New Jersey State Atlas Updated: Topo Maps

Posted on October 14, 2008 by John Reiser

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.

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GeoEye-1 sends back first imagery

Posted on October 9, 2008 by John Reiser

GeoEye-1, an Earth-imaging satellite that’s been in the news recently due to its agreement with Google to provide the company with half-meter imagery, has sent back its first pictures. The satellite will provide images for Google to use in its Maps and Earth applications, as well as for resale. The first image sent back was of Kutztown University. When in panchromatic mode, the satellite captures an area equivalent to the size of Texas within a day.

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New Jersey Public Schools GIS Data

Posted on October 8, 2008 by John Reiser

Point locations for public schools in New Jersey is now available in personal geodatabase form. The dataset, created by the Office of GIS with information from the Department of Education, is available for download through NJGIN.

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MapMPG, ESRI’s practical BusinessMap demo

Posted on October 7, 2008 by John Reiser

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.

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NJ Transit is a housing complex?

Posted on October 5, 2008 by John Reiser

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!

Posted in Data, Google, Web Mapping | Tagged , | 2 Comments

NJGF Municipal Users Group Meeting

Posted on October 4, 2008 by John Reiser

Atanas Entchev has posted some notes he received from the recent Municipal Users Group meeting. Worth the read.

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Permit Extension Act and its effect on Smart Growth Areas

Posted on October 4, 2008 by John Reiser

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.

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Two Recent Stories on Aerial Photography

Posted on August 27, 2008 by John Reiser

With all the recent news about cattle orienting themselves in cardinal directions (and the debate on the story’s veracity) I found it more interesting that the researchers used Google Earth to find oriented photography, instead of say, going out and observing cattle.

“The Last Guy” introduces an even more esoteric use of aerial photography. This zombie/survival action game for the Playstation 3 uses high-res aerials of cities as the playing field.

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More on the UltraCam – Behind the Maps

Posted on August 11, 2008 by John Reiser

Microsoft recently posted another episode on Channel 9 dealing with the UltraCam. Three interviews and some in-flight footage of the camera.

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GIS and the expectation of privacy

Posted on July 31, 2008 by John Reiser

GIS is considered by some to be an invasive technology. Even though some of the “invasive” data like lot lines and ownership are in the public domain, the easy access to large data stores of personal information is a cause for concern among privacy advocates.

Some information is protected under federal laws like HIPAA, State laws (such as our own OPRA) often protect information that could be used to identify an individual. The Government Records Council has upheld redaction of information that personally identifies an individual. Any other information stored by a government entity (with exceptions) can be requested by anyone.

Google is now making the case that complete privacy does not exist. Some agree with Google. I personally feel that if it’s something that’s available to you but not readily accessible, making it accessible through the internet is not an invasion of privacy. What’s your take on privacy? Where should the line be drawn?

Posted in Google, In the News, OPRA, Privacy | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments