Submitting Data
- All datasets submitted must conform to the National Transportation Library's Collection Development Policy: https://ntl.bts.gov/policies/collection-development
- If, after reading the Collection Development Policy, you would like to submit a dataset, please email NTLDataCurator@dot.gov so that we can discuss your submission.
- In your email, please describe:
- the dataset;
- its size;
- the number of files;
- any naming conventions;
- the file types;
- the original research project or report for which the data was gathered, or include a link to the report if possible;
- the reason you believe the dataset should be included in ROSA P; and,
- your complete contact information, including phone number.
Dataset File Types
Dataset Size
- Datasets can be of any size and there is no limit on the number of files. However, if you are submitting a larger datasets (more than 20 MB), please request that NTL set up a secure large file transfer for you in your email.
Dataset Persistance
Data Package
In order to maximize data findability and reuse, all datasets submitted for inclusion in ROSA P should be as robustly described as possible. Our preferences is for a complete Data Package, which contains the following elements:
- The Dataset;
- The original Report for which the data was collected (either in PDF or a link to its current web location);
- A human-readable Readme.txt file which includes:
- A data dictionary;
- Notes on standards used;
- Defines the meaning of zeroes, nulls, and blank fields;
- A machine-readable Metadata file (.xml or .json) in a published standard;
- A human-readable Data Management Plan, as described at "Creating Data Managment Plans (DMPs)" https://ntl.bts.gov/public-access/creating-data-management-plans
- Any supporting files, tables, etc.; and,
- Codes or scripts used in data analysis.
If you are unfamiliar with documenting dataset, please contact the NTL staff at NTLDataCurator@dot.gov so that we can help. NTL does have templates of the Data Package items to help you along.
Thank you.
Digital Curation