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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Liner Notes

Monday, July 14, 2014

DESCRIPTION

The National Transportation Atlas Databases 2014 (NTAD2014) is a set of nationwide geographic datasets of transportation facilities, transportation networks, associated infrastructure, and other political and administrative entities. These datasets include spatial information for transportation modal networks and intermodal terminals, as well as the related attribute information for these features. Metadata documentation, as prescribed by the International Organization of Standards, is also provided for each database. The data on this DVD support research, analysis, and decision-making across all transportation modes. They are most useful at the national level, but have major applications at regional, State, and local scales throughout the transportation community.

NTAD2014 contains only data. To take full advantage of this product requires a Geographic Information System (GIS). Each dataset is presented in shapefile format—a data structure compatible with most GIS software packages. The data used to compile NTAD2014 was provided by our partners within the U.S. Department of Transportation and by other agencies throughout the Federal Government. These contributors are the actual data stewards and are ultimately responsible for the maintenance and accuracy of their data.

National Transportation Atlas Databases 2014
A Product of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics

DESCRIPTION

The National Transportation Atlas Databases 2014 (NTAD2014) is a set of nationwide geographic databases of transportation facilities, transportation networks, and associated infrastructure. These datasets include spatial information for transportation modal networks and intermodal terminals, as well as the related attribute information for these features. Metadata documentation, as prescribed by the International Organization of Standards, is also provided for each database. The data on this DVD support research, analysis, and decision-making across all modes of transportation. They are most useful at the national level, but have major applications at regional, State, and local scales throughout the transportation community.

Format: This product is distributed in shapefile format. The shapefile is an open format created by the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI). You can find additional information about the format at: www.esri. com/library/whitepapers/pdfs/shapefile.pdf

Design: The NTAD2014 databases are designed for use within a geographic information system (GIS); however, the attribute data for each dataset can be accessed in any database, spreadsheet, or other software package. This information is stored in dBASE format. Because of spreadsheet limitations, many of the larger dBASE files will not open correctly with spreadsheet software. It is important to note that users who manipulate attribute data outside of their GIS may alter the shapfiles' linkage between the attribute and spatial data.

Compilation: The data used to compile NTAD2014 was provided by our partners within the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and by other Federal Government agencies. These contributors are the data stewards and are ultimately responsible for the maintenance and accuracy of the data. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) performs structured quality evaluations on these data before they are included in the NTAD. Further details pertaining to the NTAD2014 compilation process may be found in the metadata file associated with each dataset.

CONTENTS

NTAD2014 is organized into directories, one for each feature type (point, polyline, and polygon) and one for each dataset. At the top level of the DVD there is also a doc's directory containing the back cover notes, these liner notes, and DVD cover image. There is also a pdf version of the BTS 2014 map of Major Transportation Facilities of the United States. This map showcases many of the data contained in NTAD2014.

Transportation networks are polyline databases. Transportation facilities are point databases. The geographic reference databases may exist as any of the three feature types: point, polyline, or polygon.

All data included here are in shapefile format. Each shapefile dataset within NTAD2014, in general, is composed of eight different files:

  1. dBASE file (.dbf) – attribute information for the features,
  2. projection file (.prj) – projection and datum information for the dataset,
  3. spatial index file (.sbn) – spatial index for read-write of shapefiles,
  4. spatial index file (.sbx) – spatial index for read-write of shapefiles,
  5. main file (.shp) – feature geometry,
  6. index file (.shx) – indices of the feature geometry,
  7. metadata file (.txt) – text version of shapefile's metadata – FGDC format, and

The shapefile format is a simple, nontopological format for storing the geographic location and attribute information of spatial features. For further information concerning the definition of SHAPE, consult ESRI documentation.

A listing of the NTAD2014 dataset subdirectories, with a brief description of each, follows. Please refer to the metadata for more detailed descriptions of each dataset.

Point

airports updated Airports—Landing facilities in the United States—Data provided and maintained by the Federal Aviation updated Administration. Data compiled in 2014.

altfuels updated Alternative Fuels—This spatial dataset, from the Department of Energy (DOE), replaces a similar data updated created by BTS in 2008. This is a geographic point dataset of fueling facilities that offer fuels other than gasoline in the United States. Data compiled by DOE, 2013.

amtrk_sta updated Amtrak Stations—Data provided and maintained by the Federal Railroad Administration (last updated 2010).

border_x updated Border Crossing Ports are points of entry for land modes along the U.S.-Canadian and U.S.-Mexican updated borders. Data created and maintained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and spatially enhanced by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2014.

dams Data of dams 50 feet or more in height, or with a normal storage capacity of 5,000 acre-feet or more, or with a maximum storage capacity of 25,000 acre-feet or more, from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Inventory of Dams. Data compiled by USACE, 2006.

facility_freight Intermodal Terminal Facilities—Data on locations where freight can be transferred between modes of transportation. Data compiled by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (last updated 2003).

facility_passenger Intermodal Passenger Connectivity Database is a national dataset of over 6,700 facilities for passenger public transportation facilities. This dataset links the intermodal nature of passenger travel in transportation, particularly in urban areas. Data provided by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, compiled in 2014.

fars new This dataset contains information on over 30,000 crash characteristics and environmental conditions at the new time of the crash. Data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, compiled in 2013.

locks_water updated National inventory of navigable inland waterway locks. Database contains select attribute information for each of updated the 229 locks inventoried. Data provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, compiled in 2013.

nbi updated National Bridge Inventory—A database containing information on the more than 600,000 bridges located updated on public roads, including Interstate highways, U.S. highways, State and county roads, as well as publicly accessible bridges on Federal lands. Data provided by the individual State DOTs to the Federal Highway Administration, 2014.

place updated National Populated Places—Place locations from the 2010 Census Master Area Reference File–with updated additional attribute information from the Geographic Names Information System (last update 2013).

ports updated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ports—Data provided and maintained by the USACE, 2014.

ports_major updated The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers identified top 150 major ports in the United States for import and updated export activity. Data compiled by USACE, 2014.

rr_crossings updated Railroad Grade Crossings—Data on use and physical characteristics of highway-rail crossings. updated Data provided and maintained by the Federal Railroad Administration, 2014.

tmas Travel Monitoring Analysis System stations from the Federal Highway Administration, replaces the atr and wim data. Data set contains information on over 15,000 stations. Data provided and maintained by State DOTs, compiled by FHWA, 2012.

