DOCUMENTATION REPORT FOR GIS DATABASE:

                          MAJOR ROADS IN GEORGIA

                      DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

                     ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION

                          GEORGIA GEOLOGIC SURVEY

                                  Atlanta

                                   1996

                         DOCUMENTATION REPORT 96-4

                             Table of Contents

OVERVIEW

GLOSSARY

PART A General Description of the GIS Database

1.0 Identification / Project Background 1

2.0 Data Quality Information 1

2.1 Attribute Accuracy 1

2.2 Logical Consistency 1

2.3 Completeness 1

2.4 Positional Accuracy 1

2.5 Lineage 2

3.0 Spatial Data Organization 2

4.0 Spatial Data Organization Information .2

5.0 Entity and Attribute Information 2

6.0 Distribution Information. 3

7.0 Metadata Reference Information 3

Figure 1. Major Roads in Georgia

Appendix A. Signatures

PART B Technical Description of the GIS Database

1.0 Identification Information 1

1.1 Citation 1

1.2 Description 1

1.3 Time Period of Content 1

1.4 Status 2

1.5 Spatial Domain 2

1.6 Keywords 2

1.7 Access Constraints 2

1.8 Use Constraints 2

1.9 Point Contact 2

1.13 Native Data Set Environment 3

2.0 Data Quality Information 3

2.1 Attribute Accuracy Information 3

2.2 Logical Consistency Report 3

2.3 Completeness Report 3

2.4 Positional Accuracy 3

2.4.1 Positional Accuracy Report 3

2.4.2 Horizontal Positional Accuracy Report 3

2.5 Lineage 3

3.0 Spatial Data Organization Information 5

3.1 Indirect Spatial Reference Method 5

3.2 Direct Spatial Reference Method 5

3.3 Point and Vector Object Information 6

4.0 Spatial Reference Information 6

4.1 Horizontal Coordinate System Definition 6

5.0 Entity and Attribute Information 6

5.1 Detailed Description 6

6.0 Distribution Information 7

6.1 Distributor 7

6.2 Resource Description 7

6.3 Distribution Liability 7

6.4 Standard Ordering Process 7

6.5 Custom Ordering Process 7

7.0 Metadata Reference Information 7

7.1 Metadata Date 7

7.2 Metadata Review Data 7

7.4 Metadata Contact 7

7.5 Metadata Standard Name 7

7.6 Metadata Standard Version 7

PART C Digital Files Containing GIS Database

Summary of Contents of Data Diskettes

Data Diskettes Jacket

                                 OVERVIEW

This document is a three part documentation report for a Geographic
Information System (GIS) database developed, with Arc/Info software, by the
Geologic Survey Branch, Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources. Part A is intended as a general purpose
summary of the database. Part B is a more technical section included
primarily for the benefit of GIS processors. Part C is the digital product
with the database and associated documentation. The digital documentation
includes a digital copy of this paper publication.

This documentation report follows the "Content Standards for Digital
Geospatial Metadata" (Standards) developed by the Federal Geographic Data
Committee (FGDC), published June 8, 1994. As a convenience, Part A and B
employ the outline/headings contained in the Standards. Part A and B are
printed on paper and Part C is a digital product. Part B meets the
technical requirements of the Standards.

The digital documentation in Part C contains two copies of this
publication. One digital copy is stored as an ASCII file, ASCIIDOC.TXT. The
other copy is in WordPerfect 6.0 format. The digital database in Part C
consists of an Arc/Info Export file and is compressed into an executable
file, mjr-rds.exe using the software Pkzip ver. 2.04g. To extract the
files, copy the file into a directory where you want it and then run the
executable.

See Part C for data file size.

The digital files are written to three (3) 1.44 Mb High Density data
diskettes. A directory of the files with a short explanation are contained
in the ASCII file README.TXT on the data diskettes.

This database was developed to satisfy specific project purposes. Users are
advised to read the entire Documentation Report and to evaluate the
suitability and limitations of the database for the user's purpose.

