Users can customize new online campus map

Aaron Erkenswick put his University of Wisconsin–Madison computer science degree to work for his alma mater almost immediately, helping build the most technologically advanced campus map to date.

Erkenswick and a group of three other students, led by geography professor Mark Harrower, created the new map„recently released on UW–Madison’s home page„by compiling the data and creating the programming using flash animation software.

“Every other school map that I’ve seen, aside from maybe one, is a PDF or a very primitive interactive map,” says Erkenswick, originally from Evanston, Ill. “Our map goes beyond even Google Maps.”

The intelligent search interface is one of the most exciting components, says Nick Weaver, the University Communications Web manager who worked with Erkenswick to establish the details of the map. As a user types a word into the search engine, suggestions of departments, buildings, addresses, streets and bus routes are made.

Additionally, when a department updates its phone numbers, for example, the map system automatically updates, eliminating the additional time and training necessary with a less-developed model.

“In theory, it should not be out of date and, in theory, a bunch of people without map skills could update it,” says Harrower.

Although the map was intended for use by visitors, students, faculty and staff have also found many uses for it. Within a few clicks of the mouse, a user can highlight a route to a building; find the building where a certain department is located; see which buses pass by a bus stop; or find the distance between two points using an easy-to-use ruler tool. After performing these actions, the user can copy the URL and send it to a friend, who will be able to see the exact modifications to the map that the initial user made.

“Perhaps the very coolest feature of the map is the ability for people to create their own versions of the map,” says Harrower. “That’s what makes the map so useful: an unlimited number of versions.”

The developers continually enhance the map, and although funding runs out in December, they hope to add more features in the future. One possible addition is the ability to link to other Web-based services the university offers, such as buying tickets online for Union Theater performances. With the map, a user may be able to see the seats in the theater and select his or her ideal location.

“We’re trying to make it easy for those who know nothing about campus to find out more,” says Erkenswick.