National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy

Overview
The National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy (NSSDA) implements a well-defined statistic and testing methodology for positional accuracy of maps and geospatial data derived from sources such as aerial photographs, satellite imagery, or maps. Accuracy is reported in ground units. The testing methodology is comparison of data set coordinate values with coordinate values from a higher accuracy source for points that represent features readily visible or recoverable from the ground. While this standard evaluates positional accuracy at points, it applies to geospatial data sets that contain point, vector, or raster spatial objects. Data content standards, such as FGDC Standards for Digital Orthoimagery and Digital Elevation Data, will adapt the NSSDA for particular spatial object representations.

Source

 * Federal Geographic Data Committee, Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standards, Part 3: National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy (FGDC-STD-007.3-1998) (full-text).