easy one I think

[lightspeedchick]

Hi,

I'm not an engineer but I need to find the answer to the following question: Is there a standard notation (symbol) for "intersection"? I don't mean intersection in the Venn diagram sense, but rather the intersection of two streets. I also don't mean the pictogram on a road sign, but a character.

Thanks
LSC
lightspeedchick@yahoo.com

 

[sc]

The only symbol I know of is the word "intersection".

Out of curiosity, what do you need the symbol for?

Regards
sc

 

[dicksewerrat]

I have only seen the drawing of the intersection, never a 'notation'. On some maps I have seen a symbol when two roads do not actually cross, as in one on a bridge. that was two lines parallel to the upper road.

 

[jheidt2543]

It sounds to me like someone (lightspeedchick) got a speeding ticket and is trying to figure out the ticketer's shorthand notation!

 

[lightspeedchick]

Hi SC,

The reason why I need it is I need a character I can easily enter into a field that can be parsed by a computer system as meaning "intersection", like "main&maple" means intersection of main and maple. It can be any non alphanumeric symbol, but the kicker is I have to have all our clients agree to use it. For some of them this will mean some change to their data, so it should be an internationally recognized symbol, not something we have arbitrarily decided upon. Otherwise everyone will say "why do WE have to change our notation?"

So, it should be a character, not a pictogram. But if such a character does not exist (and I need a civil engineer to confirm this), I'll use the "+" because the cross pictogram is internationally recognized. But if there's actually a character I'll use that.

Thanks
LSC

 

[jheidt2543]

The plus sign + makes the most sense and second choice would be the crossing sign x.

 

[sc]

lightspeedchick,

Is the data going into a data recorder in the field and then into a PC? Is the PC processing the data via a civil engineering design package?

The reason for these two questions is that the various civil packages do not all handle field codes the same way. Some use alpha numeric codes, some use alpha, some use numeric codes, some allow for stringing and some don't.

Also you may find that not many civil packages can deal with the symbol format at all.

If I am on the right track, I would suggest that you develope a simple code for various clients use. Your field staff will need to know what system each job requires so that the data is suitable for the client.

regards

sc

 

[ACtrafficengr]

There are so many intersections that it would be easier to code locations where roads cross without intersecting (overpasses)

 

[lightspeedchick]

The data is not going from a field recorder into a PC, it is entered directly into a PC. The application is a call-taking program used by emergency services. The idea is to have a way for call takers to quickly enter the intersection at which help is required. Each intersection on the service territory will first be entered into the system with its x,y coords. When a call taker enters an intersection, the system will use the intersection's coords to find and dispatch the closest unit.

The pc is thus not parsing the info via a civil package, unfortunately. We have to use a character that is found on most keyboards, but not an alphanumeric character (because letters and numbers are found in street names and we want something to separate two street names).

Again, thanks for all your help
LSC

 

[sc]

LSC,

OK for what you intend to do there is no international symbol (keystroke) that will provide what you need.

From what your have said the system needs to know the street names in order to find co-ordinates, so I would think that the only way to go would be as you have already indicated, main&maple.

regards
sc

 

[Ron]

The "cross" has been used for many years on road signs in some locations to depict intersections. Look at various Departments of Transportion requirements under "Warning Signs".

 

[lightspeedchick]

That's what I needed to know, sc. Thanks!