Index

The National Public Transport Gazetteer (NPTG) is a common resource for use by all the traveline regions. Initially its primary use is to enable the call centre agents to determine which traveline region an origin and/or destination lies in. When JourneyWeb is used to link the regional journey planners together it will be used to automatically choose the appropriate Journey Planner for the distant parts of the journey. NPTG will also form an important element of the National Public Transport Access Nodes (NaPTAN) Database which will be used in traveline and the bus registration process run by Traffic Area Network (TAN).

The source material for NPTG is taken from the Index of Place Names compiled by ONS (and its Scottish equivalent). Whilst not completely ideal for traveline purposes these indexes are the most comprehensive list of settlements (which can range from hamlets to cities) covering England, Wales and Scotland.

This note describes the process by which the NPTG is to be compiled, using the ONS Gazetteer (and its Scottish equivalent) as the primary source of raw data. The mechanics of this work involve local database managers editing their own area's entries in accordance with a set of rules which are set out in this note. The work will be done over the internet - the source data is held on a computer managed by Thales, and you will be creating the PT Gazetteer alongside that source data by removing, correcting and adding entries as necessary - and then by adding PT-specific information to those entries.

When this process is completed, we will have created a National set of data that will be available for use in all of the traveline systems. It will be used to allow calls to be transferred to the relevant distant call centre where necessary - and it will also be used when local systems adopt JourneyWeb to obtain information from distant regions. It is already in use within the national traveline web portal.

It is important to remember that NPTG will be used by people all over the country, many of whom will not be familiar with places outside their region, and therefore every entry in NPTG has to be unambiguous. The aim of the editing process is to ensure that NPTG contains a single entry for each settlement name in the country, and ensure that the name, in conjunction with the county or unitary authority name, is unambiguous within the country.

An "alternative name" facility has been added to the editing process so that English and Welsh versions of place names can be tied together in NPTG. This facility can also be used for alternative spellings of place names and for places with more than one name such as Kingston-upon-Hull which is commonly known as Hull

You are reminded that the use of the source material is governed by a legal agreement held by Intrasol Ltd (on behalf of traveline). Please do not breach the terms of this agreement by using the data for any other purposes without Intrasol’s written agreement.

Contact Details

For clarification about items in this note, or technical problems please contact the Thales Help Desk (mailto:journeyweb.help@thales-is.comor 07000 797322).

Guidelines for Settlements to be Included in NPTG

NPTG should include the names of all settlements, whether or not they are served by public transport. A settlement is defined as a distinct geographic area with a name that distinguishes it from adjacent areas. The names should be of importance at the national level, and should generally avoid small housing estate names (Remember that the purpose of the National Gazetteer is to allocate the journey to the region, although you also need to be able to allocate every individual bus stop in your area to an appropriate lowest-level gazetteer locality within the NaPTAN database).

Call centre agents and the general public are more likely to be familiar with county and unitary authority names than with second tier authority names (particularly those that are abstract) so every entry must be made unique at the county/unitary authority level. Where there have to be duplicate names within a county each must be qualified with a "(near This Place)" so that the agent/public can choose the right one.

The source material had multiple entries for large settlements that spanned several administrative areas. eg there were entries for "Leicester" in "City of Leicester" and "County of Leicestershire". The use of such multiple entries in NPTG will confuse call centre agents and the public. Such entries should be reduced to one (the one covering the centre of the settlement).

Some original entries contained more than one place name eg "Raynes Park/Motspur Park". These should be edited into two separate entries. (See the example edits below for other changes that should be made)

Hierarchy of Names

There can be a hierarchy of names (see editing activity 2 below) eg "Southampton" can include "Portswood" and "Shirley" as lower level names. The phrase "Town Centre" (and similar) should not be part of any highest level name in an area, although it can be used as a lower-order locality to represent the relevant part of a town. If, when creating the entries for a particular area you think you need more than 3 levels in the hierarchy , you are almost certainly trying to use too fine a settlement level. Also be careful not to create circular hierarchies. Hierarchies are to show subdivisions and are not intended to be used to show nearby, but distinct settlements.

The separate hierarchy editing system relates parent and child entries.

An example hierarchy

Alternate Names

The National Public Transport Gazetteer has been extended to add the concept of alternate names for places known by several names eg English and Welsh names for the same place or a place such as Kingston-upon-Hull commonly known as Hull.

Each name and alternate name are entered as separate entries in the National Public Transport Gazetteer and then the alternate name editing system is used to tie the two entries together.

