Map-based Reporting
Map-based reporting allows users to plot suggestions or improvement ideas on maps. It’s a common feature of almost all reporting applications today. Map-based reporting can be done in three main ways:
- Mobile applications – users can report problems or suggest improvements using their mobile devices at the location where the improvement is needed;
- Websites – users can locate improvement suggestions on a reporting website map;
- Tracking data – users can locate improvement suggestions on a map created using their own tracking data (for example, after returning from a bike trip the user can use their tracking data to designate a hazard on the route). For more information see Tracking Applications.
Jennifer Evans-Cowley has a great blog post on resident developed maps in her Planetizen Blog: Getting Residents Engaged in Participatory Mapping (January 18, 2016).
Examples
WalkScope walking quality map.
WALKscope
WALKscope is a map-based crowdsourcing application that allows residents to evaluate the quality of sidewalks. They can provide basic data about the sidewalk (or lack of sidewalk!) and add photos. There is a feature for discussing the sidewalk section for others to add comments. The application allows users to click on individual sidewalk sections to see the data and also allows them to obtain aggregated data. It also includes a rating system to indicate how good the sidewalk or walking experience is. WALKscope also allows users to provide information about intersections and to add pedestrian counts (see our page on inexpensive traffic count sensors that can be used by residents).
The application is available in Denver Colorado. Source: Planetizen Top 10 Websites 2015
Wikimap
Wikimap is an application that allows people to create and edit their own maps. This can be helpful for providing input to agencies and organisations. The YouTube video at the right explains how to use wikimap.
Fairfax County Virginia used this program to help identify improvements for their bicycle network in 2015.
More from Greater Greater Washington An interactive map will help make Fairfax more bike-friendly
OpenPlans shareabouts screenshot.
OpenPlans
OpenPlans develops map-based community input applications. Many of these applications have been used to plan bicycle and pedestrian improvements including helping locate bike share stations in New York and Chicago, and to identify locations that need safety improvements.
Unfortunately OpenPlans closed down in January 2015, but their mapping software Shareabouts is open source and available on GitHub (ShareAbouts on GitHub).
Screenshot of BikeMaps.org
BikeMaps.org (Oct 2014)
BikeMaps.org is a map-based hazard reporting system developed by Dr. Trisalyn Nelson at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. The website uses OpenStreetMap and allows users to report crashes, bike thefts, danger zones, and near misses. Excellent review and description of the application by Melanie Colavito on CommuteByBike: New Crowdsourced Bike Safety Map: BikeMaps.org
Atlanta Bike Coalition seeclickfix map.
Atlanta Bicycle Coalition
SeeClickFix Application
The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition has a customised SeeClickFix map (SeeClickFix: Atlanta Bicycle Coalition) on its website to collect information about potential hazards and improvements to the region’s bicycle network.
Cyclopath screenshot
Cyclopath
Cyclopath allows users to “Find bike routes that match the way you ride. [and][/and] Share your cycling knowledge with the community.” It includes a trip planner, a map-based information system for user data, and an application for recording GPS tracks. It’s one of the pioneers in developing crowdsourced bike information and is operated by GroupLens Research at the University of Minnesota.
References
- OpenCycleMap.org – Map of bicycle facilities including bike share locations, official bike routes, etc. created using OpenStreetMap.
- Portland Hazard Map (Oct 2014) – Portland State University is developing an application that enables users to map hazards and accident locations as part of an on-going research project.