FedGeoDay 2025 | Lightning Talk - Galen Scott

Galen Scott from NOAA's National Geodetic Survey (NGS) presents on the upcoming modernization of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS). He emphasizes the foundational importance of geodesy, the science of measuring Earth's size and shape, for all geospatial data and mapping, describing it as nation-building science crucial for modern applications like autonomous vehicles and smart cities. Galen explains that the current spatial reference systems are outdated and unable to fully support a spatially enabled society. He highlights that the modernization will result in changes to every latitude, longitude, and height coordinate across the country. The presentation outlines three primary methods for transitioning existing geospatial data to the new system—re-surveying, reprocessing original observations, or transforming coordinates—detailing the trade-offs in accuracy and cost for each. Galen stresses the need for organizations to prepare now by inventorying their data and metadata, determining migration needs, and ensuring future data collection includes complete metadata and preservation of original observations. He mentions that beta systems for testing are expected soon, with official approval anticipated next year, and underscores that successful adoption relies on collaboration across the entire geospatial community. • Discusses the upcoming modernization of NOAA's National Spatial Reference System (NSRS). • Emphasizes that geodesy (science of Earth's size/shape) is the foundation for all geospatial data and mapping. • Describes geodesy as nation-building science, crucial for a spatially enabled society, including autonomous vehicles and smart cities. • States that every latitude, longitude, and height coordinate in the US will change due to the modernization (by meters). • Explains that the current datums are outdated (over 40 years old) and not sufficient for modern accuracy needs. • Outlines three methods for transitioning existing data to the new NSRS: re-surveying, reprocessing original observations, and transforming coordinates, noting accuracy and cost differences. • Advises organizations to prepare now by inventorying existing geospatial data and metadata, determining migration requirements, and preserving original observations. • Mentions that beta systems for testing are expected soon, with the goal of official approval by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) next year. • Stresses the need for collaboration with the geospatial community and partners (NSPS, ASPRS, Esri) for a successful transition. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #NOAA #NGS #NSRS #Geodesy #SpatialReferenceSystem #CoordinateSystems #DataMigration #Mapping #SmartCities #AutonomousVehicles #Collaboration