Case Study: Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) ArcIMS Interactive Map

I. Introduction

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) offers an interactive map of its 2030 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) through its web site and on CD-ROMs. The program uses ArcIMS software and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to create a reliable, simple user interface and show a map of the RTP and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) projects for the Atlanta region.

ARC has strived to make the map flexible enough to meet the needs of a broad audience, including internal staff, planning partners, board members, elected officials, the public, advocacy groups, consultants and commercial development enterprises.

The map allows users to zoom to different levels of detail and search projects by a variety of categories. Information is available on each project including budgets and schedules.

The map allows users to zoom to different levels of detail and search projects by a variety of categories. Information is available on each project including budgets and schedules.

II. Benefits

The primary goal of developing the map was to make project information available in a way that the public could understand. As a result of the map, ARC has observed that the public is more educated and the number of requests for project information fielded by ARC staff has significantly decreased. Over the past three years since ARC developed the program, people have asked much more thoughtful questions at public meetings. They also bring printed copies of the maps they have obtained online. As a result, there is much better dialogue at the meetings. Although the interactive map is not the only factor playing into this improvement, ARC recognizes it as an important one.

The online map has often allowed ARC to show better maps than the print versions typically used in meetings. In the past, ARC would print maps to bring to public meetings and these were the only maps available to the public. However, because these maps were printed in black and white and regional maps covered too much land area and included so many projects, they were never distinct enough to be useful. ARC also experimented with county and sub-area maps, but creating multiple maps was a duplicative and time-consuming process. Printed maps are still used at public meetings, but now participants are referred to the on line mapping system to obtain more information. Because the online map can be customized to different scales and is in color it is generally more useful to users than the printed maps.

One other benefit of the program is that ARC creates CDs containing the entire RTP, supporting documents and GIS files. The CD is self-executing and does not require special software (except for use of the GIS files). It was developed in-house by ARC using LMSOFT software. While users of the CD may not see all of the details that ARC modelers would, project fact sheets and data are consistent with the regional travel demand model. Any additional detail that ARC maintains is also a matter of public record if inquiries are received. The CDs are available to the public and so far ARC has produced four different runs of the CDs. A new run of CDs is "published" each time there is a major update to the RTP/TIP. When amendments or updates are adopted, raw data can be available to the public immediately, but there is usually a few weeks lag time before products such as the CD and the Interactive Map can be ready.

III. Features

The ArcIMS mapping program has several important features. The opening web page (shown below) offers users several options. Navigation buttons are located across the top of the map and an informational window is located to the right of the map. There is also a region overview map in the upper right part of the screen that shows the entire region and uses a red box to show where the current map screen is in the region.

Figure 1: This is the opening screen for the Atlanta Regional Commission's ArcIMS Interactive Mapping Program.

A. Search Features

The search feature allows users to search for projects by the following categories:

• intersection
• jurisdiction
• type of project
• project number

When users search by intersection, the program generates a map showing a three-mile radius around the queried intersection. Searching by jurisdiction, type of project or project number will generate a listing of projects or a single project in a small window to the right of the interactive map. By clicking on a project of interest, users re-center the map and the selected project is highlighted. General information about the project can also be obtained by clicking on a small folder icon to the left of the project name. There is also a link to a project fact sheet in the list of general information (more details below).

Below is a project that has been identified by the search features and it is highlighted in yellow on the map. In the right window are some informational details as well as the link to the project fact sheet.

Figure 2: This is a screen shot that shows the result of a project search.

B. Project Fact Sheet

The project fact sheet link launches a PDF in a new browser window that includes information such as funding amounts and a small map of the specific project. ARC uses Aero Atlas (a local map company) atlas-quality maps as the base maps on many of the fact sheets. Below is a sample project fact sheet that was taken from one of the projects on Atlanta's current interactive map.

Figure 3: This screen shot shows a project fact sheet for one of the projects in ARC TIP.

