Creating a Statewide Creating a Statewide Geocoding Service Geocoding Service

for West Virginiafor West Virginia

2008 West Virginia 2008 West Virginia GIS ConferenceGIS Conference

What is Geocoding? Geocoding is the process used to assign a spatial location to a standard street address. Geocoder /Geocoding Engine / Single Entry / Batch

You type in:708 Sites LnMoorefield, WV 26836

You get:708 Sites Lane

Moorefield, WV 2683678` 57’ 15” W

39` 4’ 13” N

Sites Lane

Spring Ave

Lee

St

How Does it Work? Different geocoding engines use different methods. There are two approaches of geocoding an address; attribute matching and range matching. Many use a combination of both methods. Mailing Address:708 Sites LnMoorefield, WV 26836

Mailing Address:708 Sites LnMoorefield, WV 26836

Moorefield

Sites Lane

Spring Ave

Lee

St

How Does it Work? Attribute matching: using part of the address or a combination of parts that match the entry to the database. Ex. Postal Location.Mailing Address:708 Sites LnMoorefield, WV 26836

Mailing Address:708 Sites LnMoorefield, WV 26836

Moorefield

Moorefield, Moorefield,

Sites Lane

Spring Ave

Lee

St

How Does it Work? Attribute Matching: Data Entry Integrity Check. Is there…> Moorfield in West Virginia? > Yes

>Does Zipcode 26836 match Moorfield, WV ? Yes> Is there a Sites Lane within that Zipcode?

(range match)> Does the Address Number fall in the Range?

26836

Mailing Address:708 Sites LnMoorefield,

Mailing Address:708 Sites LnMoorefield, WV 26836

How Does it Work? Range Matching: Geocoding using acute, attribute rich GIS data.

I.E.Mailing Address:708 Sites LnMoorefield, WV 26836

You get:78` 57’ 15” W

39` 4’ 13” N

108 Sites Ln

How Does it Work? Attributed Street Data:

Mailing Address:708 Sites LnMoorefield, WV 26836

Name City Zip Prefix Suffix L From L To R From R To Street ID

Site Moorfield 26836 Lane 101 119 102 120 23948

Site Moorfield 26836 Lane 121 199 122 198 23948

How Does it Work? Direct Matching: Geocoding using attributed point locations.

Mailing Address:708 Sites LnMoorefield, WV 26836

You get:78` 57’ 15” W

39` 4’ 13” N

108 Sites Ln

What is Geocoding?

Who Uses Geocoding? Almost EVERYONE! General Public – Driving Directions, Maps, Site location, GIS Data Input, etc… Other State Geocoding Programs: Ohio, Oregon, Texas, more…Agencies Interested: State Tax, State Historical and Preservation Office, others?

Why can’t we use the free one?

Private Industry: Good: Autonomously Maintained Reference Dataset

Ready-builtGenerally Current in Urban Areas

Bad: Reoccurring CostsData Integrity / Data CoveragePoor Rural CoverageLicensing Restrictions

No coverage for RR addresses

Why can’t we use the free one? Even when it’s right, it’s still wrong.

Why can’t we use the free one?

West Virginia Data:Good: Higher Accuracy

Lower Overall CostDistributed BenefitsLong Term StabilityPotential Greater AccuracyNo Licensing Restrictions

(Increase of Use)

Bad: Startup Buy InIncomplete Data!!!

How Does it Work? Direct Matching: Geocoding using attributed point locations.

Mailing Address:708 Sites LnMoorefield, WV 26836

You get:78` 57’ 15” W

39` 4’ 13” N

108 Sites Ln

www.batchgeocode.com

Questions? Questions? Kevin.Kuhn@mail.wvu.eduKevin.Kuhn@mail.wvu.edu

WV GIS Technical CenterWV GIS Technical Center

2008 West Virginia 2008 West Virginia GIS ConferenceGIS Conference