About PASDA

Services

The data made available through PASDA is provided by our data partners to encourage the widespread sharing of geospatial data, eliminate the creation of redundant data sets, and to further build an inventory (through the development and hosting of metadata) of available data relevant to the Commonwealth. PASDA serves as a resource for locating data throughout the Commonwealth through its data storage, interactive mapping/webgis applications, and metadata/documentation efforts. PASDA services are provided free of charge to all users and data providers. The data on PASDA is provided by federal, state, local and regional government agencies, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions throughout the region.

Data Storage and Access
PASDA works directly with state and federal agencies, local and regional governments, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions to access to the widest variety of data possible. There is no fee to store or provide access to data via the PASDA clearinghouse.
Inventory and Documentation (Metadata)
PASDA will create FGDC standard metadata free of charge for any agency, organization, or data stakeholder. The metadata will also be hosted by PASDA for the purposes of developing the state data inventory.
Data Liaison Activities
PASDA staff work directly with state agencies to identify, document, and provide access to agency data.
Metadata Training
PASDA staff provide free metadata training and training in the use of PASDA for individual organizations and groups. PASDA offers formal training twice a year at different locations throughout the Commonwealth. If you would like to participate in or host a metadata or PASDA training session, please contact pasda@psu.edu.
Educational Outreach
PASDA works with non-profit organizations such as watershed groups and K-12 schools to promote the knowledge and use of GIS. PASDA develops lessons, tutorials, and guidelines for new GIS users.
Presentations & Seminars
PASDA staff offer seminars and presentations at meetings, conferences, and schools.
User Assistance
PASDA is committed to providing timely user assistance with the PASDA website and the data available through PASDA. Since PASDA is not the originator of the data found on the site, specific questions about data sets are often best directed toward the data contact listed in the metadata. However, feel free to contact PASDA with any question
Acquiring Data from PASDA Offline

PASDA does not provide offline data reproduction services, either on digital media or paper. All data available on the PASDA website can be obtained on digital media on a cost recovery basis.
There are several organizations providing this service:
- Pennsylvania State Data Center (for demographic data) and The Center for Geospatial Information Services (for PAMAP data).Click Here to see the current price schedule for this service.
- Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission for aerial photography of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania and Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties in New Jersey. DVRPC also provides hardcopy prints in two sizes (Wall or Report) at various scales. Historical photos from 1995 or earlier are available at approximately 1"=400' scale (Wall size only).
- Some local governments and counties provide reproduction services for their data. Please contact the individual counties for more information on pricing and availability.

Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access
Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment
E-Mail: pasda@psu.edu
©2008 The Pennsylvania State University