System for Generating and Displaying Community Awareness Data

Abstract

A system and method links one or more disparate community awareness management (CAM) datasets for a community awareness program (CAP) with one or more spatial layers to create linked CAM datasets. One or more data attributes common to a CAM dataset and a spatial layer are identified, and the link is defined between the CAM dataset and the spatial layer. The spatial layer and the linked CAM dataset then may be queried using a single input query. Features from the spatial layer and features from the linked CAM dataset that match the query are generated for display. In one embodiment, a system and method manage CAP assets, transactions, interest areas for the CAP, and buffer areas for the CAP. An audience utility enables entering and maintaining audience data for the CAP. A journal utility enables making journal entries for one or more audience members, CAP assets, transactions, and/or other CAM data. A link document utility enables linking one or more documents to CAM data.

1 . A computer-based method for generating and displaying community awareness data, comprising:
 receiving data for at least one centerline from a client;   receiving buffer data, wherein the received buffer data defines one or more buffer areas in relation to the centerline; and   generating a map of the centerline and the buffer area for display to a user,   wherein the generated map is comprised of multiple spatial layers of information, and   wherein features displayed within the buffer area on the map are indicated by selected colors and symbols.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the buffer data represents a geographic area around the centerline. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , including overlaying one or more community awareness management data layers for display in the generated map. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , including merging spatial information from one or more databases for generating a map image having spatial features. 
     
     
         5 . A computer-based method for selecting and displaying community awareness data, comprising:
 entering a query through a user interface;   searching spatial data across linked datasets based on the query;   finding map points that match the query; and   displaying a map comprised of the matched map points.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 searching for data in a spatial layer, wherein the data resides in linked, disparate datasets; and   displaying a layered map of the data matching the query.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , including generating a report identifying assets matching the query. 
     
     
         8 . A system for generating and displaying community awareness data, comprising:
 an input device receiving data for at least one centerline and for receiving buffer data, wherein the buffer data defines a buffer area in relation to the centerline;   an image processor generating a map of the centerline and the buffer area;   an output device displaying the generated map; and   a spatial processor receiving spatial queries and responding with map feature data matching the query for display to a user.   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the output device is a printer enabling a user to print the generated map. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the output device is a user interface displaying the generated map to a user. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 8 , including a journal utility enabling a user to enter transaction information documenting communications with audience members.