Accuracy and cost comparison of spatial dataacquisition methods for the development of geographical information systems

Abstract

One of the main components of a Geographic Information System (GIS) is the formation of the database. More
than 70% of the time and cost is spent on developing this database. The success of a GIS project depends on
the accuracy and currentness of the obtained spatial data required for development of the GIS project. This
study presents analyses of the accuracy and costs of several methods of obtaining spatial data for a GIS project
in a test area selected at the Campus of Konya Selcuk University. The conventional and Real Time Kinematic
Global Positioning System methods were found to be appropriate for GIS projects requiring high accuracy (e.g.
cadastral, public work, or infrastructure projects). On the other hand, photogrammetric methods, digitising and
scanning, and high resolution satellite images (remote sensing) were determined to be the most suitable
methods for GIS projects requiring lower accuracy over large areas (e.g. in environmental management,
highways, railways, forestry, disaster management, land consolidation).