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What is a dynamic map
A dynamic map is a map that allows users to interact with and see geographic features
on a digital map. In contrast, a static map is generally created by a cartographer or
graphic artist and the content or appearance of the saved map file cannot be changed
dynamically through interaction by a website user.
In a dynamic map, the website user can change map scales and zoom levels, and even
select or place new map features, in some applications. Additional geographic features
become visible as the user zooms further into the map.
Using a map to specify your origin or destination
The dynamic map window in the TakeTransit Trip PlannerSM application allows the user to
select a trip origin and destination directly from a map using this website. Why would
you want to do this? Because sometimes other means of specifying a location
(e.g., entering a street address, intersection address, or landmark) may not work adequately
(for more information, please see the main help menu section for the Trip Planner called:
Why origin or destination address may not be found?).
In other cases, the users may not know the exact address of their origins or destinations.
In all of these situations, you may want to use the dynamic map to locate and set your origin or
destination points. You can launch the dynamic map interface by clicking on the Map links
(below origin and destination address entry boxes in the Trip Planner entry form). This opens a
new browser window with a dynamic map and its functionality to enable the user to select origins
and destinations for trip itineraries.
How to interact with a map interface
This dynamic map is initially displayed with the extent of the entire Bay Area.
Map functions available on other types of interactive maps on this website are also
available on this dynamic map. These include zoom, pan, and select location.
The features are activated by clicking the navigation icons on the left side of the map.
The names of the icons will also appear as you scroll over them with your mouse cursor.
The active graphic icon is highlighted. Please note that maps only display information
for the Bay Area's nine counties. Interactive functions and map details are not
provided for areas outside the nine-county region.
The various map functionalities are described below:
- Zoom In/Zoom Out -
There are a number of zoom levels provided through the scale on the upper left of the map.
Clicking on the plus (+) or minus (-) buttons or dragging the slider bar on the scale will
allow you to zoom in and out for more detailed information about streets and other map
features, or to see a wider view of the area. The scroll key on your mouse can also be
used on the map for zooming in and out. You can define your zoom area by selecting the
Zoom In icon ("Magnifying glass" icon) on the left side of the map by clicking on it,
and then drawing a rectangle by clicking and dragging over the map while holding down
the mouse cursor to focus in on the zoom area.
- Pan Tool -
You can also shift the map using the pan tool icon ("Hand" icon) by first clicking on the icon and
then simply clicking and dragging your mouse within the window to get a better sense of the area.
The pan tool icon is located on the lower left portion of the map.
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Select Location - You can use the
Select Location ("Star icon) to specify the desired location for your trip origin or destination.
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Once you have zoomed into the desired area, click on the
Select Location ("Star" icon) to activate it. Then, click on the map with your mouse
cursor at the point where you want to place your desired trip origin or destination.
When you have clicked on a map location, a star symbol will be displayed on the map
to show your selected location.
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If you are satisfied with the selected location shown on the map,
click on 'Use Selected Location', which will activate that location as your chosen
origin or destination point. The dynamic map window will then automatically return
you to the Trip Planner entry form, and the location that you have selected will appear
in the origin or destination box labeled as 'Selected from map'.
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If the selected origin or destination location is not correct, you can
click on a different location to move it while the 'Select Location' icon is still
highlighted within the dynamic map window. Or, if you already clicked
'Use Selected Location' and realized that your location was incorrect, you can
delete the 'Selected from map' entry that will appear in the Trip Planner entry box,
and start again using the dynamic map icon.
- Inset Map -
The inset map appears on the lower right corner of the map.
It will display a smaller map showing the location of the zoomed-in area
relative to the entire Bay Area. This can be helpful to maintain awareness of
where you are zoomed into within the Bay Area region. You can minimize or
maximize the inset map by clicking the arrow in the lower right corner of the inset map.
You can also re-center the map by grabbing and moving the red rectangular box in the inset
map with your mouse.
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