeoConnections is fulfilling a similar role in building the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI), the Canadian equivalent of the NSDI. (Note that the USA uses the term "spatial" data, and Canada uses the term "geospatial" data; both terms refer to the same thing.)
Canada and the USA have created their respective infrastructures to help users develop and exchange geospatial data. If these exchanges were to stop at the Canada-U.S. border, users in both countries would lose access to one another's data—a substantial shortcoming.
Consequently, GeoConnections and the FGDC have been working together to develop, adopt, and make use of Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards. These standards form the foundation for geospatial data infrastructures that serve a variety of stakeholders in Canada, the USA, and beyond.
Two heads—and two budgets—are better than one
Establishing a geospatial data infrastructure requires a substantial investment for any country. By adopting common standards and specifications, however, the USA and Canada each benefit from contributions that the other country makes to developing software and services and publishing online data.
For example, GeoConnections has sponsored the creation of standards-based software that can be re-used in the USA and elsewhere. This sponsorship not only meets a domestic and global market need but also allows geospatial data infrastructure initiatives in other countries to develop complementary technology.
"If the FGDC were to underwrite the development of supportive software, training, or documentation, and Canada were to do the same, we would spend twice the money for a similar result," says Mr. Doug Nebert, information architect with the FGDC. "If we use the same standards, however, we can share in the development of tutorial materials or reference software."
Leveraging collaborative solutions
Two examples illustrate how GeoConnections and the FGDC have worked collaboratively over the years. For one, GeoConnections implemented the first generation of the GeoConnections Discovery Portal using technology that the FGDC had commissioned to manage and provide access to geospatial metadata. And two, when many organizations in Canada and the USA wanted to understand the issues of accessing and integrating digital geospatial data in a cross-border context, GeoConnections and the FGDC provided resources and worked on joint projects that responded to the common needs of both countries. In fact, GeoConnections' investments complemented those of the USA and other countries. These collective efforts led to the creation and widespread adoption of international geospatial standards.
"The Canadian government's funding of GeoConnections and the CGDI also validated the general geospatial data infrastructure approach taken in the USA and other countries," says Mr. Nebert. "Our programs in the USA were accelerated by the efforts of GeoConnections in Canada."
GeoConnections' investment in Canadian geomatics firms through its GeoInnovations program has also paid dividends not just to the firms and their Canadian customers, but also to customers and organizations in the USA and around the world.
"In many cases, these companies wouldn't have been able to accomplish what they did without GeoConnections' GeoInnovations program," says Mr. Nebert. "We now benefit from that investment because there are players in North America with specialized geospatial data knowledge and experience that we can rely on. That means that there are more products available to implement and that we can get things done that we might not have been able to do otherwise, certainly not as quickly nor as cost effectively."
CGDI users gain too
The Canada-U.S. collaboration benefits Canadian geomatics companies by offering them exposure and access to markets outside of Canada, but the Canadian public and CGDI communities of practice also benefit from cross-border cooperation.
"We have an interoperable information structure based on common standards that allows data to flow freely between the CGDI and the NSDI," says Mr. Brian McLeod, manager of geospatial infrastructure integration with GeoConnections. "Consequently, CGDI user communities in Canada can get access to the same datasets available to NSDI users in the USA. As well, common data models allow users to quickly and easily integrate Canada-U.S. data. This interoperability opens doors to information that might otherwise be difficult or even impossible to find and use."
Looking ahead
To date, GeoConnections has helped develop partnerships between the U.S. and Canadian national governments, and it has established cross-border geospatial data projects that benefit both countries. Where will this spirit of cooperation lead?
"We continue to work together on the development of international geographical standards and specifications," says Mr. Nebert. "Additional cross-border pilot projects are likely to take place to apply the standards described in our respective geospatial data infrastructures. Our collaboration will result in a consistent framework for implementation that other countries and regions can share."
| GeoConnections is a national partnership initiative, led by Natural Resources Canada, to build the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI), and make Canada's geospatial databases, tools, and services readily accessible on-line. |