[CTPP] A MESSAGE FOR MPOs!!

Do you want to help code mysterious and confusing workplace locations from the census long form? One of the key elements of the CTPP is the inclusion of small area workplace data, particularly for flow between home and work. Reliable workplace coding is a difficult process, relying on the quality of the employer name and location responses provided on the census form, and the quality of the reference materials available. The reference materials include the TIGER file with street name and address ranges, and the employer name and address files that were reviewed and improved in the Work-Up process completed in 2000. To geocode workplace locations, the Census Bureau first runs an automated match routine. Next, 500-600 clerks, using all the reference materials available, try to geocode the remaining records. During the final stage, the clerks use other resources such as paper maps and the internet to try and resolve the difficult cases that cannot be matched to the main reference files. For the 1990 Census, MPOs were asked if they would be interested in assisting the Census Bureau with these problem cases, but the process of contacting MPOs for assistance was not implemented. The Census Bureau staff is now getting legal approval to request assistance from the MPOs so that this program can be employed for Census 2000. If we are allowed to pursue this program, we want to know if you would be willing to help, and how much effort you would be able to devote to the task. We would need a quick turn around time of five working days or less on any responses you were provided. This work would occur between February and July of 2001. Please respond by December 19, 2000 to the following questions. 1. Are you interested in participating? a. Yes b. No, skip questions 2-4 2. What kinds of cases would you be interested in? a. All cases b. Only acronyms and abbreviations c. Only frequently occurring names 3. What is the best way to communicate with you on these problems? a. Email b. FAX c. Phone 4. How often would you want to communicate with our coding clerks? a. Once or twice a week b. Once every two weeks c. One time only 5. Comments? Thank You. Please contact Clara Reschovsky at clara.a.reschovsky(a)census.gov or phone at 301-457-2454. Or send a fax to 301-457-2481.