DraftTerms of Reference for the INSPIRE MIG subgroup on Download Services for Observation Data

Background

The technical Guidance for the implementation of INSPIRE Download Services describe how the requirements of the INSPIRE Directive (2007/2/EC) and Implementing Rules (1088/2010/EC) can be satisfied through the use of either an extended profile of WFS or Atom feeds. The latest official Technical Guidance document - 3.0 does not yet include a specific section for observation data, but a possible extension is already defined:

“If later data specifications relating to Annex II or Annex III themes should require additional functionality, like those covered by the OGC Web coverage service (WCS) or the OGC Sensor Observation Service (SOS), this Technical Guidance document will be extended accordingly”.

As part of the ARE3NA project (part of the Interoperability Solutions for European Public Administrations (ISA) programme), JRC together with the contractors from 52Northis working on a study and open source implementation of an INSPIRE Download service based on the OGC Sensor Observation Service[1]. The outcomes of the study are:

  • A proposal for an update of the Technical Guidelines for INSPIRE download services, which is adding SOS 2.0 as a third possible solution, complementing the currently existing Atom and WFS solutions.
  • Source code, technical documentation and open source implementation of an SOS, which implements the proposed updated TGs to comply to INSPIRE legally binding requirements

A workshop was organized in Arona, Italy, on 08 April 2014 as part of the study to discuss with data providers on the results and way ahead. It was proposed during this workshop and also inthe consequent meeting of the MIG on 09 and 10 April to establish a dedicated MIG sub-group to take over the results of the ARE3NA study and propose to the MIG appropriate updates to the existing INSPIRE TGs. This document proposes the Terms of reference for such a sub-group.

According to Article 5(4) of the INSPIRE MIG Terms of Reference (ToR),in agreement with the Commission services, the INSPIRE MIG may set up sub-groups to examine specific questions on the basis of terms of reference defined by the INSPIRE MIG. [...]In particular, sub-groups shall be tasked to work on specific issues related to the maintenance or implementation of INSPIRE.

Considering the specificity of the issue, the sub-group should focus on the TG extension based on SOS and not also extensions based on other standards (e.g. WCS and TJS) as proposed in MIWP-7.

Mandate

The main objective of this sub-group is to maintain the results of the ARE3NA study on an INSPIRE/SOS, as well as to propose to the MIG appropriate updates to the existing INSPIRE TGs relevant for download services for observation data.Whenever relevant, the sub-group shall as well test and create prototypes of information systems to demonstrate the added value of the updates proposed to the MIG.

In line with Article 5(4) of the MIG ToR, this sub-group shall be disbanded as soon as its mandate has been fulfilled. This shall be assessed periodically by the MIG.

The members of the sub-group are either members of the MIG or registered in “the pool of experts” as foreseen under Article 7(1) of the MIG ToR. Members of the sub-group shall select among themselves a person who will act as facilitator and who will liaise with the MIG.

The sub-group can request guidance from the MIG in the course of its work and can also ask the MIG to involve additional expertise if needed.

Tasks

In order to reach its main objective, the sub-group shouldwork on the following tasks:

  1. Develop a project plan including deliveries in line with the specified timeframe (see below).
  2. Review the proposal for the update of the technical Guidance for INSPIRE download services to include SOS, provided by the ARE3NA INSPIRE/SOS study.
  3. Establish a web space and maintain an issue tracker for questions, related to the establishment of INSPIRE download services for observation data.
  4. Maintain and extend the results of the INSPIRE/SOS study.
  5. Propose and coordinate with the MIG update of the Technical Guidance document for INSPIRE download services.
  6. If necessary, propose and coordinate with the MIG update of the Technical Guidance document for observations and measurements (D2.9).
  7. Test the proposed approach with data from different Member states and different clients (web and desktop).
  8. Regularly report the progress to the MIG.

Timeframe of work

The sub-group shall submit its project plan to the MIG by 31 July 2014. The work should be completed by spring 2015.

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[1]Further referred to as “INSPIRE/SOS study”