Proxix Parcel Level Geocoder

Wednesday, September 13th 2006

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By Hal Reid

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Summary:

Over the past decade, geocoding methodology has evolved: from extrapolating a location from the address ranges on a street segment; to international geocoding with non-linear addresses; through soundex and reverse soundex; through a whole host of ways to get an address that is currently in text or a file to its actual location on the map. Recently, point-level geocoding has emerged throughout the industry. Proxix Solutions has introduced a parcel boundary geocoder, PxPoint, which provides a lat/long pair inside the parcel, and the parcel boundaries, which Hal Reid describes in this article.

Proxix Solutions Inc.
3202 Palm Harbor Blvd., Suite A
Palm Harbor, FL 34683
USA
Phone: 727.781.2662
Fax: 727.781.0282

Over the past decade, geocoding methodology has evolved: from extrapolating a location from the address ranges on a street segment; to international geocoding with non-linear addresses; through soundex and reverse soundex; through a whole host of ways to get an address that is currently in text or a file to its actual location on the map.

With the increased availability of location-specific information and satellite imagery, enterprises are demanding positional accuracy, especially for public safety and homeland security. If this demand continues, including the lat/long on your return address may someday be as common as using the ZIP Code.

Recently, point-level geocoding has emerged throughout the industry. Proxix Solutions has introduced a parcel boundary geocoder, PxPoint, which provides a lat/long pair inside the parcel, and the parcel boundaries.

Going beyond point-level geocoding, parcel boundary geocoding offers many advantages other than just positional accuracy. For example, parcel polygons can be overlaid on satellite imagery so users can visualize the boundary lines and see anything associated within, on, or near the parcel.

Traditional geocoding interpolated an address along a street segment. Using the length of a street segment and the address range assigned to the segment, it approximated the location of the given address, as seen in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1. Source: Proxix Solutions. Used with permission. (Click for larger image)

As you can see, the interpolated addresses (from the street segment address ranges) sometimes clump up. This occurs because the database used for geocoding reports that a specific segment of Brinkley Drive, for example, includes addresses 3600 to 3699. Actually, only addresses 3600 to 3637 are found on the road.

Figure 2 is an example of the parcels with imagery and the interpolated addresses. Source: Proxix Solutions. Used with permission. (Click for larger image)

Figure 3 shows the skew and correction of address placement using parcels as the base. Source: Proxix Solutions. Used with permission. (Click for larger image)

Collecting parcel data is a laborious task. It takes time and a lot of staff to research, make phone calls and review any county use limitations regarding the data. Currently, Proxix has collected 50 million parcels and expects to have a total of 70 million by the end of the year and 90 to100 million by the end of the second quarter of 2007.

There are many applications for this data. For instance, insurance companies offering flood insurance can assess whether or not a parcel is entirely contained within a flood zone. Cable and television companies can align service territories with parcel boundaries to define service areas.

Through its ProxixNetwork, Proxix offers demonstrations of applications in industries such as utilities and insurance that identify the value of parcel boundary geocoding.