Mapping

Food for thought: Data tool maps food, climate and racial equity risks

A new data tool breaks down existing data and policy silos so state and local governments can identify and reduce those interconnected risks.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

County’s advanced mapping tool supports development decisions

Henry County, Georgia, used it to decide where freight facilities should go. But the computer-based tool could be repurposed to help other communities address their hot-button issues.

  • By Chris Teale

How One State Tracks Down Cartographic ‘Phantoms’

To improve the accuracy of its maps, the Wisconsin State Cartographer’s Office is weeding out small rural communities that no longer exist.

  • By Stephanie Kanowitz

Virginia Gives Its Transit Agencies Access to Planning Software

The software helps agencies find gaps in their transportation networks and understand where service can be added or refined. It can also analyze demographic data to ensure that service is as equitable as possible. 

  • By Chris Teale

VR Map Tracks ‘Silent Killer’ of Extreme Heat

A 3-D map of Washington, D.C., overlaid with temperature data illustrates urban heat islands and shows neighborhoods that are most at risk.

  • By Chris Teale

Nonprofit Cites ‘Inaccuracies’ in New Broadband Maps

Open internet advocate Public Knowledge urged the FCC to clarify the challenge process, the availability of satellite internet and the role of anchor institutions.

  • By Chris Teale

A City Seeks Digital Maps of Its Public Building Interiors

As original blueprints are no longer accurate, Aurora, Illinois, wants indoor, "digital twin" imaging to update records and increase public safety.

  • By Chris Teale

Visualizing Vulnerability: County Maps Show Areas of Greatest Need

To study equity differences at systemic and place-based levels, Fairfax County put census data on color-coded maps so that officials can quickly see areas of greatest need.

  • By Stephanie Kanowitz

Sensing Disaster: Using Tech to Improve Preparedness in New York City

COMMENTARY | Increased adoption of GIS technologies can help New York predict and prepare for future emergencies.

  • By David LaShell

What’s in a Map? Three Ways Local Governments Can Leverage Location Intelligence to Improve Cities

COMMENTARY | Mapping technology presents an opportunity to manage municipal governments with increased precision and accuracy.

  • By Miranda Ashby-Annoon

Camp Fire’s Dispersed Survivors Plot Their New Homes on a Map

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Political turmoil continues in Virginia … Hawaii’s mainland prison inmates … and email scammers using Fla. mayor’s name.

  • By Michael Grass

Explore Route Fifty’s 2018 Newsmap

From Akron, Ohio, to Yavapai County, Arizona, and countless other places, navigate the year in state and local government news from around the nation.

  • By Michael Grass
Featured eBooks
The Changing Transportation Landscape
The Digital Transformation of State and Local Government
Generative AI in State and Local Government

The Geography of Street Resurfacing in Chicago

As Rahm Emanuel prepares to leave City Hall next year, this map helps cement his transportation legacy in the nation’s third-largest city.

  • By Michael Grass

3 GIS Policy Trends to Consider

Steering committees, distributed models and named user licensing are catching on.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Cloud-Based Mapping Could Play a Bigger Role in Disaster Response This Hurricane Season

Localities are using maps to visualize hazards, process damage imagery and crowdsource flood information.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Grant Funding Will Jumpstart Statewide Broadband Mapping in Kansas

A data-collection partnership will identify service shortcomings.

  • By Michael Grass

A Maryland County Uses Interactive Maps to Design Bicycle Master Plan

COMMENTARY | Montgomery County's maps are expected to guide recommendations to improve cycling in the area. Planners evaluated 3,500 miles of roads and reached out to a diverse group of residents for input.

  • By Wyatt Cmar

Apple's New OS Will Automatically Share Your Location During 911 Calls

First responders will be able to find callers faster.

  • By Caitlin Fairchild

Exploring Pittsburgh’s War Monuments and Memorials Inventory

The city's guide currently includes 120 locations and is still a work in progress.

  • By Michael Grass

Why We Need a National Infrastructure Map

Setting priorities is hindered by the lack of systematic information available on the nation’s inventory of infrastructure assets, their location and condition.

  • By Teresa W. Gerton, Christopher K. Tucker, Wayne A. Crew and Jonathan Koppell

Google Maps Unveils Tool to Locate Drug Disposal Sites

The company hopes it will play a part in reducing opioid use.

  • By Caitlin Fairchild