TIGER to OSM Attribute Map
- About
- The original proposed transformation from TIGER/Line attributes to OSM keys. The actual TIGER import in 2007–08 differed from this transformation. This mapping should not be applied to newer TIGER data.
- Impact on OpenStreetMap
- Provides insight into why certain keys were chosen in the actual TIGER import and what they were intended to mean.
- Reason for being historic
- Some keys changed in the actual import, and many keys are considered obsolete and no longer worth preserving.
The TIGER to OSM Attribute Map was one of the key details which needed to be figured out as part of the TIGER 2005 data importing efforts. It is not clear whether this page matches exactly with the scripts that were run in 2007 and 2008, but those interested can view the Ruby scripts linked on the TIGER 2005 page, located here.
Base Attribute Pairs
Feature Name
TIGER names are split across four fields (:fedirp, :fename, :fetype, :fedirs) containing direction prefix ("NE"), name ("72nd"), type ("Ave"), and direction suffix ("W"). All fields are optional, and it if one is present it must be the :fename field. All four fields together form the name of the feature ("NE 72nd Ave W"). TIGER features may have more than one name. Find the abbreviated prefixes (e.g. blvd) in Appendix D of The 2000 TIGER/Line Technical documentation Names are defined per link, and so can be inconsistent (slight differences in spacing, abbreviation, etc.), especially for very long roads.
Name components should be preserved to enable the OSM to be used as a geocoding dataset.
In pseudocode:
| OSM Key | TIGER Field | Example |
|---|---|---|
| name | "#{fedirp} #{fename} #{fetype} #{fedirs}".strip | "NW Chester St S" |
| name_direction_prefix | fedirp | "NW", "Southwest" |
| name_base | fename | "Chester" |
| name_type | fetype | "Street", "Ave" |
| name_direction_suffix | fedirs | "S" |
For each additional name:
| OSM Key | TIGER Field |
|---|---|
| name_1 | "#{fedirp} #{fename} #{fetype} #{fedirs}".strip |
| name_direction_prefix_1 | fedirp |
| name_base_1 | fename |
| name_type_1 | fetype |
| name_direction_suffix_1 | fedirs |
et cetera.
Address Ranges
TIGER road features have one or more associated address ranges. These should be preserved to enable the OSM to be used as a geocoding dataset.
Should adjacent TIGER features which are part of the same road be made into a single contiguous way? If we don't do this, we'll be back to a similar situation to where we were when there were no ways, only segments. Here's an example of how directly relating TIGER features looks when rendered.
If the features are combined into a single way, how to we preserve addressing information?
| OSM Key | TIGER Field |
|---|---|
| from_address_right | fraddr |
| to_address_right | toaddr |
| from_address_left | fraddl |
| to_address_left | toaddl |
| zip_left | zipl |
| zip_right | zipr |
For each additional address range:
| OSM Key | TIGER Field |
|---|---|
| from_address_right_1 | fraddr |
| to_address_right_1 | toaddr |
| from_address_left_1 | fraddl |
| to_address_left_1 | toaddl |
| zip_left_1 | zipl |
| zip_right_1 | zipr |
et cetera
Preserved TIGER fields
The Tiger Line ID (tlid) as well as the TIGER start and end zero-cell fields, and maybe the raw CFCC should be preserved, just for the hell of it. For each additional address range:
| OSM Key | TIGER Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tiger:tlid | tlid | |
| tiger:tzid | tzids | applied to first node in way |
| tiger:tzid | tzide | applied to last node in way |
| tiger:cfcc? | cfcc? |
Misc Attribute Pairs
| Key | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| source | tiger_import_#{date}n | eg. tiger_import_20070127 |
| reviewed | yes|no | tiger:reviewed=no was set on all ways in the TIGER import. It is intended as a way of tracking TIGER fixup progress. However it does not succeed in this aim and is largely pointless.
Some people remove this tag to indicate that they have reviewed (and perhaps corrected) the imported TIGER data. Some people set the value to yes. Some people set the value to 'aerial', indicating that they used aerial imagery to check/fix the location. There is some support within JOSM and Potlatch for differing displays according to this tag. However TIGER fixup is quite laborious enough without having to fiddle with this tag, so many people don't bother doing anything, in order to make faster progress with the fixup itself. Others object to the tag since it implies a process of review and "moderation" of edits, which does not exist (and we're proud that it doesn't exist). Some people don't modify the tag because they simply don't know about it. All this means that the tag is not an accurate indication of anything, and developers of tools such as TIGER Edited Map have developed different more reliable ways of seeing areas which need fixup. |
TIGER CFCC to OSM Attribute Pair
The following is a map of TIGER Census Feature Class Codes (CFCCs) to a set of OSM key/value pairs, for use providing some default annotation to OSM data imported directly from TIGER. The map is encoded in valid Ruby. A complete list of CFCCs with their descriptions can be found in the TIGER/Line Technical Documentation (PDF link), and a list of currently used OSM key/value pairs can be found at Map Features.
