Maps are not just for navigation any more. Because of geographic information system (GIS) technology, maps are saving time and money for the City of Arlington.

The City will showcase its use of GIS technology on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from noon until 4 p.m. Employees from six City departments will demonstrate real-world computer maps and applications in the Council Briefing Room at City Hall. The public is invited to attend the event and learn more about GIS. The free exhibition is part of GIS Day, a global celebration to raise awareness of GIS technologies. Refreshments will be available and door prizes will be given away.

A computer-based mapping tool, GIS technology gathers information from a database about a specific geographic location. These details might include streets, buildings, water features, terrain and more. GIS converts this data into visual layers, which present a graphical picture of the land. City staff can better see and understand the geographic features on a map, enabling planners, analysts and others to make informed decisions about their communities.

"Once upon a time, we relied almost exclusively on paper maps," said Thomas Konzel, coordinator of the Arlington GIS event and a GIS application developer for the City of Arlington.

"Whenever a new subdivision was developed or a new road was constructed, our paper map immediately became invalid. But with GIS, we can immediately edit electronic maps, saving a great deal of time and money," he said.

Finding a map of a specific city neighborhood used to take hours. But with GIS technology, hours have turned into minutes. Today, maps can be pulled up almost immediately.