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This crowdsourced map helps people find the kind of bathroom they need

Ben Paynter

October 04, 2018 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Columbia, Missouri

Road trips are hard for people who have special needs when it comes to using the restroom, whether that be for health or gender or other reasons. Inspired to make a change after having a daughter with a specific type of illness, Christina Ingoglia, who has a GIS background, created a crowdsourced “Restroom Map” where users can note inclusive restrooms to better improve the travel experience for many, with up to 260 spots plotted so far.

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How Indonesia is using data to protect its oceans

Nithin Coca

September 27, 2018 |

Devex |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Indonesia, Jakarta

Indonesia's fisheries are responsible for a significant portion of the country's gross domestic product and job market. The industry is also one of the most threatened outlets due to a history of abuses including illegal fishing by foreign vessels. Although still a problem plaguing the county, the combination of policy, open data and technology has shown significant success in bringing the fishing economy back to life.

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How Facebook's Disaster Maps is helping aid organizations serve people affected by Florence

Ben Paynter

September 24, 2018 |

FastCompany |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Raleigh, North Carolina

To better position services during and after natural disasters, many nonprofits are turning towards mapping technology. Specifically, Facebook’s Disaster Maps share usage data to indicate movement, such as where people evacuated before Hurricane Florence. Humanity Road is another map source that includes data on infrastructure. Putting this information together, nonprofits such as Direct Relief can more accurately target their emergency response services.

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Walmart is going to use blockchain to stop the spread of E. coli and other diseases in lettuce

Kate Rooney

September 24, 2018 |

CNBC |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

Amidst a backdrop of repetitive cases of E. coli being reported, grocery retailers Walmart and Sam's Club are implementing the use of blockchain into their systems. Although still in early stages, farmers and other suppliers will be required to upload data so sources of foodborne illnesses will be more easily traced.

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Like Uber, but for Cartographers

Laura Bliss

September 19, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Streetcred is entering the realm of crowdsourced maps with a twist. The blockchain-based app will pay mappers across the globe in the form of ether, a cryptocurrency. Another differentiator is that the data will be open and available to anyone, an essential factor as Google Maps recently upped their prices. Though still in the early stages, Streetcred hopes to disrupt the map industry by making map data more accessible than ever before.

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A new use for Google Maps: calculating a city's carbon footprint

Adele Peters

September 10, 2018 |

FastCompany |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

Founded by Google, the Environmental Insights Explorer is an online tool that shows the amount of emissions being released from city structures and transportation. Although still being tested, the tool guides cities towards ways to reduce their carbon footprint and better increase sustainability efforts.

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The region's toughest red-light camera busted drivers 24,000 times last year

David Gutman

September 04, 2018 |

The Seattle Times |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Des Moines, Washington

A small town near Seattle installed red light cameras in 2016 and officials immediately founder higher numbers of traffic violations than predicted, especially at one intersection, which accounted for most of the tickets issued to drivers. The technology is very controversial among drivers, but national studies have demonstrated the cameras reduce fatal crashes. In Des Moines, the number of tickets issued spike, but then began decreasing, indicating a change in driver behavior.

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Ensenada shows U.S. police departments what drones can do to fight crime

Gustavo Solis

August 30, 2018 |

San Diego Union-Tribune |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: Mexico, Ensenada

Police in Ensenada, Mexico, have been using drones since October 2017 and it has led to more than 500 arrests and a 10 percent drop in crime. The drones have fostered faster response times and help police decide how to allocate resources appropriately, while highlighting risks before officers approach a property. Officials in Chula Vista, Calif., are working with the same drone company to start a similar program, which could prompt changes in federal policies on using drones in the U.S.

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Mapping murders: this new data tool is helping cities understand violent crime

Edward Siddons

August 23, 2018 |

Apolitical |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

A new online tool developed by researchers at New York University offers more current data on homicides for the 80 largest cities in the United States than annual reports by the FBI. The tool offers a more realistic picture of crime that could blunt widespread fear and curtail moves by policymakers to pass legislation rapidly based on inaccurate data. However its growth and success is dependent on data produced by city governments.

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How Trees Can Cool Dallas's Concrete Jungle

Linda Poon

August 20, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Dallas, Texas

In a Dallas neighborhood, environmental organizations are teaming up to plant a tree canopy that will address multiple environmental and public health concerns, while also cooling down the city's urban heat island effect. The solution is focused on helping those who are most vulnerable: seniors, minority residents, and students.

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