IV. ArcIMS Development

The ArcIMS interactive map was first developed in conjunction with the update of the Atlanta Regional Transportation Plan for 2025 and the 2003-2005 TIP. It became available to the public in October of 2002. It was funded jointly by the GIS and Planning departments and required $10,000 for help from an outside consultant to set up the ArcIMS software. Additionally, two to three ARC staff members worked in development for two to three months, after the consultant developed the first cut with the software. ARC did not calculate the exact level of effort but estimated that it was approximately 1.5 times 1 person working full time over 3 months.

There are several steps in the development process that should not be overlooked. First, agencies considering developing an interactive map program should evaluate their internal capabilities to see if they have the skills required for 1) developing a new system and 2) maintaining it. Dedicated GIS/IT staff is a major advantage for MPOs or State DOTs considering a program, as hiring consultants to do maintenance work may not be as cost effective. Consultants can be useful at start-up for initial software set-up and training.

Input and feedback are useful in the development process because of the variety of individuals and groups who will use the interactive map. Groups to include for feedback on an initial version are: 1) elected officials 2) technical committee and 3) the public.

It is important to publicize an interactive map program so that the public will know it is available. Publicizing activities could include hosting demonstrations for board members and technical and public committees, using flyers or business cards, and posting the link on the front center of the agency homepage.

Maintenance is an important issue to consider when looking at the long-term operating costs. Fewer than 100 hours over the past year have been dedicated to maintaining ARC system through adding amendments, which is a simple process. However, in developing the 2030 RTP few projects transferred without modification from the 2025 plan to the 2030 plan. Many of the shape files created for the ArcIMS website required a high level of review, which, with over 1,200 projects and 1,544 fact sheets created for the update, was a labor-intensive process.

V. Challenges and Lessons Learned

ARC interactive map has been a generally successful project without much controversy. Following are several recommendations that ARC offered for agencies considering implementing and interactive map program.

• Agencies should appoint meticulous and thorough staff to do data entry and carve out a block of time for them. Do not let updates drag on because the information is constantly changing. Keep it current!
• Consider all the ways that users might want to view information and try to incorporate that into the search features.
• Dedicated GIS/IT staff is a major advantage, as hiring consultants to do maintenance work may not be cost effective for ARC or many MPOs. Consultants can be useful at start-up for initial set-up and training
• Maintaining an interactive map site itself is not very difficult. However updating the GIS files and fact sheets which form the basis of the site is a huge undertaking whenever there is a RTP/TIP update.
• Interested agencies should also be aware that an interactive map site may require elevating their overall level and quality of documenting their plans.

VI. Next Steps

With the completion of the update to its interactive map in conjunction with the 2030 RTP, ARC will focus on several other ideas for the site. One feature that ARC is planning to add will enhance the agency's ability to receive and organize comments from the public. When users bring up a project fact sheet there would be a link with the words "send email with your comments." The link would create an email and populate the subject line with the specific project name and number. This would enable ARC to compile public comments more easily because each comment will be tied to an exact project. ARC would then be able to enter comments into its comment database more easily. The goal of this new feature would be to help ARC streamline the public comment database publication process.

Another plan for the ArcIMS program is adding layers. Currently there are only three available layers: RTP Projects, Interstate Highways and Counties. ARC plans to enhance this feature with more options. Examples include differentiating between TIP and RTP projects, adding census information, adding a layer with points of interest, adding layers addressing Environmental Justice, congestion, and air quality, and adding important locations such as job centers.

Some enhancements that ARC is currently discussing internally but has not formally begun are the ability to link to project-specific web sites and the creation of online forums. If any of the projects have their own web sites, a link would be provided from the interactive map. Additionally, users may be able to post comments to the site in an online forum. This would depend on ARC ability to dedicate staff to monitoring the forum.

VII. Contact Information

David Haynes, Atlanta Regional Commission
404-463-3280