Abstract
The Use of GIS in the Planned Digital Boundary Annexation Survey (BAS) Process Track: Census and Geodemographics Author(s): Ryan Short The U.S. Census Bureau conducts an annual survey called the Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) to collect boundary information about selected legally defined geographic areas. The BAS information is used to provide an appropriate record for reporting the results of the decennial and economic censuses, the annual American Community Survey, and other various surveys including a yearly population estimates program. Traditionally, large census paper maps were produced from the Census Bureau's TIGER System and sent to local governments for reviewing and updating boundaries and other geographic features. As part of its TIGER modernization effort, the Census Bureau is spatially improving the locations of roads to more accurately locate the housing units of respondents. In addition, the home-grown TIGER software is transitioning to a commercial software environment. This process, coupled with technical advancements in the GIS field and the ever-increasing interoperability of GIS systems, has opened a new avenue for local governments looking to submit their entity and feature changes digitally. Whereas in the past digital exchange of spatial data was problematic, the Census Bureau is now officially accepting BAS digital boundary changes through its Digital BAS program for counties that have gone through its spatial enhancement process and is currently using ArcGIS 9 to perform evaluation and processing of locally submitted GIS boundary data. This presentation will offer an overview of the Digital BAS operation coupled with a demonstration showing how the Census Bureau currently processes local entity and feature updates using ArcGIS 9 ModelBuilder and Topology Manager. Ryan Short U.S. Census Bureau U.S. Census Bureau Washington , DC 20233-7400 US Phone: 301.763.9047 E-mail: Ryan.L.Short@census.gov |
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