BTS Releases Transportation-Related Geographic Databases

Contact BTS 16-01 Catrina Pavlik 202-366-1500

Monday, July 9, 2001 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) today released a set of nationwide geographic databases of transportation facilities that will be useful for the transportation community at the national, regional, state and local levels.

The new National Transportation Atlas Databases 2001 (NTAD 2001) includes geographic information for transportation modal networks and intermodal terminals, as well as related attribute information. The data on this compact disc supports research and analysis, and decision-making across all modes of transportation.

"The NTAD 2001 provides transportation planners and researchers with valuable geographic information they can use when making decisions related to the nation’s transportation system," BTS Director Ashish Sen said.

This year, based on requests from users, BTS is distributing NTAD 2001 in Shapefile format. The Shapefile format is immediately useable in most Geographic Information System (GIS) software packages. This effort is part of BTS’ continuing goal to make data useful to the greatest number of people possible.

To order a copy of the CD-ROM, contact the BTS by phone at (202) 366-DATA (press 1), by fax on (202)366-3197, or by writing to Product Orders, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, U.S.DOT, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Room 3430, Washington, DC 20590. The data sets may also be accessed via the Internet at www.bts.gov/gis. Additionally, they may be ordered from www.bts.gov/btsprod, then select the "Geospatial data" link. For technical information, contact Steve Lewis at (202) 366-9223.