MapLab is a Java application that reads in public transport data from Google Transit Data Feed and outputs a .kml file with the routes and route labels.
Sample output (JavaScript must be enabled):
View Larger Map in Google Maps (hint: remove satellite image)
More samples: somewhere in
Austin
Dallas
Denver
Whole cities
(DISCLAIMER: due to Google Maps restrictions not all labels are displayed)
:
Austin
Dallas
Denver
Portland
Goal for the student Software Engineering project: Take MapLab on the next level
Here are some examples of what the “next level” may mean:
- Web-interface. Currently, MapLab is a Java application. To enjoy MapLab’s output, one needs to download MapLab, download transit data for the place of interest, load the data into MapLab, produce labels, save as kml file, upload it somewhere and tell Google Maps to use the file. The idea is to have a website running, where all of the above would be done in one place.
- Mobile application. With a single click on your phone, you see public transport lines around you -- labeled.
- Customized map. Show and print labeled routes in your favorite area, show only “good” routes, etc.
Depending on stunents nterest and expertise, other upgrades to MapLab may be welcome. Ideally, they should be inline with the MeeGo community.
Why MapLab?
Why on (Google) earth is MapLab needed? Google Maps already has the Transit layer...
Well, we felt the routes look a bit naked in the layer. Below is a screenshot of
Google Maps with the Tranist layer on:
The grey lines representing the routes could have been more useful had we known to what route each line corresponds.
MapLab adds the route labels, and here's the same location after loading our .kml
file:
For a complete comparision, here's the same location with our labels and routes, but without the Google Transit layer:
If you'd like to label routes for your city, check if there is a data
feed for it.
Download MapLab -- and label away your own way!
(Readme)
Initial coding was done by
David Consuegra, Vesa Hautsalo, Niko Himanen, Anttijuhani Lantto and Mikko Sysikaski
as a Software Engineering project at CS Dept, U of Helsinki.
Valentin Polishchuk is the project's customer.
Arto Vihavainen is the current MapLab developer.