Apply the ASPRS Positional Accuracy Standards for Digital Geospatial Data (Edition 2) accuracy classes

Steps

1. Confirm you are working from ASPRS Positional Accuracy Standards for Digital Geospatial Data, Edition 2, Version 1.0 (adopted by the ASPRS Board August 23, 2023) — this superseded the 2014 edition and changed several core mechanics.
2. Note the key methodology shift: Edition 2 uses RMSE as the sole accuracy statistic (the old 95% confidence-level reporting was eliminated) and defines unlimited horizontal/vertical accuracy classes plus a new 3D accuracy metric, rather than the older fixed map-scale-driven classes.
3. Select or specify the required accuracy class for the deliverable based on project needs (independent of published GSD, map scale, or contour interval, since the 2023 edition is sensor-agnostic and data-driven).
4. Design the accuracy assessment with a minimum of 30 independent checkpoints (increased from 20 in the prior edition), well distributed across the project area and land-cover types.
5. Document the achieved RMSE values against the target class in the metadata/accuracy report delivered with the dataset, clearly citing the ASPRS Edition 2 standard and accuracy class used.