Where do the divergent paths of crowdsourcing and automated data collection merge?

There are an increasing number of measuring and sensing tools that automatically collect accurate positions. This push toward a more machine-based data collection workflow ensures a more precise and consistent data set.

The crowd is also becoming a primary source for geospatial data collection, particularly in the urban core. With less accurate data collection tools, but also with greater numbers. There are some distinct advantages to harnessing the masses for mapping efforts.

On the surface these two trends appear to be diametrically opposed in terms of their approach and perhaps even their intent. On the one hand there are professionals whose occupation evolves around geospatial data collection with professional tools and a rigorous methodology. On the other is a largely volunteer force that devote time to mapping as a hobby or side project, and that often don’t have any formal training in spatial data collection or cartography. Is there common ground between these groups?

Human Fallibility

Both increased machine control and the use of the crowd address the inherent variability of human-collected data. Humans just aren’t consistent sensors due to our variability in style and approach.

Professional tools and specialized training go a long way to normalize and standardize spatial data, however, there are still differences in practitioners. With the crowd, the repeat efforts and the collaboration of many editors improve the accuracy and standardization of map data over time. The accuracy of the two approaches are very different in terms of precision, but their purpose for the data also diverges.

The Crowd Synthesizes

The crowd provides a means to collect a great deal of map-based data in a short amount of time.The base map efforts of Open Street Map continues to have strong momentum, and this spatial data source is attracting more and more interest as a trusted base map. The crowdsourced mapping efforts range far beyond the base level of map data though.

The added layers of information about place, which often include subjective reviews, are the true strength of the crowd. The sharing of details about interesting places and experiences are a powerful means to increase human and community bonds, and to enrich the map with local color. The refresh rate of the crowd provides a critically important dimension to spatial data that can keep pace with our changing world.

Surveyors Authorize

The specialized tools and training of professional spatial data collectors make them the authoritative source, and surveyors are the arbiters on location by law. While their tools are becoming more accessible, their legal authority will always reign supreme in matters of engineering precision and property boundaries.

The role of the surveyor for engineering-grade data won’t be affected immediately by the increase in automated tools for precise data capture. One can envision the day however when the surveyor’s role becomes more narrow and specialized.

Enter Models

The growing interest in detailed 3D scanning adds whole new digital dimensions to our representations of reality. In the 3D realm, positions become elements of a larger meshed model. The multidimensional model becomes a new kind of base map, with features that are easily recognized by everyone.

With models, there’s a compelling interest to collect more and better detail. To date, a lot of the application of these precision modeling tools have been surveyors who use the tools for engineering grade projects. The high-cost entry into this market has curtailed all but the most serious applications, but as the tools become cheaper and more ubiquitous, there’s room for more digital reality modelers who may focus solely on creating realistic digital spaces, with only the intent of creating virtual worlds.

Melded for Reality

A highly detailed representations of cityscapes beg for the input of data and interpretation from the crowd. Without a rich interaction from the masses, 3D city models are cold and lonely to behold. There have been successful attempts at immersive environments that get some of the social interactions right, but not with any exciting and realistic environments.

The highest fidelity mapping would be naturally more intuitive to interact with. With the addition of an intuitive interface to add input, a rich 3D model would rise in interest beyond other interactive map representations.

The crowd and rich 3D models make a good pair to merge these trends into a wholly new offering. I see encouraging signs that larger and more realistic models will be coming online for just such an interaction. I look forward to seeing how they are received.