A locational error model for spatial features

A locational error model for spatial features in vector-based geographical information systems (GIS) is proposed in this paper. Using error in points as the fundamental building block, a stochastic model is constructed to analyse point, line, and polygon errors within a unified framework, a departure from current practices which treat errors in point and line separately. The proposed model gives, as a special case, the epsilon band model a true probabilistic meaning. Moreover, the model can also be employed to derive accuracy standards and cartographic estimates in GIS.