LAB 1

TRANSPORTATION PATHWAYS

Introduction

        I chose these maps because they are all different in terms of their scale, the information they convey, their extent of detail as well as their importance. The first map is global and something that is applicable to almost everyone. The second is useful for a New Yorker, but probably more so for an unfamiliar tourist. And the third map is closer to home and something that I feel is significant to everyday transportation in Southern California.

Map 1

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/97373666@N00/3264396897/

    

     This map indicates the world passenger airline routes. The creator's name is not specified but he used data from Google Maps, Airlineroutemaps, and individual airline websites. It is a very general map and does not even show the different continents but interestingly enough the routes actually kind of outline the different land masses. Through my mental map I can tell that the large density of connections in the middle is most likely Europe and the high density to the left of it is North America. Through this map it is clear that the Northern Hemisphere dominates in terms of airline transportation. The United States, Eastern Asia and especially Europe have and utilize their airports and planes the most. This can  probably be related to a location's degree of globalization as well as development. Places that don't seem to be as developed probably have a difficult time building airports. South America and Africa seem to be fairly lacking in airline routes and density probably due to the lack of advanced transportation infrastructure. So, overall I found this map interesting because it is aesthetically pleasing as well as informative if looked at from a thoughtful perspective. It demonstrates that maps can be a form of art as well as an information tool. 

Map 2

 

http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

       I found this map on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority site and specifically under the New York City Transit. It shows that the subway can be used as a means of transportation throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx and to a small portion of Queens. It provides a lot of information because it includes the streets that act as stops as well as the location where you can transfer to different trains. The lines and colors represent the different trains and pathways of the New York City subway system. I find this map very interesting because I actually had to use it when I went to vacation in New York over the past summer. I stayed in Brooklyn so I had to figure out ways to get to Manhattan, where the main tourist sites are. At first it was very difficult and confusing, but after some experience the map proved to be really helpful. It helped me navigate throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan. Being a California resident, I had no sense of direction or mental map about New York so I needed a physical map to navigate around a place I had never been to. 

Map 3

  http://www.sigalert.com/Map.asp?region=Greater+Los+Angeles&gclid=CPWUiK3R-acCFQUDbAodqkUesA#lat=33.85478&lon=-118.04776&z=2

       I actually took a snapshot of this map through the Snipping Tool program from Windows. It was from the Sigalert site, which provides real time information about the traffic in the freeways. I took the snapshot at 1:25 pm March 31, 2011. It shows the freeways of LA and Orange County as well as some of the cities adjacent to them. The colors indicate the decree of flow on the freeways with green indicating free, fast moving flow. Yellow, orange, and red indicate slow movement, back ups and stops respectively. I find this map really important because I live in Costa Mesa and I have to travel to UCLA and back fairly often. To make sure that I don't get stuck in the 405 traffic, I always check the site to make sure there are no back ups and accidents. The 405 is also not the only highway I use so that is why I chose this map. My boyfriend attends UCSB so understanding the flow of the 101 is also important. When I am back home in Orange County and I want to go to the different malls the area offers the 55 and the 5 prove to be the quickest transportation. Also, not only is the map crucial when I am going to use the freeway, but I have noticed that it affects traffic on the streets that provide exit and entrance ramps for the freeways. Around 5:00pm I have to take a shuttle back to my apartment and it usually takes twice as long to get back due to the traffic of cars that are mostly trying to get onto the 405 freeway through Wilshire Ave.