Internet update

Citation

Almond, N. (2009), "Internet update", Property Management, Vol. 27 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/pm.2009.11327dag.001

Internet update

Article Type: Internet update From: Property Management, Volume 27, Issue 4

Mapping technology is improving all the time on the web. It is widely used for a variety of applications. Both the AA (www.theaa.com/) and the RAC (www.rac.co.uk) make use of this in their route planners. The Highways Agency (www.highways.gov.uk/traffic/traffic.aspx) also uses maps in a more basic form to show delays and other incidents on the motorway and main “A” roads in England. The system also enables you to check out the weather conditions in a particular part of the country, or to view roadside messaging. A recent additional feature is the roadside cameras, where you can click on a camera and the most recent image taken will be shown. Handy if you want to quickly check the road conditions. Scotland (www.trafficscotland.org/) and Wales (www.traffic-wales.com/) also have site providing details on traffic conditions.

These sites are useful, but for more local level information there are alternative sites to browse with a range of detailed information and imagery. Take multimap (www.multimap.com), which has evolved over recent years from a simple mapping site to today’s maps which include Ordnance Survey variants, aerial and bird’s eye views using Microsoft’s virtual earth (www.microsoft.com/virtualearth/). Such tools are of real use for a surveyor or the general public at large.

To test out these features I took my own address. I typed in the postcode as this is often the easiest way to view a location, especially if there is more than one town or road. Using the navigation section in the top right hand of the screen it is possible to zoom in and out or to scroll the map up and down or left to right to drill down to the location you need. You can also select the type of map you require. There are a couple of types of map/images to view. One is a traditional map, or there is an Ordnance Survey based map. You can also select the photo-imagery from here too. Using the aerial view you can take a broad or even narrow view of the area and in my case gave a reasonably detailed and clear view. The date of the image was also quite recent and must have been taken around 18 months ago. In contrast, the aerial view on Google map was much “fuzzier” and dated – it must have been a good five years old at the time of browsing – something to bear in mind.

An option on multimap is the bird’s eye view, which instead of looking straight down from above, you are looking forward from the air; this way you can see slightly further ahead. Again the shots for this on multimap were quite recent, taken within the last couple of years. What I like about these aerial views is that you can see the neighbourhood and look around from the comfort of your home. You can get a feel for an area without having to go outside. I think back to the time I moved house a few years ago. At that time I was torn between two areas, both around a half hour drive from my then current residence. As new instructions came in I would be offered the chance of viewing a property, often before details were posted or available on the web. On a number of occasions the trip would be wasted as the surrounding areas were not great. Having access to these features may have saved some wasted journeys. A handy feature on multimap (as with Google) is the ability to display road names – it makes navigating around the screen far easier, especially if you have to zoom in and out or scroll across the map.

You can also use the maps to get a wider view and scan around surrounding areas of properties. Its great if you want to take a look at areas which you cannot physically access directly to see what the current usage of land is. I recall seeing legal searches which reveal land that is or has been potentially contaminated in the surrounding area. A quick search using these views will reveal any potential nasties which require further investigation, especially where land may be difficult to access. If you are interested in this imagery for business purposes, then I suggest you visit the Microsoft web site to gain more details on how virtual earth can be utilised as part of your business.

Of course, whilst Google has older aerial shots, it is now introducing a street view, which enables you to take a look at a property at the street level. To access the maps, go to www.google.co.uk, then select maps from the top left of the screen. Finding an address is easy and operates like multimap. The map and satellite views are just like multi-map, however the best bit is their street view; although be aware that the coverage is limited at present. My home address was not available, so I tried an alternative address where I knew there was coverage. Typing in the postcode a map appeared along with a separate pop-up box which showed the address and a hyperlink to street view (this included a thumbnail photo of the location). Clicking on this link provided a larger view, which appears to have been taken from a few metres up in the air. You then have the ability from that position to scroll a full 360°. The picture was nice a crisp. To help navigate around in the street view a small map appears to the bottom. You can click on the person and literally drag them around, even hopping between neighbouring streets if you wish. It is fairly easy to navigate around after a little practice. If you want to see a picture in full screen just click the button at the top right of the screen. This is a really handy package that enables you to view the local neighbourhood and get a feel for the area. Clearly images will become dated in time, so there is always the caveat that you need to see the area for yourself, but a useful tool nonetheless.

The view expressed are those of the author and not those of DTZ.

Nigel AlmondAssociate Director, DTZE-mail: nigel.almond@dtz.com