ASTM E2468-05(2012)
Standard Practice for Metadata to Support Archived Data Management Systems

Standard No.

ASTM E2468-05(2012)

Release Date

2005

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM E2468-05(2018)

Latest

ASTM E2468-05(2018)

Scope

5. Significance and UseTop Bottom

5.1 Put simply, metadata is ???data about data??? and typically describes the content, quality, lineage, organization, availability, and other characteristics of the data. Metadata is typically used to: (1) determine the availability of certain data (for example, through searches of a data catalog or clearinghouse); (2) determine the fitness of data for an intended use; (3) determine the means of accessing data; and (4) enhance data analysis and interpretation by better understanding the data collection and processing procedures.

5.2 The use of metadata among current implementations of archived data management systems is limited and is not uniform; in fact, this deficiency was the original impetus for this metadata standard. There are several possible reasons for the limited and inconsistent use of metadata: (1) the deployment of archived data management systems is still in the early stages since its formal inclusion in the National ITS Architecture in 1999; (2) to date, no formal metadata structure has been designated (the National ITS Architecture only refers to a generic ???data catalog???); and (3) writing good documentation (that is, metadata) is typically the last and least enjoyed aspect of developing information systems.

5.3 The use of metadata among the spatial data community is widespread and relatively uniform, due mostly to Executive Order 12906 issued in 1994 which called for the creation of a National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). This Executive Order mandated the creation of metadata standards, which were to be developed and maintained by the FGDC, a 19-member interagency committee. The spatial data community operates several metadata clearinghouses that, in effect, serve as virtual card catalogs to vast collections of online spatial data. Federal, State, and local agencies have adopted the FGDC metadata standard and use it to document available datasets. Significant resources from numerous agencies have been placed into the development of the NSDI and supporting elements like the FGDC metadata standard. Notwithstanding these significant resources, the adoption and implementation of the FGDC metadata standard by other agencies and entities in the past 8 to 10 years has been remarkable.

5.4 The 10-year vision for metadata implementation in archived data management systems should resemble (at a minimum) the current state of metadata implementation in the spatial data community. This vision for ADMS metadata includes the following: (1) a consortium of agencies that develop and maintain various metadata standards and supporting guidance; (2) metadata clearinghouses that advertise available data sets as well as fully support the operational concept of a virtual data warehouse as defined in the National ITS Architecture; and

ASTM E2468-05(2012) Referenced Document

• ASTM E2259 Standard Guide for Archiving and Retrieving Intelligent Transportation Systems-Generated Data
• ASTM E867 Terminology Relating to Vehicle-Pavement Systems
• ISO 19115 Geographic information - Metadata; Technical Corrigendum 1

ASTM E2468-05(2012) history

• 2018 ASTM E2468-05(2018) Standard Practice for Metadata to Support Archived Data Management Systems
• 2005 ASTM E2468-05(2012) Standard Practice for Metadata to Support Archived Data Management Systems
• 2005 ASTM E2468-05 Standard Practice for Metadata to Support Archived Data Management Systems