A mashup is a web application that combines data or information from multiple sources into one resource. Mashups are by nature fast and easy to produce as well as simple to use. Most are created through integration of APIs, which are usually freely available from different web applications, and the data sources, and can be done with minimal (if any) programming skill.
The three main components of a mashup are:
- Information or data from one source. This is usually presented in a web format.
- Content from another source. This could be another data set or an application.
- Users! The clients who will digest, manipulate, and participate with the new information.
GoogleMaps are a frequent platform for mashups, because of the geographic nature and the visual aspects.
Some examples of Mashups…
Beat the Traffic has blogged that their Beat the Traffic HD app is the #3 top free app in the app store for the iPad. That rocks!
Bikewise is a mashup that combines bicycling hazards, crashes, and thefts with Google Maps. Developed by the Cascade Bicycle Club based in Seattle, Washington. Bikewise allows people to create accounts and post reports of their own incidents, adding them to the map.
Buckeye Traffic
File under: Mashups
Buckeye Traffic is an interactive map using the Microsoft Maps API from the Ohio Department of Transportation, which informs drivers of traffic conditions throughout the state. Users can filter based upon types of incidents, where webcameras and VMS, and weather conditions.
Calgary Transit Bus Maps
File under: Mashups
Calgary Transit have ported their route and schedule data into the Google maps API to make a fairly simple tool for people to choose a route and visualize it. It allows users to pick and choose as many routes as they’d like to see, search by address, or even by landmark.
View Capital Bikeshare in a larger map
The Washington DC DOT recently announced their new bikesharing proposal with a map. What a great way to use an interactive map for public involvement.
Crashstat 2.0
File under: Mashups
CrashStat 2.0 was developed by bicycling and pedestrian advocates Transportation Alternatives to help visualize traffic incidents with bicycle and pedestrian injuries or fatalities in New York City. The tool is intended to help anybody, from neighborhood residents, city planner, or journalists, to get an accurate view of safety for any location within the city.
Deleware DOT Interactive Map
File under: Mashups
The Deleware Department of Transportation Interactive Map is a mashup that combines data about the location of traffic cameras, incidents, and DOT offices, on a Google map. The interface is clear and intuitive, and can give people pertinent information about road conditions more efficiently than a text-based interface.
Google Transit
File under: Mashups
Perhaps the most well known transportation mashup is Google Transit, which integrates route and schedule information for a number of different transit agencies around the world, to provide trip planning assistance. The agencies listed are those that have public data feeds in the format specified by Google. One example is from Sacramento Regional Transit, whose Google transit interface is easier to read and plan a route than the one provided on their online trip planner.
Here is a blog post with the testimonial of three agencies who have worked with Google to provide data feeds.
Idaho DOT Road Conditions Map
File under: Mashups
Idaho Department of Transportation provides map of current road conditions using the Google maps platform, which clearly displays where they may be any incidents or poor conditions due to weather.
Jaunted's Airport Wi-Fi Map
File under: Mashups
Aviation site Jaunted has a neat interactive map showing airports with wi-fi and any associated costs. Definitely a handy thing to check out before your next trip.
