ROSA P

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 reviewing the policy, you are unsure, please send us an email at NTLDataCurator@dot.gov
• 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

• Consistent with NTL submission policies, we prefer open file formats as described at the Submitting Content Page: https://ntl.bts.gov/submitting-content
• However, we will take data in proprietary formats if it is well documented. Please email NTLDataCurator@dot.gov to discuss your needs.

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.
  • NTL uses the USDOT’s Secure Large File Transfer (SLFT) service https://slfts.fhwa.dot.gov  

Dataset Persistance

• As consistent with NTL's Digital Curation Policy https://ntl.bts.gov/policies/digital-curation datasets will be available in ROSA P in perpetutiy, except in the cases noted in the Digital Curation Policy.

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;
  • US DOT uses DCAT-US Scema v1.1 (formerly Project Open Data Metadata Schema) https://resources.data.gov/resources/dcat-us/
• 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

• For more information, please read NTL's Digital Curation Policy https://ntl.bts.gov/policies/digital-curation