NCTCOG's Research and Information Services (RIS) Department has developed a dynamic framework that greatly improves the way information is viewed, analyzed and reported. Building on our established web mapping program, iCommunities, the RIS Department now offers public and private entities a user-friendly way to deliver customizable, user specific information to citizens and customers.
The RIS Department can provide these data sources and services cost effectively by using the shared services concept. Currently, more than 20 public sector entities are receiving services that prevent the need for each entity to purchase expensive and complex GIS software licenses.
All of this technology flows seamlessly,
powered by our flagship mapping service, DFWmaps.com, to the member's
existing web site.
As we continue to refine this program, we welcome your feedback. Please take a few minutes to complete the RISN Survey.
For more information, refer to the RISN Documentation or click on one of the topics below.
Data and Layers
The following data and layers are hosted and maintained by the RIS Department. They are available as individual services or as groups of services.
Subscribers may choose to purchase the data and/or layers alone for
their own development or pair them with one or more technical tools. Current and
upcoming data and layers include:
Contours *
2-foot digital elevation contours for selected counties in the region for 2001
and 2007. Coverage areas for various years can be viewed at
http://gis.nctcog.org/aerials_coverage.asp
Aerials *
NCTCOG has facilitated the purchase of high-quality, color, digital aerial
photography. Data for 2001 through 2009 are available. Coverage areas for various
years can be viewed at
http://gis.nctcog.org/aerials_coverage.asp
Boundaries *
Delineations for counties, cities, independent school districts (ISD), traffic
survey zones (TSZ), and ZIP codes
Census *
1990, 2000 and 2010 Census data for the region
Transportation *
Traffic improvement plan projects such as addition of lanes, bridge work, new
roadways, transit improvements
Hydrology *
Lakes and streams for the region
Planimetrics
Layers such as building footprints, sidewalks and pavement (road edges, parking
lots, bridges, medians and islands), captured from the 2007 digital
orthophotography
Weather
Real-time climate and weather data for the region
Land Use
Land use by category for the 12-county Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Planning
Area (MPA)
Features
Major developments, landmarks, and other various structures
Demographic Forecast
2035 and 2040 projected population and employment for the 12 counties in
the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA)
Parcels
Tax appraisal data and boundaries for 11 counties in the NCTCOG region.
Not available for Palo
Pinto, Wise, Erath, Somervell and Parker counties.
Small Area Estimates
Employment by industry, population, households and housing units
American Community Survey
Annual survey includes information on age, race/ethnicity, poverty status,
median household income, educational attainment and more
State Data Center Projections by County
County-level total population projections by race and age group based on various
migration scenarios
Education
Texas Education Agency ratings, enrollment statistics, student demographics and more by school or district
Traffic Counts
Number of vehicles passing a certain point per day
Technical Tools
Technical tools help subscribers view, analyze, and disseminate information either internally or externally. They can be combined with services in a variety of ways.
Some examples include:
Selected data services hosted through an online mapping interface similar to Google and Bing Maps. Online interface comes with
six basic services (indicated by * on the Data and Layers list). Online interface can use icons, color schemes, and graphics unique to the subscriber. Subscribers can perform simple queries and have the ability to print, export, and email maps and reports.
As many as 10 of the subscriber's own data services or GIS layers hosted in the
online mapping interface. Includes the option for secure, password-protected
access of sensitive information.
The addition of advanced query and reporting functionality to the online
interface such as custom reports based on a under-defined polygon or
user-specified radius.
NCTCOG can build custom applications using state-of-the art technologies to meet the specific needs and requirements of the client. Additional components can be extended to various application sectors such as public safety, emergency disaster management, economic development, water resources, research institutions and planning organizations.
RISN builds on the shared services concept where organizations needing similar services pool resources to realize efficiencies. Through RISN, data gathering, processing, maintenance, and presentation is consolidated, allowing participants to allocate resources elsewhere. An additional benefit is cost avoidance, as the need for software licensing, hardware, and data center costs are reduced or eliminated.
Pricing for RISN is based on two major concepts:
Sustainability – Those benefiting from existence and access to data should
support development and dissemination of the data. This helps ensure that
valuable information will continue to be available for those who need it.
Zero Profit – RISN pricing should cover the cost of providing the service. RISN
will support itself and not be used as a way to fund other services.
Access to RISN is by subscription and includes unlimited access to the system during the subscription period. Pricing depends on the combination of services and tools selected. Subscribers pay a one-time setup fee and then an annual maintenance fee. NCTCOG members and members of an RIS cooperative program receive special pricing. One example of a RISN subscription for an NCTCOG member is presented below.
Online interface with advanced query and reporting tools and six basic
services (indicated by * on the list of Data and Layers)
NCTCOG is excited about this opportunity to work with you and
hope that you will allow us to provide you with more information. We would be
pleased to visit your office and demonstrate how RISN can be of direct
benefit to you. To schedule an appointment or find out more about the pricing options,
please contact:
North Central Texas Council of Governments | 616 Six Flags Drive P.O. Box 5888 Arlington, TX 76005-5888 br />
Main Operator: (817) 640-3300 | Fax: (817) 640-7806
NCTCOG's Research and Information Services (RIS) Department has developed a dynamic framework that greatly improves the way information is viewed, analyzed and reported. Building on our established web mapping program,