What is Birdseye Geocoding?

In current mapping applications, digital line files such as streets, cities, towns and ZIP Codes are used to locate a property. While these results are relatively accurate, they are not exact. Birdseye Geocoding uses a combination of digital street files and aerial images to provide the most accurate geocode possible. By letting the user see the aerial image of the immediate area, the user can get a "Birdseye View" of the area, and come up with the exact latitude and longitude of the subject property simply by clicking with the mouse!

But Birdseye Geocoding is more than simply showing the user an aerial map. The aerial map is shown at the same size and scale as the digital map. By clicking on the aerial map, the exact location of an address can be pinpointed by the user and fed back to the application for more accurate spatial analysis.

How does it work?

Birdseye Geocoding is a two step process. First, the address is entered, and the location is displayed on a street-level digital map showing street centerlines or similar digital vector mapping files. Displayed next to this map is a second map showing the aerial photograph at the same scale. See the two maps below. As placed by the Computer

As Placed By The Computer - Within the 100 Year Floodplain

As you can see, the property is in the Purple area, which is the 100 year floodplain. However, as you can see in the right map, the user knows the actual location is a few blocks south.

Now, looking at the aerial image, the user clicks on the image at the location where the subject is located. Because the user can actually see the aerial photo, it is very easy to pinpoint the exact location. The latitude and longitude where the user clicked is now calculated from the aerial image and fed back into the GIS mapping application.

As Manually Placed Using Birdseye Geocoding - Outside the 100 Year Floodplain

As you can see, now the property is clearly out of the 100 year flood plain.

What is the benefit?

The user gets a much more accurate geocode. In areas with uneven parcels, the user can pick the rooftop and get the exact coordinates. Birdseye Geocoding makes the promise of parcel mapping a reality on a national level today. While many people want rooftop geocoding, digital parcel maps and building footprints are only available on a very limited basis. With the click of a mouse, you can get the exact coordinates of any location in the US!

Birdseye Geocoding and Flood Insights

FloodInsights uses this concept to allow the user to move seamlessly between the digital risk maps and the aerial photos. By using Birdseye Geocoding, the user can get much more accurate results when checking flood zones. By moving the subject property to exactly the location on the aerial photograph, the user can be sure that they have the proper zone, even if it's a close call.

Accessing the Aerial Images

Underneath the legend to the right of the map, you'll see a Birdseye Geocoding icon. Click on this icon to turn on the aerial image. If you click it again, you'll turn off the aerial image.

In addition, the zoom in, zoom out, manual placement and ruler tools all work with both the digital and aerial maps! Further, the maps always show the exact same size and scale!

The aerial image can be used with the Manual Placement option to ensure you're getting exactly the right placement of the subject property.

Pricing:

Each downloaded image costs 1/3 as much as 1 flood determination. So if you pay $1.00 per flood determination, each aerial image is $.33. Each downloaded image counts, so if you zoom in 2x, you've used 3 images. The more you purchase, the less expensive they become!

How to Activate the Aerial Images on Your Account:

For new accounts, the aerial image option will be turned on when the account is established. For existing accounts, there is a checkbox on the Account Maintenance Screen which says "Allow Birdseye Geocoding". Check the checkbox to turn on this option, uncheck it to turn it off.

Contact CDS Business Mapping for More Information at 617-737-4444.