Geographic Data Files

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Geographic Data Files or GDF is an interchange file format for geographic files. In contrast with generic GIS formats, GDF provides detailed rules for data capture and an extensive catalog of standard features, attributes and relationships.

GDF is primarily used for Automotive navigation systems, but it is very usable for many other transport and traffic applications like fleet management, dispatch management, road traffic analysis, traffic management, Automatic Vehicle Location.

However, being a flat plain text file, GDF can almost never be used directly for any large scale geographic application and normally requires conversion into a more efficient format.

The maps in GDF format are provided by many map vendors such as NAVTEQ and Tele Atlas.

[edit] Standardisation

GDF is a European standard that is used to describe and transfer road networks and road related data. The standard was drawn up by CEN in co-operation with digital map providers, automotive and electronic equipment manufacturers. The outcome of these standardisation efforts (CEN GDF 3.0) has formed the major input to the world standard ISO GDF 4.0, created by ISO/TC204 Sub Working group 3.

However, despite the existence of ISO GDF standard, most vendors produce their own flavors of GDF and interoperability is still an issue as of 2007.