                                 GLOSSARY

Arc/Info: a popular GIS software, used by the GGS

ASCII: abbreviation for 'American Standard Code for Information
Interchange. A set of codes for representing alphanumeric information in a
format which any computer can read.

attribute: a characteristic of a geographic feature. For example, if the
geographic feature is a river, then an attributes of the river are the
river name, the flow rate, the chemical history, etc.

attribute accuracy: a measure of how well the reported characteristics
actually match the real-world characteristics of a geographic feature

Compact Disk Read Only Memory (CD-ROM): an optical media which can store
650 Mb of information.

completeness: a description of the relation between the items represented
in the database and the real world. For example, if a database contains
water wells in Georgia, does it contain all the water wells in Georgia, or
a defined sub-set of wells. If the database contains a defined subset of
wells, does it contain every well in Georgia that meets the definition by
which the sub-set was chosen.

Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata: a standard developed by
the FGDC which specifies the information content of metadata for a set of
digital geospatial data.

database: a logical collection of interrelated information, managed and
stored as a unit on a computer or other storage media. A GIS database
includes data about the spatial location and shape of geographic features
recorded as points, lines, areas, as well as their attributes.

decimal degrees: a unit of measure for geographic coordinates. The
conversion formula for decimal degrees is: Decimal Degrees = Degrees +
Minutes/60 +Seconds/3600

Department of Natural Resources (DNR): a department of the government of
the State of Georgia.

digital: refers to the process of conversion of information into machine
language so that a computer can read, write, store, and process the
information.

Digital Line Graphs (DLG): computer files from the USGS which contain
digital maps of transportation, hydrography, contours, and public land
survey boundaries.

digital maps: a map is an abstract representation of the physical features
of a portion of the Earth's surface graphically displayed on a piece of
paper. When that piece of paper is converted into a form which the computer
can use, the map is then digital.

diskette: a storage medium, usually measuring 3.5 inches in diameter, which
is used to store or transfer information from one computer to another.

Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC): an inter-governmental committee
established through the Office of Management and Budget and charged wit the
responsibility to coordinate various surveying, mapping, and spatial data
activities to meet the needs of the Nation.

Geographic Information System (GIS): an organized collection of computer
hardware, software, geographic data, and personnel designed to efficiently
capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of
geographically referenced information.

hypsography: the scientific study of the earth's topological configuration
above sea level, especially the measurement and mapping of land elevations.

label points: a single x,y coordinate which identifies an area, and holds a
place in the database wherein the area's attribute information is stored.

latitude, longitude: a geographic reference system to locate positions on
the Earth. Latitude and longitude are angles measured from the Earth's
center to a position on the Earth's surface. Latitude measures angles in a
north-south direction, while longitude measures angles in the east-west
direction.

lineage: information about the events, parameters, and source data which
constructed a geographic database, and information about the responsible
parties.

logical consistency: an explanation of the fidelity of the relationships in
the database. For example, for a geographic area, do the vector lines which
create area boundaries join to encircle the area with no gaps. Or for
example, for a particular attribute, are all the value given within a valid
range.

longitude, latitude: see latitude, longitude

metadata: information about the content, quality, condition, and other
characteristics of a database

National Map Accuracy Standards: a set of standards developed by the USGS
which states the level of accuracy required for a map product of a
particular scale.

pkzip: a popular data compression software.

positional accuracy: an assessment of how well the reported position of a
geographic feature represents the real-world position.

Tape Archive Retrieval (TAR) - TAR saves and restores files on magnetic
tape.

United States Geological Survey (USGS): a branch of the United States
Department of Interior

vector lines: lines which are described by x,y coordinates and are commonly
used to represent

linear geographic features. Each linear feature is represented as an
ordered list of vertices.

WordPerfect: a popular word processing software

                                  PART A

                 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE GIS DATABASE:

                          MAJOR ROADS IN GEORGIA

1.0 Identification / Project Background

This database contains only line data representing all Interstate, US and
State highways in Georgia, and is derived from the United States Geological
Survey's (USGS) Digital Line Graph (DLG) database of Georgia. The purpose
of the database is to provide a map of the major highway system for
inclusion on regional and state maps. There are no attributes (highway
identification or route numbers) within the database that define what types
of roadway that the lines may represent. The intended map scale for the use
of this database is 1:100,000 or smaller. Figure 1 is a map showing this
database.

