New Jersey Geospatial Users Group

I just recently updated NJ State Atlas with a USGS Topo Map mashup. It’s a pretty simple, straightforward application. I’m pretty pleased with it, as it’s part of a larger upgrade on the site: now, the State Plan Map, Land Use Change Map, and the Topo Mashup are all served up using TileCache. The maps should now load much more quickly, as it’s no longer rendering the map from the GIS data every time.

The Traffic Map now has “live” incidents from NJ DOT, as well as the 100+ traffic cameras throughout the State. I also migrated all of the map pages to the new look.

Check back often, as I am always making updates. Also, let me know if you think I should create a map, or make some improvements to one of the existing maps. I’m always open to suggestions.

ESRI recently unveiled MapMPG, a demostration site using BusinessMap and ArcGIS Server with a Flex front end. It allows you to choose a point and visualize the range two different car makes could travel on one gallon of gas. It’s fun to compare your car to a gas-guzzler like a Hummer or Bentley, or to a dainty sipper like the smart fortwo or the Honda Insight.

The application should be beefed up with additional information on the technology behind it. I assume that if you’re reading this blog, you have an understanding of how the various components come together to give you the map and gallon ranges. The average person, however, doesn’t understand how much more involved this application is compared to something mapped using Google’s My Maps. ESRI needs to capitalize on the fact that they’ve got an attractive - and more importantly, relevant - example of the importance of GIS in daily life.

I’ve been mining Google’s “My Maps” data for some base datasets. Some users have plotted some useful data; one created sets of all the rest stops and toll plazas on the State’s limited access highways. In looking for NJ Transit data, I was surprised to find that a search in Google for “NJ Transit” returns a residential neighborhood in Mercer County. It’s not even a TOD!

With the recent signing of the Permit Extension Act, permits and smart growth designations have been extended through to July 2010. However, certain areas will be exempted from the extension. This will have an effect on State Plan Centers and Smart Growth Areas. Once the effects of this legislation are updated in the GIS data, the HMFA Locator, Location Assessment Tool and NJ State Atlas will be updated.

Virtual Earth is looking to partner with state and local governments to share geospatial data, specifically aerial photography.

From their announcement:

Why should we publish our imagery in VE?

GoVE supports the data sharing goals of many public sector organizations by providing a free publishing service. Through GoVE, your taxpayer-funded information will be provided on a free, open access web site that benefits taxpayers, government officials, your corporate tax base, state and local governments, etc.

You can read more about it at the Virtual Earth blog.