Our Work

Blue Raster helps you tell your story through interactive
mapping technology. Make your message clear, exciting,
and user-friendly for both mobile and web platforms.

Development

Navigating the Future of Transportation with SEMCOG’s Multimodal Tool

In a world where transportation demands are continuously evolving, the competition for space on our roads has never been fiercer. Urban planners and transportation professionals face the challenge of accommodating diverse travel modes within limited right-of-way areas. Enter SEMCOG's Multimodal Tool, developed by Blue Raster in partnership with Fehr & Peers and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG). This innovative digital planning tool is transforming how communities plan, design, and evaluate complete streets for autos, freight, pedestrians, bikes, and transit.

Understanding the Multimodal Tool

The Multimodal Tool was designed with clear objectives in mind:

  • Address Growing Competition: It helps local communities manage the increasing competition between different travel modes for the limited space within the right-of-way.
  • Clarify Project Limitations: The tool assists users in understanding what is allowed for each project within different road jurisdictions.
  • Prioritize Modes Efficiently: It provides a framework for communities to collaborate with SEMCOG and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to prioritize travel modes on specific corridors or districts while adhering to operational standards.

With these goals, the tool supports county and local jurisdictions in Southeast Michigan, various stakeholders, community organizations, and staff from SEMCOG and MDOT. It can be used for state, county, and local roads within Southeast Michigan, promoting a balanced and inclusive approach to transportation planning.

The Four Steps of Using the Multimodal Tool

Step 1: Modal Network Viewer

The first step involves using the Modal Network Viewer. This feature allows users to:

  • View geospatial modal networks and tiers
  • Identify project corridors
  • Review modal priorities
  • Determine land use contexts

This comprehensive map view helps planners understand the existing transportation landscape and plan accordingly.

SEMCOG Multimodal Transportation Planning Tool

Map-centric landing page starts the project set up process

Step 2: Project Setup and Street Builder

Once a street segment is selected from the map, information stored in the GIS features is imported into the project set up panel. This information informs project set up and cross-section design to best accommodate the prioritized travel modes. The tool integrates Streetmix, an open-source technology that allows users to design their street cross-sections with ease. This step ensures that the design aligns with the specific land use context and serves all users effectively.

SEMCOG Multimodal Transportation Planning Tool

Project set up panel is populated with modal network information

SEMCOG Multimodal Transportation Planning Tool

Drag and Drop Components to Design a Complete Streets Cross Section

Step 3: Project Scoring

After designing the street cross-sections, the tool provides a level of service by mode, enabling users to evaluate how well the design meets the needs of all travelers. This scoring system is crucial for ensuring that the final design is not only functional but also equitable and efficient.

SEMCOG Multimodal Transportation Planning Tool

User's Inputs are Reflected in the Scoring and Cross Section Design Sections

Step 4: Share Your Project

The final step is sharing the constructed street segments with the wider team. Users can export their designs as printable PDFs or share them via a link. This feature fosters collaboration and ensures that all stakeholders are on the same page.

SEMCOG Multimodal Transportation Planning Tool

PDF Report of Scoring Summary based on User Input

Why This Tool Matters

The Multimodal Tool aids analysis and decision making around larger discussions covering economic development, livability, environmental sustainability, safety, and equity in local communities. By providing a structured approach to multimodal planning, the tool supports these broader goals and helps communities thrive.

Behind the Technology

The Multimodal Tool was built using cutting-edge technologies to ensure robust performance and usability:

  • ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript: An application development framework used to develop rich mapping and spatial analysis applications for web.
  • React and NodeJS: These technologies provide a seamless user interface and efficient back-end processing.
  • Streetmix: This open-source software allows users to construct detailed street segments.
  • PostgreSQL: Databases handle the complex data management required for GIS analysis and transportation planning.

Join the Future of Multimodal Planning

The demands on our roads are evolving, and so must our approach to transportation planning. By leveraging advanced technologies, GIS, and a collaborative framework, SEMCOG's Multimodal Tool offers a promising solution for the challenges facing today's transportation professionals.

Learn more about how the Multimodal Tool can transform your transportation planning efforts and sign up for a demo today!

Revitalizing Main Street: Tracking Community Opportunities with BOOMS Tracker

Main Street districts across America, once vibrant centers of community life and economic activity, have faced significant challenges over recent decades. Economic shifts, suburbanization, and changing retail landscapes have left many of these historic areas struggling with vacant buildings, underutilized spaces, and a decline in local businesses. The need to revitalize these districts is critical for preserving cultural heritage, fostering economic growth, and enhancing community resilience.

Picture of historic main street buildings.

