Limited-Access Highway Classification Codes

John H. Thompson
Department of Commerce
25 April 2017

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 78 (Tuesday, April 25, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19020-19021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-08320]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census

[Docket Number 170112067-7067-01]


Limited-Access Highway Classification Codes

AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of the Census (U.S. Census Bureau) publishes this 
notice to request public comment on a proposal to change the 
classification of limited-access highways in the Census Bureau's Master 
Address File/Topologically Integrated Referencing and Encoding (MAF/
TIGER) System. The change will assign all limited-access highways a 
MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code (MTFCC) of S1100 (Primary Roads). 
Currently, the classification code for limited-access highways is 
either S1100 (Primary Roads) or S1200 (Secondary Roads).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 25, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments regarding the MTFCC change for 
limited-access highways to the Geography Division, U.S. Census Bureau, 
4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233; or by email 
.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Geography Division, U.S. Census 
Bureau, 4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233; or by email 
.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    MAF/TIGER System is an abbreviation for the Master Address File/
Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing System. It 
is a digital (computer-readable) geographic database that automates the 
mapping and related geographic activities required to support the 
Census Bureau's census and survey programs. The Census Bureau developed 
TIGER to automate the geographic support processes needed to meet the 
major geographic needs of the 1990 census: Producing cartographic 
products to support data collection and map presentations, providing 
geographic structure for tabulation and dissemination of the collected 
statistical data, assigning residential and employer addresses to the 
correct geographic location and relating those locations to the 
geographic entities used for data tabulation, and so forth. During the 
1990s, the Census Bureau developed an independent Master Address File 
(MAF) to support field operations and allocation of housing units for 
tabulations. After Census 2000, both the address-based MAF and 
geographic TIGER databases merged to form the MAF/TIGER System. The 
contents of the MAF/TIGER System undergo continuous updating and are 
made available to the public through a variety of TIGER products such 
as shapefiles, geodatabases, and web map services.

B. Proposed Change

    The Census Bureau publishes this notice to request public comment 
on a proposal to change the classification of limited-access highways 
in the MAF/TIGER System.
    Currently, the classification code for limited-access highways is 
either Primary Roads (S1100) or Secondary Roads (S1200). The following 
is the

[[Page 19021]]

current description of the S1100 classification:

    Primary roads are generally divided, limited-access highways 
within the Interstate Highway System or under state management, and 
are distinguished by the presence of interchanges. These highways 
are accessible by ramps and may include some toll highways.

    To clarify that limited-access highways are primary roads we have 
revised the description of primary roads. The current description says 
primary roads are generally divided, limited-access highways, while the 
proposed description says they are limited-access highways, divided or 
not. The proposed description of the S1100 classification is:

    Primary roads are limited-access highways that connect to other 
roads only at interchanges and not at at-grade intersections. This 
category includes interstate highways, as well as all other highways 
with limited access (some of which are toll roads). Limited-access 
highways with only one lane in each direction, as well as those that 
are undivided, are also included under S1100.

    The following is the current description of the S1200 
classification:

    Secondary roads are main arteries, usually in the U.S. highway, 
state highway, or county highway systems. These roads have one or 
more lanes of traffic in each direction, may or may not be divided, 
and usually have at-grade intersections with many other roads and 
driveways. They often have both a local name and a route number.

    The proposed description makes clear that secondary roads are not 
limited-access highways. The proposed description is:

    Secondary roads are main arteries that are not limited access, 
usually in the U.S. highway, state highway, or county highway 
systems. These roads have one or more lanes of traffic in each 
direction, may or may not be divided, and usually have at-grade 
intersections with many other roads and driveways. They often have 
both a local name and a route number.

    Generally, only interstate highways are currently in the S1100 
classification. The impetus for this change was from the United States 
Geological Survey (USGS) Geospatial Technical Operations Center (GTOC). 
USGS and the Census Bureau have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for 
coordination and cooperation pertaining to the exchange and use of 
TIGER roads in The National Map. The Census Bureau delivers roads to 
USGS for use in The National Map and US Topo topographic maps and they 
provide feedback on the data. USGS proposed this change so that all 
limited-access highways would be classified and displayed as primary 
roads in their products. Both USGS GTOC and Census Geography Division 
agree that clarification of the definitions for S1100 and S1200 will 
require minimal changes to TIGER roads that are currently classified as 
S1200s. Since this reclassification to S1100 roads provides consistency 
and is in line with the current MTFCC descriptions, the Census Bureau 
is prepared to initiate this change, pending comments from users.

C. Request for Comment

    We would like to hear from the TIGER user community about the 
potential impacts of this change. Please respond to any or all of the 
following questions:
    1. Will this change have a positive or negative impact on your use 
of TIGER products?
    2. How will this change impact the cartographic display of roads in 
TIGER products that you use?
    3. Please describe your use of TIGER roads products and your 
familiarity and use of limited-access highway features.

    Date: April 19, 2017.
John H. Thompson,
Director, Bureau of the Census.
[FR Doc. 2017-08320 Filed 4-24-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P