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• GIS Maps for Download
• Smart Maps/GIS
• ECTC Use of GIS
• Available GIS Data
• GIS Related Web Sites
• Chemung County GIS Cooperative

GIS Maps for Download

Smart Maps/GIS

GIS (Geographic Information System) is a computer-based tool combining computer mapping and database technologies for the mapping and analysis of physical features and events. GIS technology integrates powerful database functions such as querying and statistical analysis with the visualization and geographic analysis benefits offered by digital maps drawn with a computer mapping system. GIS allows the user to analyze data relating to specific locations on the earth.

With GIS, such physical features such as city streets, county roads, parcels, building outlines, water lines have their own layer. This simplifies the process of drawing the maps and allows data to be attached to these layers. Each feature is then linked to its position on the graphical image of a map, which in turn links it to a database that contains information about it. Instead of a paper map limited by printing technology and the limits of human visual acuity, we have computer drawn maps and databases, linked together to provide a wide range of easily accessible information that allow users an unprecedented degree of tracking of physical data and events.

The information that is part of the map is displayed with different layers. The layers can be selectively turned on and off to display various features of the map, so the same map can be useful to a variety of people. The user of the GIS software opens the database that is linked to the features displayed, and can turn layers on and off as needed. With a paper map, features cannot be selectively shown, and detailed information about the features cannot be included on the map, but with GIS, any configuration of layers can be displayed and the database information can be limitless. It is these qualities that allow GIS to be such a powerful tool for many fields of work.

Many professions use GIS regularly, for example, environmentalists, city planners, utility companies, and developers all use GIS successfully. Each profession can decide which data and layers would be best to represent the information they require on their maps. The environmentalist might want to know where hazardous waste sites are located in relation to communities so they can mobilize support for restricting the location such sites. A city planner and developer could work together to analyze vehicular and pedestrian traffic and create an aesthetically pleasing city streetscape. A utility company will need to know where the electric poles are located so that it can maintain appropriate maintenance schedules and records. A transportation company would want to analyze the proximity of potential transit riders in relation to transit routes so that it could better map its bus lines and schedules.

What a GIS system can do easily would be extremely difficult and time consuming to accomplish by conventional methods. It is the power of GIS to link physical locations to the information in a database that makes complex analyses possible, and helps GIS users make better decisions. Because of its usefulness and success, GIS has become an indispensable software tool.

ECTC Use of GIS

The ECTC and its member agencies use GIS for a wide range of applications. GIS can be an important tool in the decision making process for transportation planning. Pavement condition can be compared to traffic counts to prioritize road improvement projects. When looking at alternatives for new projects or changes in the existing road network, a wide range of information related to a specific location can be accessed without any fieldwork. Property ownership, wetland boundaries and soil type are just some of the types of information that can be derived by accessing different GIS layers. New digital orthoimagry from New York State also allows us to layer a real world picture onto our maps. (view map) This helps to verify the information from other layers.

As part of the Elmira Highway Network Evaluation Study a variety of GIS maps were developed that will be used by the City Public Services staff. The data layers include information about street widths, surface condition, types and condition of signs and striping and the location of bicycle and pedestrian facilities. This information allows the City to more efficiently monitor and maintain their road system. The inventory of signals that was done for the City of Elmira Signal Study was also in a GIS format and that data is being used in the design of the new coordinated signal system that will be constructed in 2004.

Mapping for the Catharine Valley Trail is being done in a GIS format. This will allow the mapping to be used in a wide range of applications. State Parks will use the GIS as a management tool. They will be able to inventory features along the trail and schedule appropriate maintenance. Trail users will eventually be able to access information about facilities along the trail and in surrounding communities from a web based GIS. This will be an important marketing tool for the Catharine Valley Trail. view map

In a very innovative use of GIS the ECTC has worked with the Chemung County Traffic Safety Board to develop a GIS based crash reporting system. This system provides traffic safety officials with quick and convenient access to important traffic safety data. Initial funding for the project came from the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC)

In Phase I of the project, the E-911 mapping (with address ranges) was reconciled with the existing tax map based GIS. This will be an important base map for police agencies as they become increasingly dependent on geographically based programs. In Phase II a system was developed where Motor Vehicle Accident reporting forms are processed to provide a geographically based display of incidents, which can be categorized by the causative factors. The records are downloaded monthly from the County's Record Management System to produce an electronic map containing the accident information. The County Sheriff's Department, City of Elmira Police Department, the New York State Police and the Village of Elmira Heights are all currently utilizing the same recording system. A separate program has been developed for the Village of Horseheads and Town of Elmira.

There has been extensive use of the crash reporting system. Data from the system was used in the Elmira Network Evaluation Study to identify high crash locations in the City. Corrective measures have already been taken such as tree trimming and planned turn lanes. Crash information is also being analyzed in conjunction with the new signal system project and the conversion of Church and Water Streets from one-way to two-way. The Elmira Police and Chemung County Sheriff's Department have applied for and received Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) funding for increased enforcement related to high accident locations identified with the GIS Crash reporting system. view map Crash data is used to identify areas and times to target patrols looking for intoxicated drivers. view map The Elmira Police Department uses crash data as part of their annual national certification.

Available GIS Data

The ECTC uses ESRI software and our data is in shapefile format and coverage format. The GIS data that is created by ECTC is available for public use; for data that is derived from another agency (e.g. Chemung County, NYSDOT, etc.), contact the appropriate agency.

GIS Related Web Sites

Chemung County GIS Cooperative

For several years the ECTC in conjunction with Chemung County and the City of Elmira has utilized the services of the firm that maintains the area tax maps to help coordinate GIS development in Chemung County. One output of this process was the creation of new map for the County that will be the primary base for future GIS products.

One output of the cooperative GIS planning process was the formation in May 2003 of the Chemung County GIS Cooperative. The Cooperative includes representatives from the private sector and from all levels of local government. The formation of the Cooperative reflects an understanding that maintenance of the County map and related GIS layers must entail coordination between a wide variety of agencies. The mission of the Cooperative is: To foster the cooperative use of GIS technology in a manner that will have the most positive impact on government, business and the overall community. The roles that have been identified by the Cooperative include:

• Keep the community apprised of changing technologies and make recommendations for the use of GIS technology that will promote economic development.


• Facilitate coordination by developing policies that will insure that all new geo-based data is developed in a GIS compatible format using appropriate mapping standards.


• Approve of and enforce procedures relating to the timely update of community mapping.


• Improve access to and use and understanding of GIS technology.