The RTA Does That: Maps!

November 9, 2017

Back in 2001, the RTA was one of the first organizations to take advantage of web-based GIS software through the Regional Transportation Authority Mapping and Statistics (RTAMS) website, a data warehouse for planning and financial information on the transit system in Northeastern Illinois. RTAMS is open to the public and contains ridership statistics, political jurisdictions and planning projects to name a few.

With more than three decades of combined industry knowledge, our own Hersh Singh, Principal Analyst - Data Services & Analytics, and Brad Thompson, Manager - Data Services & Analytics, recently presented at the URISA GIS-Pro 2017 Conference in Jacksonville, Florida.  They shared how they are helping increase efficiencies within several departments at the RTA through the use of GIS software.  The national conference brings together GIS professionals from across industries and from across the globe for comprehensive education, networking and professional development.

During their presentation, they described their in-house applications developed for the RTA’s Interagency Signage Program, Travel Training Program, and Planning Department.  For example, the two created a mobile data collection application for the Interagency Signage Program that allows staff to collect data and images of signs in the field via smartphone devices – eliminating the need for expensive GPS devices, cameras and software.

The presentation was very well received and met with many questions from other agencies who seek to implement similar applications. If you want to learn more about their presentation you can visit the conference’s website here.  If you want to learn more about the RTA’s GIS program visit the RTAMS website at www.rtams.org.