Read on to learn more about validating and managing GIS data to secure quality map data for more efficient decisions during emergency situations.

Why Should You Validate and Manage Map Data?

Having access to ‘more’ location or situational data is not enough; it is essential to leverage your map data to derive better insights and make informed decisions. Without accurate data, responses could be delayed and resources could be sent to the wrong location, which causes communication professionals to lose confidence in the solutions they use. While you should strive to have more data points to improve accuracy, it is equally essential to have proper data validation and management processes in place. Cloud-based location mapping software produces excellent returns on investment (ROI) by utilizing quality data to generate more confident responses. Cloud-based location intelligence software has the advantage of real-time traffic and weather camera views for the most recent, accurate information when ECC staff make these crucial routing decisions. Moreover, access to the internet of things (IoT) provides multiple extra data point sources to cross-reference, whether from a wearable device or smart home object. Learn about the 4 Stages of Technology in an ECC to determine opportunities for your ECC to capitalize on information sources and location software that are available today. These additional information streams provide valuable data validation as long as ECC software efficiently displays them for easy and fast situational awareness.

For example, to enhance the quality of responses to critical and time-sensitive public safety situations, it is vital to use the available location data to identify the shortest route to the incident location so that emergency vehicles can reach the spot faster. Suppose the information used to determine the shortest route is incorrect, or the emergency personnel cannot decipher what’s on display. If that is the case, the data is not as effective as it needs to be. Actionable location intelligence encompasses four characteristics that take the quantity of data and its display for ECC responders into account. Data can only be reliable and valuable for ECCs when accurate and easily consumable.

Resources for Validating and Managing Map Data

As mentioned above, validating and managing map data should be a priority for ECCs since map data forms the foundation for emergency response decisions. To be completely confident that the map data is accurate, there are several avenues for its verification and management. Many companies have a dedicated GIS department that oversees map data maintenance and analysis. If internal resources cannot be allocated towards an in-house GIS department, third-party vendor options can employ advanced tools for ongoing map maintenance. Third-party GIS vendors can be a valuable asset to your company since they supplement your team and fill in the gaps in your data management. If you need a recommendation for a trusted open-source maps vendor, contact your Comtech representative to get started. Comtech’s vendor-agnostic intelligent location mapping software integrates with almost all GIS data sets. GIS integration capability is a top advantage since it means that you can continue with your current GIS management process (if you already have one in place), or it enables you to work with a variety of vendors of your choosing.

Get Started with Comtech Maps and Map Portal

Comtech offers innovative, feature-rich platforms with capabilities to customize contextual mapping solutions. Complete with robust applications, their powerful technology captures and displays real-time situational data to get actionable insights so emergency situations can be addressed more effectively by ECCs. Comtech’s SmartResponse provides a user interface that integrates almost any GIS data set to provide emergency personnel the ultimate situational awareness experience. The Map Editor tool allows the user to easily add or modify layers into SmartResponse without the need to touch the base GIS data set. Reach out to our team for help identifying which cloud-based location mapping software options will be compatible with your NENA i3 solution to optimize and advance your ECC.

Businesses need a reliable, accurate location and mapping platform to keep things running smoothly. Comtech’s Trusted OpenStreetMaps (TOSM) convert crowd-sourced data into mapping data that is suitable for commercial mapping and vehicle navigation as well as public safety applications.

Why does your organization need crowd-sourced maps?

•  Provides free, updated data instantaneously
•  Engages with customers and employees in an up-to-the-minute format
•  Runs in countries where resources to collect data is limited

Why does your organization need Trusted OpenStreetMaps?

•  Provides accurate data which is cleaned, normalized and enhanced beyond OSM
•  Enhanced with additional data sources, offering a feature-rich experience
•  Updated with real-time traffic conditions
•  Supports integration with additional data layers
•  Works with industry-proven navigation engines for routing, geocoding and map rendering

From OpenStreetMap to Trusted OpenStreetMaps

Data Cleaning

Removing inaccurate, unnecessary, and duplicate data is an important feature of TOSM. Sometimes, data contributors input erroneous information leading to a poor user-experience. In some cases, rogue contributors edit data with inappropriate names or inaccurate information which diminishes the reputation of the application. Trusted OpenStreetMaps has algorithms to correct errors and check for data vandalism. Once sanitized, OSM data is then partitioned and indexed for high performance processing.