The hierarchy of place names will only be able to descend through a single name to simplify the construction of hierarchy trees but in all other respects alternate names will have the same status as the first name.

To ensure the integrity of hierarchy trees a locality can have the status of "Parent" or "Alternate", but not both.

An example of hierarchy and alternate names

The Alternate name editing system is very similar to the hierarchy editing system, but with a much smaller matching radius.

Places of National Interest

Places of national interest should only be included where the name does not make clear which settlement it is in. eg "Legoland" could be included as there is no obvious settlement name but "Chessington World of Adventure" should be excluded as there will be an entry for "Chessington". (Remember that the final part of the drill down process in the call centre will be using the local traveline gazetteer which will include all places of significance within the area).

Reports of ambiguous names found either within an administrative area or found close to an administrative area boundary can be provided to help the editors tidy up their part of the gazetteer. If required, please contact the Help Desk.

The Process

The gazetteer editing system will be accessible through the web page http://www.journeyweb.org.uk/ng.htm. Access to the "live" system will be restricted to individual usernames and passwords which will limit access to a relevant geographical (administrative area) portion of the Gazetteer. Usernames and passwords will be issued on request to the Help Desk (those already in use remain valid).

There are three separate steps to follow.

· "Step One" allows the local editor to refine the entries to be included in the NPTG and to indicate which of them have subordinate localities within the dataset (eg: a "town" which contains separately identified "suburbs").

· "Step Two" allows the hierarchical relationships to be defined . A similar process will be developed for alternate names.

· "Step Three", using a graphical interface, defines links between localities and their stepping-off points for long-distance journeys by coach or rail

Step One

The ONS entries will be listed alphabetically by Locality name, but viewed in blocks of 20 entries to minimise download times. The first column shows the District and may be required to assist in locating lesser-known, or duplicated, localities in large database areas. The third column, headed Typet is used to identify higher-order place names that have subordinate localities, or are alternate names for other localities within the database. The fourth column Code gives the ONS classification to each entry, as explained below. The fifth column, headed Active?, indicates whether the entry is active (= included in the NPTG) (4) or passive (= excluded from the NPTG) (6). The sixth column provides a Grid Reference which, if clicked on, will provide an on-screen map showing the position of that 1km grid square on an Ordnance Survey map base.

For each existing entry, there are a number of actions you can take: -

· To DELETE an entry, click on the tick in the ‘Active?’ column. It will change to a cross and the entry will be excluded from the NPTG (it remains in the original data-set and the deletion can be reversed if necessary)

· To RENAME an entry, click on "Edit" in the ‘Locality’ column. A new window will open allowing you to change the spelling, add further words etc

· To ADD a new entry, such as a missing suburb name or tourist venue, choose (as a "proxy") an existing entry geographically closest to the required entry (and in the same District as the required entry) and click on "New" in the ‘Locality’ column. A new window will open allowing you to overwrite the locality name of the proxy with an entirely different one. The Grid Reference should also be edited, as necessary. The entry which you used as the "proxy" remains unchanged by this process.

· To nominate a locality as a PARENT (higher-order locality within a hierarchy), ALTERNATE (Alternate name for another entry in the locality table) or NEITHER change the radio button in the Type Column.

The head of the screen has buttons providing access to the main menu, to a sub-set of the list of Localities consisting of only those declared Active (View Included) and to a sub-set of the list of Localities consisting of only those declared Passive (View Excluded). Access to other ranges of the (View All) data is also available here. The titles of these ranges will automatically reset themselves as edits are made.

The Code column defines each source entry as :

U (Urban Area)

US (Urban sub-area)

Pa (Parish – not Wales)

Co (Community – Wales only)

Lo (other Locality)

DWD (Scottish District Ward – Scotland only)

LOC (Scottish Locality – Scotland only)

PAR (Scottish Parish – Scotland only)

RED (Scottish Registered Electoral District – Scotland only)

ISL (Island)

A further category

Add (Added Locality)

is also used in the editing process for entries which were not in the original source material.

