GIS helps Manage NASCAR Fans

Police and others in Dover, Delaware are now using GIS to better respond to issues related to the large crowds that come to town twice a year for the races. Credit is given to “Gary Nowak, the city’s new geographic information system chief,” for writing a computer program with the required data. The systems runs on laptops and helps law enforcement respond to situation in the Dover Downs “campgrounds” where tailgaters gather. Apparently near real time data is added, but it’s not clear how. Says the local paper: “The program details the status of crowds around the racetrack.”

- Delaware Online/The News Journal

To get the rest of the story, read this article from ESRI. It notes the underlying technology and how the data are updated.

Using ArcGIS Server and ArcGIS Mobile software from ESRI, staff operating in the command center and in the field can visualize where disturbances, code violations, accidents, and other incidents occur.
This view of the entire race, with real-time event data being posted by field personnel using ArcGIS Mobile, provides the command center with a common operating picture that can be shared with other personnel in different locations. The server-based GIS provides an enterprise platform that can be accessed using browser-based desktop or mobile clients. It makes extensive capabilities available without having to install any special client software and without training.

The project won an ESRI SAG Award in 2007.