New Attributes for TIGER
Not all keys used in the map are currently cited in Map Features. In order to preserve the information in the TIGER/line CFCC code, the following additions may be necessary:
- tiger:separated=* - In the OSM dual carriageways are mapped as separate ways, where the TIGER CFCC has different * codes for separated and unseparated highways of the same highway class. Already imported ways not represented as separate carriageways should be fixed and mapped as two highway=* lines with oneway=yes.
- rail=* + highway=* - TIGER has a CFCC for a highway with a railroad running down the middle. In the OSM this could be modeled by a way with both a railway=* and a highway=* tag.
Map
Roads
Primary roads with limited access
Interstate highways and some toll highways are in this category (A1) and are distinguished by the presence of interchanges. These highways are accessed by way of ramps and have multiple lanes of traffic. The opposing traffic lanes are divided by a median strip. The TIGER/Line files may depict these opposing traffic lanes as two distinct lines in which case, the road is called separated.
| CFCC | Description | OSM Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A00 | Road feature; classification unknown or not elsewhere classified | :highway = :unclassified | |
| A11 | Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, unseparated | :highway => :motorway, :tiger:separated => :no | |
| A12 | Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, unseparated, in tunnel | :highway => :motorway, :tiger:separated => :no, :tunnel => :yes | |
| A13 | Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, unseparated, underpassing | :highway => :motorway, :tiger:separated => :no, :layer => -1 | |
| A14 | Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, unseparated, with rail line in center | :highway => :motorway, :tiger:separated => :no, :railway => :rail | |
| A15 | Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, separated | :highway => :motorway, :tiger:separated => :yes | |
| A16 | Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, separated, in tunnel | :highway => :motorway, :tiger:separated => :yes, :tunnel => :yes | |
| A17 | Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, separated, underpassing | :highway => :motorway, :tiger:separated => :yes, :layer => -1 | |
| A18 | Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, separated, with rail line in center | :highway => :motorway, :tiger:separated => :yes, :railway => :rail | |
| A19 | Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, bridge | :highway => :motorway, :bridge => :yes |
Primary roads without limited access
This category (A2) includes nationally and regionally important highways that do not have limited access as required by category A1. It consists mainly of US highways, but may include some state highways and county highways that connect cities and larger towns. A road in this category must be hard-surface (concrete or asphalt). It has intersections with other roads, may be divided or undivided, and have multi-lane or single-lane characteristics.
| CFCC | Description | OSM Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A21 | Primary road without limited access, US highways, unseparated | :highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :no | |
| A22 | Primary road without limited access, US highways, unseparated, in tunnel | :highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :no, :tunnel => :yes | |
| A23 | Primary road without limited access, US highways, unseparated, underpassing | :highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :no, :layer => -1 | |
| A24 | Primary road without limited access, US highways, unseparated, with rail line in center | :highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :no, :railway => :rail | |
| A25 | Primary road without limited access, US highways, separated | :highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :yes | |
| A26 | Primary road without limited access, US highways, separated, in tunnel | :highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :yes, :tunnel => :yes | |
| A27 | Primary road without limited access, US highways, separated, underpassing | :highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :yes, :layer => -1 | |
| A28 | Primary road without limited access, US highways, separated, with rail line in center | :highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :yes, :railway => :rail | |
| A29 | Primary road without limited access, US highways, bridge | :highway => :primary, :bridge => :yes |
Secondary and connecting road
This category (A3) includes mostly state highways, but may include some county highways that connect smaller towns, subdivisions, and neighborhoods. The roads in this category generally are smaller than roads in Category A2, must be hardsurface (concrete or asphalt), and are usually undivided with single-lane characteristics. These roads usually have a local name along with a route number and intersect with many other roads and driveways.
