Regional map data abounds, but is expensive

Detailed map data offers tremendous potential to expand our understanding of the world in which we live. Unfortunately, most localities in the immediate area charge for this data, which should be publicly available to everyone.

Past posts on Greater Greater Washington and here on Just Down The Parkway have featured user-created maps based on GIS (Geographic Information Systems) data from DC and Alexandria.

DC's GIS data availability in particular has been described as "a treasure trove of interesting information." There are numerous data layers available to the public for free at the city's GIS Data Catalog.

But DC is the only jurisdiction in the region that offers so much data for free. The City of Alexandria and every county in the immediate DC area charge for the same type of GIS data. Some charge exorbitant rates.

I contacted each jurisdiction's GIS office in order to determine the price charged for three common map layers: building footprints, zoning, and elevation contours. The prices are shown in this chart:



Alexandria and Loudoun charge a nominal price for CDs containing their full data set, which offers all of the GIS data they make available to the public. Arlington is similar but more expensive, as they separate their contour data from the rest and charge more for the contours. Prince William splits their land area up into several small geographic squares called "tiles," and then charges by tile instead of countywide. Fairfax provides countywide data, but charges a higher rate.

Even Fairfax is affordable compared to jurisdictions in Maryland, though. By comparison, both Montgomery and Prince George's charge excessive rates. They both charge "by tile," like Prince William, but with several hundred tiles within each county, the cost of full coverage skyrockets significantly.

There are some exceptions. Both Fairfax and Montgomery offer downloads of limited data for free. In Montgomery's case the free data comes as Google Earth "kml" files. However, the bulk of their GIS data, including the three layers mentioned above, comes at a price.

A number of free or low-cost GIS programs are available for the general public. As GIS becomes a more mainstream way to gather information, good data availability will become even more paramount. Making it available to the public at a nominal cost or free of charge is a good opportunity for jurisdictions to be more open with their residents, and to foster understanding and innovation.

It costs each jurisdiction virtually nothing to give the data to additional users. Some localities have argued in the past that they need to charge to recoup the cost of generating the data. However, that ignores the massive public good that comes from making it possible for people to create maps on their own, even if those maps will just get posted online somewhere and never earn anyone a dime.

Some area jurisdictions, DC in particular, have recognized this. It would behoove the other jurisdictions to follow suit.

Cross-posted on GreaterGreaterWashington.

Huntington flood/redevelopment meeting tweets

Last night was the second in a recent series of meetings stemming from last Thursday's flooding of lower Huntington from Cameron Run and the huge rains we had from Tropical Storm Lee's leftovers.

Brian Krebs wrote a quick article for Patch about last night's meeting. I'm not (yet) going to do much of a writeup, but wanted to include tweets from during the meeting itself. Three people, Brian, myself, and someone going by 22303huntington live-tweeted the meeting. Though some topics are duplicated between Brian and I, this should give you a fairly good feel for how the meeting progressed and what got discussed. I will admit that, at the beginning, I expected the meeting to be more contentious than it wound up being. All in all, it was a very civil meeting with almost no tempers flaring.

Here's the tweets in chronological order, starting around 7pm and lasting until about 9:30pm. Beware that this is a very long list:

ajfroggie
Here for a Huntington community mtg related to last week's flood. (@ Mount Vernon Mount Vernon Governmental Center) http://4sq.com/pyurCx

ajfroggie
Expecting a contentious mtg tonite. Lots of #Huntington folks were flooded out last week. ABC7 is here.

ajfroggie
Hoping to see @BelleHavenPatch and @22303huntington here. Will live-tweet what I can given the crappy 3G svc in this bldg. #Huntington

ajfroggie
Laying the ground rules early. Sure sign that this'll be a contentious mtg. #Huntington

ajfroggie
According to NWS numbers, this was 1000yr storm at Ft Belvoir & 500yr storm at Kingstowne. #Huntington

ajfroggie
Mention of numerous water rescues in lower #Huntington last Thurs night.

ajfroggie
Asking about Spanish speaking firefighters and response times.

ajfroggie
Siren at end of Fenwick that either doesn't work, or wasn't activated. #Huntington

BelleHavenPatch
Standing room only at the Mt Vernon Gov't Center meeting to discuss #Huntington flooding. Never seen the parking lot so packed.

ajfroggie
Still 19 power outages in lower #Huntington.

ajfroggie
#Huntington Community Ctr being used as staging point for aid.

