Interesting. Never knew that’s how they arrived at the new street numbers. Thanks - ignorance fought.
No problem, and I’m from VT myself (and probably send about 15-20 Christmas, birthday, etc., cards there each year) so I understand what a huge pain in the ass the mass address change was. However, several old friends of mine who volunteer for their local rescue squads (almost all VT paramedics are volunteers) have assured me that this change fixed what used to be an unnecessarily difficult (and thus risky for the public), part of their jobs.
I’ve never heard of changing street addresses for 911–how common was that? VT only? Rural areas only?
I wasn’t aware that street addresses changed to accommodate 911. I said they didn’t have it in my West Texas hometown way back home, but it was featured in other places in the US I lived.
Either that or call the operator.
Mapping for 9-1-1 systems often use a computerized GIS system. Having a rule to relate house numbers to distance makes it easier to handle the mapping functions so emergency dispatchers can give directions easier.
The rule might not be the same everywhere, but so long as a consistent rule is used within a given service area the computer can be programmed to handle it. Our jurisdiction assigns a house number every 500ft, with odd numbers on the left as the house numbers increase.
Knowing that rule I can provide rough directions only knowing the house number. House 750? About one and half miles from the start of the road on the right.
It happened here in Minnesota, too.
But it wasn’t really required for 911 (though it did make it easier). That was mostly an excuse – the Post Office & local authorities had been wanting to have some rational order to the house numbers for a long while in many locations. The 911 changeover gave them a valid reason, and tied it to something that most people wanted.
Plus there was Federal money available for 911 system conversion. Lots of rural areas switched to centralized dispatch and upgraded to new radio equipment in all their cars as part of the 911 system.
Mostly rural areas. Often, many of the houses are difficult to see from the road, especially at night. I am not aware of any fully developed residential neighborhoods where there were changes.