An online survey of UK local authorities is being undertaken by UK based research firm Quadriga Consulting. The survey is attempting to paint a more detailed picture of the types of citizen reported location data being utilized by local authorities. Anecdotal evidence suggests that local authorities across the UK are mapping more and more information to improve service provision. Geolocation data, when overlaid on digital maps, creates the opportunity to provide greater visualisation of information that could be useful for council operational staff and citizens.
With the roll-out of non-emergency reporting tools on mobile devices, local authorities can make citizens their most important fact-finders – reporting anti-social behaviour, dog-fouling, fly-tipping and pot-holes - from right across the council area.
According to Jeff Peel, of Quadriga Consulting,
“We have prepared a simple-to-complete on-line questionnaire that can be completed by UK local authority staff. It only takes a few minutes. If enough councils complete the questionnaire, we’ll be able to build a picture of the types of initiatives being taken by councils to have citizens report location data. We know also that some councils are using their own staff to gather information across towns, cities and counties. We’d like to get a better idea of just how many are doing this and the nature of the information that’s being gathered. We also want to know about which mapping software is being used.â€
He continued,
“We’ll send a copy of our summary report to everyone who completes the survey. It may not be a definitive survey, but at least it will give us a better idea of who’s doing what, and what plans are in place.â€
Council officials wishing to complete the questionnaire can do so online by selecting the following link.