BelleHavenPatch
Currently 19 homes w/o power in #Huntington: one on Fenwick Drive & the rest on Arlington Terrace, —Michael Guditus emergency mgmt office

ajfroggie
Lots of talk fm county on continuous trash collection, mosquito control, and health/safety issues. #Huntington

ajfroggie
Free fans to those 60+y.o. #Huntington

22303huntington
Mt. Vernon Comm Center #Huntington flood meeting right now http://yfrog.com/gyd15lqj

ajfroggie
Praise from some for the county's and Red Cross's response. #Huntington

BelleHavenPatch
Supervisor Gerry Hyland just walked into #Huntington flood meeting, greeted with applause.

ajfroggie
Sup. Hyland now here. Time for the serious talk on what to do next. #Huntington

BelleHavenPatch
One source told Hyland parts of #Huntington had "1000-year storm"

ajfroggie
Hyland asked FFX BoS on Tues to add #Huntington to a stormwater bond. Would go to voters Nov. '12.

BelleHavenPatch
Hyland: Supervisors will discuss bond issue at retreat next year w/ new board and then budget session in April. Would be on ballot Nov. 2012

BelleHavenPatch
Hyland: "Even if the board were to authorize the bond, we are still not going to have protection" for at least another five years

ajfroggie
$30M to do a levee & pump station in #Huntington.

ajfroggie
Another option would be to redevelop lower #Huntington. Wld require changing Huntington Conservation Plan.

ajfroggie
Concern from Hyland that the Conservation Plan protects #Huntington from being "bought out" by developers.

22303huntington
Talking points from #Huntington meeting: Future? Give owners fair market value? Storm bond for levy in 5+ years? Lift conservation plan?

ajfroggie
Someone just asked about dredging Cameron Run. Hyland: wouldn't keep water out of #Huntington.

BelleHavenPatch
"Dredging Cameron outside of your community is not going to allow us to keep the water out of your community" —Hyland quoting Corps study

22303huntington
#Huntington meeting talking points: Dredging not an option in Huntington, but maybe from GW parkway, says hydrologist.

ajfroggie
hyland: #Huntington floods becausenthere is a huge developed watershed to the west. Too much water & not enough stormwater management.

BelleHavenPatch
Hyland blames Cameron Run flooding at #Huntington "too much water coming out of the properties to the west. ... It's a capacity problem."

ajfroggie
Levee was asked for after '06 flood. Needed 6 votes fm BoS. Didn't get voted on. #Huntington

ajfroggie
Hyland: levee needed. Moran tried but won't get Fed funding. Will need to be funded locally fm bonding. Won't come fm gen fund.

BelleHavenPatch
Here's the info from Army Corps of Engineer report on #Huntington, Cameron Run flooding on @FairfaxCounty site: http://ow.ly/6uKdq

22303huntington
Hyland says, only short term way to save the lower #Huntington community is to build a levy, at flood meeting

ajfroggie
Apparently a flood control study was done 40yrs ago. #Huntington

ajfroggie
Each watershed has been studied, but implementation would cost multi-millions. Hyland: we don't have the time to wait for that. #Huntington

ajfroggie
Hyland supports stormwater bond, but need to put pressure on other Sups. #Huntington

ajfroggie
All: sorry for the mass horde of tweets. Live-tweeting a mtg abt #Huntington flood issues after last week's mess.

