A new approach to assess the positional accuracy of maps generated by GIS overlay operations

This paper proposes a new approach to assess the positional accuracy of maps generated by overlaying multi-scale spatial data layers with different levels of positional accuracy. The existing techniques for assessing the positional accuracy of point, line and polygon features is first examined. Then a taxonomy of graphic features on the derived maps is developed by analyzing the specific processes of overlay operations. Finally, a detailed description of the new approach is provided and the implementation of this new method in practical applications is described.