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  Massachusetts Geographic Information Council (MGIC)
 
June 2, 1998 - Boston, MA

"FEDERAL DATA UPDATE INITIATIVES"

The following sections provide brief summaries, in outline form, of the main points presented by the listed speakers at the June 2, 1998 meeting of the Massachusetts Geographic Information Council (MGIC). 

Moderator - Rolf Gotze of the Boston Redevelopment Authority

Presentation by Vince Pito,  Geographer, U.S. Bureau of the Census, Boston Regional Office
"MassGIS and Tiger: Geographic Programs For Census 2000"

In preparation for the 2000 Census, The U.S. Bureau has initiated a variety of different operations and activities in order to get an accurate count. As a geographer with the Bureau's Boston Regional Census center, Vince discussed the different geographic operations that are updating and correcting the TIGER file.  The Bureau's TIGER file is a unique product, offering GIS users a wealth of geographic and attribute data at a minimun of cost. 


 Introduction
Presentation goals
  • Purpose: Why do a census, including census 2000 goals
  • Define TIGER
  • Discuss the various programs used to update TIGER
  • Luca and stat areas
  • TIGER release schedule
  • How you can help
Purpose
When, Where and Why do a census
  • Every 10 years, plus other additional ones
  • Constant change within local jurisdictions
  • Accurate address list (MAF) and geography (TIGER) = accurate census
    • Planning
    • Funding
For Census 2000 We Are...
Goals
  • Defining locally relevant geographic areas
  • Inviting and encouraging all levels of government to participate
  • Preparing an address list for all residential units
  • Updating TIGER
TIGER
What is it?
  • Acronym defined - Topolgically Integrated Geographically Encoding and Referencing System
  • Its a digital geographic data base
Updating TIGER
  • MAF Geographic Office Resolution
  • TIGER Improvement Program
  • Census Map Preview
  • Block Boundary Suggestion Project
  • Tribal Review Program
  • Boundary and Annexation Survey
  • Statistical Areas Program
  • Local Update of Census Addresses
Census Address List
How is the Address List Created
  • 1990 Census list
  • U.S. Postal Service
  • Local Update of Census Addresses
  • Address Listing
  • Field Check (block canvassing)
Local Update of Census Addresses - (LUCA)
  • Census Address List Improvement Act of 1994
  • Local Address Review
  • Quality Up Front - NO POST CENSUS REVIEW!!
The Specifics
  • Who
  • When
  • Local Staff Commitment
  • Materials
  • Bureau Assistance
Statistical Areas Program
  • Delineate Stat areas for tabulatin in Census 2000
  • Tracts
  • Block groups
  • Census designated places
TIGER release schedule
1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
  • Changes to the Census 2000 geography
  • Block Numbering Areas
  • Census Designated Place
  • Census Block Numbering Areas
Local governments can help update TIGER
  • Provide digital or paper source with new feature information
  • Don't ask for $
  • Assist with ongoing project
  • If you help we can reward you with valuable products and information

Contact Information:
E-mail: Vincent.J.Pito@ccMail.Census.GOV
Census Web Site: http://www.census.gov

Presentation by Lynn Bjorklund, USGS NMD State Liaison to New England
"U.S. Geological Survey National Mapping Division Program Update"

Lynn discussed some upcoming projects at the USGS which are relevant to Massachusetts.  These include the Map Revision Program (which will lead to the update of at least 81 quad sheets in Massachusetts), the production of new digital orthophotos, and potential cooperative partnerships.


National Mapping Program Update - Overview of Presentation
  • NMD Strategic Plan
  • Program Priorities
  • Product Status
  • DEMs, DOQs, DLGs, Paper Maps
  • Information & Product Sources
  • What’s Ahead
NMD Strategic Plan
USGS National Mapping Division Mission: To meet the Nation’s need for basic geospatial data, ensuring access to and advancing the application of these data and other related earth science information for users worldwide.

National Spatial Data Infrastructure
. . . the technology, policies, standards, and human resources necessary to acquire, process, store, distribute, and improve utilization of geospatial data.
 

"One of the most significant changes since the earlier mapping studies has been the growing acceptance of an NSDI.  Members of the “GI community” throughout the country seem naturally attracted to the idea of combining the resources of the various levels of government and the private sector to develop and maintain automated databases of geospatial information.  Many believe that data should be made widely available at no cost or at reasonable cost to the user, and that this will satisfy an almost infinite variety of governmental, commercial, and societal needs."