2.0 Data Quality Information

The following sections describe the data quality of this database.

2.1 Attribute Accuracy

There are no attribute data in this database.

2.2 Logical Consistency

There are no attribute data in this database, and therefore, no logical
inconsistency can exist for attributes. The lines that were generated from
the database were inspected for completeness. A number of gaps were
observed in the lines and were subsequently filled (see section 2.5).

2.3 Completeness

The database contains all Interstate, US and State of Georgia highways from
sources dating from the late 1970's to early 1980's state. The database was
plotted and was compared to an Official State Highway and Transportation
Map and checked on a county by county basis to ensure that the highway
network in the database is complete for the entire state.

2.4 Positional Accuracy

The positional accuracy of this data approximates that of the USGS
1:100,000 scale topographic maps which are compiled to meet National Map
Accuracy Standards (NMAS). NMAS horizontal accuracy requires that a least
90 percent of the points tested on a 1:100,000 scaled map are within 0.02
inches of the true position or within 166.66 feet when testing map
positions to ground positions. Computer generated map images of the major
roads database and source database were compared and in all cases the lines
corresponded.

2.5 Lineage

During the late 1970's to the early 1980's the USGS updated their 30 X 60
Minute series maps of Georgia. From each these maps the USGS produced a
digital database of the lines representing Hypsography, Hydrography,
Boundaries, Railroads, Pipelines, Transmission lines, Miscellaneous
Transportation, and Roads and Trails. All the types of lines in the
database were assigned a code value which corresponded to the map component
that the line represents. This database is known as the Digital Line Graphs
or DLGs. In 1985 the USGS joined all the DLGs for the state of Georgia into
one statewide database. This statewide Digital Line Graph (DLG)is the
initial source of data for the ultimate development of the Major Roads in
Georgia database discussed as follows:

The USGS directed the development of a statewide roads database of all
roads from the statewide DLG and designated this database as Roads. In
turn, Interstate, Federal and State highway codes were selected from the
Roads database to create a new database and which is designated as
Major_roads and referred to herein as Major Roads in Georgia. During the
data selection or processing from the database Roads, some sections of the
roadways were inadvertently not selected, resulting in gaps in the line
data in the Major_roads database.

The gaps in the road network were added back into the database by
displaying on a computer terminal screen the Roads database as a background
image and tracing the missing line segments into the Major_roads database.

For quality assurance, the Major_roads database was plotted as a map and
then its roadways were compared to the "Georgia Official Highway and
Transportation Map." The resulting comparison showed that the Major_roads
database contains all Interstate, Federal and State highways as intended.

3.0 Spatial Data Organization Information

This data consists of a series of lines representing the locations of the
major highways. There are 46739 lines (or records) in this data base.

4.0 Spatial Reference Information

The database has statewide coverage and is in an equal area projection. For
more detail, see Part B: Section 4.

5.0 Entity and Attribute Information

None.

6.0 Distribution Information

This database is maintained by the Georgia Geologic Survey as a
DOCUMENTATION REPORT 96.4 and is contained in digital files in Part C of
this publication.

7.0 Metadata Reference Information

The metadata is incorporated within this publication, DOCUMENTATION REPORT
96.4. Part B, the Technical Section of this publication, meets the "Content
Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata" as defined by the Federal
Geographic Data Committee.

[Image]
        [Image]

                                  PART B

                TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE GIS DATABASE:

                          MAJOR ROADS IN GEORGIA

1.0 Identification Information:

1.1 Citation:

1.1.8.1 Originator: Georgia Geologic Survey

1.1.8.2 Publication Date: 02/20/95

1.1.8.4 Title: Major Roads in Georgia

1.1.8.5 Edition: Ver. 1.0

1.1.8.6 Geospatial Data: Major_roads

1.1.8.7 Presentation Form: GIS Database

1.1.8.81 Publication Place: Atlanta, Georgia

1.1.8.82 Publisher: Georgia Geologic Survey

1.1.8.10 Online Linkage: Not Available

1.2 Description:

1.21 Abstract:

Georgia's major highways database, Major_roads is a subset of the database
Roads, which is a component of the 1985, USGS, Digital Line Graphs of
Georgia, the digital form of the USGS 1:100,000 scale topographic maps. It
was determined that a smaller subset of the database Roads were necessary
for statewide illustrations, as plotting all roads on statewide maps were
too detailed. Thus, Major_roads was created by selecting the Interstate, US
and State Highways Systems from the Roads database.

