Geocoding

I used ArcGIS Pro 3.0 to solve this problem with geoprocessing tools of “Create Locator” and “Geocode Addresses”. The customer data is tabular data of commercial establishments with information on the address of the customers, and the data source is from the class. The reference data include shapefiles of Wake County Zip Code boundaries, Wake County streets, and Wake County Boundary. The data source is from the class, and the original source is from Wake County Open Data.

Part I - Geocode by Zip Code: First, I input the tabular data of customer locations and shapefile data of Wake County zip codes into ArcGIS Pro. Then I used the zip code layer as reference data to build a locator. Due to warnings when I first created the locator, I used “Repair Geometry” to ensure the locator could be properly created. Once the locator was created, I then used “Geocode Addresses” to perform geocoding on customers’ tabular data. Because of missing zip codes and other errors, there were matched, unmatched, and tied results. Therefore, I reviewed the results, fixed some of the zip code errors, and I rematched those addresses. In the end, I created a graph that shows the distribution of matched, unmatched, and tied results, as well as a final product of a map showing customer geocoded locations by zip codes.

Part II - Geocode by Address: Due to the low accuracy of geocoding by zip codes, I then geocoded the customer locations by street address. Similarly, I input data of Wake County streets and Wake County boundary into ArcGIS Pro. Then I created a new locator using street addresses as reference data while making sure the locator was functional. Then I used “Geocode Addresses” again to perform geocoding using the new street address locator. I also reviewed the match results and fixed some of the errors. After rematched the results, I then added 3 highlighted addresses on the map. Finally, I created a graph that shows the distribution of the match results and a map showing customer geocoded locations by streets.

Learning how to geocode is a very useful skill. From this assignment, I learned how to geocode tabular data using both zip codes and street addresses. A hypothetical scenario could be geocoding survey data.

Problem description: An urban ecologist surveyed residents in Wake County about their opinions on native versus non-native plants in people’s yards. The survey at the end asked people for their addresses, and there were missing data from certain neighborhoods. In order to reach wider coverage of survey respondents in Wake County, the urban ecologist needs professional help to geocode the addresses.

Data needed: Shape file of Wake County streets, tabular data of residents' addresses collected from the survey.

Analysis procedures: First, I will create a locator using the Wake County streets layer as reference data. Then I will perform geocoding using the “Geocode Addresses” tool. Then I will review the match results and fix errors. Finally, I will be able to identify neighborhoods that need more advertisement for surveys.