Many GIS-oriented agencies need automated conflation technology, even if many do not yet understand the term. Network conflation combines two arc coverages (e.g., TIGER and a locally-developed centerline file) in order to create a single coverage with the best spatial accuracy and attributes of both input coverages. Conflation has generally been an arduous process of manually comparing and editing road segments one-by-one. GIS/Trans has developed for the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) a comprehensive conflation software system that highly automates the conflation process beyond the built-in conflation tools of ArcInfo 7.02. SEMCOG has successfully used the system for conflation of TIGER to the state`s centerline file for the seven counties of Southeast Michigan. GIS/Trans is also applying its conflation software for other regional and state agencies requiring full-featured and automated network conflation. The conflation process can indeed be successfully automated and implemented.
John Brown
GIS/Trans, Ltd.
675 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139
Telephone: 617-354-2771 ext. 124
Fax: 617-354-8964
Email: jbrown@gistrans.com
Alan Rao
GIS/Trans, Ltd.
675 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139
John Baran
SEMCOG