Help Us Improve Digital Map and Data Offerings

March 13, 2014

One of the items on the Routes & Mapping team's To Do list has been to improve our offerings for mobile navigation. Many users have found the GPS waypoint files that we began providing in 2003 to be helpful, though somewhat difficult to use. With many changes in technology, we think we can do better now.

With the addition of dedicated volunteer hours from Adventure Cycling Life Member Rami Haddad, GIS Specialist/Cartographer Melissa Thompson, and the rest of the Routes & Mapping department, we have been hashing out ideas and working through the development of new data to distribute.

Starting with the Northern Tier Bicycle Route, we are creating GPX track files containing navigational lines that follow our routes, including the off-road sections. These will offer a clear representation of the route that users can follow with little or no processing after downloading them from our website.

We have also created digital versions of the Northern Tier paper maps that are tagged with their geographic location. When put onto compatible GPS and mobile devices, you can see your location on them.

We are looking for volunteers to help with the testing of these formats on either GPS units and/or mobile devices. If this is something you think you'd be interested in, please read on.

We are looking for bicycle travelers who can agree to the following:

• Ride an extended portion (minimum of 100 miles) of the Northern Tier route by the end of September 2014
• Be willing to use the provided online form to report your experience to us in a timely fashion
• Be available for follow-up questions from the Routes & Mapping staff to clarify feedback
• Above all, you will need a sense of adventure and be willing to do some trial and error in the process

While you need not be an expert in GPS technology or mobile devices (in fact, we want some novice testers!), we ask that applicants have a basic understanding of their device(s). It would be especially helpful if you are already familiar with bicycle travel and have some understanding of electronic navigation and file formats (GPX, KML, KMZ, routes, tracks, waypoints).

Our data are in the following formats: GPX (for tracks) and KMZ (for map panels). Your device needs to be compatible with at least one of these data types. If you are using a mobile device, you will need to find and obtain a compatible app. If you don’t have a favorite already, we can offer some suggestions.

We will begin to distribute data and map packages in the first half of April. The packages will include a full set of GPX tracks and digital map panels.

The data will be tested for accuracy as much as possible, however some errors and device compatibility issues are to be expected. We will be available for limited support through the test period.

To apply for this great opportunity to use new mobile data and help Adventure Cycling and future traveling cyclists, please complete the GPX Data and Map Trial Application online. Testing positions are limited. The test period is expected to run through September 30, 2014. Further questions may be directed to dignavtest@adventurecycling.org.

Photos courtesy of Rami Haddad.

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GEOPOINTS BULLETIN is written by Jennifer 'Jenn' Milyko, an Adventure Cycling cartographer, and appears weekly, highlighting curious facts, figures, and persons from the Adventure Cycling Route Network with tips and hints for personal route creation thrown in for good measure. She also wants to remind you that map corrections and comments are always welcome via the online Map Correction Form.