Batch geocoding quickly converts large amounts of textual identifiers into geographic coordinates, commonly latitude and longitude. Other coordinate systems may be used depending on the intended use. The resulting data can be imported into GIS programs for mapping and analysis, including identifying sources of pollutants and geotagging media files.
Batch geocoding is used to find geographic coordinates corresponding to textual identifiers, such as addresses or telephone area codes, for particular locations. The resulting coordinates are often used in mapping and georeferencing programs. While geocoding can be done one address at a time, batch geocoding programs make it much quicker and easier to convert large numbers of addresses, or other textual identifiers, into geographic coordinates at once.
There are several web-based batch geocoding software and programs available, some free. Most require the user to manually enter any desired locations, then once the user instructs the program to run, it converts the information into geographic coordinates, usually latitude and longitude. Some programs are also capable of performing reverse geocoding, which takes geographic coordinates, such as retrieved from a Global Positioning System (GPS), and converts them into a street address or other form of identification.
Latitude and longitude coordinates are the most common output of geocoding, but there are several geocoding systems. Depending on the intended use of the coordinates, other output formats may be more desirable. With Geographical Information Systems (GIS) mapping software, the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) or Natural Area Code (NAC) coordinate systems are often used, so a user may want to geocode the data into UTM or NAC coordinates. Quarter Degree Grid Cells (QDGC) and C-squares are common systems for spatial indexing, useful for mapping geographic statistics, such as population density.
Geographic coordinates can usually be imported into a GIS program in the form of a text file, and the program can locate points on a map, as long as they are in the correct coordinate system. Data obtained from a batch geocoding program has a multitude of uses in GIS. For example, the coordinates could be all points within a given area, where a given pollutant has been detected. Using geocoding data, other spatial information and the tools available in the GIS program, it was then possible to determine the most likely sources of the pollutant.
Another use of coordinates obtained from geocoding is geotagging or adding geographic information to the metadata of media files. This often takes the form of reverse geocoding. For example, some digital cameras can be connected to a portable GPS unit. Batch geocoding can be used to convert GPS-recorded coordinates into an address or place name, thereby identifying the location where each image was taken from that camera.
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