Abstract

Northwest Maps sets a new standard for municipal information services
Track: State and Local Government
Authors: Brenda Cooper, Xiaoning Jiang, Todd Slind

The new NWMaps.net uses modern web-design to provide efficient access to community information. NWMaps.net is a 'one-stop geo-information shop' for citizens. Based on ArcGIS Server, NWMaps.net involves a common schema shared across member cities and automated processes that unite data into a common database. A service-oriented application, it incorporates map services and several other services from third-party sources. It is more maintainable, extensible and leverage-able than the prior NWMaps.
The real advantage of NWMaps is user experience. Site layout is simple: a Home page, a Results page and a Map View Page. Each page provides a single search box that will accept addresses, place names or parcel numbers. The approach responds to users' expectations for a Google-like search experience, including type-ahead suggestions and results disambiguation. NWMaps.net provides an excellent example of Federated GIS and innovative approaches to user experience in accessing geospatial information.