Translating Transportation Data between Linear Referencing Systems of Dissimilar Resolution

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation uses two linear referencing systems (LRSs) for complete mapping of crashes statewide: the State Trunk Network (STN), which represents only state routes, and the Wisconsin Information System for Local Roads (WISLR), which includes all roads but gives specific detail for local routes. A functional link between the two systems was developed; this link allows data to be translated from the STN, a higher-resolution representation, to the WISLR, a lower-resolution representation. Although data are easily translated from high to low resolution, ambiguities arise when data are moved from low resolution to high resolution. The research presented in this paper identifies common problems associated with translation of data from low to high resolution and provides some rules and guidelines to accommodate these issues.