TIGER to OSM Attribute Map

This page describes a historic artifact in the history of OpenStreetMap. It does not reflect the current situation, but instead documents the historical concepts, issues, or ideas.

About

The original proposed transformation from TIGER/Line attributes to OSM keys. The actual TIGER import in 2007–08 differed from this transformation. This mapping should not be applied to newer TIGER data.

Impact on OpenStreetMap

Provides insight into why certain keys were chosen in the actual TIGER import and what they were intended to mean.

Reason for being historic

Some keys changed in the actual import, and many keys are considered obsolete and no longer worth preserving.

---

The TIGER to OSM Attribute Map was one of the key details which needed to be figured out as part of the TIGER 2005 data importing efforts. It is not clear whether this page matches exactly with the scripts that were run in 2007 and 2008, but those interested can view the Ruby scripts linked on the TIGER 2005 page, located here.

Base Attribute Pairs

Feature Name

TIGER names are split across four fields (:fedirp, :fename, :fetype, :fedirs) containing direction prefix ("NE"), name ("72nd"), type ("Ave"), and direction suffix ("W"). All fields are optional, and it if one is present it must be the :fename field. All four fields together form the name of the feature ("NE 72nd Ave W"). TIGER features may have more than one name. Find the abbreviated prefixes (e.g. blvd) in Appendix D of The 2000 TIGER/Line Technical documentation Names are defined per link, and so can be inconsistent (slight differences in spacing, abbreviation, etc.), especially for very long roads.

Name components should be preserved to enable the OSM to be used as a geocoding dataset.

In pseudocode:

OSM Key	TIGER Field	Example
name	"#{fedirp} #{fename} #{fetype} #{fedirs}".strip	"NW Chester St S"
name_direction_prefix	fedirp	"NW", "Southwest"
name_base	fename	"Chester"
name_type	fetype	"Street", "Ave"
name_direction_suffix	fedirs	"S"

For each additional name:

OSM Key	TIGER Field
name_1	"#{fedirp} #{fename} #{fetype} #{fedirs}".strip
name_direction_prefix_1	fedirp
name_base_1	fename
name_type_1	fetype
name_direction_suffix_1	fedirs

et cetera.

Address Ranges

TIGER road features have one or more associated address ranges. These should be preserved to enable the OSM to be used as a geocoding dataset.

Should adjacent TIGER features which are part of the same road be made into a single contiguous way? If we don't do this, we'll be back to a similar situation to where we were when there were no ways, only segments. Here's an example of how directly relating TIGER features looks when rendered.

If the features are combined into a single way, how to we preserve addressing information?

OSM Key	TIGER Field
from_address_right	fraddr
to_address_right	toaddr
from_address_left	fraddl
to_address_left	toaddl
zip_left	zipl
zip_right	zipr

For each additional address range:

OSM Key	TIGER Field
from_address_right_1	fraddr
to_address_right_1	toaddr
from_address_left_1	fraddl
to_address_left_1	toaddl
zip_left_1	zipl
zip_right_1	zipr

et cetera

Preserved TIGER fields

The Tiger Line ID (tlid) as well as the TIGER start and end zero-cell fields, and maybe the raw CFCC should be preserved, just for the hell of it. For each additional address range:

OSM Key	TIGER Value	Note
tiger:tlid	tlid
tiger:tzid	tzids	applied to first node in way
tiger:tzid	tzide	applied to last node in way
tiger:cfcc?	cfcc?

Misc Attribute Pairs

Key	Value	Notes
source	tiger_import_#{date}n	eg. tiger_import_20070127
reviewed	yes|no	tiger:reviewed=no was set on all ways in the TIGER import. It is intended as a way of tracking TIGER fixup progress. However it does not succeed in this aim and is largely pointless. Some people remove this tag to indicate that they have reviewed (and perhaps corrected) the imported TIGER data. Some people set the value to yes. Some people set the value to 'aerial', indicating that they used aerial imagery to check/fix the location. There is some support within JOSM and Potlatch for differing displays according to this tag. However TIGER fixup is quite laborious enough without having to fiddle with this tag, so many people don't bother doing anything, in order to make faster progress with the fixup itself. Others object to the tag since it implies a process of review and "moderation" of edits, which does not exist (and we're proud that it doesn't exist). Some people don't modify the tag because they simply don't know about it. All this means that the tag is not an accurate indication of anything, and developers of tools such as TIGER Edited Map have developed different more reliable ways of seeing areas which need fixup.

