Johns Creek is inviting residents to use a “Mapillary” smartphone app to help the city collect street sign locations by taking pictures of their neighborhood.
Photos can be uploaded to Mapillary, which will analyze the photos, locate the signs and transmit the information to the city. The data will help staff determine the number and type of signs on each street.
“With Mapillary and our residents, we can collect the locations of thousands of signs within a matter of a few months,” said Nick O’Day, senior GIS (Geographic Information Systems) manager for Johns Creek. “The usual way that cities map signs is by sending teams of staff out to GPS each sign, one at a time, which can take years.”
The information will be useful if, for example, a stop sign is knocked down. City crews can check the Mapillary photo and data and start fixing the issue immediately. Instructions on downloading and using the app are available on a city website: http://bit.ly/2A5rpex
