SunGuide SM Map Alternatives Workshop

January 11, 2007Map Alternatives Workshop 1

SunGuideSM Map Alternatives Workshop


Why Look at Other Maps


Discussions TopicsDiscussions Topics

Map Technology used– ITN required use of FDOT provided “shape files” (limits

available tools/solutions)– Browser based solution:

• Facilitates “updates”• Highly portable (i.e. any computer with a browser)

and flexible (i.e. easy to add users by simply providing access to “server”)

Current issues:– SVG used as “drawing” tool– “Look and feel”– Functionality


Map Implementation ApproachesMap Implementation Approaches

Workstation approach:– Map data and application

INSTALLED on workstation

Server approach:– Map data and image

generation performed on a server


Map Implementation Approaches: Map Implementation Approaches: continuedcontinued

Alternative server implementation: return more than an image

SunGuideSM Approach: hybrid that process “map” data at the local workstation


SVG Technology Used to SVG Technology Used to Implement the SunGuideImplement the SunGuideSMSM Map Map

Map is rendered using JavaScript and SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)

Background on SVG:– Is NOT a vendor specific product– Is a W3C standard– 2D graphics– Mobile versions available

SVG plug-ins:– Adobe used in SG deployments

• Adobe dropping support 1/08– Firefox (mozilla.org)– See www.svgi.org


Why is this being discussed?Why is this being discussed?

Questions about SunGuideSM map “performance”:– Performance issues are based on XML messages being

processed by GUI (and not map rendering)– GUI enhancement in process to address parsing issue


GUI Performance Enhancement GUI Performance Enhancement Currently Being ImplementedCurrently Being Implemented


Moving Forward:Moving Forward:Look at Map ImprovementsLook at Map Improvements

New functionality being requested of the map as deployments utilize the SunGuideSM map

Questions to be considered:– What additional functionality is required:

• Street names? Everywhere or just around instrumented roadway segments?

• Better looking “eye candy”?– Should the Operator “base” map (the map in the control

center) be the same as provided on an Internet web site?

– How often should the base map be updated?– Should FDOT control the “map services” (i.e. the

creation of maps)?


Map Creation Options: SummaryMap Creation Options: Summary

Workstation based Map (e.g. ESRI GIS tools)

Server based map (e.g. Google Maps)

SunGuideSM (combination of both of the above)


SunGuideSM Map – What it Does


SunGuideSunGuideSMSM Map: Map: Summary of Existing RequirementsSummary of Existing Requirements

Map shall display:

– Congestion (color coded to indicate conditions)

– Incidents (use color, flash, audio, icons to indicate status)

– Device (e.g. DMS, camera, detectors) locations (use color to indicate status)

Map shall support:

– Manual creation of incidents

– Selection of alternate map views

General requirements:

– Map source shall be shape files

– SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics based)

– Color choices shall be user selectable

– Internet map must meet OIS guidelines for Internet sites


What SunGuideWhat SunGuideSMSM Map Displays Map Displays

ITS Devices:– Cameras– DMS– HAR (Highway Advisory Radio)– Ramp Meter Stations– RWIS (Roadway Weather Information Systems)– Safety Barrier Stations– TSS Detectors

IM Events (Incidents, Congestion, Construction, etc.) TSS Lane Diagrams Center-to-Center:

– C2C Cameras– C2C DMS– C2C Incidents– C2C Lane Closures– C2C HAR– C2C RWIS

The map also displays highway shields, roadway names, state roads, local roads, bodies of water.

Map “COMPUTES” instrumented segments


What SunGuideWhat SunGuideSMSM Web Server Web Server DisplaysDisplays

Meets OIS Internet Guidelines User options:

– Incident information– Lane closures– DMS messages– CCTV snapshots– Travel Times– Detector data– RWIS Data

Maps:– “Administrator” defined regions

of interest– Devices are user selectable

icons on the map


Shortcomings of Current SunGuideSM Map


ShortcomingsShortcomings

Open discussion:

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Compiled Responses to Map Questions


Questions Posed by Alternative Questions Posed by Alternative Map Technologies White PaperMap Technologies White Paper

White paper posed the following:– Source for dynamic data? – Fidelity of data: what level of data is needed?– Data updates: how often are made updates required?– Operations map versus “consumer” map: does the map

solution need to be the same for operations versus the consumer (Internet) map?

– Is FDOT willing to rely on a third-party for real-time map data?

– Is FDOT willing to accept a “transaction based” map server?

