Major Roads of the United States

Frequently-anticipated questions:

• What does this data set describe?
  1. How should this data set be cited?
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
• Who produced the data set?
  1. Who are the originators of the data set?
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
• Why was the data set created?
• How was the data set created?
  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
• How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
  1. How well have the observations been checked?
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the data, including topology?
• How can someone get a copy of the data set?
  1. Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
  2. Who distributes the data?
  3. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
  4. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
  5. How can I download or order the data?
• Who wrote the metadata?

What does this data set describe?

1. How should this data set be cited?

   U.S. Geological Survey, 199911, Major Roads of the United States: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.

   Online Links:

   • <http://nationalatlas.gov/atlasftp.html>

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: 170

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -64

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 72

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 17

3. What does it look like?

4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

   Beginning_Date: 1972

   Ending_Date: 1999

   Currentness_Reference: ground condition

5. What is the general form of this data set?

6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
   1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      Indirect_Spatial_Reference:

      U.S. Department of Commerce, 1987, Codes for the Identification of the States, the District of Columbia and The Outlying Areas of the United States, and Associated Areas (FIPS 5-2): Washington, D.C., National Institute of Standards and Technology.

      This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • Complete chain (47014)

   2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.000278. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.000278. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees.

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is GRS1980.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.
      

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   Road (described by Roadtrl020.dbf)

   An open way for the passage of vehicles. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Shape

   The representation of the entity in the data. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Value	Definition
   Polyline	1-dimensional element that may or may not surround a 2-dimensional element.

   Fnode_

   Internal number of the from-node. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	29145

   Tnode_

   Internal number of the to-node. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	2
   Maximum:	29144

   Lpoly_

   Internal number of the polygon to the left of the arc. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0

   Rpoly_

   Internal number of the polygon to the right of the arc. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0

   Length

   The length of the arc in coverage units. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.000
   Maximum:	8.512

   Roadtrl020

   Internal feature number. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	47014

   Feature

   The type of road. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Value	Definition
   Ferry Crossing	A route used to transport traffic between two points separated by water.
   Ferry Crossing Toll Road	A route used to transport traffic between two points separated by water and where a travel fee is collected.
   Limited Access Highway	A route that is part of the United States Interstate Highway System or other similar expressway.
   Limited Access Highway Alternate Route	A route that substitutes for a United States Interstate Highway or other similar expressway.
   Limited Access Highway Business Route	A route that is part of the United States Interstate Highway System or other similar expressway and that is used for commercial traffic.
   Limited Access Highway Bypass Route	A route that is part of the United States Interstate Highway System or other similar expressway, and that diverts traffic around a town.
   Limited Access Highway In Tunnel	A route that is part of the United States Interstate Highway System or other similar expressway, and that goes through a tunnel.
   Limited Access Highway In Tunnel Toll Road	A route that is part of the United States Interstate Highway System or other similar expressway, and that goes through a tunnel and where a travel fee is collected.
   Limited Access Highway Toll Road	A route that is part of the United States Interstate Highway System or other similar expressway, and where a travel fee is collected.
   Limited Access Highway Truck Route	A route that is part of the United States Interstate Highway System or other similar expressway, and that is designated for truck traffic.
   Other Highway	A minor State-numbered route or other connector road.
   Other Highway Alternate Route	A route that substitutes for a minor State-numbered route or other connector road.
   Other Highway Business Route	A minor State-numbered route or other connector road that is used for commercial traffic.
   Other Highway Bypass Route	A minor State-numbered route or other connector road that diverts traffic around a town.
   Other Highway Toll Road	A minor State-numbered route or other connector road where a travel fee is collected.
   Other Through Highway	A major State-numbered route or a minor United States-numbered highway.
   Other Through Highway Alternate Route	A route that substitutes for a major State-numbered route or a minor United States-numbered highway.
   Other Through Highway Alternate Route Bypass Route	A route that substitutes for a major State-numbered route or a minor United States-numbered highway, and that diverts traffic around a town.
   Other Through Highway Business Route	A major State-numbered route or a minor United States-numbered highway that is used for commercial traffic.
   Other Through Highway Business Route Alternate Route	A route that substitutes for a major State-numbered route or a minor United States-numbered highway, and that is used for commercial traffic.
   Other Through Highway Bypass Route	A major State-numbered route or a minor United States-numbered highway that diverts traffic around a town.
   Other Through Highway In Tunnel Alternate Route	A route that substitutes for a major State-numbered route or a minor United States-numbered highway, and that goes through a tunnel.
   Other Through Highway Toll Road	A major State-numbered route or a minor United States-numbered highway where a travel fee is collected.
   Other Through Highway Truck Route	A major State-numbered route or a minor United States-numbered highway that is designated for truck traffic.
   Principal Highway	A major United States-numbered highway or one of the most important State-numbered routes.
   Principal Highway Alternate Route	A route that substitutes for a major United States-numbered highway or one of the most important State-numbered routes.
   Principal Highway Alternate Route Bypass Route	A route that substitutes for a major United States-numbered highway or one of the most important State-numbered routes, and that diverts traffic around a town.
   Principal Highway Business Route	A major United States-numbered highway or one of the most important State-numbered routes that is used for commercial traffic.
   Principal Highway Business Route Alternate Route	A route that substitutes for a major United States-numbered highway or one of the most important State-numbered routes, and that is used for commercial traffic.
   Principal Highway Bypass Route	A major United States-numbered highway or one of the most important State-numbered routes that diverts traffic around a town.
   Principal Highway In Tunnel	A major United States-numbered highway or one of the most important State-numbered routes that goes through a tunnel.
   Principal Highway In Tunnel Toll Road	A major United States-numbered highway or one of the most important State-numbered routes that goes through a tunnel, and where a travel fee is collected.
   Principal Highway Toll Road	A major United States-numbered highway or one of the most important State-numbered routes where a travel fee is collected.
   Principal Highway Truck Route	A major United States-numbered highway or one of the most important State-numbered routes that is designated for truck traffic.

