Company
Date Published
Author
Helen McKenzie
Word count
2693
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

Integrating spatial data for geospatial analysis can be complex, but the Overture Maps Foundation, in collaboration with Databricks and CARTO, is simplifying this process by using the Global Entity Reference System (GERS). GERS offers unique identifiers for geospatial features, facilitating seamless data integration without the need for complex ETL processes. Overture Maps, a project by the Linux Foundation, provides validated geospatial datasets that include roads, buildings, and places, structured for interoperability and released monthly. These datasets are accessible through cloud platforms like Databricks, enabling efficient spatial analysis without manual downloads. CARTO enhances this capability with its Analytics Toolbox, which operates on Databricks clusters to offer advanced geospatial functions. By using GERS, users can perform simple column-based joins instead of heavy spatial joins, making the integration process more efficient. The article illustrates the use of CARTO and Databricks for analyzing delivery routes and identifying traffic-related delays, demonstrating the practical application of these tools in streamlining geospatial analytics.