Real-Time Streetcars on Google Maps

Where is my Streetcar?

This Google Map shows the real-time position of streetcars in Toronto.

Using the map you can find out how long you will have to wait for a streetcar at any of the city's stops. You can select your stop from a drop-down menu at the top of the map and you can choose to view either westbound or southbound streetcars or both.

The real-time position of the streetcars are then displayed on the map with arrows that display their direction of travel. The map uses City of Toronto Open Data, using feeds provided by NextBus and the TTC.

The whole project is open source, so if you think you can improve the map you can view and edit the source.

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Live Webcams on Google Maps

GeoCam.tv

Here is another Google Map of webcams from around the world. What I like about GeoCam.tv is that all the webcams can be viewed directly on the map.

Currently the map shows over 1000 webcams from around the world. To view a cam just click on a map marker and the webcam image will open in an information window.

Some other webcam maps:

• Webcams.travel
• Fisgonia - This English/Spanish webcams map has over 300 camera views from all over the world in 11 categories.
• 300 Great Lakes webcams (US & Canada)
• USA Webcam Map
• WebcamVue
• Webcam Galore

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Detachable Google Maps

Free Reference Map Service

Arek, of the excellent Australian mapping/GIS Blog All Things Spatial, has released a new Google Maps creation tool.

The application allows anyone to publish and share spatial information with Google Maps and a KML/KMZ or geoRSS link. The service couldn't be simpler to use. All you need to do to create your own embeddable map is append the URL of a KML/KMZ or geoRSS file to an aus-emaps.com URL. For example,

http://www.aus-emaps.com/svs/ref/map.php?kmzl= FullURLaddressOfYourFile

Once you have appended the URL of your file to the aus-emaps.com you can then link to the created URL or embed the map in your own website or blog. There are a number of parameters that you can change in the URL to change the default map type, the location and the zoom level. You can also adjust the width and height of the map.

The application is very easy to use and provides a great way for you to present your KML/KMZ or geoRSS creations on a Google Map. Of course you don't need to use your own KML's or geoRSS files. The application will work with any KML or geoRSS file published on the internet. For example you could take the geoRSS feed from the USGS, showing the location of earthquakes in the last week and create a map, like so,

http://www.aus-emaps.com/svs/ref/map.php?kmzl=http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/catalogs/eqs7day-M5.xml

Arek also says that there are some more advanced sharing and map creation options under development, which he hopes to make available soon.

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25th Atlantic Rally on Google Maps

25th Atlantic Rally for Cruisers

The 25th Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, a race across the Atlantic from Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia, is currently underway. Every boat in the 25th ARC fleet is fitted with a Yellowbrick Iridium tracker and you can view all the participants on this Google Map.

The position of each craft is updated on the map every 6 hours, at 0000, 0600, 1200 and 1800 UTC. Using the map it is also possible to view the current wind direction along the route.

You can read more about Yellowbrick trackers and the rally here.

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Support World AIDS Day with Google Maps

Turn Red

Today is World AIDS Day and (RED) have created a Google Map that will turn redder as people Tweet #turnred.

(RED) works with companies around the world to make (RED) products, donating up to 50% of the profits from their sales to invest in HIV and AIDS programmes in Africa. If you Tweet #turnred today you can help turn your location a little redder on the (RED) Turn Red Google Map.

The more activity there is at a location the deeper the colour of red is shown at that location on the map.

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Action Sports Sharing with Google Maps

Naturized Spots

Naturized Spots is a Google Maps based website for sharing action-driven nature-aware spots in the Alps and beyond.

The map displays a number of action-sports locations in the Alps. The markers are categorised into a number of activities, including climbing, caving, biking and skating.

It is possible to personalise Naturized Spots by signing in with a Facebook account. Once you are signed in you can add your own spots anywhere in the world. You can also share your saved spots with your Facebook friends and view spots saved by your friends.

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Direct Marketing with Google Maps

TalentMap.jobs

TalentMap.jobs, combines Google Maps with health care occupational data to help employers visualize the size and geography of their local talent market.

You can search the map by Occupation/Speciality and by location. TalentMap.jobs will then return the micro-targeted sourcing options (e.g., direct mail, e-mail marketing and search engine marketing) that are available for that area.

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