   Name

   The name of the road (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   There is no predefined set of valid road names.

   State_fips

   The 2-digit Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) code used by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, for the State or State equivalent in which the road is located. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Codes for the Identification of the States, the District of Columbia and the Outlying Areas of the United States, and Associated Areas, FIPS 5-2.
   Codeset Source:	U.S. Department of Commerce

   State

   The 2-letter FIPS code for the State or State equivalent in which the road is located. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Codes for the Identification of the States, the District of Columbia and the Outlying Areas of the United States, and Associated Areas, FIPS 5-2.
   Codeset Source:	U.S. Department of Commerce

Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • U.S. Geological Survey

2. Who also contributed to the data set?

3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   Steve Kambly
   U.S. Geological Survey
   561 National Center
   Reston, VA 20192
   

   703-648-5094 (voice)
   [email protected]
   

Why was the data set created?

These data are intended for geographic display and analysis at the national level, and for large regional areas. The data should be displayed and analyzed at scales appropriate for 1:2,000,000-scale data. No responsibility is assumed by the U.S. Geological Survey in the use of these data.

How was the data set created?

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

   2MILRD (source 1 of 4)

   U.S. Geological Survey, 1995, 1:2,000,000-scale Digital Line Graph Data - Roads: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

   Type_of_Source_Media: CD-ROM

   Source_Scale_Denominator: 2000000

   Source_Contribution: spatial and attribute information

   ATLAS-RD98 (source 2 of 4)

   U.S. Geological Survey, 1998, Major Roads and Trails of the United States: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.

   Type_of_Source_Media: online

   Source_Scale_Denominator: 2000000

   Source_Contribution: spatial and attribute information

   ATLAS-RD9903 (source 3 of 4)

   U.S. Geological Survey, 199903, Major Roads and Trails of the United States: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.

   Type_of_Source_Media: online

   Source_Scale_Denominator: 2000000

   Source_Contribution: spatial and attribute information

   USGS_AK (source 4 of 4)

   U.S. Geological Survey, 1996, State of Alaska, Map E: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.

   Type_of_Source_Media: paper

   Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000

   Source_Contribution: spatial and attribute information

2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

   Date: 1998 (process 1 of 3)

   The 2MILRD data files were originally digitized by the National Mapping Division based on the sectional maps contained in 'The National Atlas of the United States of America' published by the USGS in 1970. The files were updated and the Arc/INFO software command DLGARC was used to convert the State DLG optional-format files to Arc/INFO coverages. The individual State coverages were then merged together using the Arc/INFO command APPEND.

   Data sources used in this process:

   • 2MILRD

   Data sources produced in this process:

   • ATLAS-RD98

   Date: 1999 (process 2 of 3)

   Roads for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands were added.

   Data sources used in this process:

   • 2MILRD
   • ATLAS-RD98

   Data sources produced in this process:

   • ATLAS-RD9903

   Date: Oct-1999 (process 3 of 3)

   Some roads in Alaska were determined to be trails, and were deleted. Some ferry crossings in Alaska were added, others modified.

   Data sources used in this process:

   • ATLAS-RD9903
   • USGS_AK

3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

1. How well have the observations been checked?

2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

   This data set includes roads for all 50 States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Data completeness generally reflects the content of the original DLG files.

5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

   The data set was checked for topological consistency using the Arc/INFO command BUILD. No other checks for logical consistency were performed on this data set.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints:

None. Acknowledgment of the National Atlas of the United States of America and (or) the U.S. Geological Survey would be appreciated in products derived from these data.

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
   Earth Science Information Center, U.S. Geological Survey
   507 National Center
   Reston, VA 20192
   

   1-888-ASK-USGS (1-888-275-8747) (voice)
   

   Contact_Instructions:

   In addition to the address above there are other ESIC offices throughout the country. A full list of these offices is at <http://mapping.usgs.gov/esic/esic_index.html>.

2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

   Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the U.S. Geological Survey regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. No responsibility is assumed by the U.S. Geological Survey in the use of these data.

4. How can I download or order the data?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	ESRI Shapefile
     Network links:	<http://nationalatlas.gov/atlasftp.html>

     Data format:	SDTS
     Network links:	<http://nationalatlas.gov/atlasftp.html>

   • Cost to order the data:

     There is no charge for the online option. For National Atlas files ordered on CD-ROM there is a base price of $45.00 per disc, a handling fee of $5.00, and a per-file charge based on file size. The charge for files less than 10 megabytes in size is $1.00. The charge for files that range in size from 10 to 150 megabytes is $7.50. The charge for files of 150 megabytes or larger is $15.00. The charge is $7.50 for the Major Roads of the United States data set.

   • Special instructions:

     To order files on CD-ROM, please see <http://nationalatlas.gov/atlasftp.html#q12>.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 25-Sep-2001

Metadata author:

Peg Rawson
U.S. Geological Survey
521 National Center
Reston, VA 20192

703-648-4183 (voice)
[email protected]

Metadata standard:

FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)