If the database field is set to unique then it must not contain any duplicates. If not duplicates are allowd and will cause potential errors with the data produced. The size of the field also matters. If set to 3 characters then A 5 CSXT or CSXT will produce a SOC-7 bad data error. I hated those they were the worst problem for operators and programmers. If the size of the field is set to 8 then A 5 CSXT or CSXT A 5 would be accepted as good data.
When CSX was creating it Computer Aided Dispatching System (CADS) the Service Design department had to review the entirety of the CSX System during the 1985-86 period and assign UNIQUE MilePost designations to cover all the mileage of all the subdivisions in as much as computers abhor duplicate records.
What I am wondering - Does the FRA Database have the same abhorance of duplicate milepost designations amongst all the carriers that feed data to the FRA?
Or can each carrier havea mile post designation of 'A 5' as each milepost is prefixed or suffixed with the carriers ID such as 'CSXT A 5' or 'A 5 CSXT'.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
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