Today, we’ll examine two websites designed to present geographic information to the public.
Website One: Reporting Potholes
This Northern Ireland-based tool allows users to pinpoint pothole locations on a map. By visualising reports, local authorities can identify high-risk areas and prioritise repairs. Additionally, it helps motorists claim compensation for vehicle damage caused by potholes.
Website Two: Parade Notifications
This website provides details on public parades across Northern Ireland. Given the potential for parades to be contentious, authorities and the public must be aware of their locations. The site lists roads affected, start and end times, and the number of participants.
Comparison
The pothole reporting tool leverages mapping to highlight problem areas, allowing users to spot trends and compare locations easily. It gives a precise location of a pothole, rather than a road name or a vague location.
The parade listings, however, provide only textual route descriptions. While the local population may recognise these locations, the lack of a mapping feature makes it difficult for the broader public to visualise the routes or identify patterns.
Without geographic visualisation, meaningful insights — such as recurring parade routes or overlaps with other events — are harder to discern.
Conclusion
GIS and mapping add crucial context to location-based questions. While analytics and dashboards provide valuable insights, omitting spatial visualisation leaves half of the picture missing. Integrating maps into public information tools enhances clarity, enables pattern recognition, and improves the decision making process.