Selection of a location method for highway data systems.

213358798PDFTech ReportVHRC 72-R35Information storage and retrieval systemsData collectionVirginiaVirginia Transportation Research CouncilRunkle, Stephen NVirginia Highway Research CouncilUS Transportation CollectionThe Virginia Department of Highways has many data systems, and among them highway locations are referenced in various ways. While each of the several present systems is useful for its primary intended purpose, the ability to automatically relate the systems through the use of a common locator method would yield much greater benefits. In fact, the full utilization of some systems now being developed will be dependent upon the ready retrieval of data from the present data files. The purpose of this report is to outline a proposed locator system to be used in the development of new data systems, and which can also be applied to present data systems in order to make them compatible. After considering various alternatives, a paper milepost method was selected as being the most appropriate locator method to use, except for recording accident locations in cities, where a locator system utilizing intersection identification numbers is felt to be the most feasible