Volunteering geographic information to authoritative databases: Linking contributor motivations to program characteristics

Abstract

This paper builds on research by the senior author in reviewing and classifying both VGI contributors and the nature of their contributions. Drawing upon lessons learned in other types of user contribution systems, the authors discuss and propose recommendations as to how a deeper understanding of contributor motivations and the contributions themselves may influence the design of more sustainable re-engineered mapping programs in future. They then use these recommendations to compare and contrast three programs or initiatives driven by volunteered contributions: the State of Victoria's Notification and Editing Service in Australia, the National Map Corps Initiative of the United States Geological Survey, and TomTom's MapShare™ Service. The paper concludes with brief descriptions of related VGI research also currently underway at the University of New Brunswick.