Utilising Free Mapping Software
19th January 2022
Creating a spot-map is an early feature of any TRA but as with all risk assessment and static documents, they are rarely applied on the ground, and usually not carried with us. Being able to create a spot-map of principle safety (or hazardous) features for the TRA is one thing but being able to share that spot-map with our group on the ground provides real-time information and application.
Google Maps is something we are all familiar with but there are two functions that are seldom used which allow us to create custom maps that highlight specific locations unique to our requirements without the extraneous detail of hair salons and cocktail bars. It is also possible to share the custom map with members of our team to edit and collaborate with once on the ground. This might include making notes of road closures, hotspots or errors in the planning process. Just because Google Maps tells us that something is there at the time of planning, it might not necessarily be the case in reality.
Creating a custom map.
1. Go to https://www.google.co.uk/maps/about/mymaps/
2. Click “Get Started”.
3. Click “+ CREATE A NEW MAP”.
4. Zoom into the area you are interested in.
5. Name your map and add a description
5a. Click over the title “Untitled map”
5b. This will bring up a dialog box where you can give your map a title and description.
6. Choose your base map.
6a. Click “Base map” at the bottom of the left-hand dialogue box.
6b. Select a base map. The middle three “Light Political”, “Mono City” and ”Simple Atlas” all have extraneous markers removed. Of the three, only “Simple Atlas” retains street names.
7. Create your first layer
7a. The first Layer is labeled as “Untitled”. Click the three dots to the right.
7b. select “Rename this layer” e.g. “Hotel”
8. Select locations relevant to that category
8a. You will see your first layer has a tick next to it. This layer is active.
8b. Search for the relevant location.
8c. Click “Add to map”
9. Repeat for all locations relevant to that layer.
10. Create a second layer and select rename this layer” e.g. “Hospitals”
10a. You will see that now both your first (Hotel) and second (Hospitals) layers both have ticks next to them.
10b Untick the layer which does not apply otherwise when you search for and add locations here (as in step 8) that location will be added to both layers.
11. Colour code each location within each layer.
11a. Hover over the location listed in the layer and click the ‘paint’ icon that is revealed.
11b. Select the chosen colour for that layer.
11c Repeat for each location in that layer.
12. To add more layers, e.g. “Travel Hubs” or “Embassies” for example, repeat steps 10 and 11 (remembering to ‘untick’ layers you no longer want to add to - step 10b).
13. Share your Map
13a Click “Share” under your map’s title and description at the top of the left-hand dialogue box.
13b. Make your privacy selections and copy the URL which is generated.
14. Done. Your map is now live and can be shared with others.
Accessing a Custom Map
1 Click the link you have received on your mobile device - you can use the link above as an example.
2. On the map that opens, click the “back” arrow.
3. You will need to be signed into your google account.
3a. If you are not signed in, click the icon on the top left to sign in.
3b. Depending on your OS you might need to close Google Maps and re-open using the same link.
1. Opening the custom map.
2. Signing in to Google Maps.
4. Click the Bookmark item along the bottom row.
4a This will open a new screen of your saved and recently visited locations.
4b. Scroll all of the way down to the bottom and click “Maps”
4c. This is where your saved Maps can be retrieved.
3. Accessing your bookmarked maps.
4. Your bookmarked maps.
Working offline
Whilst you can download large areas of Google Maps for work offline, you cannot download and save custom maps in Google. Which is disappointing. To utilise a custom map we have created offline we will need a separate mapping App and for this example, we will use Maps.me .
1. Download Maps.me to your Apple or Android mobile device.
2. On your desktop, return to your custom map in Google My Maps.
3 Click the three dots next to the map title and select “Export to KML/KMZ”.
4. Click “Download”
5. Your map data will be downloaded to your desktop and saved in the usual “downloads” folder.
6. The .kmz data file can now be sent to a recipient who has a compatible mapping app on their mobile device.
7. Send the file as an attachment to your mobile device.
8. Providing maps.me is already installed on your mobile device, clicking the file should open it in maps.me automatically.
8a. If you have more than one mapping app, hold down over the file and select “open as” before selecting maps.me.
9. When maps.me opens you will be prompted to download the map and surrounding area.
10. Click the star icon along the bottom row which is your bookmarked maps. Here you can access and navifate your custom map even when offline.
Summary
There are many mapping apps for mobile devices including Open Street Map and Map Box. Unfortunately, none of them allow you to create custom maps and share them, and allow collaboration and be used offline and for free.
Google Maps is still our preferred tool, partly because it is ubiquitous; it does not need participants to download additional apps except to view offline. Which is really its only downfall.
If your risk assessment reasonably predicts working in an area without network coverage, it is no great burden to download and install maps.me as a contingency tool.