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I've kinda been wondering when they would update the current USGS topo maps for hiking purposes. Surely a lot of trails have changed and it would be easier to aggregate data on trail names and markings. There's just a ton of poorly marked or unnamed trails on current topo maps. According to USGS's own website and summarized by Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Geological_Survey#The_National_Map_and_U.S._Topo
--In 2008 the USGS abandoned traditional methods of surveying, revising, and updating topographic maps based on aerial photography and field checks.[27] Today's U.S. Topo quadrangle (1:24,000) maps are mass-produced, using automated and semiautomated processes, with cartographic content supplied from the National GIS Database.[27] In the two years from June 2009 to May 2011, the USGS produced nearly 40,000 maps, more than 80 maps per work day.[27] Only about two hours of interactive work are spent on each map, mostly on text placement and final inspection; there are essentially no field checks or field inspections to confirm map details.[27]
While much less expensive to compile and produce, the revised digital U.S. topo maps have been criticized for a lack of accuracy and detail in comparison to older generation maps based on aerial photo survey and field checks.[27]
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So basically they are not being funded properly to actually in-person conduct surveys to update the 1992 maps so they just gave up and are never actually going to update the maps? They are just going to digitally update them relying on possibly outdated data forever forward? I know this isn't an especially important issue to many people, but millions of Americans do outdoor recreation every year relying on these maps and no politician has even suggested to add funding so they can renew the maps?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Geological_Survey#The_National_Map_and_U.S._Topo
--In 2008 the USGS abandoned traditional methods of surveying, revising, and updating topographic maps based on aerial photography and field checks.[27] Today's U.S. Topo quadrangle (1:24,000) maps are mass-produced, using automated and semiautomated processes, with cartographic content supplied from the National GIS Database.[27] In the two years from June 2009 to May 2011, the USGS produced nearly 40,000 maps, more than 80 maps per work day.[27] Only about two hours of interactive work are spent on each map, mostly on text placement and final inspection; there are essentially no field checks or field inspections to confirm map details.[27]
While much less expensive to compile and produce, the revised digital U.S. topo maps have been criticized for a lack of accuracy and detail in comparison to older generation maps based on aerial photo survey and field checks.[27]
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So basically they are not being funded properly to actually in-person conduct surveys to update the 1992 maps so they just gave up and are never actually going to update the maps? They are just going to digitally update them relying on possibly outdated data forever forward? I know this isn't an especially important issue to many people, but millions of Americans do outdoor recreation every year relying on these maps and no politician has even suggested to add funding so they can renew the maps?