1.22 Purpose:

This database is for any application that needs major highways
transportation line data within the State of Georgia. The database contains
no attributes. The intended map scale for the use of this database is
1:100,000 or smaller.

Digital data are useful for the production of cartographic products, such
as base maps with major roads, and the data are structured to support the
spatial analytical functions of GIS.

1.3 Time Period of Content:

1.3.1 Currentness Reference: Late 1970's to early 1980's, according to
published data of the USGS 1:100,000 scale topographic maps for Georgia

1.4 Status: Complete

1.4.2 Update Frequency: None Planned

1.5 Spatial Domain:

1.5.1 Bounding Coordinates:

1.5.1.2 West Bounding Coordinate: -195753.047

1.5.1.3 East Bounding Coordinate: -249960.875

1.5.1.4 North Bounding Coordinate: 1333119.625

1.5.1.5 South Bounding Coordinate: 807653.313

1.6 Keywords:

1.6.1 Theme:

1.6.1.1 Theme Keyword Reference: None

1.6.1.2 Theme Keyword: road, highway, transportation, interstate

1.6.2 Place:

1.6.2.1 Place Keyword: Georgia, Ga., United States, USA

1.7 Access Constraints: None

1.8 Use Constraints:

Not for use at scales greater than 1:100,000. Earlier or later versions of
this data set may exist. The user must be sure to use the appropriate data
set for the time period of interest. While efforts have been made to ensure
that these data are accurate and reliable within the state of art, GGS
cannot assume liability for any damages or misrepresentation caused by any
inaccuracies in the data or as a result of changes to the data caused by
system transfers.

1.9 Point of Contact:

1.9.10.1.1 Contact Person: Alan Giles

1.9.10.1.2 Contact Organization: Georgia Geologic Survey

1.9.10.1.3 Contact Position: Information Geologist

1.9.10.1.4 Contact Address:

1.9.10.1.4.2 Address: 19 Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr., SW

1.9.10.1.4.3 City: Atlanta

1.9.10.1.4.4 State or Province: Georgia

1.9..10.1.4.5 Postal Code: 30334

1.9.10.1.4.6 Country: USA

1.9.10.1.5 Contact Voice Telephone: (404) 656-3214

1.9.10.1.7 Contact Facsimile Telephone: (404) 656-8379

1.9.10.1.8 Contact Electronic Mail Address: alan_giles@mail.dnr.state.ga.us

1.9.10.1.9 Hours of Service: 8:00AM TO 1:00PM and 2:00PM TO 4:30PM Eastern
Time

1.13 Native Data Set Environment: Arc/Info version 7.0.3, Data General

Unix 5.4.3

2.0 Data Quality Information:

2.1 Attribute Accuracy:

2.1.1 Attribute Accuracy Report:

There are no attributes available in the database Major_roads.

2.2 Logical Consistency Report:

In the lines representing the major roads, some line segments were missing
causing gaps in the road ways and were subsequently filled, (see section
2.5).

2.3 Completeness Report:

The database contains all of the state, interstate, and federal highways,
the major roads of Georgia. A map was generated showing the lines/road in
the database. These lines/roads were compared to a Georgia Department of
Transportation Official Highway and Transportation Map as well as
comparison to the graphic source, the USGS 1:100,00 topographic maps arc
used as a control to assess digital completeness.

2.4 Positional Accuracy:

2.4.1 Horizontal Positional Accuracy Report:

Approximates that of source data:

The accuracy of the line data database Major_roads will approximate that of
the USGS 1:100,000 scaled topographic maps of Georgia, which are compiled
to meet National Map Accuracy Standards (NMAS) of 166.66 feet testing map
positions to ground positions. Comparison to the graphic source is used as
a control to assess digital positional accuracy.