Addressing Community Challenges with Main Street America

Main Street America, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting traditional commercial districts, has launched the Building Opportunities on Main Street (BOOMS) Tracker to address the issues these areas are now facing. This innovative property inventory tool helps local Main Street leaders collect and analyze data on housing units, businesses, and civic spaces within their districts. By identifying development opportunities in vacant buildings, lots, and upper floors, the BOOMS Tracker provides actionable insights to drive revitalization efforts.

How Does the BOOMS Tracker Work?

  • Mobile Access: Users access district-specific ArcGIS Hub pages on their mobile devices to begin data collection.
  • Detailed Surveys: By selecting a parcel on the map, users complete detailed surveys to capture property information.
  • Real-Time Analysis: Collected data is analyzed and visualized to reveal opportunities, with statistics calculated in real time.
  • Aggregated Insights: Information is aggregated at regional and national levels to support decision-making and policy changes.

Users Access the Survey123 through an Experience Builder App

Users access the ArcGIS Survey123 through an Experience Builder app embedded in an ArcGIS Hub Page

ArcGIS Dashboard visualizing survey results

Data collected is analyzed and visualized in ArcGIS Dashboards to support decision making

The Impact of the BOOMS Tracker

The BOOMS Tracker serves as a central repository for valuable information about the built environment in each district. Insights derived from this tool empower local leaders to make authoritative decisions on housing and land use, driving revitalization efforts. Furthermore, aggregated data at larger regional and national levels provides evidence to influence policy changes and attract more investment into existing buildings.

Blue Raster's Role in Supporting Main Street America

At Blue Raster, we are proud to support the Main Street America's initiative with our expertise in geospatial technology. Utilizing tools such as ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Hub Premium, ArcGIS Survey123, ArcGIS Experience Builder, ArcGIS Dashboards, and the ArcGIS API for Python, we have developed the BOOMS Tracker to help communities visualize and analyze their data effectively. Our work supporting Main Street America ensures that local leaders have the tools they need to revitalize their downtown areas and promote sustainable growth.

Although the full functionality of the BOOMs Tracker is only available to designated Local and Coordinating Programs within the Main Street network, the public can access the BOOMS Tracker home page to see high-level statistics and the collection progress leaderboard.  Visit the BOOMS Tracker and Main Street America for more information.

BOOMS Tracker Public Statistics

BOOMS Tracker Public Statistics

BOOMS Tracker Collection Progress Leaderboard

BOOMS Tracker Collection Progress Leaderboard

BOOMS Tracker Homepage

BOOMS Tracker Homepage

Learn More About Our Work

Discover how Blue Raster’s advanced geospatial solutions can support your projects. Contact us today to learn how our expertise can make a difference in your efforts to improve community resilience and economic vitality. Click here to learn more.

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Blue Raster Pioneering Imagery Management Technology and Delivery Workflows with ArcGIS

Many organizations prioritize the accessibility of imagery and image-derived products for visualization and analysis among both internal and external users. As such, efficient  management and delivery workflows are crucial for these organizations to fully harness the power of spatial data and maximize their product impact. Use cases for aerial images and raster data include land cover classification, urban planning, natural resource management, emergency response and disaster management, precision agriculture and conservation, environmental monitoring and change detection/climate change analysis.

Blue Raster specializes in utilizing the robust capabilities of GIS and cloud services to facilitate the seamless assembly, analysis, management and dissemination of multiresolution imagery, and raster data from different sources and timeframes. Our expertise helps organizations enhance their spatial data management and analysis capabilities.

Employing ArcGIS for Imagery Hosting, Analysis & Management

Empowered by cutting-edge technology, Blue Raster excels in tapping into the full potential of ArcGIS for image hosting, analysis, and delivery workflows across ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Pro, and ArcGIS Online. With ArcGIS Image Server and ArcGIS Image for ArcGIS Online, we enable organizations to host and conduct dynamic imagery analysis on an unprecedented scale.

The scalability and performance of ArcGIS Image Server redefines the boundaries of what is achievable in geospatial analytics. Additionally, by integrating imagery into the ArcGIS Online platform, organizations can create compelling and informative maps that facilitate a deeper understanding of their spatial data.

Providing On-Demand Imagery Delivery Services

We specialize in providing swift, on-demand collection and smooth delivery of imagery through versatile means including API keys, custom widgets, online user interfaces, and application plugins. Our expertise ensures that you have the necessary tools and support to cater to diverse requirements and preferences.

Whether you need quick access to specific imagery, or a tailored solution embedded within your applications, Blue Raster stands ready to assist, offering a range of flexible and efficient options to meet your unique needs.

Furthermore, we recognize the importance of seamless delivery workflows in ensuring timely access to critical imagery resources. Our solutions are designed to optimize delivery pipelines, minimizing latency and maximizing efficiency. Whether it's delivering imagery to remote field teams or integrating seamlessly with existing systems, we prioritize speed, reliability, and scalability to meet the dynamic needs of our clients.