– Security of map server?

FDOT CO solicited feedback on each question “Bonus” question at the end


Questions Posed by Alternative Map Questions Posed by Alternative Map Technologies White Paper – con’tTechnologies White Paper – con’t

Source for dynamic data? What will be the source for data for the map? The SunGuideSM software has a Center-to-Center component that provides the data necessary for a robust traffic conditions map. The use of a standard interface would assure portability of the mapping application to multiple Districts (i.e. a “generic” web site that could be re-used many times). This more an Internet Web Site question.



Fidelity of data: what level of data is needed? For example, is the data available from Dynamap acceptable or is the type of data from a MapPoint/Google required?



Data updates: how often are made updates required? Each vendor of map data has a different update schedule, FDOT needs to evaluate how often they require a map “refresh” and whether or not the vendor provides the frequency required.



Operations map versus “consumer” map: does the map solution need to be the same for operations versus the consumer (Internet) map? The map needs for control center applications are different than a simple graphical map that is presented to travelers.



Is FDOT willing to rely on a third-party for real-time map data? If an external server is providing map images, FDOT will be completely at the mercy of the health of that server for its own operations.



Is FDOT willing to accept a “transaction based” map server? Several major products have transaction pricing established. Within the industry, there is lot a of speculation that the products currently free (e.g. Google Maps) are likely to switch to a transaction based cost system or the number of advertisements will increase.



Security of map server? If the solution is based on an outside map server (e.g. Google), what might happen if network connectivity were lost during an emergency event? This could include massive power failures (hurricane related) or simply a failed network connection from the Internet provider. Having the map hosted outside the TMC places a dependency on external Internet providers for access to the map.



Bonus question:

– Would FDOT be willing to switch the SunGuideSM user interface (Map and all GUI components to a “Windows based” application?

Notes:

– Much of the C# working being done in the GUI enhancement would be reusable

– Implies that software would need to be installed on EACH workstation accessing SunGuideSM.


Alternative Map Approaches


Alternatives Investigated:Alternatives Investigated:Alternative Map Approaches White PaperAlternative Map Approaches White Paper

Workstation Based Maps:– ESRI ArcObjects– ESRI MapObjects– MapPoint 2006 SE

Server Based Maps:– MapPoint Web Services– Google Maps– Yahoo! Maps– ESRI ArcWeb– ESRI ArcIMS

Note: SunGuideSM uses SVG (WC3 Internet Standard) – HTML like syntax for “vector” drawing


Sample Workstation Based MapsSample Workstation Based Maps

ESRI Tools:

– Map Objects is a long-term development product

– Provides extensive “shape file” manipulation tools

Courtesy ESRI: http://www.esri.com

Benefits

– Shape file data readily available

– Complete control over rendering

– Widely used in the GIS industry


Sample Workstation Based Maps:Sample Workstation Based Maps:ContinuedContinued

Microsoft MapPoint (similar to “Streets and Trips”):

– API is provided for developer manipulation of map

– State of Texas statewide program utilizing product for TMC based maps

Benefits

– Provides visually appealing maps

– Well integrated with Microsoft products

Limitations

– Base map data cannot be altered


Workstation Based Maps:Workstation Based Maps:Functionality and Cost SummariesFunctionality and Cost Summaries


Sample Server Based MapsSample Server Based Maps

Google Maps:

– Widely used Internet based map tool

– Easy to build map applications that combine custom data and Google provided base maps

Courtesy: Google maps (http://www.google.com/maps)

Benefits

– Visually appealing maps

– Easy to use Limitations

– Product is still “beta”; long term plans undefined


Sample Server Based Maps:Sample Server Based Maps:ContinuedContinued

Microsoft Maps:

– Internet mapping tool that is quite similar to Google Maps

– Microsoft provides “Map Server” for a usage fee

Courtesy: Spky (http://www.spyk.com/)

Benefits

– Visually appealing maps

– Easy to use

– Microsoft supported Limitations

– Fee based usage structure


Server Based Maps:Server Based Maps:Performance and Cost SummariesPerformance and Cost Summaries


RecommendationsRecommendations

Do not select a map tool until desired functionality is captured

“Needs” for map be captured:– Write as requirements– Prioritize and establish consensus

Evaluate implementation alternatives:– Evaluate implementation options– Evaluate development costs– Evaluate deployment / maintenance / usage

costs


Questions?

Documents

SunGuide SM Map Alternatives Workshop