TIGER CFCC to OSM Attribute Pair

The following is a map of TIGER Census Feature Class Codes (CFCCs) to a set of OSM key/value pairs, for use providing some default annotation to OSM data imported directly from TIGER. The map is encoded in valid Ruby. A complete list of CFCCs with their descriptions can be found in the TIGER/Line Technical Documentation (PDF link), and a list of currently used OSM key/value pairs can be found at Map Features.

New Attributes for TIGER

Not all keys used in the map are currently cited in Map Features. In order to preserve the information in the TIGER/line CFCC code, the following additions may be necessary:

• tiger:separated=* - In the OSM dual carriageways are mapped as separate ways, where the TIGER CFCC has different * codes for separated and unseparated highways of the same highway class. Already imported ways not represented as separate carriageways should be fixed and mapped as two highway=* lines with oneway=yes.
• rail=* + highway=* - TIGER has a CFCC for a highway with a railroad running down the middle. In the OSM this could be modeled by a way with both a railway=* and a highway=* tag.

Map

Roads

Primary roads with limited access

Interstate highways and some toll highways are in this category (A1) and are distinguished by the presence of interchanges. These highways are accessed by way of ramps and have multiple lanes of traffic. The opposing traffic lanes are divided by a median strip. The TIGER/Line files may depict these opposing traffic lanes as two distinct lines in which case, the road is called separated.

CFCC	Description	OSM Attributes	Notes
A00	Road feature; classification unknown or not elsewhere classified	:highway = :unclassified
A11	Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, unseparated	:highway => :motorway, :tiger:separated => :no
A12	Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, unseparated, in tunnel	:highway => :motorway, :tiger:separated => :no, :tunnel => :yes
A13	Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, unseparated, underpassing	:highway => :motorway, :tiger:separated => :no, :layer => -1
A14	Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, unseparated, with rail line in center	:highway => :motorway, :tiger:separated => :no, :railway => :rail
A15	Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, separated	:highway => :motorway, :tiger:separated => :yes
A16	Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, separated, in tunnel	:highway => :motorway, :tiger:separated => :yes, :tunnel => :yes
A17	Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, separated, underpassing	:highway => :motorway, :tiger:separated => :yes, :layer => -1
A18	Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, separated, with rail line in center	:highway => :motorway, :tiger:separated => :yes, :railway => :rail
A19	Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, bridge	:highway => :motorway, :bridge => :yes

Primary roads without limited access

This category (A2) includes nationally and regionally important highways that do not have limited access as required by category A1. It consists mainly of US highways, but may include some state highways and county highways that connect cities and larger towns. A road in this category must be hard-surface (concrete or asphalt). It has intersections with other roads, may be divided or undivided, and have multi-lane or single-lane characteristics.

CFCC	Description	OSM Attributes	Notes
A21	Primary road without limited access, US highways, unseparated	:highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :no
A22	Primary road without limited access, US highways, unseparated, in tunnel	:highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :no, :tunnel => :yes
A23	Primary road without limited access, US highways, unseparated, underpassing	:highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :no, :layer => -1
A24	Primary road without limited access, US highways, unseparated, with rail line in center	:highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :no, :railway => :rail
A25	Primary road without limited access, US highways, separated	:highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :yes
A26	Primary road without limited access, US highways, separated, in tunnel	:highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :yes, :tunnel => :yes
A27	Primary road without limited access, US highways, separated, underpassing	:highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :yes, :layer => -1
A28	Primary road without limited access, US highways, separated, with rail line in center	:highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :yes, :railway => :rail
A29	Primary road without limited access, US highways, bridge	:highway => :primary, :bridge => :yes

Secondary and connecting road

This category (A3) includes mostly state highways, but may include some county highways that connect smaller towns, subdivisions, and neighborhoods. The roads in this category generally are smaller than roads in Category A2, must be hardsurface (concrete or asphalt), and are usually undivided with single-lane characteristics. These roads usually have a local name along with a route number and intersect with many other roads and driveways.

