The paper presents estimation of positional accuracy of digital maps using statistical analysis. Investigations have been performed for four large-scale digital maps made using different methods of producing digital map data: new total station survey (object A), re-calculation of previous direct measurements (orthogonal and polar surveys) (object B), manual vectorisation of a raster orthophotomap image (object C) and graphical-and-digital processing of analogue maps (object D). Analysis has been performed for large statistical samples of sets of vectors of shift t: L of control points and their components, i.e. true errors t: x, t: r of increments of co-ordinates. In the case of a map produced by means of new survey with an electronic tacheometer, the true errors were represented by differences between co-ordinates of control points obtained from two separate set outs. In the case of other methods of data collection for digital map production true errors were represented by differences of co-ordinates acquired from an investigated map and co-ordinates calculated from new direct surveys.

An electronic system and an algorithm for estimating pedestrian geographic location in urban terrain is reported in the paper. Different sources of kinematic and positioning data are acquired (i.e.: accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS receiver, raster maps of terrain) and jointly processed by a Monte-Carlo simulation algorithm based on the particle filtering scheme. These data are processed and fused to estimate the most probable geographical location of the user. A prototype system was designed, built and tested with a view to aiding blind pedestrians. It was shown in the conducted field trials that the method yields superior results to sole GPS readouts. Moreover, the estimated location of the user can be effectively sustained when GPS fixes are not available (e.g. tunnels).

The article provides an assessment of soil fertility indicators of agricultural lands in the northern foreststeppe of the Republic of Bashkortostan within the Iglinsky region (Russian Federation). The content of humus, mobile phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, the thickness of the humus horizon, granulometric composition, morphological properties and soil washout were studied. It was revealed that the soil-forming process occurs on rocks of different ages and genesis, such as diluvial carbonate and carbonate-free clays and heavy loams, limestone eluvium, sandstone eluvium and alluvial deposits, which determine the diversity of the soil cover. In the study area, water erosion processes are developing, influenced by anthropogenic and natural factors such as planar and linear washout on slopes with a steepness of more than 2–3° and high ploughing of agricultural land. In terms of humus content, low-humus and medium-humus soils are widespread, accounting for 45.5 and 40%, respectively. The soil map was corrected and digitised to identify the main types and subtypes of soils, indicating the varieties at a scale of 1: 25,000. Digitised maps, taking into account the current state of soil fertility, are used to develop projects for inter-farm and intra-farm land management of organisations of the agro-industrial complex, state cadastral valuation of agricultural land, determination of land tax and development of measures to improve soil fertility.