Interactive Info- Google Maps

View Run It in a larger map

For my interactive information visualization active research assignment, I decided to make a fun map that pertains to me. When working out and going for a run, I like to calculate how long it will take me as well as how far of a distance I go. I decided to test a new route from Los Banos Ave in Daly City, CA running all the way around Lake Merced and back up to Los Banos. This exercise consists of being active for 17.5 miles and taking about 51minutes. However, since I run slow and definitely will build up to these 17.5 miles, I set break, rest, and stretching points on the map as well.

My experience in creating my own google map was quite simple. Though the direction lines are difficult to snap onto the route intended, creating your own map is fun and easy.

Personalizing your own interactive map, could benefit a variety of people/potential users.
For educational purposes, giving a route, agenda, and visuals to parents would have them feel more comfortable when their child is going on a school field trip. The parent will know where they are going, images can show what the places look like, and the time indicator of how long it would take from point A to point B.
Medical purposes: A precise route on where to go in case of an emergency is very beneficial on letting someone know where to go in a hypothetical situation.

Interactive maps can help everyone. You can make it simple, colorful, and have images and notes to help the reader. I believe depending on what research it is, a timeline would be beneficial and more effective when concerning precise time and incident identification. Interactive maps would be beneficial if you are wanting to know an estimated time, route, and visual images to help you in locating a place.

For example, for medical purposes:
a timeline would be used to show the stages of an accident or injury.
an interactive map would be used to allocate a hospital or emergency house/place to go to in case of an emergency.

Both of these interactive resources are beneficial to our world today. Since we rely and work mostly with technology, these applications are simpler and convenient ways to create and share with other people.