How can you use real-time data to better understand dynamic processes in your maps?

2 How to access and integrate real-time data in your GIS projects?

There are various ways to access and integrate real-time data into GIS projects, depending on the type, format, and tools used. For example, web services or APIs can provide real-time data feeds that can be connected to GIS software or web mapping applications. Additionally, streaming data platforms or cloud-based services can be used to ingest, store, process, and analyze large volumes of real-time data. In addition, sensors and devices can collect and transmit real-time data from the field that can then be uploaded to GIS software or web mapping applications. These methods enable users to create custom pipelines and workflows for their real-time data and visualize it on their maps.

3 How to visualize and communicate real-time data on your maps?

Visualizing and communicating real-time data on your maps can be challenging, as you need to maintain accuracy, clarity, and relevance. To do so, you should select the appropriate map type and symbology for your data, such as heat maps, choropleth maps, point maps, or flow maps. Additionally, filters, sliders, or time series can be used to limit the scope or range of the data you want to display. To provide context and details for your real-time data on your maps, labels, legends, pop-ups, or charts can be used to explain the source or meaning of the data. You can also compare or contrast the real-time data with other data or basemaps on your maps.

4 What are the benefits of using real-time data on your maps?

Using real-time data on your maps can bring many benefits, such as enhancing the accuracy and currency of your maps, increasing the engagement and interaction of your users, and supporting the decision-making and action-taking of your maps. Real-time data can help you update and refine your maps with the latest and most relevant information, creating dynamic and interactive maps that capture the attention and interest of your audience, and providing timely and actionable insights and recommendations on your maps. These features can improve the quality and reliability of your maps, boost their appeal and impact, enhance their value and utility, and make them more useful, trustworthy, attractive, informative, effective, and influential for your purposes.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?