Our commitment to innovation extends beyond just technology; it's ingrained in our culture. We're constantly exploring new ways to push the boundaries of what's possible, whether it's through advancements in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, or data visualization. By staying at the forefront of technological innovation, we empower our clients to stay ahead of the curve and achieve their objectives with confidence. Our teams of professionals are here to assist you in developing and deploying your delivery workflows.

Pioneering Collaborative Cloud-Based Imagery Management

For over a decade, Blue Raster has been working with clients and partners to deliver large volumes of imagery to support various geospatial workflows. Our cloud specialty has opened new frontiers for collaborative  management. Maximizing the cloud's scalability, organizations can now store, share, and analyze vast amounts of data in real-time. This not only streamlines internal processes but also facilitates effortless collaboration with external stakeholders.

Across the globe, our clients and partners are employing our services to manage and deliver their imagery to support their projects and organizational goals. Here are some examples:

Learn more about our work here

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Expanding Nutritious Food Access with the Healthy Corners Mobile App

What if you lived in a neighborhood where you didn’t have a local supermarket with affordable and nutritious food offerings? This is a very realistic scenario for many low-income communities in Washington, DC, but a local nonprofit—DC Central Kitchen (DCCK)—is aiming to solve this issue.

The organization provides culinary job training for individuals facing barriers to employment while simultaneously bringing nourishing foods and meals to communities that lack fairly-priced and wholesome options. Partnering with DC schools, community agencies, and corner stores, DCCK is continuing to find inventive and impactful ways to combat hunger and create healthy food access—and Blue Raster had the opportunity to be part of this mission.

Introducing the Free Healthy Corners Shopper App

In 2022, DCCK came to Blue Raster with the Healthy Corners Shopper app—originally developed by students at the University of California, Berkley—with the goal to display corner stores in DC neighborhoods that offer fresh, affordable produce to residents through the Healthy Corners program.

DCCK wanted a user-friendly application that would clearly show customers product availability by location and offer free recipes, resources, and more to inspire better eating. In addition to showing the location of inexpensive produce, the app also notes which stores in the Healthy Corners program offer a “SNAP Match” coupon program for SNAP/EBT customers and/or serve as DC WIC-approved vendors.

An App that Serves Up Real Change

Working off the original application structure, Blue Raster made the Healthy Corners Shopper app production-ready using the cross-platform framework React Native with an innovating backend in Airtable—a low-code platform for building applications.

Since 2020, DCCK’s Healthy Corners program has assisted in selling over 1.2 million units of healthy food options in DC corner stores (Source: https://dccentralkitchen.org/healthy-corners), and the Healthy Corners Shopper app is only helping that number rise. Interested individuals can download the app for free on their Android or iOS device—with exciting, new features coming soon thanks to the continued collaboration of DCCK and Blue Raster.

Strengthening Food Security in DC

Learn more and explore DCCK’s Healthy Corners Shopper app here, or contact Blue Raster today to discuss our hands-on process for creating custom mobile applications.

Exploring Commercial Real Estate from a New Perspective: Blue Raster Partners with AerialSphere

Selecting the right location for a commercial real estate project can be daunting, given the numerous factors that need to be taken into consideration. Often, this is done utilizing an overhead view of properties. Use of an Oriented Imagery Catalog (OIC) from AerialSphere and the Oriented Imagery widget now available from ESRI affords the opportunity to explore properties in an immersive 3D environment.

In this Commercial Real Estate application, Blue Raster:

  • Utilized Open Street Map data from ESRI Living Atlas
  • Configured multiple filters based on commercial real estate needs - submarket, available square footage, parking cost, and year built
  • Built Dashboard and 3D Scene elements to dynamically reflect filters applied
  • Integrated imagery from AerialSphere to show a point of view from a specific location or floor
  • Generated dynamic viewsheds to illustrate what can be seen from that location
  • Calculated travel time analysis polygons for multiple modes of transportation (both walking and driving)
OIC Oriented Imagery Catalog

Blue Raster configured an ArcGIS Experience Builder application to aid in the exploration of relevant commercial real estate data in a 3D scene.  Utilizing this application, real estate investors can hone in on the properties that meet their needs with specific parameters, and easily traverse the map to further explore the properties.  The integration of 360 degree imagery from AerialSphere provides a more immersive experience, and allows the user the ability to pan, zoom in, zoom out, and explore viewsheds from a given vantage point.  This can make all the difference in understanding the suitability of a site.

While this solution was originally developed to aid in the exploration of commercial real estate properties, this technology can be implemented for a number of other industries. Contact us today to see how we can use this technology in your organization!

Thanks to Kat Clifton and the team at AerialSphere for their collaboration on this case study.

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