April 21, 2008- At MIT, researchers are studying new ways to maps cities, one of which actually involves using cell phone signals to map a city. They have already monitored the usage of 10,000 mobile devices in order to map a city in real time. With the data provided to them anonymously, there has been no infringement on the privacy of users. They have been able to gather data and create an electronic map of Graz, Austria using what they are calling the Mobile Landscaping project.

Researchers are using three different types of data in order to create these virtual maps of major cities. First, they use the density of cell phone calls, as well as origins and destinations of calls placed on mobile devices along with the third type, which is the position of the users which is tracked at intervals. These data are then put together and translated to create a map that can be laid over a geographical map and will show peaks and valleys according to cell phone usage. These types of maps could provide the public with more information about a city than ever before. Not only would they be able to look at a city map and be able to examine the physical layout of a city, but also population distributions at any given time. This information would be useful not only to the public but also to groups such as city planners and urban researchers.

These maps created by the MIT researchers will be displayed at M-City Exhibition at the Kunsthaus Graz from October 1 through January 8. Those who view the display will be able to actively participate in the ever changing city map by sending a text massage to a server and then watching as the electronic landscape changes in response to the new information.

Source: web.mit.edu

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