The Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS) , a division of the Texas Water Development Board, is putting the final touches on the Texas Spatial Viewer application developed using Microsoft Virtual Earth and SQL Server 2008. The Texas Spatial Viewer will provide TNRIS users with a means of collectively visualizing the Strategic Mapping (StratMap) data layers while incorporating data from Web Mapping and Web Feature Services (WMS and WFS) from a variety of other sources around the country.
The application incorporates both vector and raster data types and includes categories for weather, earthquakes, hurricanes, evacuation routes, State facilities, and the Agency's own historical data such as archived aerial imagery (remember that Virtual Earth application program interfaces allow registration of your imagery onto the Virtual Earth maps).
The application has been fully developed in house using the .net framework and integrates seamlessly with SQLServer 2008 and ESRI ArcGIS data while leveraging the strengths of Virtual Earth. It incorporates many unique features such as:
- a context and keyword data searching
- SmartLayer technology to manage large tabular datasets
- user defined layers and graphics
- geocoding and reverse geocoding
- layer transparency
- measuring and drawing tools
- a comprehensive layer management system
All these features coupled with the application's intuitive drag and drop interface provides a unique user experience not often seen in an online mapping application.
TNRIS is currently working with some of its federal partners to develop an Emergency Management System that will act as a clearinghouse for all data collected during and emergency event such as a hurricane. This data can then be retrieved and analyzed to understand how the event unfolded and what lesson can be learned from the process. It can also be used monitor an impending event by retrieving and evaluating real-time information.
