About the University of Waterloo campus map
The University of Waterloo campus map is an accessible, mobile friendly campus map that has information on everything on campus from transit stops, food options, parking, ATMs to construction [1].
The University of Waterloo’s Open Data API is powered by the Open Data Initiative. The Open Data API allows anyone to build their own programs and applications using data from University of Waterloo websites [2].
Accessibility, mobility, and the profound relationship between the two were a key factor in building the University of Waterloo campus map. Some of the accessibility features include supporting keyboard navigation, providing tabular views of the data, and a high contrast version of the base map.
The high contrast version of the base map is useful for those who have low vision or colour blindness. This version is also beneficial for viewing the map outside, even if there is glare from the sun. Furthermore, this article will illustrate some of the amazing features that are a part of the University of Waterloo Campus Map [1].
Navigating the University of Waterloo campus map
When you first enter the campus map, you will see a large map of campus.
You can use the + and – buttons in the top right corner of the website to zoom in and out of the map. In addition, the University of Waterloo Campus Map allows you to get directions to any place on campus and add places as your next destination.
One of the many cool things that you can do with the campus map is if you click “Indoor Maps”, you can see a map of the inside of any building on campus. You can also see a map for every floor in a building, if a particular building has more than one floor. You can even click the room you are looking for in the drop down menu and it will highlight the room number in black so you can clearly see where the room is located.
Indoor map of room 331 of the third floor third floor of Hagey Hall (HH)
Search
“Search” can be located in the left side of the map. This search bar is very convenient and easy to use.
The search bar is useful if you do not know the full name of the place you are looking for. For instance, if you were to type in “HH”, it will pick up Hagey Hall and everything else that is associated with “HH” on campus.
In the image of the left, you can see that just by typing in “re” it has picked up every place associated with those letters. Furthermore, this makes it so easy to use, especially if you are look for a specific place on campus.
Points of interest
“Point of Interest” is a menu that allows you to locate places on campus associated with areas of interest. This section of the University of Waterloo Campus Map allows you to find emergency information, places, transit, information, parking, accessibility, and sustainability.
Emergency Information
Emergency Information shows and describes to users who to contact and what you should do in the event of an emergency.
You can also see where all automatic external defibrillators are located on campus. An automated external defibrillator is a device that automatically analyzes a heart rhythm and if it detects a problem, it sends shocks to restore a normal heart rhythm [3].
Another useful thing about "Emergency Information" is that you can see where Help Lines are located around campus. Help Lines are located in strategic points throughout the University. These can be used for general inquiries, or used to report safety issues and emergencies. By clicking the Help Line icon, it will show you everywhere on campus where you can find a Help Line [4].
Transit
Transit shows you all GRT Stops, GO Transit stops and Greyhound stops on campus. When you click on any of the GRT Stops, you can access the GRT Trip planner where you can plan trips, see route schedules, stop schedules, next departures, and alerts.
Visitor information
If you click on Visitor Information, the campus map highlights the Turnkey Desk in the Student Life Centre (SLC), the Visitors Centre, Police Services, and Parking Services, which are all places on campus that can provide visitors with general knowledge about the University.
Construction Sites
Construction Sites highlight everywhere on campus that is currently undergoing construction and has information on what the construction is for.
Photospheres
Photospheres allows you to see 360-degree photos of places around campus, which allows you to create your own perspective of the environment around you by being able to interact with the photo. This simulates being in the shoes of the photographer.
Photosphere of the Theatre of the Arts located in Modern Languages (ML)
ATMs
ATMS locates all bank machines on campus and specifies where CIBC, BMO, and Scotiabank are located.
Parking
There are many different types of parking on campus and it can be confusing driving around campus trying to find the perfect parking spot.
The campus map shows you all visitor parking lots, meter parking, short term parking, motorcycle parking, accessible parking, and permit parking.
The University of Waterloo Campus Map shows how full a specific parking lot is and how many parking spots are available in real-time.
Accessibility
Under accessibility, you can see all accessible parking, accessible entrances, and inclusive washrooms on campus.
For inclusive washrooms, if you click on any of the icons that appear on the map, it will tell you whether a bathroom is barrier free, has a change table, or if it is gender neutral.
Sustainability
Under sustainability, you will find details on battery recycling bins, bike lockers, bike repair stations, care share parking spaces, E-waste drop-off bins, green spaces, green roofs, sustainable food, textbook drop-off boxes, and water bottle refill stations.
One of the cool things about the University of Waterloo Campus Map is that if you are looking for a green roof, the campus map gives a very detailed description on the exact location.
Directions
Directions allows you to get directions to and from any building on campus. When you type in a word, it will auto-fill places on campus to match what you've typed.
You can also narrow down the search by selecting if your destination is indoor or outdoor.
If you are driving, you can choose to get either driving or walking directions. You can even search by location in case you do not know the exact name of the place you are looking for.
After you have inputted all the needed information, you will see detailed directions on how to get to your destination, how much time it will take for you to get there, and you can see the route you have to take in order to get to your destination.
Accessing the University of Waterloo Campus Map on Mobile Devices
If you need to access the campus map but are not able to access the website, you can access the map through the UWaterloo Portal app which is available on the App Store, and on Google Play.
Portal aggregates relevant information, pulling content from Waterloo websites, databases, and the Open Data API; delivering just-enough, just-in time information to support student success [5].
Conclusion
Finally, the University of Waterloo’s main campus is 1,000 acres of land, which means that finding a specific room or building on campus can be difficult. However, with the University of Waterloo Campus Map, navigation will now be one less thing that you have to worry about. Whether you are a new student, or someone who is trying to get to a new building on campus, the University of Waterloo Campus Map will help.
References
[1] Toman, S. (2015, September 7). Waterloo's new campus map will help you find your way | Waterloo Stories. Retrieved from https://uwaterloo.ca/stories/waterloos-new-campus-map-will-help-you-find-your-way
[2] Home | Open Data API. (2017, September 18). Retrieved from https://uwaterloo.ca/api/
[3] Definition of Automated external defibrillator. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=23575
[4] Phones & helplines | UW Police. (2016, December 12). Retrieved from https://uwaterloo.ca/police/campus-safety/phones-helplines-0
[5] About Student Portal | Student Portal. (2016, September 9). Retrieved from https://uwaterloo.ca/student-portal/about