The source data was devised to fulfil very different purposes to that which we are now applying it. Accordingly, and based on current experience, these codes provide the best method of sifting out unnecessary entries as follows: -

Review each entry coded U or US in "Code" column
Entry is a single locality NOT already represented by another entry	No action
Entry is a single locality already represented by another entry coded Pa, Co or Lo	DELETE
Entry links two or more separate locality names of which at least one is NOT already represented by another entry	ADD and, probably, DELETE
Entry is two or more separate localities each of which is already represented by another entry coded Pa, Co or Lo	DELETE
Despite its allocation to a relevant district, locality is actually outside the administrative boundary	DELETE
Review each entry coded Pa or Co in "Code" column
Entry is an exact match for a settlement name, and that settlement does NOT appear as a separate entry coded Lo	No action
Entry is an exact match for a settlement name, and that settlement already appears as a separate entry coded Lo	DELETE
Entry links two or more separate localities of which at least one is NOT already represented by another entry	ADD and, probably, DELETE
Entry links two or more separate localities each of which is already represented by another entry coded Lo	DELETE
Parish or Community name does not include any recognised settlement name	DELETE
Review each entry with a parenthesis) after locality name
Two adjacent entries are identical, though in different districts. Grid references will also match	DELETE one entry
An entry followed by ) is NOT the same locality name as adjacent entries. Locality also appears in the gazetteer for an adjacent authority.	No action, but liaise with neighbouring authority

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Then, review each remaining entry to identify other necessary amendments, looking particularly for the following categories
Where a locality name consists of two or more words, ensure that the "forward" entry (Great Horwood) exists and that the "reverse" entry (Horwood, Great) does not	ADD and/or DELETE as appropriate
Localities including the word "and". Consider the need to split to separate localities	ADD and/or DELETE as appropriate
Adjacent entries have the same locality name but are attributed to different districts. Grid references confirm that these are two separate localities	RENAME by adding "(near <wherever>)" after name
Adjacent entries have the same locality name but are attributed to different districts. Grid references confirm that this is a single locality close to, or straddling, the boundary	DELETE one entry
Check for irregular spelling of, or (de)merging of words in, place name	RENAME to local spelling
Check for insignificantly small localities. Occasional occurrences found of localities named after roads or single buildings.	DELETE
Some localities listed will be recognised as having no public transport services	DO NOT DELETE. Instead instigate "walk" link within database or otherwise link to nearest locality(s) served by public transport
Then, consider the requirement for additional entries
Review provision of area names, particularly within urban areas to establish omission of well-used locality names	ADD as appropriate
Is the place known by other names which appear in a different part of an alphabetical list. In Wales, consider inclusion of Welsh language form of place names	ADD as appropriate. English and Welsh place names will have to be tied together using the alternate name process (to be developed)
Consider tourist venues or other "places of interest" *of national significance*. Only include places that give added functionality. (eg include "Blenheim House" which is in Woodstock but exclude "Harlech Castle" because "Harlech" will already exist as a locality). The number of additions should be small; they will be monitored and may be reduced by negotiation.	ADD as appropriate

End of table - text continues on next page

· The final part of Step One is to identify those localities that are likely to be the higher-level localities within a hierarchy or are alternate names. Use the radio buttons to change the status. This change will be saved automatically.

Changes in the edit window are saved when the "Update" button is pressed.

To check on finished selections, use the "View Included" or "View Excluded" buttons to view complete lists of Active/Included localities or Passive/Excluded localities. Return to Main Menu to commence Step Two.

Step Two A (Hierarchy)

This is the process by which the dependent localities (or ‘children’) are determined for each nominated ‘Parent’. A list of localities will be presented for each ‘Parent', listed in ascending distance from the parent locality. A simple toggle switch allows editors to include as many of the localities offered as is appropriate. (The default state for each is "excluded"). A trap is included to prevent simple (parent-child-parent) circular references being included.

The changes made during Step Two A are saved when "Update database" button is pressed.

Step Two B (Alternate Names)

This is the process by which the alternate localities are tied to their other name. A list of localities will be presented for each ‘Alternate', listed in ascending distance from the Alternate locality. A radio button switch allows editors to select one name as the other name. The other name must not have been marked in the localities editing as an alias name.

The changes made during Step Two B are saved when "Update database" button is pressed.

Return to Main Menu to commence Step Three.

Step Three – Requires version 4, 5 or 6 of Netscape or Internet Explorer

The purpose of this step is to associate each locality with a range of railway stations and coach stops that form its national stepping-off points (points at which transfers may be made to the national rail or coach networks for long distance journeys). To minimise the time taken by this process, an "area of influence" is drawn for each stepping-off point and that point is allocated to all localities within the defined area. Choose Step Three on the Main Menu and a graphical representation of your area is presented on screen. A north point clarifies the true orientation. Press F11 to maximise the size of the image on your screen. A zoom option is available and, at enlarged scales, the use of scroll bars may be required.