2.4.2 Vertical Positional Accuracy Report: None

2.5 Lineage:

2.5.1.1 Source Citation:

2.5.1.1.8.1 Originator: United States Geological Survey

2.5.1.1.8.2 Publication date: August 1985

2.5.1.1.8.4 Title: DLG's of Georgia

2.5.1.1.8.5 Edition:

2.51.1.8.6 Geospatial Data:

Presentation Form: Machine-readable files

2.5.1.1.8.8.1 Publication Place: Washington, D.C.

2.5.1.1.8.8.2 Publisher: United States Geological Survey

2.5.1.1.8.10 Online Linkage: None

2.5.1.2 Source Scale Denominator: 1:100,000

2.5.1.3 Type of Source Media: Magnetic Tape

2.5.1.5 Source Citation Abbreviation: USGS

2.5.1.6 Source Contribution

1. Originator of 1:100,000 topographic maps.

2. Processed line data into digital information from the topographic maps.
The line data was scanned or digitized at a resolution of at least 0.001
inches. Four control points corresponding to the four corners of the
quadrangle were used in PROSYS, and a four parameter linear transformation
was preformed from the USGS Production System (PROSYS) internal coordinates
to Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid coordinates. The DLG data were
checked for position by one or more of the following processes:

A) - comparing plots of the digital data to the graphic source.

B) - comparing the digital data to the digital raster scan.

3. Processed DLG map coverage into a statewide coverage.

A statewide coverage was created by digitally joining all of the DLGs for
the state of Georgia and digitally trimming to the state boundary thus,
making the DLGs of Georgia.

4. Processed Roads database from statewide coverage.

From the DLGs of Georgia, the road and trail category, major code 170-179,
was selected to create another database called Roads, all the roads in
Georgia.

5. Processed Major_roads database from Roads database.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
At small scale map illustrations, the Roads database produced too high of a
density lines per inch obscuring other map features.

The Major_roads database was created so it could be used for regional and
state wide illustrations.

2.5.1b Source Information:

2.5.1.1 Source Citation: See section 1.1 Citation

Georgia Geologic Survey

2.5.1.2 Source Scale Denominator: 1:100,000

2.5.1.3 Type of Source Media: Machine-readable files

2.5.1.5 Source Citation Abbreviation: GGS

2.5.1.6 Source Contribution

Adding missing roadway sections back into the database:

The Major_roads database was created so it could be used for regional and
state wide illustrations. The precise way the major/minor attribute code
data was selected from the Roads database is unknown but the results are
not. Many road ways sections were missing, causing gaps in the lines
representing the major roads.

These missing road links were added back into the Major_roads database by
using the Roads database, all roads, displayed as a background image to
trace the missing line segments. No attribute data were added for the new
digitized lines, nor were any attributes saved from the roads database.
Therefore making it impossible too further separate into subcategories such
as Interstate, US Highways and State Roads. The subcategories Interstate,
US Highways and State Roads must be extracted from Roads database or from
the original database, the DLG's of Georgia.

In order to preserve accuracy of 1:100,000, when digitizing missing road
sections back into the database, the following procedures were used: The
Road and Major_roads databases images were enlarged by reducing the scale,
zooming-in. After adding the missing roadways, the Road database was
overlaid by Major_roads database at a scale of 1:100,000. If the added
roadway section deviated more than 30 meters, it would be re-digitized.

For quality assurance, the Major_roads database was plotted as lines on a
map and these lines were compared to the "Georgia, Department Of
Transportation, Official Highway and Transportation Map." As well as,
comparisons made with the graphic source is used as a control to assessing
digital completeness and positional accuracy.

