ArcUser Online

Mapmaking is not an everyday task for the public health department. Fortunately, funding was provided for hiring a map designer who created the bicycle map's final layout. Components that were created in-house and used by the designer included

• ArcView project
• Cover art for front panel
• Bicycle safety tip graphics
• Legend design and wording
• Wording and logos for back panel

Approximately 1,500 bicycle maps were printed and distributed to recreation centers, chambers of commerce, the YMCA, public libraries, parks and recreation departments, planning departments, and local bicycle shops. These maps ran out within a month, so another 5,000 were printed and distributed.

As the ArcIMS version of the bicycle map was in development, WCCHD formed a partnership with the Williamson County Commissioners Court. [The Commissioners Court is the overall governing and management body of Williamson County.] The Commissioners Court had passed a resolution that would provide for the documentation and preservation of historical trees in Williamson County that are 29 inches or more in diameter and are located within the right-of-way of county and state roads. The commissioners wanted to make a map of scenic driving and bicycle routes that would show off these historical trees. The idea of integrating bicycling and scenic destinations was born.

By documenting and photographing historical trees, cemeteries, and historical markers and including them online, the Web version of the map gained greater functionality than the paper version. It incorporates the concept of destinations with bicycling and is helping preserve part of the county's history. Photographs of historical trees, markers, and cemeteries also make the Web map even more interesting.

Fortunately funds were available to support this new aspect of the project. Tree data collection was performed using better technology. A local consultant company, wptc, was hired to develop custom processes for collecting and analyzing the data. Equipped with handheld devices that were loaded with digital orthophoto quarter quadrangle (DOQQ) images and a custom application that generated coordinates, staff collected the coordinates and descriptive information for the trees, cemeteries, and some historical markers. Most historical marker coordinates were obtained from the Texas Historical Commission.

A digital camera was used to photograph the trees, markers, and cemeteries. Data and photographs were uploaded to a master database. An ArcView project uses data from the master database to create event themes for the trees, markers, and cemeteries. These shapefiles were used for the ArcIMS bicycle map project.

The final product, available at wcbikemap.org, is an online interactive map that encourages residents to hit the road and enjoy the scenic, natural, and cultural heritage that makes Williamson County such a unique and magnificent place to live. The map rates roadways based on how bicycle-friendly they are. Visitors can create and print a custom route and view a photo collection of county attractions and historical information.