Session overview: Addresses are the most widely used location identifier in the geospatial industry and are critical information for much of what we do and how we communicate place relative to property and life. They are central to how we navigate, discover, and identify where locations are in the human landscape. The address has many definitions and variable conditions. It is interpreted by its use and generated by its context. With such widespread use and dependencies for everyday living, the address is a common unit that is shared across needs and jurisdictions. Regardless of such unanimity, addresses are difficult to collect and maintain, require frequent partnerships, complex standards, and broad support to achieve an equally common data infrastructure as shared resource to the public and across all levels of government. The Address Panel will focus on the new FGDC endorsed address data standard, the new US Census GSS initiative, describe real applications of local government, stewardship, and help provide a better understanding of this unique dataset.

Moderator: Mike Vanhook, Information Services Division, Alabama Department of Finance

Presentation(s)

1. The FGDC Address Standard: Adopted! Now What? [download]

   In February, 2011, the Federal Geographic Data Committee endorsed the United States Thoroughfare, Landmark and Postal Address Data Standard. The Standard defines the elements of addresses as data, and provides a means for determining the quality of address information, as well as a model for data exchange in XML. But now that the Standard is official, what's next? This presentation will outline what the Standard does and doesn't encompass, and how local governments, as well as the State, and private sector, can start working with the Standard.
    

   Presenters

   Martha McCart Wells

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2. Your address … Far more than just three to five digits! [download]

   The presentation will cover system based address assignment. Such a system is in place to aid in everything from the development through planning and engineering to coordination with fire, police, and EMA in emergency dispatch. Address assignment is meticulously calculated and numeric schemes are designed to allow for future growth and expansion. There are certain measures that are taken which serve as precautionary yet incorporate important surroundings from both past and present when determining numeric placement. In addition to measures of standardized practice, constant study and maintenance are necessary. The standards are in place to ensure quality and reliability when quantity reaches into several thousand attributes. Furthermore, service to the community can have far reaching effects when an address database is relied upon by so many. However it sets the stage for interagency cooperation and GIS serves as the core to collect, maintain, update, and provide such a capability.

   Presenters

   Ryan Pecharka

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3. 2020 Census Address Data [download]

   The Census Bureau is currently conducting a Geographic Support System (GSS) Initiative in support of the 2020 Census. The GSS Initiative is an integrated program of improved address coverage, continual spatial feature updates, and enhanced quality assessment and measurement. The GSS Initiative will allow for a targeted, rather than full, Address Canvassing operation during 2019 in preparation for the 2020 Census. The GSS Initiative will focus on ensuring a complete and updated address list. All activities will contribute to Master Address File/Topologically Integrated Geocoding and Referencing System (MAF/TIGER) database improvement. The Census Bureau will collaborate with federal, state, local, and tribal governments and other key stakeholders to establish an acceptable address list for each geographic entity.

   Presenters

   Greg Hanks

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4. Advocacy for Addresses [download]

   This presentation will address the pressures and conditions of developing sustainable address programs. It will visualize some of the complex issues that make common and shared address data difficult to achieve. There are many paths to success and ways to improve availability and accessibility of address data, however progress and advances need to occur at all levels.

   Presenters

   Mike Vanhook

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