3.0 Spatial Data Organization Information:

3.1 Indirect Spatial Reference Method: Federal, State, and County Roads

3.2 Direct Spatial Reference Method: Vector

3.3 Point and Vector Object Information:

3.3.1 SDTS Terms Description:

3.3.1.1 Object Type: Complete Chain

3.3.1.2 Object Count: 46739

4.0 Spatial Reference Information:

4.1 Horizontal Coordinate System Definition:

4.1.2 Planar:

4.1.2.1 Map Projection:

4.1.2.1.2 Map Projection Name: Albers Conic Equal Area

4.1.2.1.2.1.a Standard Parallel: 29 30 0.000 4.1.2.1.2.1.b Standard
Parallel: 45 30 0.000

4.1.2.1.2.2 Longitude of Central Meridian: 83 30 0.000

4.1.2.1.2.3 Latitude of Projection Origin: 23 00 0.000

4.1.2.1.2.4 False Easting: 0.000

4.1.2.1.2.5 False Northing: 0.000

4.1.2.4 Planar Coordinate Information:

4.1.2.4.1 Planar Coordinate Encoding Method: Coordinate pair

4.1.2.4.4 Planar Distance Units: Meters

4.1.4. Geodetic Model:

4.1.4.1 Horizontal Datum Name: North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83)

4.1.4.2 Ellipsoid Name: GRS 80

4.1.4.3 Semi-major Axis: 6378206.4

4.1.4.4 Denominator of Flattening Ratio: 294.9786982

4.2 Vertical Coordinate System Definition: None

5.0 Entity and Attribute Information:

5.1 Detailed Description

5.1.1 Entity Type

5.1.1.1 Entity Type Label: Major_roads.aat

5.1.1.2 Entity Type Definition: Arc attribute table

5.2 Overview Description: No attributes in database.

See Section 2.2 Logical Consistency Report

6.0 Distribution Information:

6.1 Distributor: See Point of Contact, Section 1.9.

6.2 Resource Description: None.

6.3 Distribution Liability: Users must assume responsibility to determine
the usability of this data for their purposes.

6.4 Standard Ordering Process: Contact the Georgia Geologic Survey, see
1.9.

6.5 Custom Order Process: Contact the Georgia Geologic Survey, see 1.9.

7.0 Metadata Reference Information:

7.1 Metadata Date: 07/26/95

7.2 Metadata Review Date: 12/16/95, by David Hipple, CSAT

7.2 Metadata Review Date: 12/18/95, by Victoria Trent, CSAT

7.2 Metadata Review Date: 02/26/95, by Roger Carter, GGS

7.2 Metadata Review Date: 02/26/95, by William H. McLemore, GGS

7.4 Metadata Contact:

7.4.10.1.1 Contact Person: David Hipple

7.4.10.1.2 Contact Organization: Georgia Geologic Survey

7.4.10.3 Contact Position: GIS- Senior Geologist

7.4.10.4 Contact Address:

7.4.10.4.2 Address: 19 Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr., SW

7.4.10.4.3 City: Atlanta

7.4.10.4.4 State or Province: Georgia

7.4.10.4.5 Postal Code: 30334

7.4.10.4.6 Country: USA

7.4.10.5 Contact Voice Telephone: (404) 894-0128

7.4.10.5 Contact Facsimile Telephone: (404) 894-6199

7.4.10.7 Contact Electronic Mail Address: drhipple@mail.dnr.state.ga.us

7.4.10.9 Hours of Service: 8-4:30, Eastern Time

7.5 Metadata Standard Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial
Metadata

7.6 Metadata Standard Version: 6/8/94

                                  PART C

              THE DIGITAL FILES CONTAINING THE GIS DATABASE:

                          MAJOR ROADS IN GEORGIA

Summary of Contents of Data DISKETTES: Part C.

The digital files are written on the enclosed three (3) 1.44 megabyte High
Density Diskettes. The disk is in DOS format and contains the following:

1. README.TXT - an ASCII file which is a digital copy of this summary.

2. MJR_RDS.ZIP - a pkzipped file which contains the following three (3)
files:

A. ASCII DOC.TXT - a digital copy of this publication

B. DOCUMENT.TXT - a digital copy of the text in this publication, but in
WordPerfect 6.0 format.

C. MJR-RDS.EXE - a self-extracting pkzipped file that contains the GIS
database that is in ARC/INFO Export format, with a filename MJR-RDS.E00. To
extract this file, run the executable file in the directory where you would
like to place the export file.

3. File size:

MJR-RDS.E00 12.4 Mbytes

MJR-RDS.EXE 2.8

DOCUMENT.TXT .3

ASCII DOC.TXT .03 MBytes