Usrn

Research

Stages

Go back to Usrn summary

These are the questions we answer during the Research stage.

Answering them wil help us learn more about the Usrn consideration, determine if a data standard is required and whether we know enough to move on to the next stage.

  • Do we understand the lifecycle of a Usrn?

    Yes

    • Document a stage of the high-level lifecycle of a Usrn

  • Do we understand how the data is created/produced?

    A USRN is a unique and persistent identifier for a street contained in either the National or Scottish Street Gazetteer. Every street, road, track, path, cycle track or way is assigned a USRN by a Roads Authority, Local Highway Authority or Highways England. OS Open USRN will include all live USRNs published within the OS MasterMap Highways Network, including Type 1, 2, 3 and 4 streets (see Table 1).

    Local authorities have a statutory responsibility that means they are the source of information for both street naming and managing the highways/roads network.

    Each authority is provided a USRN range, that is centrally allocated and managed by GeoPlace in England and Wales, and Improvement Service in Scotland.

    A USRN is assigned to the complete street feature and is made up of junction-to-junction segments. It is mandatory for all USRNs to be assigned a Street Type. All streets must have a Type 1 or a Type 2 USRN assigned, but a Type 3 or Type 4 USRN can also represent the same sections of carriageway as the Type 1 or 2 are assigned.

    Table 1 provides the definitions for different street types.

  • Where will or should the data be used?

    N/A

  • N/A

  • Who are the statutory consultees for Usrn?

    N/A

  • Other than the statutory consultees who are the primary users of Usrn? How do we expect them to use Usrn?

    N/A

  • What are the planning needs for this data?

    Planning need is unclear

  • Who are the types of users who might benefit from having access to Usrn data?

    According to Geoplace

    • Highways authorities - coordinating works
    • Utility companies - coordinating works

  • What are some potential uses of Usrn data?

    The USRN is key to ensuring works on streets can be planned effectively.

    They can facilitate better insights into traffic patterns, infrastructure utilisation, planning, and development, leading to informed decision-making and resource allocation

  • What's the value of adding Usrn data to the platform?

    The Government Digital Service has mandated that the UPRN and USRN are to be the public sector standard for referencing and sharing property and street information -- Geoplace

    Therefore we should make these available to service builders so that they can be used as intended.

  • From what we have learnt so far are there any risks to making Usrn data available?

    N/A