“R U Safe?” Community Mapping Initiative
Rutgers University students will be participating in a community mapping event, “R U Safe?”, on December 1, 2011 on the College Avenue Campus in order to promote the importance of safe habits and conditions. Students enrolled in GIS Planning and Health, taught by Dr. Wansoo Im, will assess the safety of different areas around College Ave and upload their observations into an easily accessible online map. The areas that will be surveyed include College Avenue, Easton Avenue and some of the popular residential streets among students.
This event will be completed using GIS, or Geographic Information Systems, technology. GIS allows users to upload data and photos into an interactive map which provides a spatial representation of the issue. Anyone with Internet access can then click on a point on the map to see a list of the conditions in the area.
The “R U Safe?” initiative will be geared towards the female perception of safety threats. Areas in which female students feel particularly vulnerable will be recorded using surveys and smartphones. Participants will rate the level of vulnerability appropriate for each section of College Ave. This will be done in order to provide an understanding of the gravity of the safety issues surrounding the university campus. The promotion of safe habits, such as walking in groups or during busy hours, and remaining aware of your surroundings, will also be emphasized.