Added by Dan Munz, last edited by Dan Munz on May 09, 2008 6:11 PM
This page contains a high-level summary of some of the issues raised during our second public meeting of the Collaboration Project. Click the links to hear audio clips of the presentation and discussion, and please use the comments section to keep the conversation going!
This meeting, entitled Web 2.0: Turning Data Into Information, was a presentation of Virtual Alabama by Alabama Homeland Security Director Jim Walker. Virtual Alabama is a powerful tool that aggregates imagery data (including maps, satellite photography, budget data, building schematics, etc.) and is transforming how data is used to spark innovation and empower Alabama's leaders to act.
Virtual Alabama went live in August 2006. By November 2007, there were over 1800 online users contributing the best available data from each of Alabama's 67 counties. Powered by Google Earth Enterprise, the system was developed for a fraction of what such a powerful tool might otherwise cost. The State has employed the tool to provide enhanced coordination and awareness to the State's first responders. The ability to seamlessly aggregate data in an intergovernmental environment offers promise for performing collaborative analysis, expanding the reach and impact of service delivery, managing stakeholder expectations, and tackling other challenges that increasingly reach across the traditional boundaries of government.
Director Walker noted that the impetus for Virtual Alabama was the Governor's need for better map data following Hurricane Katrina. During a flyover of the coastline, Governor Riley turned to Director Walker and said, "This is all fine, but what did the coastline look like before the hurricane?" Walker realized he didn't know the answer, and after scouring the state, he found that the best map data existed in local governments – in counties, cities, and towns around Alabama.
One of the most powerful aspects of Virtual Alabama is the way that it allows the State DHS to build relationships with local governments. In Alabama, local Sheriffs are powerful community leaders. One of the applications they found most powerful was the ability to layer their data from a public sex offender registry with other data about the locations of schools, playgrounds, and other places where children might be vulnerable.
Not only was this capability impressive, but the value proposition – "contribute your data and you get access to the database" – helped build new relationships between the state and local law enforcement officials. Not only was data being brought together – people were, too.
While the license for Virtual Alabama is owned at the State level, counties and towns all around the state can contribute new data, and decide what kinds of data to contribute. As a result, the system has empowered Alabama's first responders who work "at the tip of the spear" to create tools that work for them. In turn, the system has gained buy-in quickly as populations who didn't even know about the system – for example, Alabama's revenue commissioners – are rapidly exploring it, getting involved, and contributing more and better data in the process.
In addition to tracking other activity, officials are using Virtual Alabama to track their own resources – inventory equipment, map buildings, etc. Because the platform is connecting officials across counties, it allows them to do their own resource balancing without the State DHS having to pay active attention.
Director Walker emphasizes that the "little ol'" State of Alabama has invested in this system without much outside support, and using technology that is available off-the-shelf today.
The power of offering access to data has incentivized the private sector – which owns almost 90% of Alabama's infrastructure – to play along and contribute data as well.
Academy Fellow Marty Wagner wonders how lines of accountability are maintained in the system when officials around the state have access to the information in Virtual Alabama.
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