CFCC	Description	OSM Attributes	Notes
A31	Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, unseparated	:highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :no
A32	Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, unseparated, in tunnel	:highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :no, :tunnel => :yes
A33	Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, unseparated, underpassing	:highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :no, :layer => -1
A34	Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, unseparated, with rail line in center	:highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :no, :railway => :rail
A35	Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, separated	:highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :yes
A36	Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, separated, in tunnel	:highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :yes, :tunnel => :yes
A37	Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, separated, underpassing	:highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :yes, :layer => -1
A38	Secondary and connecting road, state and county highway, separated, with rail line in center	:highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :yes, :railway => :rail
A39	Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, bridge	:highway => :secondary, :bridge => :yes

Local, neighborhood, and rural roads

A road in this category (A4) is used for local traffic and usually has a single lane of traffic in each direction. In an urban area, this feature is a neighborhood road and street that is not a thorough-fare belonging in categories A2 or A3. In a rural area, this is a short-distance road connecting the smallest towns; the road may or may not have a state or county route number. Scenic park roads, unimproved or unpaved roads, and industrial roads are included in this category. Most roads in the United States are classified as A4 roads.

Proposal: A4x would be better as "unclassified" than as "residential"

CFCC	Description	OSM Attributes	Notes
A41	Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, unseparated	:highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :no
A42	Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, unseparated, in tunnel	:highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :no, :tunnel => :yes
A43	Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, unseparated, underpassing	:highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :no, :layer => -1
A44	Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, unseparated, with rail line in center	:highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :no, :railway => :rail
A45	Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, separated	:highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :yes
A46	Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, separated, in tunnel	:highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :yes, :tunnel => :yes
A47	Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, separated, underpassing	:highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :yes, :layer => -1
A48	Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, separated, with rail line in center	:highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :yes, :railway => :rail
A49	Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, bridge	:highway => :residential, :bridge => :yes

Vehicular trail

A road in this category (A5) is usable only by four-wheel drive vehicles, is usually a one-lane dirt trail, and is found almost exclusively in very rural areas. Sometimes the road is called a fire road or logging road and may include an abandoned railroad grade where the tracks have been removed. Minor, unpaved roads usable by ordinary cars and trucks belong in category A4, not A5.

CFCC	Description	OSM Attributes	Notes
A51	Vehicular trail, road passable only by 4WD vehicle, unseparated	:highway => :track, :tiger:separated => :no
A52	Vehicular trail, road passable only by 4WD vehicle, unseparated, in tunnel	:highway => :track, :tiger:separated => :no, :tunnel => :yes
A53	Vehicular trail, road passable only by 4WD vehicle, unseparated, underpassing	:highway => :track, :tiger:separated => :no, :layer => -1

Roads with special characteristics

This category (A6) includes roads, portions of a road, intersections of a road, or the ends of a road that are parts of the vehicular highway system and have separately identifiable characteristics.

CFCC	Description	OSM Attributes	Notes
A60	Special road feature, major category used when the minor category could not be determined	:highway => :unclassified
A61	Cul-de-sac, the closed end of a road that forms a loop or turn-around	:highway => :unclassified, :noexit => :yes
A62	Traffic circle, the portion of a road or intersection of roads forming a roundabout	:highway => :unclassified, :junction => :roundabout
A63	Access ramp, the portion of a road that forms a cloverleaf or limitedaccess interchange	:highway => :motorway_link
A64	Service drive, the road or portion of a road that provides access to businesses, facilities, and rest areas along a limited-access highway; this frontage road may intersect other roads and be named	:highway => :unclassified, :note => :frontage	Subject to some debate. Perhaps needs a :highway => :frontage tag.
A65	Ferry crossing, the representation of a route over water that connects roads on opposite shores; used by ships carrying automobiles or people	:route => :ferry
A66	Gated barrier to travel	:highway => :gate
A67	Toll booth barrier to travel	:highway => :toll_booth

Road as other thoroughfare

A road in this category (A7) is not part of the vehicular highway system. It is used by bicyclists or pedestrians, and is typically inaccessible to mainstream motor traffic except for privateowner and service vehicles. This category includes foot and hiking trails located on park and forest land, as well as stairs or walkways that follow a road right-of-way and have names similar to road names.

CFCC	Description	OSM Attributes	Notes
A70	Other thoroughfare, major category used when the minor category could not be determined	:highway => :unclassified
A71	Walkway or trail for pedestrians, usually unnamed	:highway => :footway
A72	Stairway, stepped road for pedestrians, usually unnamed	:highway => :steps
A73	Alley, road for service vehicles, usually unnamed, located at the rear of buildings and property	:highway => :service
A74	Private road or drive for service vehicles, usually privately owned and unnamed. Primary type of use is for access to oil rigs, farms, or ranches	:highway => :unclassified, :access => :private
A75	Internal U.S. Census Bureau use	no mapping

Railroads

Main line

Railroad Main Line A railroad in this category is the primary track that provides service between destinations. A main line track often carries the name of the owning and operating railroad company.

