|
|
|
Euless, Texas, Utilizes Web-Based GIS for Utility MappingDayton, Ohio, December 6, 2006—The City of Euless, Texas, IT Department recently created several simple, but powerful, geographic information system (GIS) Web mapping applications. Using ESRI's ArcIMS software and Freeance commercial plug-and-play application-building software, David Allen, the city's GIS project manager, recently published two Web mapping sites. The city's founder, Elisha Adam Euless, would have been proud. Why? The first Web mapping application is a land records site that saves time both for the public and city employees when searching scanned plat documents. "We recently scanned all of the plats for the city of Euless into digital format. These were used to update the parcel lines," says Allen. "But the resulting data made a great plat index and an even better Freeance application. Zoom to an area, use the Identify Features tool to select a parcel, and all of the plats and replats associated with that parcel are listed. The user can view a scan of the document as filed with the county. This has been a real time saver for the planning staff, and we are making this available outside the city to real estate developers, engineers, and surveyors." The second Web mapping application created by the city is a water/sanitary sewer/?storm water? application that allows both internal users and the public to retrieve plan and profile engineering drawings of the city's utility lines. Allen continues, "In an effort to make our utility maps the best possible, we are GPS'ing the location of all the facilities. As a double check, we are bringing up scans of the original construction documents to verify the material, inventory, and placement. As long as we're going through the trouble of looking them up, we are also linking the image name to the features and building a Freeance-based lookup Web site. Users zoom to the area of interest, use the Identify Features tool to select a line, and are given the option of seeing the plan or profile from the original construction drawings. This lets consulting engineers do their research from their office instead of trudging down to City Hall and hoping the clerk on duty can find what they're after." The City of Euless is one of the hundreds of state and local governments using Freeance Web mapping software, in conjunction with ESRI ArcIMS, to quickly and easily create their own custom Web browsers and mobile GIS mapping applications for BlackBerry handhelds. About Freeance About TDC Group Inc. For more information, contact ### ESRI and ArcIMS are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of ESRI in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners. |
