Sit-n-LinkNYC

This is the process to create a digital map that shows selected "amenities" where the public can sit down and access LinkNYC Wifi in New York City.

I have used NYC Open Data, CARTO, and the open-source Overpass API that uses data from Open Street Map.

LINK to Sit-n-LinkNYC MAP

LinkNYC is a first-of-its-kind communications network that will replace over 7,500 pay phones across the five boroughs with new structures called Links. Each Link provides superfast, free public Wi-Fi, phone calls, device charging and a tablet for access to city services, maps and directions.

Data preparation

1. LINK-NYC location data -https://data.cityofnewyork.us/Social-Services/LinkNYC-Locations/s4kf-3yrf

   • This from Official NYC Open Data portal.
   • You can sync this dataset with CARTO so that it updates every hour/day/week/month. Currently synced in my CARTO account every month using the link - https://data.cityofnewyork.us/api/views/s4kf-3yrf/rows.csv?accessType=DOWNLOAD

2. Install query-pass from https://github.com/perliedman/query-overpass

• Using your Terminal, obtain Open Street Map "amenity" data
  • echo '[out:json];area[admin_level=5]["name"="New York City"][boundary=administrative]->.boundaryarea;( node["amenity" ~ "coffee"](area.boundaryarea);node["amenity" ~ "cafe"](area.boundaryarea);node["amenity" ~ "restaurant"](area.boundaryarea);node["amenity" ~ "library"](area.boundaryarea);node["amenity" ~ "school"](area.boundaryarea);node ["public_transport"](area.boundaryarea););out;>;out skel qt;' | query-overpass --flat-properties >>`date +%B%Y`-query-overpass-export-MASTER.geojson
  • This uses the OverPass API and Query-Overpass API to obtain a GEOJSON output
  • Add this GEOJSON to Carto instance.

Map preparation

3. Setup map environment with the following datasets

   • LinkNYC locations from #1
   • The geojson output we generated from #2

4. Create Areas of Influence aka Buffers around every LinkNYC site

   • We will call this LinkNYC buffers.
   • Ensure Buffers are dissolved
   • Radius = 61meters (200 ft - the claimed range of each Link)

5. "Filter points in polygons" on the LinkNYC buffers from #4 where

   • Base Polygons = LinkNYC Buffers
   • Point layer = QueryyOverpass geojson output (Step #3)

6. **Re add the original Link NYC layer and redo #4

7. Add widgets as needed

This gives you all the OSM amenities within the connection range of every LINK NYC. From here on you can ustomize your view as needed.