If you see an image with a small cluster of points in the centre of the screen and a number of outlying points there are problems with coordinates of the outlying points. Try and identify the outliers by putting the cursor over the point which will show the name. Correct the coordinates using step one before proceeding with step three.

Those localities selected in Step One as "Active" are shown as black crosses. As you pass your cursor over the plot, the names of the localities appear.

To start the process, press "Select Rail Station" and all railway stations within the area of the plot are shown as blue dots. Alternatively, pressing "Select Coach Stop" will display all coach stops within the area as green dots. In both cases, by passing the cursor over a dot the name appears in blue (rail station) or green (coach stop). In either case, click on one of the relevant stepping-off points. The dot will turn red and its name will be more permanently displayed. Now press "Start Region" and click on one of the localities that looks to that station as a stepping-off point. Moving clockwise click on other localities and you will find that a boundary line is drawn with all the localities contained within it turning red. Do not worry if other localities turn red. As you complete the boundary by clicking back on the first locality again, only those localities within the boundary will remain red. If at any point you are happy with the localities marked in red, you can press End Region and this will complete the boundary for you – use this option with care, though! If, after completing the region, you find you have made a slight mistake and wish to add additional localities outside the boundary, or to exclude localities within the boundary, press "Start Edit" and click on those localities you wish to amend. When you are satisfied, press "End Edit". If you get it badly wrong, press "Cancel Region" and start that area again. Then press "Update Registry" to capture the data and to allocate that stepping-off point to all of the marked localities.

Repeat this process for each appropriate stepping-off point. If you click on a stepping-off point you have already dealt with, its "area of influence will be shown by the localities turning red. Once again you can press "Start Edit" and make further changes. Remember to "Update Registry" before moving on to another stepping-off point.

A procedure is being developed which will allow editors to check that all Gazetteer entries within their area have at least one nominated stepping-off point for both Rail and Coach modes, and to allow editors to check an individual locality's nominated stepping-off points.

Completion

Once you have completed Step Three, return to Main Menu and exit the application. Notify the Help Desk (journeyweb.help@thales-is.com) that you have completed your component of the National Gazetteer.

Updating

The editing system remains active at all times to allow continual editing after the initial work has been completed. The NPTG files that are required by end-users of the data are compiled at regular (monthly) intervals for distribution to traveline systems integrators and other authorised users.

APPENDIX 1

The following table shows around 40 of the 691 entries in the Buckinghamshire data and provides examples in the repeated table of review actions on the following sheets.

District	Locality	Type	Code	Active?	GridRef
Aylesbury Vale	Addington Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	Pa	a	474228
Chiltern	Amersham Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	Pa	a	496197
Chiltern	Amersham Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	US	a	496197
Chiltern	Amersham/Chesham Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	U	a	496199
Aylesbury Vale	Biddlesden Park Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	Lo	a	463239
Aylesbury Vale	Bierton Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	Lo	a	483215
Aylesbury Vale	Bierton with Broughton Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	Pa	a	484215
Aylesbury Vale	Blackgrove Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	Lo	a	476218
Chiltern	Bois, Lower Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	Lo	a	496200
Aylesbury Vale	Broughton Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	Lo	a	484213
South Bucks	Burnham Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	Lo	a	493183
South Bucks	Burnham Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	Pa	a	493183
Wycombe	Chepping Wycombe Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	Pa	a	489191
Chiltern	Chesham Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	Pa	a	496201
Chiltern	Chesham(Amersham/Chesham) Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	U	a	496199
South Bucks	Denham Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	Pa	a	503187
Aylesbury Vale	Denham Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	Lo	a	475220
Wycombe	Desborough Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	Lo	a	484193
Wycombe	Desborough & Desboro’ Castle Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	Lo	a	484193
Wycombe	Desborough Castle Edit New	_o^Parent_o^Alternate_o^Neither	Lo	a	484193
Aylesbury Vale	Dunsmore Edit New	_o^Parent

CREATION OF NATIONAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT GAZETTEER (NPTG)

GUIDANCE NOTES 6 – 1 June 2002

Hierarchy of Names

Alternate Names

Places of National Interest

Step One

DELETE

DELETE

DELETE

DELETE

DELETE

DELETE

DELETE

Step Two A (Hierarchy)

Step Two B (Alternate Names)

Step Three – Requires version 4, 5 or 6 of Netscape or Internet Explorer

APPENDIX 1

Active?

GridRef