- National Academy of Public Administration, January 1998
National Digital Geospatial Data Framework
  • Users have recurring needs for a few common data themes
  • These data themes (the framework) include:
    • orthoimagery
    • elevation
    • transportation
    • hydrography
    • political & administrative boundaries
    • cadastral
    • geodetic control
Purpose of the Framework
  • Organize and enhance the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of basic, consistent digital geospatial data.
  • Facilitate data sharing
  • Provide a base on which an organization can accurately register and compile other themes of data or add application-specific information
  • Shared collection and maintenance will:
    • reduce expenditures for data collection & integration
    • allow organizations to focus on their primary business
    • expand the user base for data being collected
    • increase data availability over broader geographic areas
 A New Direction
 
 
Then
-------------------->
Future
Producer
Federal
Primary Producer
Federal/State
work share
Fed. integrator of
selected framework
categories
Production
In-house with 
contractor support
In-house and 
contractor
Mostly contractor,
Standards, QA/QC
Product
Quad-based
paper maps
Digital Cartography
User-defined
 content & media
Funding
Appropriated for Fed.
requirements
Fed/State co-ops cost 
share
innovative partnerships
 

National Mapping Program Priorities

  • Elevation
    • Nation-wide coverage of 30-meter DEMs by 1999
  • Orthoimagery
    • Once-over nation-wide coverage by 2002
  • Hydrography
    • Implement the National Hydrography Dataset
  • Graphic (topographic quad sheet) revision
    • To triple Graphic Revision output by 2000 using existing resources
NMD Product Status Digital Elevation Models (DEMs)
  • (near) Full coverage 7.5-min. 30-meter spacing
  • Available from USGS now via ftp or CD-R
    • UTM, some in feet, some in meters
  • Will be available from MassGIS soon
    • SPCS, all in feet
  • Digital elevation data from the USGS Global Land Information System on the web: http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/webglis/index.html


Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles (DOQs)

  • From NAPP Photography
  • Quarter-quad centered
  • 1-meter pixel resolution
  • ASCII header, .bil and GeoTIFF image format
  • NAD83, UTM projection
  • File size 40-45 megabytes
  • Available on CD-R or via ftp
Digital Line Graphs (DLGs)
  • No current plans to collect additional DLG-3s
  • NMD Program emphasis is on developing the National Hydrography Dataset, our first implementation of feature-based vector data.
National Hydrography Dataset (NHD)
  • Cooperative effort of the USEPA and USGS
  • Combines RF3 and DLG hydro files:
    • hydrologic ordering, hydrologic navigation, and a unique feature identifier
    • spatial accuracy
  • Initial work based on 1:100K data
  • Will enable shared maintenance & enhancement
Graphic Revision Program (GRP)
  • Goal:
    • maintain current maps
    • use traditional USGS cartographic specifications
    • use USGS sources and information provided through partnerships with the federal, public and private sectors
  • Objective: To triple Graphic Revision output by 2000 using existing resources
Vector Process Issues
  • Lack of vector coverage
    • Incomplete & Non-existent Categories
  • Inconsistency with local GIS Holdings
    • Other sources have more current vectors
    • Cartographic vs. true location positioning
  • Varied data structures from other agencies
    • Local definitions for feature types & symbology
    • Reduced Generalization efficiency
Raster Process

Decoupling the Vector and Graphics Programs

  • Eliminates Program dependencies
  • Promotes use of all available sources
  • Increased program flexibility allows USGS to focus on broader customer base
Hybrid Production Process

Consumer Driven Maintenance

Potential Data Sources

  • State Agency
  • Federal Agency
  • Private Company
  • Local Agency
  • Non-Profit Agency
  • Academic
Graphic Revision Program in MA
  • 80 High Sellers in Massachusetts
  • Issues:
    • 7.5x15 format incomplete
    • Rivers Protection Act perennial vs. intermittent
    • Co-funding required for some revision options
  • Next Meeting:
    • Tuesday July 7, 10-noon
    • Room 207, Saltonstall Building, 100 Cambridge St.
NMD Products and Information
State Earth Science Information Center
Dennis Swartwout
UMass Amherst
413-545-0359

USGS Earth Science Information Center
Reston, VA  1-800-USA-MAPS

mapping.usgs.gov

Contact Information:
Lynn Bjorklund
28 Lord Road, Suite 280
Marlborough, MA 01752		 Phone: (508) 490-5074
Fax: (508) 490-5068
E-mail: lcbjorklund@usgs.gov


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