GIS in the Public Spotlight

Citywide Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is " 'still an emerging technology, but one that has come a long way in the last couple of years.' " The possibilities of GIS are characterized as endless. "GIS also has become a powerful homeland security tool. New York's system...helped coordinate emergency responders on Sept. 11, 2001....the underlying map was combined with thermal data detected by low-flying planes to show where fires and dangerously hot steam lurked in the World Trade Center rubble. Now, the GIS system is aiding security plans for this summer's Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden."