[CTPP] Delays in Release of CTPP 2000 Part 2 (Data by place of work)

We are experiencing delays in distributing Part 2 of CTPP 2000. While our initial run of all states was completed and shipped to the vendors at the end of October, we were not able to begin shipping CDs during November as we hoped. A minor modification (adding an introductory screen) is being made to the CTPP Access Tool (CAT) software. The purpose is to direct users to either Part 1 or Part 2, and to keep the Parts' files separate on the hard drive. In addition, during the vendors' processing it was determined that changes were needed to accommodate records with incomplete place of work geography. These are cases where place of work tract, block group, or taz were not completely filled during geocoding or place of work allocation. These records will have the tract and block group fields filled with 9s, and the taz code field filled with zeros. This occurs mostly in outlying, less developed areas, but has to be handled in some manner by the CAT software. Changes to handle these records are underway and we expect to receive a new version of the software incorporating both types of changes around Dec. 15. We will be trying to complete our testing of the new software by Dec. 19. If any problems are found it is unlikely that we will have a final version of the software before Christmas. Even if our testing goes well and no major problems are found, the likelihood that we will be able to begin distributing Part 2 this month is slight, and would only be a few states. The majority of the Part 2 CDs will be distributed in January 2004. The Part 2 delays also push out the availability of Part 3, the origin by destination flow data. More significant changes will be required to the software to handle the flow records, and while the vendor will begin this work in early January, I expect it to continue into February. Therefore I do not think Part 3 will be available until March 2004. I apologize for these continuing delays and missed delivery dates. I know it creates problems for you and your agencies. We will try to do what we can here to minimize any further delays and get Parts 2 and 3 out in the next three months. Thank you for your patience. Phillip Salopek Chief, Journey to Work and Migration Statistics Branch Population Division