Building an Integrated Web Mapping and Incident Reporting Platform for Volunteer Organizations Using Open Source Technology - Capstone Project

Sep 12, 2026

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Volunteer-run trail systems across the United States often rely on dedicated labor from a core group of volunteers but operate with limited funding. Trail data is commonly fragmented across personal GPS files and distributed among multiple volunteers, making it difficult to publish current maps and timely status notes for the public. This capstone project designs an integrated open-source geospatial publishing and incident reporting platform using cloud technologies, enabling quick setup for organizations by importing data and supporting public issue reporting via mobile devices.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time9 min

AccessFree to download

Table of Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Motivation

Goal

Research Results

Methodology

Process

Development

Results

Conclusions

Bibliography

Literature References

Web References

Building an Integrated Web Mapping and Incident Reporting Platform for Volunteer Organizations Using Open Source Technology David Todd Capstone Project P e n n s y l v a n i a S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y G E O G 5 9 6 B : I n d i v i d u a l S t u d i e s – C a p s t o n e P r o j e c t S p r i n g 2 T e r m 2 0 1 4 A d v i s o r : J a n O l i v e r W a l l g r ü n 5 / 5 / 2 0 1 4 Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 2 Motivation ................................................................................................................................... 4 Goal .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Research Results.............................................................................................................................. 5 Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 8 Process ......................................................................................................................................... 8 Development ............................................................................................................................. 14 Results ........................................................................................................................................... 15 Conclusions .................................................................................................................................... 21 Bibliography .................................................................................................................................. 23 Literature References ................................................................................................................ 23 Web References ........................................................................................................................ 23 Abstract Across the United States, trails are being managed by local organizations powered by volunteers. Given the current fiscal environment, these organizations often have a core volunteer base providing labor, but considerably smaller amounts of funding. Trail data is usually stored in random files and spread across multiple volunteers. Organizations are lucky if they are able to provide updated trail maps and timely notes on current trail status. What if there was a better way to focus the volunteers' time on areas that needed the most attention, while also getting the public more involved? Using open source and cloud technologies, we are able to build a platform that allows volunteer organizations to manage their data and make it available to the public anytime, anywhere. Additionally, the public is encouraged to get involved by providing the location and description of any trail issues right from the trail on their mobile device. This project explores the process of providing an integrated open source geospatial publishing and incident reporting platform that allows volunteer organizations to getup and running quickly by simply importing their data. This project targets the Bay Circuit Trail system, but the platform could easily be utilized by any number of volunteer organizations. Introduction Trails are vital links to communities everywhere. Some are steeped in history and others provide opportunities for both recreation and transportation to all levels of people. Trails benefit communities by being a tourism boon and by providing safe locations for healthy activities for the citizens. Given the importance

FAQs

What problem does the project address for volunteer trail organizations?

It addresses the difficulty of managing fragmented trail data and publishing up-to-date trail maps and incident status with limited budgets and distributed volunteer contributions.

How does the platform help public participation?

It enables the public to report trail issues with location and descriptions directly from a mobile device, encouraging involvement beyond the volunteer core.

What is the intended deployment and target system?

The platform is designed to let volunteer organizations get started quickly by importing their existing data, and it targets the Bay Circuit Trail system as a primary example.

Sep 12, 2026

Upload by Terk