In a recent article in my Sunday morning quiet time, Boston Globe writer Robert David Sullivan highlighted a unique use of GIS density mapping with some interesting implications for public safety planning and operations.
Oakland CA-based Eric Fischer mined location data from a couple of popular photo websites. From the data gleaned from geo-referenced photos posted by tourists and residents, he built a density map of where the photos were taken. In the map of Boston, the density of tourist photo locations practically outlined the Boston Common and points around the Prudential Center, the State House and the Quincy Market area - all the typical scenes often associated with Boston (or at least, the Cheers TV show).
Implications for public safety is the congregation of tourists in certain areas that may not be intuitively known and also the number of photos taken in creation areas. For more insight as to why this info might be valuable, see my previous blog on the public use of smart phones and digital photography.
In addition, Fischer's website features photo point density maps of other cities around the world - perhaps even your own city.
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Oakland CA-based Eric Fischer mined location data from a couple of popular photo websites. From the data gleaned from geo-referenced photos posted by tourists and residents, he built a density map of where the photos were taken. In the map of Boston, the density of tourist photo locations practically outlined the Boston Common and points around the Prudential Center, the State House and the Quincy Market area - all the typical scenes often associated with Boston (or at least, the Cheers TV show).
Implications for public safety is the congregation of tourists in certain areas that may not be intuitively known and also the number of photos taken in creation areas. For more insight as to why this info might be valuable, see my previous blog on the public use of smart phones and digital photography.
In addition, Fischer's website features photo point density maps of other cities around the world - perhaps even your own city.
