A couple of questions, some of which have already been raised:

1) Section II, subsection A, states that population at place of residence, 2010, and workers at place of work, CTPP 2000, respectively, will be available at census block levels. Worker counts will also be available for the 2005-2009 at the “census geography level.” I assume this means whatever the census can produce for the ACS 5-year estimates available then, which should be block groups. I think that sentence should therefore read “2005-2009 worker counts at the block group level,” in order to be consistent with the previous 2 sentences.

2) Section III, subsections A & B, discuss the minimum and maximum populations for a TAZ, with an explanation that the minimum (600) is not a requirement and may be ignored. The same rule should exist for the maximum population (1200), since similar issues may be encountered when defining any geography. Maybe an actual cushion of 5% to 10% should be in place for either minimum or maximum, although this cannot be seen as encouraging the violation of the guidelines.

3) Section IV discusses the desired software for the TAZ delineation. I would suggest consideration be given to the application used for the Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP), used earlier this year by many jurisdictions for delineating new census geographies (tracts, block groups, and blocks). The PSAP application has most of the features described in this section, and did not present any serious difficulties. It has already been used, if not learned, by many MPOS’s, counties and cities

I assume that adding TAZ/TAD layers should not be difficult, perhaps even easy, just by changing the nomenclature in some of the functions. However, it would have to permit the use of the data described in II.A. and IV.B.

The fact that the application already exists can be a blessing or a curse. Maybe none of my suggestions can be easily implemented due to technical or contractual reasons, but we should give it a once over.

I would simply add that under subsection F, some allowance be made to entirely allow the use to override any system edits, and to provide justification for doing so (e.g., population exceeded by a very small number or percentage, or local knowledge of population growth not available in any of the data sets that will be used).

Regardless, this is a very good start. Thanks for the effort.

Manny Trillo

Manager, Research Data

Mid-America Regional Council

600 Broadway, Suite 200

Kansas City, MO 64105

Phone: 816.701.8220

Fax: 816.427.7758

E-mail: mtrillo@marc.org

How does the Kansas City area compare to other peer metros? Check out Metro Outlook, www.metrooutlook.org

From: ctpp-news-bounces@chrispy.net [mailto:ctpp-news-bounces@chrispy.net] On Behalf Of Weinberger, Penelope
Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 2009 3:26 PM
To: ctpp-news@chrispy.net
Subject: Resending: [CTPP] Memo to Census Bureau regarding TAZ delineationbusiness rules

A little context on the email below:

This TAZ Delineation business rules for 5-year ACS data CTPP (which will be called the TAZ Customer Software Requirements in its next incarnation) were developed jointly by CB and a subcommittee of the CTPP Oversight Board led by Guy Rousseau. The version attached is an interim version – the first version being an outline, the final version being a formal memo. What we are seeking here is to share this for your information and feedback.

From the Document:

“In support of the Census Transportation Planning Products (CTPP) the U.S. DOT and the U.S. Census Bureau will obtain census 2010 block equivalencies for Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs) from Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and State Departments of Transportation in 2011. The 2010 TAZ geography will then be added to the Census Bureau’s TIGER file and these equivalency files will be used by the ACSO for the CTPP 5-year tabulation (2006 through 2010 ACS records).”

I look forward to your input

Penelope Weinberger

CTPP Program Manager

AASHTO

202-624-3556

http://ctpp.transportation.org/home/default.htm

It's just as bad to not make a plan as to blindly follow the one you already have.

From: ctpp-news-bounces@chrispy.net [mailto:ctpp-news-bounces@chrispy.net] On Behalf Of Weinberger, Penelope
Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 2009 2:28 PM
To: ctpp-news@chrispy.net
Subject: [CTPP] Memo to Census Bureau regarding delineation business rules

Hi All,

The Census Bureau asked us to refine this document to help them with their software development effort. There was a three step process and this is step two. Step three will be the formal version of the attached memo, due to Census Bureau in early 2010. At this time we are seeking input on this memo for the formal version. Please reply directly to me with your comments.