Polygon

boc_uza updated Bureau of the Census Urbanized Area Boundaries—Data provided and maintained by the U.S. Census updated Bureau, 2014.

cbsa updated Core based statistical area representing Metropolitan & Micropolitan Statistical Areas as defined by the updated Federal Office of Management and Budget and maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau, 2014.

cd113 updated The 113th Congressional Districts Boundaries—Data provided and maintained by the U.S. Census updated Bureau, 2013.

county U.S. County Boundaries—Data provided and maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau, 2010. Data was derived by clipping the county_pol shapefile (using the 2010 state shapefile) to cut in the shorelines.

county_pol U.S. County Boundaries representing the U.S. political boundaries—Data provided and maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau, 2010. This dataset is contained in the county directory.

faf_regions Freight Analysis Framework, version 3.4, domestic region level datasets and products provide information for states, state portions of large metropolitan areas, and remainders of states. This data supports the FAF network. Data compiled by the Federal Highway Administration, 2012.

hydro Hydrographic Features—Data provided and maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau, 2006. (Note: A linear shapefile called "hydrolin" is also provided.)

milbase U.S. Military Installations—Data provided by the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command- Transportation Engineering Agency, 2013.

mpo updated Metropolitan Planning Organization—Database of MPO planning area boundaries collected by the updated Bureau of Transportation Statistics and Federal Highway Administration, 2014.

naa updated Non-Attainment Areas—Environmental Protection Agency-defined areas of the country where "air pollution updated levels persistently exceed the new national ambient air quality standards," 2013. Data replaces, and enhances non-attainment areas posted by EPA last year.

parks updated National Park System Boundary Dataset—Data provided and maintained by the National Park Service, 2014. updated

state U.S. State Boundaries—Data provided and maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau, 2010. Data derived by clipping the state_pol shapefile (using the 2010 state shapefile) to cut in the shorelines.

state_pol U.S. State Boundaries representing the U.S. political boundaries—Data provided and maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau, 2010. Data derived by partially extracting (dissolving) the county_pol shapefile. Dataset is contained in the state directory.

Polyline

faf_network Freight Analysis Framework, version 3.4 — Integrates data from a variety of sources to estimate commodity flows and related freight transportation activity among states, regions, and major international gateways. The FAF is maintained by the Federal Highway Administration.

hazmat Hazardous Material Routes—Data on highway routes for hazardous materials. Data provided and maintained by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (last updated 2006).

hpms updated Highway Performance Monitoring System—Data provided and maintained by State DOTs and submitted to updated the Federal Highway Administration, 2014. Attributes represent calendar year 2012. Because of the of attribute file size, HPMS data is in ZIP format. Be aware that the unzipped HPMS data is more than 300 MB.

nhpn updated National Highway Planning Network—Spatial network of principal roadways within the United States. Data updated provided and maintained by the Federal Highway Administration, 2013. (Note: A nodal shapefile called "nhpnnd" is also provided.)

rail updated Railway Network—Spatial network of rail lines within the United States. Data provided and maintained updated by the Federal Railroad Administration, 2014. (Note: A nodal shapefile called "rail_nodes" and AMTRAK lines are also provided.)

runway updated Airport Runways—Spatial data on airport runways within the United States. Data provided and maintained updated by the Federal Aviation Administration, 2014.

transit Fixed-Guideway Transit Facilities—Transit database including fixed guideway links and stations (last updated 2004).

waterway updated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Navigable Waterway Network—Data provided and maintained by the updated USACE, 2014. (Note: A nodal shapefile called "waterwaynd" is also provided.)

Technical Support

For technical assistance in using the data on this DVD, contact the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, Bureau of Transportation Statistics at 800-853-1351 and refer to the NTAD2014. Users may also contact us via e-mail at answers@dot.gov or visit our website: http://www.bts.gov/programs/geographic_information_services/

U.S. Department of Transportation

Bureau of Transportation Statistics

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

800-853-1351

For assistance with importing the data into a GIS software package, please contact technical support for the specific GIS software vendor.

User comments are critical to improving future editions of NTAD. Your feedback and corrections will be incorporated into the subsequent releases of these datasets. Please check our website (http://www.bts.gov/programs/geographic_information_services/) for any corrections or addendums to NTAD2014.

Acknowledgments

NTAD2014 is the result of cooperation throughout the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Census Bureau, Environmental Protection Agency, Defense Installation Spatial Data Infrastructure, and the National Park Service.

Most of the geographic reference datasets are products derived from the TIGER database, the TIGER/Line files, or other products created and maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau. We greatly appreciate these contributions.

Special thanks are given to the following individuals and organizations that contributed the data that made NTAD2014 possible: David LaBranche, of the Defense Installation Spatial Data Infrastructure; Raquel Hunt of the Federal Railroad Administration; and the Federal Aviation Administration's Aeronautical Information Services Office. We would also like to recognize the contributions of the following individuals within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology's Bureau of Transportation Statistics, who were responsible for compiling NTAD2014: Stephen Lewis, Derald Dudley, Dominic Menegus, Yaguang Xu, and Mark Bradford.