Updating the current EGM database v2.1

The EGM v2.1 was released in early March 2008. This was an “intermediate updating” including just some error corrections without actual updating of the themes. Previous version v2.0 (released early 2007) was a normal update of the data and first version where ArcGIS Geodatabase structure was used to save the final European wide data. Project partners used mainly softwares such as ArcGIS, Arc/Info (workstation) or MapInfo during the data production.

EGM database specifications updating

There are needs to make slight changes to current specifications (v3.1). Updating eill be done in co-operation with other EG products (ERM and EBM) and is coordinated by the PM. The coming version is called v3.2.

Final goal in EuroGeographics is to update only the ERM data (or European wide large scale data when exists) by partners and to produce EGM from ERM data via automatic/semi-automatic procedures. This is not yet possible during the next 2 years, but needs anyhow common feature catalogue (EGM shall be a generalized part of the ERM data).Some issues:

• New feature class “Land mass” for just land areasFerry lines attributingTopology rules updating (e.g. foreshore is part of water and must overlap sea area)Checking mandatory / optional rules (attributes)Defining ICC code (country code; see below)Defining SN code (symbolisation number)
• Number of population / classification for feature classes BuiltupA and BuiltupP

EGM Technical Guide for Data Collecting and Finalizing

Internal quality checking of the data

Quality improvement of the national data. Creating national QI-programs:

• New document “EGM_DataValidation” explains detailed quality control processes
• Completeness: missing features and feature classes and correct density of the data (scale 1:1 M).  All features existing in a country and defined in the EGM database specifications as features MUST be included to the database (e.g. all the “main roads”).
• Completeness: missing attributes (empty attribute fields).
• Checking missing attribute values: Real attribute values missing; i.e. using N/A, UNK, N_P, N_A. Basic information about this is saved to each country’s EGM metadata “lineage” file.  The goal is to reach level “100 % real values” with as many attribute fields as possible. National inconsistencies are reported. Improvements compared to previous EGM version are reported.
• Replacing very old ( ≥ 7 years ) EGM data with a new national data whenever possible. This concerns all themes and feature classes.
• Fixing topology errors.
• TEN routes: According the Eurostat contract all TEN network roads should be included to the data. In most countries they are. Some partners should make necessary checks. Instructions will be given to each partner.

Regular updating of the data:

All the documents concerning data updating and evaluation are sent to the project partners latest at the beginning of january 2009. At the same time NMAs will receive all the databases needed to start the updating.