Massachusetts state agencies, such as the Office of Geographic Information (MassGIS) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), have developed interactive mapping tools that are available for use by the public. There’s a little bit of a learning curve when first attempting to use them, however just exploring their different functionalities is a lot of fun and often produces interesting results. In addition to the tools linked below, use the Mass.gov search bar to find mapping tools other agencies provide (keywords such as “geographic information” and “GIS tool” are great starting points.)
 |
| Massachusetts' bedrock lithology as detailed through data layer group B, using MassGIS' Oliver Online Map Maker. |
Office of Geographic Information (MassGIS) tools:
- Oliver: The MassGIS Online Map Maker: Allows users to “interactively display and query nearly all of MassGIS’ data” and download up-to-date shapefiles from the database.
- ArcGIS Online Web Mapping Platform: “A statewide database of geospatial information.” Interactive tools include Google Ortho Imagery and Index, MassUtilities, Surficial Geology, and property maps.
- MassGIS Datalayers: Datalayer descriptions with metadata and links to free downloadable data.
Massachusetts Department of Transportation tools:
- geoDOT: A platform with which MassDOT makes public and shares its most up-to-date transportation related GIS data.
- Pictometry Online Viewer: An online viewer that provides access to the entire Massachusetts statewide digital color oblique imagery library.
- MA Highway Route Log Application
Kaitlin Connolly
Reference Department
