Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/53167
NEWSLINK Map App for Carbon Footprints Wins EPA Praise A mapping application that allows individuals to calculate their carbon footprint was recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of a recent national challenge designed to promote "Apps for the Environment." The mapping app, developed by Brighter Planet of Shelburne, Vt., earned the overall runner-up award in EPA's Apps for the Environment challenge. The Hootroot app provides for any route directions and carbon footprints that cover driving, transit, flight and human-powered transportation options. Hootroot is powered by Web services from Brighter Planet, Google Maps and HopStop. Data for the footprint calculations come from EPA's U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory and eGRID database as well as other sources. Hootroot was one of five winners in the EPA chal- lenge. Applications covered topics such as local air quality, contaminants in fish and games for learning A map-based application developed for an EPA challenge helps users "green" their travel plans by viewing a planned route, a means of transport and the carbon footprint associated with it. environmental facts. Contestants retain intellectual- property rights over their submissions, and winners' submissions will be available on the EPA Web site for free use and download by the public for one year. URISA Salary Survey Notes Trends among GIS Pros The Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) released the results of its latest salary survey for GIS professionals, revealing a steady evolution of trends in the geospatial workplace. The recent results, derived from the association's 2010 survey, serve as a point of comparison to URISA's 2006 salary survey. The 2010 survey showed the average sal- ary of survey respondents at $61,540, an increase of 2.5 percent over the 2006 average. GIS managers, meanwhile, saw a 3.8 percent increase in salary, to $69,842. Other report highlights include the finding that GIS pro- fessionals earn, on average, $10,000 more than non-GIS professionals, and that 65 percent of respondents work within some level of government. Compared with the 2006 survey, the 2010-2011 survey results included more job titles and information on the change in department sizes, professional certification, spe- cific technical and "soft" skills, and salary information. The survey sought to answer questions such as how salary levels have changed during the last few years, how GIS departments have changed in size, what nontechnical skills are required, what GIS software proficiencies are needed, what benefits employers typically offer, how long A GIS user (left) works with a GIS analyst (right) to learn more about a planning application. Recently released results from a URISA survey give insights into the salaries and work responsibilities of GIS professionals. the average work week is, how GIS certification has had an impact on salaries, and whether GIS professionals are actively pursuing continuing education. Survey results are available on CD (www.urisa.org/ 2011SalarySurvey). The price to URISA International mem- bers is $99; $199 for nonmembers. 8 GEO W ORLD /JANUAR Y 2O12 Imagery/LIDAR Special Issue UTAH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BRIGHTER PLANET