IMPROVEMENTS TO UTAH'S LOCATION REFERENCING SYSTEM TO ALLOW DATA INTEGRATION

A location reference "system" and a location reference "method" are distinguished by listing options available for location reference methods and explaining the importance of a standardized system to facilitate integrating data from more than one source. The conclusion describes necessary changes to Utah's method and the implementation procedures necessary to stabilize and improve Utah's system to meet the objective of data integration. Both linear and spatial approaches to location referencing are discussed. However, the focus is on explaining the details of the four basic linear methods, including advantages and disadvantages of each. Issues the Utah Department of Transportation needed to address when it selected its approach to location referencing are presented, including balance between system and method, stability of addresses, procedures to accommodate address changes, ability to replace one unit of measure with another, institutional issues, and training requirements.