Maps form a key part of the common operating picture during an event. Crisisworks mapping enables users to interact with the maps without the need to learn to use complex Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software. A GIS can still be used in conjunction with the system for more detailed information if such technical resources are available.
There are two components of Crisisworks mapping:
Maps provide key information relevant to the event. Maps are also used to capture optional geographical information when Requests, Recovery Cases and other register records are added or edited.
The map user interface (UI) provides an easy way to locate records by their address/location and get an overview of affected areas.
The default map view is called the base layer. The base layer comprises a set of map tiles and defines what is viewed in terms of cartography - streets, landmarks and terrain.
Crisisworks supports switching base layers and each has their own look and benefits, though they all share the same navigation interface.
Hybrid devices such as the Windows Surface Pro have a touch screen and behaves like a mobile device. Use touch gestures such as drag and pinch by directly touching the screen to manipulate the map, just like mobile devices. |
To move the map around, use the hand tool to click and drag the map across the view window in any direction you desire.
On desktop computers, hold the mouse button in the map view window and a hand icon will appear. Drag the map across the view window in any direction you desire.
On mobile devices, simply drag the map view with your finger.
Use the plus and minus symbols to zoom in and out. The plus symbol will zoom the map in and the minus symbol will zoom the map out.
To centre the map on your default map centre, click the arrow icon.
Layers control what is viewable in the map area.
There are two types of layers:
The default map view is called the base layer and the default overlay is the current filter.
Crisisworks supports switching on multiple overlays. It also supports switching third party base layers and each has their own features and benefits, though they all share the same navigation interface.
Click the "Layer" icon | Enable and disable layers |
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Overlays are drawn on top of the base layer and correspond to a specific theme. Overlays can be added to Crisisworks by an administrator. The can display information from third party feeds that change in real-time (for example, a fire front updated as it moves). The default overlay is 'Current Filter' which means that the records selected in the current filter will be displayed as an overlay on the map.
Overlays can include:
Overlays of markers and points may indicate individual locations (for example spot fires). Where markers indicate a type of records (such as a Request), they are are indicated with the relevant icons to represent the different types of records in the system.
Hovering on the markers provides more information, while clicking on the marker opens info-box with relevant information from the corresponding record. enables viewing of the record.
To view the related record, click on the title in the infobox.
You can also mark your own points with the Point tool. Click the point tool and mark any affected areas on the map.
This type of overlay could be used to, for example, indicate an area or region (for example a a fire front or a route).
They are indicated by a series of lines connected by points.
This type of overlay could be used to, for example, indicate an area or region (for example a burned area).
They are by indicated by polygons consisting of a collection of lines connected by points. The overlay itself is indicated by the coloured area.
The Crisisworks Assets Manager stores location information on different types of assets.
The Asset Manager supports bulk upload of assets as well as sourcing data directly from a range of geolocation services. A secondary data source, such as Google Streets, can be configured.
To search assets by name
The Find Nearest Assets feature provide a quick way to list nearby assets without setting a filter (see also Assets; Filters).
The feature's default search radius is 5 kilometres.
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It is possible (and indeed common) for customers to supply their own asset data for Crisisworks asset lookups. To do this, lodge a support request and speak with our service desk.
The system can support a flexible range of geospatial asset types including shapefile, TAB file and open formats, and the system can transform between projections. The process involves an initial assessment of the data along with the creation of an import parser rule, and following that, the data can be automatically imported at regular intervals.
As an alternative to importing data into Crisisworks, external layers can be configured for live external overlays onto Crisisworks maps.
Keyhole Markup Language (KML) is an interoperable international standard notation for Internet mapping which is based on XML and is compatible with Google maps used in Crisisworks. Use this format for adding layers representing information that change infrequently (ie. Municipal boundaries, 1-in-100 year flood extent etc).
The latest versions of MapInfo and ArcGIS are capable of exporting to this format. Shapefiles can be converted using tools such as shape2ge. Google Earth Pro can also be used for editing and managing KML files. Note: Datalink cannot support you in the use of these third party tools.
name
and description
attributes of the feature. It is common for geospatial tools to support writing an HTML table into the description
attribute.GeoRSS is an emerging standard for encoding locations into web feeds and is also in XML, however can be accessed via a simple URL. The advantage of GeoRSS is that it can be read and updated in near real-time and can be provided by third parties. Use this format for adding layers representing information that changes (ie. Weather data, current fire boundaries etc).
The RSS parser complies with the RSS 2.0 standard. It is important that your feed validates to this standard in order to function properly as a map layer.
If you wish to reference images and files (such as icons) they need to be hosted on the web (outside of Crisisworks) and correctly referenced by absolute URI. Failure to do this correctly will result in the icons not displaying. As some GIS have their own export format, the KML files may need to be edited. Note that icons and layers work best if they have transparent or semi-transparent backgrounds as opaque images obscure the map beneath.
To import a map KML file:
Once imported, the layer will be available for uses from the Map Layers menu.
To import a map GeoRSS feed: