contraflowmaps.com is live

New Orleans is buzzing about Dean. We cut the pilot short. Thanks for all of the emails and blog love.

Check out contraflowmaps.com

Here is what we've added:

• Google AdSense (all proceeds will go to New Orleans recovery organizations)
• Added a Help / About Us page
• Routed Jackson via I-55 and added some route tips (Please comment on this Route UI)
  
• Upgraded our host (1&1 Internet)
• Changed our destination cities to Jackson and Hattiesburg
• Started laying out the printable versions
  

Comments are appreciated.

Today we are trying to route the three missing contraflow routes and publish the printable versions of each route. Then we'll start on the rest of the list:


25. Add Alternate / Submitted Routes
26. Add Arrows after initial crossover to help show direction
27. Full Browser Test
28. Reduce Arrow Size
29. Load Test
30. Bookmark This Route
31. Dampen Scroll Mouse
32. Make Arrows Clickable
33. I55 Cross Arial Views are 79KB
34. Add Tabbed InfoWindows to show alternate aerial or Ground Level View
35. Replace I-55 Crossover Poly
36. Encode Polylines for faster rendering
37. Message Board for Each Route
38. Verify Info with LSU/LSP
39. Route Survey or Show Results using Analytics Data as Source
40. Show full evacuation map with marching ants
41. Map of Gas Stations, Welcome Centers and Hospitals that are accessible on Contraflow Routes
42. Hotel List Generator
43. Estimate Drivetimes (City of NO has this done)
44. Clean Code

1. Check for Browser Memory Leaks
2. Split Pages
3. Standardize Variables
4. XML Data for Easier Cloning

Release Date Revised

After a quick call today, Debbie, Peter and I decided to launch the contraflow maps on August 29th (the two-year Katrina Anniversary) or when a hurricane enters the gulf, whichever comes first. To be notified of the launch email us: contraflowmaps@gmail.com .

Contraflow Map Pilot Released!

We've just finished the alpha version of New Orleans Contraflow Map:

New Orleans Contraflow Map

Comments would be greatly appreciated. Please post them here.

Note: Only the I-10 Contraflow to Baton Rouge (i.e Contrastate 10) has been published. We want to lock down the UI before we map everything else. We will map the rest of the Greater New Orleans area within the week. We are planning to release the first public version on September 1st.

For what it's worth, here is our current To Do List:

1. Route to Kentwood

   1. I55

   2. Causeway

2. Route to Poplarville

   1. 10 West

   2. Twinspan

3. Printable Route Map (See Google Print Function)

4. Adwords (All Proceeds Donated to NOLA Recovery)

5. Make Arrows Clickable

6. Add Tabbed InfoWindows to show alternate aerial or Ground Level View

7. Replace I-55 Crossover Poly

8. Encode Polylines for faster rendering

9. Verify Info with LSU/LSP

10. Route Survey or Show Results using Analytics Data as Source

11. Show full evacuate map with marching ants

12. Map of Gas Stations on Contraflow Routes

13. Hotel List Generator

14. Estimate Drivetimes

15. Clean Code

    1. Check for Browser Memory Leaks

    2. Standardize Variables

    3. XML Data for Easier Cloning

16. Add Credits Page

17. Printable Evacuation Package

Frequently Asked Questions about the Contraflow Map Project

The first question Debbie and I get when explaining our new project is "Hasn't the state already published evacuation maps?"

They have. With funds from the Department of Homeland Security, the State of Louisiana has published the Louisiana Citizen Awareness and Disaster Evacuation Guide for both the Southeast (PDF 33.4 MB) and Southwest (Front and Back) (PDF 6.5MB and 7.8MB respectively MB) regions. The heart of these guides are the contraflow maps:

• Southeast Contraflow (JPEG 1.0 MB)
• Southwest Contraflow (PDF 0.5 MB)
  

We found the maps difficult to digest, so we've been on a tare to convert these maps into a Web-based version. We don't have anything negative to say about the state's maps. The contraflow system was developed less than five years ago, so the state's maps are positive progress. Also, only 44% of Louisiana citizens have Internet access. Printed maps are a necessity

Neither Debbie nor I have picked up a hammer to work on another New Orleans citizen's home who wasn't already a friend, although we have swung a few hammers on our own flooded homes. This is our Katrina contribution.

How did we create the maps?

We used Google Maps API. Google Maps' usability is awesome, their API is continually updated, there is a large group of developers who've released custom code, and there is an active discussion group.

Are the maps accurate?

We've surveyed the accuracy of the maps using satellite imagery, and when satellite imagery was unavailable, we surveyed from the air. However, drivers should always follow law enforcement directions when on the road.

Will the state ask you to remove the maps?

They might. We hope the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Department of Transportation, and the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness will validate the accuracy and make comments, but we hope they won't retard what we consider significant progress in the dissemination of contraflow information.

What's the end goal?

We'd like to map evacuate routes for all of Louisiana's regions.

Can't someone steal your code for the maps?

We hope so.

The maps are publicly available and so is the source code. We used parts of other developers' code for these maps. We hope citizens in other states use our code to map out their regions. If they need help, they can contact us via this blog.