GIS FAQ

• What is GIS?
• How is GIS used at MTC?
• What data is available from MTC?
• What coordinate system does MTC use?
• What base-map does MTC use and how can I get access to it?
• What GIS software does MTC use?
• Who do I contact for more info?

A geographic information system (GIS) is an organized collection of computer hardware, software, geographic data, and personnel designed to efficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of geographically referenced information. GIS is distinguished from other information system technology in its ability to perform common database operations and statistical analysis, as well as complex visualization and geographic analysis. These unique capabilities make GIS valuable for explaining events, predicting outcomes, and planning strategies. For more information, go to GIS.com

How is GIS used at MTC?

MTC uses GIS for a variety of purposes throughout the agency. Several examples are listed below.

• GIS is used to map projects that it plans and funds, such as transportation projects in the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
• GIS is used to perform spatial and statistical analyses to support long-range plans, such as analyses to evaluate the potential effectiveness of new transportation projects.
• GIS is used to assess the public transportation system, such as an analysis of whether low-income, minority, disabled and elderly populations are being properly served by the transportation system.
• GIS is used to create user-friendly tools to promote the use of public transit, such as MTC's Take Transit trip planner.
• GIS is used to map the outputs of MTC's travel demand modeling (TDM) and related forecasting/modeling efforts.
• GIS is used to analyze and display a wide variety of data and make it accessible and understandable to MTC staff, Commissioners, parternship agencies, & the general public.

For more information on how MTC uses GIS, view the GISoundBytes page.

What data is available from MTC?

MTC has acquired or developed a variety of GIS data to support our GIS activities. Unless restricted by licensing or non-disclosure agreements, these data are available for distribution to others. To view our data sharing policy and download the most frequently requested data, go to our GIS Data page.

What coordinate system does MTC use?

MTC has standardized on Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM), Zone 10N, NAD83. All units are measured in meters.

What base-map does MTC use and how can I get access to it?

MTC currently licenses Geographic Data technology (GDT). If you are a contractor or a consultant working on a project for MTC, the data is available free of charge for MTC project work only.

If you are a partnership agency of MTC, the data may be acquired from MTC (at MTC's discretion) for no fee. Get more info.

What GIS software does MTC use?

MTC uses the ESRI suite of GIS software, including ARCVIEW 3.x, ARCGIS 9.x, ARCIMS 3.x, and ARCSDE 8.x. For travel demand modeling (TDM) purposes, MTC uses MINUTP, TP+ and VIPER. Additional statistical analysis is performed using SAS and EXCEL.

Who do I contact for more info?

Complete contact information for the MTC GIS Team is provided on our Contacts page.

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