IndianaMap Year in Review: Major Milestones and Enhancements

As we wrap up another year, the IGIO would like to take the opportunity to reflect on the milestones and enhancements that have shaped Indianamap.org in 2024. This year has been marked by updates, improved functionality, and a refreshed look, all aimed at enhancing user experience and accessibility.

Data Migration Completion

One of our most significant achievements this year was completing the data migration from the Indiana Geological and Water Survey (IGWS) to the Indiana Geographic Information Office (IGIO).

This transition not only freed up resources for IGWS staff but also ensured that the Indiana state government meets and exceeds statutory requirements outlined in IC 4-23-7.3. The migration allows Indiana to modernize the hosting, presentation, and distribution of geospatial data, positioning the platform for future enhancements.

To minimize inconvenience for IndianaMap users, the IGIO released “data crosswalk tables” for each phase of the data migration, showing the old IGWS dataset names and REST URLs alongside the new indianamap.org dataset names and REST URLs.

Map Viewer Tool Enhancements

Our map viewer tool received several upgrades, making it more user-friendly and efficient. Key enhancements include:

Data Accessibility Improvements:

• Data Gallery Search Engine Integration: Search for datasets using a new search engine, allowing exploration without switching away from the current Map Viewer project.
• Added Map Services to the Map: Add data by copying the REST service endpoint URL for the dataset of interest.
• "All" Button for Browsing Data: Apply search terms to the entire data gallery.
• Enabled Vector Tile Services for Basemap Options: Add Vector Tile Services for enhanced visual experience and data integration.

Map Interactivity Improvements:

• Annotation Section in Draw Tools: Annotate the map with custom labels and symbols, draw points, lines, and polygons, and select features.
• Coordinate Picker Tool: Find coordinates in various formats by clicking on the map.
• Improved Pop-Up Customization Options: Customize pop-up settings using the Arcade programming language.

Website Layout Improvements

We’ve also made substantial improvements to the website layout to enhance organization, appearance, and functionality.

Improved Organization

• Reorganization: Content has been moved and organized more logically to help users find information quickly and easily.
• Condensed Text: Streamlined text with links to relevant resources for a more efficient reading experience.

Enhanced Appearance

• New Colors: A refreshed color palette that aligns with our brand and improves visual appeal.
• Background Image Slideshow: A dynamic slideshow featuring images provided by DNR Communications, showcasing high quality photos that represent various aspects of the Indiana landscape.

Enhanced Functionality

• New Links: Direct links to imagery, elevation data, data harvest, enterprise programs, and more.
• Accordions: Added collapsible sections to organize information and make the site more navigable. See the “Commonly Downloaded Datasets” section on the indianamap.org homepage.
• Data Catalog Archive: A comprehensive archive of data, making it easier for users to access historical data.

Promoting Community Account Sign-Up

This year, we actively promoted the use and sign-up of IndianaMap Community Accounts through outreach efforts. One of the most powerful features of IndianaMap is the ability to sign up for a Community Account, which not only provides access to existing IndianaMap datasets but also grants users an ArcGIS Online Creator license—unlocking a suite of advanced GIS tools and data hosting capabilities. Click here for a StoryMap presentation on Community Accounts, and click here for our blog on this topic.

Key Advantages:

• Hosting and Sharing Geospatial Data
• Accessing Existing IndianaMap Data
• Running Geoprocessing Tasks
• Customizing Datasets
• Accessing ArcGIS Applications
• Geocoding
• Connecting Multiple AGOL Accounts

Analytics Overview

This year, we also focused on gathering and analyzing data to better understand our users' needs and improve our services.

• Page Views: Between January 1st, 2024, and December 31st, 2024, we recorded a total of 2,368,384 page views. This marks an increase of 197.2% compared to the previous year.
• Sessions: During this period, there were 214,900 user sessions, reflecting a growth of 187.1% from the previous year.
• Active Users: We had 118,100 active users during this time frame, showing an increase of 176.9% in active users compared to the previous year.

Data Gallery

The Data Gallery now houses over 463 items, with more to be added. The most downloaded datasets include parcels, addresses, street centerlines, and administrative boundaries, all sourced from our Data Harvest program. The top 10 most viewed datasets are shown in the graphics below.

Collaborations and Data Tagging Improvements

This year, IGIO collaborated with IGWS to improve data tagging and collaboration processes. These efforts have enhanced dataset categorization, making it easier for users to find and utilize geospatial data effectively.

Conclusion

This year has been transformative for IndianaMap.org, with significant advancements in data migration, map viewer enhancements, website layout improvements, and community outreach. We are committed to providing the best possible geospatial tools and resources to our users and look forward to continuing this journey of innovation and improvement. For more detailed insights into our achievements and plans, check out our previous blog posts and resources. Moving forward, we will focus on improving data governance practices and expanding the catalog in terms of content and functionality.

Thank you for being part of our journey this year. You can reach IGIO IndianaMap staff via email at indianamapsupport@iot.in.gov or follow the "Contact Us" link on the IndianaMap website.