Horizontal accuracy of 1:50 000 digital topographic maps

Abstract

The paper describes the methodology used for the assessment of the horizontal accuracy of digital topographic maps at a scale oft: 50 000 produced by the Serbian Military Geographic Institute and reviews the results. The test for the horizontal accuracy compliance of a map sheet is done by comparing the planimetric coordinates of the ground points to the coordinates of the same points as determined by a horizontal check survey of higher accuracy with standard deviations equal or less than one-third of the limiting error selected for the map. In this research two standards were used and the methodology of their use is discussed in detail. Special attention was not paid to the map design but to the quality of the map assurance, using verified scientific approaches. The result obtained from this research confirmed the chosen approach and showed very good results for the digital topographic maps produced by the Serbian Military Geographic Institute. The suggested methodology may be also used for the assessment of digital topographic maps at other scales