The geospatial industry will be undertaking several imminent changes that will affect how we collect, process, and use spatial data. In this post, we’ll break down four key updates – from new coordinate reference systems to lidar standards – and explain what they mean for geospatial professionals and government mapping agencies. We’ll also share how Sanborn is preparing for these shifts, so you can be confident your projects stay accurate and compliant with emerging standards.
Modernizing the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS)
One of the biggest upcoming changes is the modernization of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), which underpins all U.S. mapping coordinates. The NSRS update involves replacing the decades-old datums NAD83 (horizontal) and NAVD88 (vertical) with NATRF2022 (North American Terrestrial Reference Frame 2022) and NAPGD2022 (North American-Pacific Geopotential Datum 2022).
These new reference frames will correct known issues and improve accuracy. For instance, NAD83’s origin isn’t truly at Earth’s center – it’s off by about 2.2 meters – and NAVD88 relies on aging physical benchmarks in the ground. Such limitations lead to inconsistencies and maintenance challenges. Today’s high-precision applications (like autonomous vehicles, precision agriculture, and smart cities) demand a geodetic basis that is both more accurate and easier to maintain. The new reference frames will also incorporate a time-dependent component – essentially adding a fourth dimension to coordinates. This means the new coordinate system can account for tectonic plate movement, land subsidence, and sea-level change over time.
In practical terms, survey points and mapping data will stay more accurate over the long term, supporting better long-range planning (for example, infrastructure or flood risk studies). Another planned change is the adoption of a single “international foot” for measurements, retiring the old U.S. survey foot to avoid confusion.
When will this happen?
The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) plans to roll out the new NSRS by the end of 2026. That’s the current target for when NATRF2022 and NAPGD2022 become official. This lead time gives the industry a chance to get ready. Preparing for the transition includes significant software and workflow updates. All of the GIS, surveying, and photogrammetry software that currently use NAD83/NAVD88 will need updates to support the new datums. At Sanborn, our team (led by our geospatial experts) is already working on an implementation plan so we can transition seamlessly when the time comes. We’re updating our in-house tools and checking that commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software (like Esri ArcGIS, Autodesk products, Global Mapper, TerraSolid, etc.) will handle NATRF2022 properly.
But what about your existing GIS data in NAD83?
This is a common concern. You won’t want half your data in one datum and half in another. Sanborn is planning ahead for this scenario: we will be able to transform older datasets from NAD83/NAVD88 into the new reference frames. This means, for example, if a county has decades of parcel maps or utility layers in NAD83, we can help convert those to NATRF2022 so they align perfectly with new aerial imagery or lidar collected in the updated system.
There will be some technical considerations – for example, slight shifts in coordinate values and the need to redefine legal survey boundaries – but we’ll navigate those complexities for you. The bottom line: the NSRS modernization is coming, and it will improve accuracy and consistency, but it requires planning. Sanborn is proactively laying the groundwork now to ensure our clients’ data and projects can smoothly adapt to NATRF2022 and NAPGD2022 when they go live.
Sanborn’s Preparedness and Proactive Approach
NSRS Modernization: Sanborn formed an internal task force in advance of the NSRS update, and this team is diligently working through implementation plans. We’re auditing all software we use for compatibility with NATRF2022/NAPGD2022 and coordinating with vendors on necessary upgrades. Our mapping workflows are being reviewed and adjusted so that when the new datums are live, we can readily produce mapping products (orthos, lidar, maps) in the new coordinate system. We’re also developing protocols to convert legacy data for clients – meaning if a city’s base maps are in NAD83, we can reproject them accurately into NATRF2022 so they align with new data. This proactive stance ensures we can guide our clients through the transition with minimal disruption. We view it as part of our service to be ready to answer questions like “Can you update our old GIS layers to the new datum?” with a confident yes.
So now what?
Now is a great time to start planning for these upcoming changes. Consider questions like: Do you need to convert legacy datasets to new coordinates? Are your internal systems ready for NATRF2022? How will you ensure your lidar acquisitions meet the latest QA standards?
Together, we can ensure you’re not just keeping up with industry changes but leveraging them to achieve even better mapping outcomes.
