A Prototype Cooperative Effort to Enhance TIGER

Abstract: Data sharing and coordination between the US Census Bureau and the Vermont Center for Geographic Information (VCGI) has propelled new advances and possibilities in the update and maintenance of the nation’s Topological Integrated Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) database. Utilizing existing local and state resources, internally developed spatial matching and update software, and an effective working partnership with the VCGI, the Census Bureau incorporated, for the first time, GPS 1 -level accuracy to its street centerline network. This statewide prototype demonstrates how the Census Bureau can utilize local data to improve both positional and attribute accuracy while reducing redundancy of effort between federal, state, and local government. This initiative and related data sharing efforts offer important lessons and opportunities for the Census Bureau as well as for the evolution of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI).