Looking at Life in the Virtual Lane (Metropolitan Report, 2007)

Google Earth™: A New Way to Display Data
Have you ever wondered what the region's transportation network might look like in 20 years?  What would it be like to drive down a road that hasn't yet been built?  How much traffic congestion clogs our existing roads?  Is it getting worse?  What is being done about it?

These kinds of questions are easier to answer than ever before because of some new technologies developed by BMC.  BMC staff is leading the nation among Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in using interactive mapping with Google Earth™
 technology.   

Google Earth™ is a free geo-spatial software technology that utilizes high-resolution satellite imagery, aerial photography and other datasets to create a 3-D model of the planet.

BMC has begun using Google Earth™ to display data about the Baltimore region, primarily its transportation system. After a user has installed the software, the user can download additional layers of data by visiting BMC's Google Earth™ Download Center.  

These data layers include:

Transportation 2030, the 2004 Baltimore Regional Transportation Plan
BMC staff created a visual listing of all the projects listed in the 2004 long-range plan.  Information about each project is also displayed, including the project name, estimated effective year, mode, and a brief description of the project.  BMC is the first MPO in the country to display this information for use with Google Earth™.

Average Travel Speeds on Freeways and Arterial Roadways
BMC collects travel speed data using drivers equipped with Global Positioning System units.  The data, which is collected annually during peak morning and evening travel times, is averaged to provide a color-coded level of service display. This data is used to identify areas of chronic traffic congestion in the region and is part of BMC's Congestion Monitoring Program.

Selected Areas of Congestion
BMC also uses aerial photo-surveys to monitor traffic patterns in the metro area.  Selected areas of congestion are now available for viewing utilizing Google Earth™.

Bicycle/Pedestrian Levels of Service
BMC used Google Earth™ to display the results of a 2004 report on bicycle and pedestrian levels of service on 1400+ miles of roadways throughout the Baltimore region.

Driving Tours of Major Roadways in the Baltimore Region
And finally, staff created tours of major roadways including I-695, I-83, I-95 and others.

Other Metropolitan Report articles

BMC's Web Mapping

Last Updated on Monday, 07 May 2007 06:25