beyond google: mapping a new world of open data and open access

The Power of the Image

2011

Beyond Google:

mapping a new world of

open data & open access

Duncan Hill, Europa Technologies


2011

“I want something like

Google Maps, but using

OS data”

Or...


2011Overview

• Where it all began

• What‟s possible today

• What we can learn from this

• How we can create our own basemaps

• ...and make these accessible


2011MapQuest launched 1996


2011Google Maps, today


2011Bing Maps


2011Google Maps API Styled Maps


2011

What people like / expect

• „Slippy‟ map interface

• Very fast drawing speeds

• Drill down for more detail

• High quality cartography

• Multi-platform support


2011Map tiles


2011Why use map tiles?

• Pre-render for optimal performance

• Reserve server resources for dynamic data

• Merge tile layers on request for flexibility

• Subtle cartographic effects

• Accessible colour palette

• Easy to use

• Variety of hosting options


2011Considerations

• Time required to perfect cartography

• Rendering process very resource hungry

• Not quick to produce a completely new output

• Vectors still required for small % of users performing data capture


2011How will users consume maps?

• Desktop mapping applications

• Public facing web applications

• Intranet mapping applications

• Mobile (massive growth ahead)


2011Why wouldn‟t you use Google?

• Need more detail

• Need greater accuracy

• Need cartographic subtlety

• Complex technology landscape

• Licensing?

• “I want something that looks like

Google Maps, but uses OS data”


2011PSMA

• Public Sector Mapping Agreement

• 10 year agreement

• Public sector bodies in England &

Wales

• GB coverage, free at point of use

• Allows data sharing


2011PSMA products

• OS MasterMap Topography Layer

• OS MasterMap Integrated Transport

Network

• 1:10,000 raster (until 31 March 2013)

• OS VectorMap Local

• 1:25,000 raster

• 1:50,000 raster

• Code-Point

• Code-Point with Polygons

• OS OpenData

• National Address Gazetteer


2011Our workflow

ImportPrepare & Style

Render


2011viaEuropa

http://www.europa.uk.com/demo/viaeuropa/bingmaps.html?key=demo453kt8&zmax=19


2011Examples

• OpenLayers

• Bing Maps

• Google Maps

• ESRI Silverlight API

• MapInfo Professional/ProViewer

• ArcGIS Desktop

• Cadcorp


2011Universal access

• Support for those with a colour

vision deficiency

• 1 in 12 males

• 1 in 100 females

• Build accessibility in from outset

• Avoid extra time & costs later


2011Summary

• Consider the needs of your users

• Who, why, what, when, how

• Consistency across levels

• Adopt a scalable approach

• “Good designers decorate, great

designers communicate” Cameron

Moll, (Designer/Speaker/Author)


2011Thanks & Questions?

[email protected]

@duncanjfhill

www.viaeuropa.uk.com