Overview
This project investigated a publicly accessible dataset to determine what added content, information, or restructuring could enable greater use and discovery of the dataset as a valuable resource. This project focused on the USGS National Structures Dataset. This project involved
- Gathering USGS National Structures data for Pennsylvania, along with supporting background documentation
- Identification of additional information to add to PA structures data to enhance its use.
- Adding enhanced information to the PA structures dataset
- Updating metadata on the PA structures dataset
- Creating a feature layer, and web map via ArcGIS Online to enhance use of this dataset in other GIS projects
Background on the USGS Structures National Dataset:
This list of websites includes information the USGS Structures National Datasets, along with access to the dataset, and supplemental materials.
Website with Staged Products Directory, Structure Features Categories and Descriptions, National Structures Data Model, Structures Data Collection for The National Map using Volunteered Geographic Information, USGS, open-file report 2012-1209, USGS ScienceBase-Catalog, National Structures Dataset
Results
From review of the PA structures dataset, it was determined that a column for County identification was not included in the dataset publicly available. By joining the county information from the PA County file created by the PA Department of Transportation and available on PASDA , the structures can be searched by county and further filtered for regions and areas of interest.
Web map of Pa Structures Dataset with Counties with structure locations symbolized by category
Web map details summarizes data sources, key categories, and filtering of structures dataset
People
Tara LaLonde
Acknowledgements
This project is supported by the Penn State University Libraries.