ajfroggie
Flows on Cameron Run last week were similar to '06 flood. Causes backups on storm drains & into basements. #Huntington

ajfroggie
Question abt pushing both the levy and revising-or-dropping the Conservation Plan. #Huntington

BelleHavenPatch
The community can pursue both options, Hyland said, attempt to get bond for levee and remove conservation plan to promote redevelopment

ajfroggie
Concern that new homeowners would lose out if Conservation Plan lifted. #Huntington

ajfroggie
Question if Conservation Plan could be lifted by street instead of lifting the whole plan. #Huntington

BelleHavenPatch
A resident asked about the ramifications for new homeowners. "What is our financial viability in this?"

BelleHavenPatch
Same resident said he would be financially devastated if he got less than what he paid for home.

BelleHavenPatch
Gerry Hyland speaking to a packed house at #Huntington flood meeting at Mount Vernon Government Center. http://yfrog.com/nuxfncxj

22303huntington
@BelleHavenPatch Can you ask if they will post a site or email box for public comment, please?

ajfroggie
Discussion on backflow preventers. Some commenting that they've installed them for $75 and it really helped.

BelleHavenPatch
Talk of backflow drains and disagreement on prices—ranging from $75 to $1000

BelleHavenPatch
Multiple residents have commented on how much they love their community. Lots of residents I've talked to, don't want to move.

BelleHavenPatch
One resident said community needs to band together to lift conservation plan and could get good price for redevelopment

ajfroggie
Speaker doubting viability of getting the levee & proposing homeowners band together so when developers come, homeowners get the best deal.

ajfroggie
Hyland: if this area gets redeveloped, we'd do everything possible to reduce the number of cars. #Huntington

BelleHavenPatch
Hyland said he won't condemn any properties for residents that don't want it

ajfroggie
Gotta wonder if process of changing/dropping the Conservation Plan will increase attendence at #Huntington Community Association meetings.

ajfroggie
Hyand citing Kelo vs. New London in how he'll defend homeowners. #Huntington

ajfroggie
Question how community will vote on this. Hyland's response is it'll probably go through #Huntington Community Association.

BelleHavenPatch
One resident, representing the Huntington Community Association, said the real value for the community is the land they own, not the homes

BelleHavenPatch
HCA representative asked Hyland for "concurrent planning" for bond referendum and lifting conservation plan for commercial development

ajfroggie
Resident: what we need from Hyland is a real estate expert to help us determine how/whether Conservation Plan should be changed. #Huntington

ajfroggie
Same resident: second thing we need is lawyers to guide us through the legal ramifications. #Huntington

BelleHavenPatch
Resident request for real estate, lawyers to assist community if they decide to redevelop #Huntington

BelleHavenPatch
3 professions with least respect: politicians, lawyers & used car salesmen, Hyland said. He's done first 2 but wants to go for 'trifecta'

BelleHavenPatch
Re: last tweet, Hyland seems more laid back, relaxed tonight compared to Saturday's meeting. Cracking jokes and shedding his suit jacket.

BelleHavenPatch
County staff official warns community about 'hold outs' in redevelopment. Cites communities in Vienna and near Dulles.

ajfroggie
County zoning staff citing what was done near Vienna Metro as an example. #Huntington

BelleHavenPatch
Candidate for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Will Radle gets microphone to speak at meeting. #Huntington

ajfroggie
Candidate for County Chair is now speaking. Can't help but think he's speaking for votes. #Huntington

BelleHavenPatch
"We do have the resources," and should look forward to solutions for #Huntington, Radle said. Remarks met with brief, scattered applause.

ssurovell
At Gum Springs tonight with VDOT, FCDOT discussing US1, Sherwood Hall Ln, & doing something about traffic!

ajfroggie
HCA member now discussing the proposed Conservation Plan revisions that county never implemented. #Huntington

ajfroggie
@ssurovell Will you blog about that? Some of us next door w/Sup Hyland discussing Huntington flooding.

BelleHavenPatch
A developed #Huntington would include affordable dwelling units, Hyland said.

ajfroggie
Hyland: many in #Huntington here because they can afford it. If redevelopment happens, need to ensure there are plenty of affordable units.

ajfroggie
Hyland: higher than the current 12% set-aside. So that those who want to stay can afford to. #Huntington

BelleHavenPatch
Hyland: "A lot of people will want to stay, and we need to find away for them to do that." #Huntington

BelleHavenPatch
Hyland: back flow preventers information should be available in "a couple days"

BelleHavenPatch
Every mention so far about the county's help with response, cleanup has been met with applause.

BelleHavenPatch
"I am going to be dogged to make sure I know how they feel." Hyland on residents who don't respond to outreach on route to take

ajfroggie
Lady speaking about defective storm drains and asking what county will do about them.

BelleHavenPatch
Important numbers: Gerry Hyland: 703.967.0157. Brett Kenney, Chief Aide to Hyland: 703.780.7518

BelleHavenPatch
One resident shares potential solutions for homeowners to mitigate flooding: raised furnaces and tankless water heaters

ajfroggie
Lady speaking for her father...concerned abt representation of seniors and "oldtimers" in the process. #Huntington

BelleHavenPatch
One resident asks community to consider older, established residents, not just younger, new residents.

BelleHavenPatch
Hyland: Mount Vernon has largest % of seniors in Fairfax County of all magisterial districts.

ajfroggie
Speaker proposes dropping Conservation Plan & raisinf density immediately & allowing developers to landbank over time as residents sell out.

ajfroggie
Hyland disagrees, calls if "leapfrog development". #Huntington

BelleHavenPatch
Next: #Huntington Community Association meeting on Thursday, Oct. 6 invites Hyland and staff for more information and dialogue

BelleHavenPatch
HCA rep brings up Huntington Avenue development: "It seems to me that re-planning it seems in order"

BelleHavenPatch
Hyland asking #Huntington Community Association to create committee within to focus on redeveloping

BelleHavenPatch
Hyland said as many meetings that need to be will be "in order to involve as many as possible"

BelleHavenPatch
Future meetings will be held at Huntington Community Center, Hyland said.

BelleHavenPatch
@ajfroggie raises concern on the effect of transportation if Huntington's population density increases under redevelopment

ajfroggie
I mentioned the need to include transportation as a discussion point if dropping the Conservation Plan and increasing density is considered.

ajfroggie
http://twitpic.com/6l0d7t Scene from the #Huntington meeting hosted by Supervisor Hyland.

Bikes on the George Washington Parkway?

Another Dr. Gridlock column about whether the National Park Service should allow bicycles on the George Washington Parkway. Though it's in response to a reader question, it's a follow-up to a letter that WABA sent to NPS.

The argument, as it has been said, is that cyclists use the Parkway because the existing Mount Vernon Trail is crowded and inadequate, and there are no good alternative routes. While Fort Hunt Rd largely parallels the Parkway south of Alexandria, it has several issues of its own...inconsistent shoulders and pavement quality, bigger hill and curve issues than the Parkway, and the anathemia of hardcore road cyclists: traffic signals.

I'm somewhat torn on the issue. As a bicyclist, I'll be the first to say that the MVT is very inadequate and needs major improvement. As a driver, I'll echo NPS's concerns about safety...the narrow lanes, curves, and drainage issues on the segment south of Alexandria, and the limited-access nature of the Parkway north of Alexandria.

Ultimately, the limited-access nature of the Parkway north of Old Town should preclude its use for bicyclists...but this is also the most crowded segment of the MVT and the MVT really needs to be widened on this stretch. South of Old Town is more controversial and I'll admit I don't have a good solution for this segment.

I'm expecting this issue to be taken up again on TheWashCycle Blog. Look for some spirited discussion there.