Resource Guides: Civil and Environmental Engineering: Data sources & datasets

What are datasets?

Datasets are collections of raw data gathered during the research process usually in the form of numerical data. While many organizations, such as government agencies, universities or research institutions make the data they have collected freely available on the web, there are vendors that collect unique datasets or have enhanced public datasets for other researchers to use.

On this page, you will find Georgia Tech Library subscribed statistical databases, as well as a list of datasets/sources for your research.

Statistical datasets (GT subscriptions)

Sage Data
Create tables, charts and maps with wide range of variables using data from governments and private organizations. Formerly DataPlanet.
Views also include descriptive summaries of the datasets and data sources. Datasets cover a wide range of subjects including business, finance, banking, economics, sociology, political science, demography, agriculture, education, international studies, criminal justice, housing and construction, labor and employment, energy resources and industries, and more. Sources include public, private/commercial, and nongovernmental organizations.
SimplyAnalytics
Web-based mapping, analytics, and data visualization application for making interactive maps, charts, and reports using 10,000+ data variables. Note: Limited to 5 simultaneous users.
A mapping, analytics, and data visualization application with 100,000+ data variables, including: demographic data from the US Decennial Census and the American Community Survey (ACS), consumer spending data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey (CEX), and D&B's Points-of-Interest business directory providing access to over 5 million detailed US business profiles. Additionally, the premium MRI-SimmonsLOCAL consumer behavior dataset is available, which provides data on over 8,000 brands, 450 categories, detailed lifestyle statements, and consumer segmentation. Users can generate crosstabs at the DMA level using the Nielsen Scarborough Crosstab consumer behavior dataset, and analyze Scarborough data at the local level. Data is largely available down to the census block group level, and custom locations can be created.
Statista
Access statistical data from market and opinion research institutions, as well as from business organizations and government, categorized into 21 market sectors.

United States Federal Transportation Data Sources

Highway Statistics (DOT)
US Department of Transportation reports containing analyzed statistical information on motor fuel, motor vehicle registrations, driver licenses, highway user taxation, highway mileage, travel, and highway finance.
TransStat (DOT)
Comprehensive annual statistics from the Department of Transportation, including airline, maritime, rail, highway, and other means of transit.
Transportation Data Portal (DOT)
Comprehensive portal to access US Department of Transportation datasets

For all federal data sources in any field or discipline, you can search Data.gov.

United States Federal Environmental Data Sources

AirNow (EPA)
Find air quality data for the United States.
Envirofacts (EPA)
Search for EPA data relating to air, land, and water quality, as well as data on facilities subject to EPA regulation and compliance.
Toxics Release Inventory (EPA
EPA data and information on management of toxic chemicals, including releases to the environment.
Water Resource (USGS)
Datasets on water research done by the United States Geological Survey.

For all federal data sources in any field or discipline, you can search Data.gov.