Include Zip Codes in RLC POI File?
   13 years
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I do not know if this would be a headache/nightmare for POI maintenance or not, so please forgive me if it would be.
Can a zip code field/column be added to the RLC POI file? The reason I ask is to make it easier to search the file geographically.
For example, I just reported 2 RLC in NY. Before doing so I searched the most recent RLC POI update file to see if they were in it already. Column D starts with the 2-letter state abbreviation. That cut the display to 595 records. But, after state abbreviation is a general area (eg, "Queens", "Staten Island", etc.). This is not so easy to localize.
The zip code, especially the first 3 or 4 digits, would make it much easier to localize and search. If folks would report zip codes with RLC (and Speed Camera) reports, could that be a new column/field in the POI file? When obtaining coordinates from Google Maps, it gives you the zip code.
Zip codes would also cut down on confusion for locations that are known by more than one name.
Just a thought.
my guess is
I do not know if this would be a headache/nightmare for POI maintenance or not, so please forgive me if it would be.
Can a zip code field/column be added to the RLC POI file? The reason I ask is to make it easier to search the file geographically. (snip)
Just a thought.
My guess is it wouldn't necessarily be that easy. While there are databases that will convert coordinates to zip, the question is where would you propose the data be added? Remember, you are playing with a 4 field CSV format file. It was only a few years ago the cross streets were added after another user came up with a script to search for cross streets using the coordinates in the file.
From what Angela told me when I asked a question about how the locations are maintained at the factory, they are in another database that includes both active and inactive locations. The weekly file is an extraction from that database of active locations. If a zip field isn't in that database, it would take a redesign to add it and that wouldn't necessarily be easy.
Illiterate? Write for free help.
What would the purpose of
Not enough fields to have that stand alone.
IMHO I don't see the inclusion of a zip code as having any benefit in the speed and RLC files.
I never get lost, but I do explore new territory every now and then.
Sort With Excel
The zip code, especially the first 3 or 4 digits, would make it much easier to localize and search. If folks would report zip codes with RLC (and Speed Camera) reports, could that be a new column/field in the POI file? When obtaining coordinates from Google Maps, it gives you the zip code.
Open the file with Excel and then sort the file by Longitude. When you do so be sure you highlight all rows and columns, that have actual data, before you sort.
While it's still highlighted, go to Data-Sort. Select "Sort By" Column A and "Then By" Column B
Scroll down to the Longitude that most closely matches site that you're comparing. (2 or 3 decimal points will be close enough). They won't be identical, but they should be close and it's highly unlikely that two sites will have identical Longitudes and if they do, there will be a significant difference in the Latitude.
When you close the file, it will ask if you want to save. It won't matter if you save the file in a sorted format or not, since the GPS will sort based on distance to your current location.
This is the best approach, since you're NEVER going to convince everyone to include Zip Codes and/or Canadian Postal Codes in their POIs.
DriveSmart 65, NUVI2555LMT, (NUVI350 is Now Retired)
Use EPE
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The zip code, especially the first 3 or 4 digits, would make it much easier to localize and search. If folks would report zip codes with RLC (and Speed Camera) reports, could that be a new column/field in the POI file? When obtaining coordinates from Google Maps, it gives you the zip code.
Zip codes would also cut down on confusion for locations that are known by more than one name.
Look at using EPE to accomplish "localizing" the cameras.
Here's how.
Open EPE and then open the camera file.
Edit > Find > "queens" (without the quotes) > Enter
what will be found is likely "RLC - Hillside & Francis Lewis"
Now do
Tools > Sort By Location
The EPE display will now show "RLC - Hillside & Francis Lewis" as the first entry with a "distance" of "0 km" indicated on the right side of the upper left pane.
The entries below will show distances from "RLC - Hillside & Francis Lewis" in increasing distances.
Double-click on any of the entries. Now you can use "Prev POI" and "Next POI" at the lower right of the "POI Edit" screen to look around for a location nearby to see if it is indeed already in the file.
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Thanks for the replies. I did not realize there is a 4 field limit.
What is EPE?
EPE
Extra POI Editor which can be found at http://turboccc.wikispaces.com/Extra_POI_Editor