Normalization

Proprietary algorithms normalize attributes like ramps, roundabouts, route types and road names. These algorithms identify missing attributes in OSM data and add them into TOSM. Realtime navigation benefits from detailed road attributes, enhancing the overall user experience. These algorithms scan the data, adjust road classifications, and add rich elements important for routing.

This is how data changes from OSM to TOSM:

Enhancement

TOSM algorithms use data collected over time to adjust road speed based on road classification and density. TOSM combats the lack of geocoding data in traditional OSM by using data from Tiger and other third parties to add address ranges and point addresses. TOSM converts prominent building polygons to 3D untextured buildings. Using proprietary algorithms, sign post images are generated from sign text and associate with roads in real-time navigation. TOSM also has unique traffic codes (Tcodes) which can support real-time traffic. Interactive, searchable points of interest (POI) from any source can be added as another layer on top of TOSM. The platform is designed so layers can be customized for individual users.

Validation

TOSM also has several automated tools to test and validate different layers of data. Regression test suites are used to test TOSM data at the engine level providing useful feedback for quick correction and data validation.

Comtech’s TOSM platform is a feature-rich, immersive solution for mapping and turn-by-turn navigation in any environment. We clean, enhance, and integrate third-party data sources to empower you to deliver the best map experience possible. This technology is used by public safety, navigation applications, people and asset tracking as well as logistics and transportation. Comtech can build the right solution for your business to meet any need.

What are Open-Source Maps?

Open-source maps are computerized maps developed with information sourced from the crowd. These maps are deemed “open”, like open-source software, in that they are free for people to use and to expand upon. Unlike maps developed, maintained, controlled and sold by private entities, open-source maps are available for all to work with.

Major providers of maps include:

• TomTom
• HERE
• Apple Maps
• Google Maps

Additional map providers that are less well known, but that you may also be familiar with include:

• Mapbox
• Comtech
• Telenav
• Garmin
• ESRI

The main point here is that we should be glad that there are multiple sources for maps, since a company that achieves near-monopolistic status could wind up with too much control over where we go and how we get there (as well as potentially censoring locations from public view or otherwise reducing map utility).

Benefits in Comparison to Other Map Types

A major benefit of using open-source maps is that local contributors can quickly update changes in their location, instead of waiting for a central committee to make changes. The communities that are building open-source maps contribute data based on GPS information from their own devices, imagery taken from the air as well as field maps to check accuracy.

The sheer number of dedicated people providing updates to open-source maps means that more details about the surface of the earth will be catalogued to help us better navigate our surroundings. Of course, quality of mapping data depends to a large degree on using trusted providers, which are companies that create and maintain basemaps for open-source map usage.

Potential Drawbacks When Using Maps

While there is a range of benefits to using open-source maps, stakeholders at organizations considering deploying them in their own projects and applications should be aware of some possible drawbacks as well.

Before evaluating providers of mapping data, you should make sure to check on ownership of the data. Some map providers retain your information, while others do not.

Most importantly, you will need to obtain objective, third-party reviews of the maps as to how accurate they are. Part of this research should be to learn how the provider responds to reports of errors, how it audits problems in its mapping, and how often it announces updates.

Finally, be aware of the provider’s limitations. Do they offer maps on a global basis or do they only provide maps for the U.S.? While your initial application may only call for United States coverage, your user base or project parameters may expand, leaving you to sort out how to integrate maps for the rest of the world. Don’t get caught off guard in this respect.

How Open-Source Maps Can Be Useful

Open-source maps can be useful in a number of ways. You do not have to pay to use them in your application, which means they present no barrier to entry when you want to start a business or expand an existing service. Since you can customize the use of open-source map information, you have versatility that can lead to innovative products.

Do You Need Mapping Services for an Upcoming Project or Service?

If you have any questions about how Comtech Enterprise Technologies uses open-source maps for our mapping and navigation solutions or would like a consultation, please get in touch with us today.