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How to Calculate Positional Accuracy

Positional accuracy is used in Global Positioning Systems, maps and other geographic data to determine how close the description is to reality. It can actually be defined as the expected error from the correct location, based on the data you have. Obviously, smaller errors represent better accuracy. What constitutes an acceptable level of accuracy may depend on the application or context. For example, the military may demand higher levels of accuracy than ordinary users.

Instructions

- 1
  Use the least squares method to calculate for the relative positional accuracy of a measurement.
- 2
  List all of your data points in a vertical column. Take a second set of measured data for the same GPS coordinates from a trusted data source to examine your accuracy. Place the two set of data points side by side in a vertical line.
- 3
  Sum all of the distances from the correct location (the error numbers) and then divide by the number of instances to find the average error.
- 4
  Take the square root of the average found above to calculate the relative positional accuracy.

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