CFCC	Description	OSM Attributes	Notes
B11	Railroad main track, not in tunnel or underpassing	:railway => :rail
B12	Railroad main track, in tunnel	:railway => :rail, :tunnel => :yes
B13	Railroad main track, underpassing	:railway => :rail, :layer => -1
B14	Abandoned/inactive rail line with tracks present	:railway => :disused
B15	Abandoned rail line with grade, but no tracks	:railway => :abandoned
B16	Abandoned rail line with track and grade information unknown	:railway => :abandoned	could use some distinction from B15
B19	Railroad main track, bridge	:railway => :rail, :bridge => :yes

Spur

A railroad in this category is the track that leaves the main track, ending in an industrial park, factory, or warehouse area, or forming a siding along the main track.

CFCC	Description	OSM Attributes	Notes
B21	Railroad spur track, not in tunnel or underpassing	:railway => :spur
B22	Railroad spur track, in tunnel	:railway => :spur, :tunnel => :yes
B23	Railroad spur track, underpassing	:railway => :spur, :layer => -1
B29	Railroad spur track, bridge	:railway => :spur, :bridge => :yes

Railroad Yard

A railroad yard track has parallel tracks that form a working area for the railroad company. Train cars and engines are repaired, switched, and dispatched from a yard.

CFCC	Description	OSM Attributes	Notes
B31	Railroad yard track, not in tunnel or underpassing	:railway => :yard
B32	Railroad yard track, not in tunnel or underpassing	:railway => :yard, :tunnel => :yes
B33	Railroad yard track, not in tunnel or underpassing	:railway => :yard, :layer => -1
B39	Railroad yard track, not in tunnel or underpassing	:railway => :yard, :bridge => :yes

Railroad with Special Characteristics

A railroad or portions of a railroad track that are parts of the railroad system and have separately identifiable characteristics.

CFCC	Description	OSM Attributes	Notes
B40	Railroad ferry crossing, the representation of a route over water used by ships carrying train cars to connecting railroads on opposite shores. These are primarily located on the Great Lakes.	:railway => :rail, :route => :ferry

Railroad as Other Thoroughfare

A rail line that is not part of the railroad system. This category is for a specialized rail line or railway that is typically inaccessible to mainstream railroad traffic.

CFCC	Description	OSM Attributes	Notes
B50	Other rail line; major category used alone when the minor category could not be determined	:railway => :unknown
B51	Streetcars, trolleys, and other mass transit systems	:railway => :light_rail
B52	Cog railroad, incline railway, or logging tram	:railway => :incline

Miscellaneous Ground Transportation With Category Unknown

Source materials do not allow determination of the miscellaneous ground transportation category.

CFCC	Description	OSM Attributes	Notes
C00	Miscellaneous ground transportation, not road or railroad; major and minor categories unknown	import without attributes

Pipeline

Enclosed pipe, carrying fluid or slurry, situated above ground, or in special conditions, below ground when marked by a cleared right-ofway and signage.

CFCC	Description	OSM Attributes	Notes
C10	Pipeline; major category used alone	:man_made => :pipeline

Power Transmission Line

High voltage electrical line, on towers, situated on cleared right-of-way.

CFCC	Description	OSM Attributes	Notes
C20	Power transmission line; major category used alone	:power => :line

Miscellaneous Ground Transportation With Special Characteristics

A portion of a ground transportation system that has separately identifiable characteristics. This category is for specialized transportation, usually confined to a local area, that is separate from other ground transportation.

CFCC	Description	OSM Attributes	Notes
C30	Other ground transportation that is not a pipeline or a power transmission line; major category used alone when minor category could not be determined	import without attributes
C31	Aerial tramway, monorail, or ski lift	:aerialway => :unknown
C32	Pier/dock a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats	:man_made => :pier

Sample TIGER/Line Maps

Wisconsin: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1230/536480556_318ed75054_o.png

Seattle, Washington: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1390/536594719_b2fbda6d89_o.png

External links

• CFCC-MTFCC Translations from Census.gov