| CFCC | Description | OSM Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A31 | Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, unseparated | :highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :no | |
| A32 | Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, unseparated, in tunnel | :highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :no, :tunnel => :yes | |
| A33 | Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, unseparated, underpassing | :highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :no, :layer => -1 | |
| A34 | Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, unseparated, with rail line in center | :highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :no, :railway => :rail | |
| A35 | Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, separated | :highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :yes | |
| A36 | Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, separated, in tunnel | :highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :yes, :tunnel => :yes | |
| A37 | Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, separated, underpassing | :highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :yes, :layer => -1 | |
| A38 | Secondary and connecting road, state and county highway, separated, with rail line in center | :highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :yes, :railway => :rail | |
| A39 | Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, bridge | :highway => :secondary, :bridge => :yes |
Local, neighborhood, and rural roads
A road in this category (A4) is used for local traffic and usually has a single lane of traffic in each direction. In an urban area, this feature is a neighborhood road and street that is not a thorough-fare belonging in categories A2 or A3. In a rural area, this is a short-distance road connecting the smallest towns; the road may or may not have a state or county route number. Scenic park roads, unimproved or unpaved roads, and industrial roads are included in this category. Most roads in the United States are classified as A4 roads.
Proposal: A4x would be better as "unclassified" than as "residential"
| CFCC | Description | OSM Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A41 | Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, unseparated | :highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :no | |
| A42 | Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, unseparated, in tunnel | :highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :no, :tunnel => :yes | |
| A43 | Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, unseparated, underpassing | :highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :no, :layer => -1 | |
| A44 | Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, unseparated, with rail line in center | :highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :no, :railway => :rail | |
| A45 | Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, separated | :highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :yes | |
| A46 | Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, separated, in tunnel | :highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :yes, :tunnel => :yes | |
| A47 | Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, separated, underpassing | :highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :yes, :layer => -1 | |
| A48 | Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, separated, with rail line in center | :highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :yes, :railway => :rail | |
| A49 | Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, bridge | :highway => :residential, :bridge => :yes |
Vehicular trail
A road in this category (A5) is usable only by four-wheel drive vehicles, is usually a one-lane dirt trail, and is found almost exclusively in very rural areas. Sometimes the road is called a fire road or logging road and may include an abandoned railroad grade where the tracks have been removed. Minor, unpaved roads usable by ordinary cars and trucks belong in category A4, not A5.
| CFCC | Description | OSM Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A51 | Vehicular trail, road passable only by 4WD vehicle, unseparated | :highway => :track, :tiger:separated => :no | |
| A52 | Vehicular trail, road passable only by 4WD vehicle, unseparated, in tunnel | :highway => :track, :tiger:separated => :no, :tunnel => :yes | |
| A53 | Vehicular trail, road passable only by 4WD vehicle, unseparated, underpassing | :highway => :track, :tiger:separated => :no, :layer => -1 |
Roads with special characteristics
This category (A6) includes roads, portions of a road, intersections of a road, or the ends of a road that are parts of the vehicular highway system and have separately identifiable characteristics.
| CFCC | Description | OSM Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A60 | Special road feature, major category used when the minor category could not be determined | :highway => :unclassified | |
| A61 | Cul-de-sac, the closed end of a road that forms a loop or turn-around | :highway => :unclassified, :noexit => :yes | |
| A62 | Traffic circle, the portion of a road or intersection of roads forming a roundabout | :highway => :unclassified, :junction => :roundabout | |
| A63 | Access ramp, the portion of a road that forms a cloverleaf or limitedaccess interchange | :highway => :motorway_link | |
| A64 | Service drive, the road or portion of a road that provides access to businesses, facilities, and rest areas along a limited-access highway; this frontage road may intersect other roads and be named | :highway => :unclassified, :note => :frontage | Subject to some debate. Perhaps needs a :highway => :frontage tag. |
| A65 | Ferry crossing, the representation of a route over water that connects roads on opposite shores; used by ships carrying automobiles or people | :route => :ferry | |
| A66 | Gated barrier to travel | :highway => :gate | |
| A67 | Toll booth barrier to travel | :highway => :toll_booth |
Road as other thoroughfare
A road in this category (A7) is not part of the vehicular highway system. It is used by bicyclists or pedestrians, and is typically inaccessible to mainstream motor traffic except for privateowner and service vehicles. This category includes foot and hiking trails located on park and forest land, as well as stairs or walkways that follow a road right-of-way and have names similar to road names.
| CFCC | Description | OSM Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A70 | Other thoroughfare, major category used when the minor category could not be determined | :highway => :unclassified | |
| A71 | Walkway or trail for pedestrians, usually unnamed | :highway => :footway | |
| A72 | Stairway, stepped road for pedestrians, usually unnamed | :highway => :steps | |
| A73 | Alley, road for service vehicles, usually unnamed, located at the rear of buildings and property | :highway => :service | |
| A74 | Private road or drive for service vehicles, usually privately owned and unnamed. Primary type of use is for access to oil rigs, farms, or ranches | :highway => :unclassified, :access => :private | |
| A75 | Internal U.S. Census Bureau use | no mapping |
Railroads
Main line
Railroad Main Line A railroad in this category is the primary track that provides service between destinations. A main line track often carries the name of the owning and operating railroad company.
| CFCC | Description | OSM Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| B11 | Railroad main track, not in tunnel or underpassing | :railway => :rail | |
| B12 | Railroad main track, in tunnel | :railway => :rail, :tunnel => :yes | |
| B13 | Railroad main track, underpassing | :railway => :rail, :layer => -1 | |
| B14 | Abandoned/inactive rail line with tracks present | :railway => :disused | |
| B15 | Abandoned rail line with grade, but no tracks | :railway => :abandoned | |
| B16 | Abandoned rail line with track and grade information unknown | :railway => :abandoned | could use some distinction from B15 |
| B19 | Railroad main track, bridge | :railway => :rail, :bridge => :yes |
Spur
A railroad in this category is the track that leaves the main track, ending in an industrial park, factory, or warehouse area, or forming a siding along the main track.
| CFCC | Description | OSM Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| B21 | Railroad spur track, not in tunnel or underpassing | :railway => :spur | |
| B22 | Railroad spur track, in tunnel | :railway => :spur, :tunnel => :yes | |
| B23 | Railroad spur track, underpassing | :railway => :spur, :layer => -1 | |
| B29 | Railroad spur track, bridge | :railway => :spur, :bridge => :yes |
Railroad Yard
A railroad yard track has parallel tracks that form a working area for the railroad company. Train cars and engines are repaired, switched, and dispatched from a yard.
| CFCC | Description | OSM Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| B31 | Railroad yard track, not in tunnel or underpassing | :railway => :yard | |
| B32 | Railroad yard track, not in tunnel or underpassing | :railway => :yard, :tunnel => :yes | |
| B33 | Railroad yard track, not in tunnel or underpassing | :railway => :yard, :layer => -1 | |
| B39 | Railroad yard track, not in tunnel or underpassing | :railway => :yard, :bridge => :yes |
Railroad with Special Characteristics
A railroad or portions of a railroad track that are parts of the railroad system and have separately identifiable characteristics.
| CFCC | Description | OSM Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| B40 | Railroad ferry crossing, the representation of a route over water used by ships carrying train cars to connecting railroads on opposite shores. These are primarily located on the Great Lakes. | :railway => :rail, :route => :ferry |
Railroad as Other Thoroughfare
A rail line that is not part of the railroad system. This category is for a specialized rail line or railway that is typically inaccessible to mainstream railroad traffic.
| CFCC | Description | OSM Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| B50 | Other rail line; major category used alone when the minor category could not be determined | :railway => :unknown | |
| B51 | Streetcars, trolleys, and other mass transit systems | :railway => :light_rail | |
| B52 | Cog railroad, incline railway, or logging tram | :railway => :incline |
Miscellaneous Ground Transportation With Category Unknown
Source materials do not allow determination of the miscellaneous ground transportation category.
| CFCC | Description | OSM Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| C00 | Miscellaneous ground transportation, not road or railroad; major and minor categories unknown | import without attributes |
Pipeline
Enclosed pipe, carrying fluid or slurry, situated above ground, or in special conditions, below ground when marked by a cleared right-ofway and signage.
| CFCC | Description | OSM Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| C10 | Pipeline; major category used alone | :man_made => :pipeline |
Power Transmission Line
High voltage electrical line, on towers, situated on cleared right-of-way.
| CFCC | Description | OSM Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| C20 | Power transmission line; major category used alone | :power => :line |
Miscellaneous Ground Transportation With Special Characteristics
A portion of a ground transportation system that has separately identifiable characteristics. This category is for specialized transportation, usually confined to a local area, that is separate from other ground transportation.
| CFCC | Description | OSM Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| C30 | Other ground transportation that is not a pipeline or a power transmission line; major category used alone when minor category could not be determined | import without attributes | |
| C31 | Aerial tramway, monorail, or ski lift | :aerialway => :unknown | |
| C32 | Pier/dock a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats | :man_made => :pier |
Sample TIGER/Line Maps
Wisconsin: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1230/536480556_318ed75054_o.png
Seattle, Washington: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1390/536594719_b2fbda6d89_o.png
External links
- CFCC-MTFCC Translations from Census.gov