How to Use Composite Attributes in GDF-AS

A Composite Attribute is required when more than one attribute is needed in order to define a feature characteristic.

See Composite Attributes and Sub-Attributes earlier in this user guide for an overview.

An example of a Composite Attribute is BPAS - "Blocked Passage."

To define a blocked passage, two mandatory sub-attributes are necessary:

Blocked Passage (location) "BP" ; and
Vehicle Type "VT."
An additional and optional attribute for a Composite Blocked Passage is:
Validity Period "VP."

Where to Find Composite Attribute Definitions

See the MultiNet Code Overview document included with your MultiNet data for the list of MultiNet Composite Attributes.
See the Access database in the allcodes folder of your data to find which sub-attributes are optional and which are mandatory for each Composite Attribute.

Composite Attribute Usage and Example in GDF-AS

Sub-attributes for Composite Attributes are found in one or more GDF-AS records. The applicable information needs to be mined from the appropriate records in order to fully use them as feature characteristics.

Staying with the BPAS example: to find the needed information for Composite Attributes:

First consult the MultiNet Code Overview document or the Access database to find which sub-attributes are needed (BP [mandatory], VT [mandatory]; VP [optional]) as mentioned above.
Next, find one of the two mandatory sub-attributes (BP or VT in this case) in the Segmented Attribute Records (44).

In the example above, the Segmented Attribute record 1000081237 has two attributes:

BP (Blocked Passage) with a value of 2 = Blocked at End Junction;
VT (Vehicle Type) with a value of 0 = All vehicles

The segmented attribute record 1000081237 is attached to multiple Line records (52) below is an example.

A More Complex Example

Many times, features will include multiple and nested composite attributes.

Example: Composite attribute RNRN (Composite Route Number Information) contains the following sub attributes:

RNRN - Composite Route Number Information

6W - Route Number Type
RNRJ - Composite Route Number Route Name
- RJ - Route Name
- RNRV - Composite Route Number Route Number on Shield
  - RN - Route Number
  - RV - Route Shield Number
- 7A - Street Name Type
1K - Route Number Priority
RODR - Composite Route Directional
- 7G - Route Directional
- 7V - Validity Direction
CORN - Composite Route Name
- RJ - Route Name
- 7A - Street Name Type

In the above example, MultiNet data features will not necessarily contain all the attribute components listed under RNRN.

Figure: RNRN Composite Attribute Selection for Feature

In the figure above, the highlighted line has 14 attributes attached. Most SATT_ID reveal single attributes. The highlighted one shows atttibutes available for composite attribute RNRN.

In the figure below, the highlighted SATT_ID above is clicked to identify the parts of the RNRN composite attribute that are available for the line feature.

All attributes shown are mandatory to Composite Route Number Information RNRN:

6W - Route Number Type
RNRJ - Composite Route Number Route Name
- RNRV - Composite Route Number Route Number on Shield
  - RN - Route Number
  - RV - Route Shield Number
1K - Route Number Priority Note: An available tool included with data deliveries is an Access database in the allcodes folder that displays the mandatory and optional components to each Composite Attribute.

Composite attribute RNRN as shown in the delivereid MultiNet Access database: