Investigation into Configuration Methods for Adding External Data Sources to a Common Website, 10-R9849

Principal Investigator
Lynne Randolph

Inclusive Dates:  08/25/08 – 12/25/08

Background - Over the last few years, SwRI has developed a website that is fed from ITS data from another SwRI process, Center-to-Center (C2C). While the data provided is both useful to the public and readily available in various Department of Transportation (DOT) districts, individual districts also require other data to be depicted. Understandably, districts are reluctant to embrace a common website that does not allow the inclusion of district specific data. Currently, the development of a statewide website has been stalled as the districts cannot reach consensus on a set of common functionality or even how common functionality should behave.

Approach - This research will investigate methods for allowing disparate entities to include diverse data on a common website. The objective of this project is to investigate and develop methods that would allow a statewide website to have a menu of functionality that each district can customize. These methods would involve easy picking and choosing of functionality for a particular site and also allow data from sources other than C2C to be displayed. As data from external sources is not under the direct control of the website, the potential for performance and security problems exists. Additionally, multiple browsers must be supported, which requires a more complex solution to ensure compatibility.

Accomplishments - Currently, the project is investigating methods to allow an end user to customize a website. One type of method under investigation includes existing tools that allow users to graphically build website components (e.g., Google Mashups). The alternative to an existing tool will be to have a customized method of adding new components. Additionally, methods for overlaying data feeds on websites were evaluated. Currently, the intent is to allow users to add Keyhole Markup Language (KML) or Rich Site Summary (RSS) feeds with encoded geodata as a layer on a Microsoft Virtual Earth site. This is a mechanism already supported by Virtual Earth that allows icons and polygons to be placed on the map with embedded data. Information as to what is displayed when a user hovers over or clicks the item is also embedded in the files. For data that updates frequently, weather data for example, an update frequency will need to be specified for the website to retrieve updated data.

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