Abstract:
Census data in terms of total numbers are sometimes of limited value to transportation planners. Some of the special tools developed by the Census Bureau can be more useful in obtaining small-area data. For example the geographic base file-dual independent map encoding (GBF/DIME) system provides what is essentially a computerized map of an area and is invaluable to any local planning effort in cross-referencing street addresses and in geographic coding of an identifiable addressed area. Another helpful program was developed to correct, update, and extend the information contained in the GBF/DIME system. The Census Bureau has also done extensive work in identifying legal geographic entities and in determining their relationships to one another, based on laws, statutes, court rulings, and such. In addition to legal area boundaries, which change frequently, the bureau defines fixed statistical geographic units (such as census blocks, census-designated places, and county divisions) that can be useful in urban transportation planning. (Author)
Supplemental Notes:
This paper appeared in TRB Special Report 187, Transportation Planning for Small and Medium-Sized Communities, Proceedings of a Workshop sponsored by UMTA and FHWA, conducted by TRB, Sarasota, Florida, 3-6 December 1978. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
