Approximations, Errors, and Misconceptions in the Use of Map Projections

Global geodetic techniques currently can provide the user with worldwide millimeter accuracy. Preservation of this degree of accuracy in derived products is far from straightforward and may leave vast room for trouble in the different steps involved in the collection, storing, processing, analysis, and delivering of geospatial information. This paper is envisioned to serve as a guide for those utilizing map projections, in any possible form of application-cartography, GIS, remote sensing, photogrammetry, etc., to the common (and not so common) causes of error and misconception. This work also explores and questions the validity of some of approximations that are routinely implemented and quantifies the corresponding impact. These include the impact of neglecting meteorological corrections, reduction to ellipsoid and grid scale factors for distances, meridian convergence and arc-to-chord correction for angles, and mixing up with different frames and reference systems, height systems, or deceptively similar map projections. Correct indications are also given for accurately performing geospatial operations such as intersection of lines, determination of minimum point to line distance, and area determination for cadaster, which are often performed with suboptimal accuracy.