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User Guide

Overview

The Safer Parks Dashboard is an interactive mapping tool designed to help different interest groups understand safety factors in Bradford’s parks and green spaces. This prototype dashboard provides visualizations of crime data, park facilities, and various environmental factors that contribute to park safety.

Getting Started

Accessing the Dashboard

Navigate to the dashboard using the “Dashboard” link in the main navigation menu. The dashboard will open in a new tab or window, displaying an interactive map of Bradford with various data layers.

Dashboard Layout

The dashboard is organized into three main sections:

  • Left Panel: Contains navigation controls, interest group shortcuts, and contextual information
  • Central Map: Interactive map displaying Bradford’s parks and associated data layers
  • Right Panel: Layer controls for customizing which data is displayed on the map

Using Interest Groups

The dashboard provides pre-configured data views tailored to different user types:

Local Authority

Displays parks boundaries and crime heatmap data relevant for municipal planning and resource allocation.

Police Force

Shows parks, crime heatmap, violence and sexual offense data, and administrative boundaries for law enforcement analysis.

Community Organizations

Focuses on parks data to support community engagement and programming initiatives.

The Public: Women and Girls

Provides parks information specifically relevant to safety concerns for women and girls using these spaces.

To use an interest group view, click the corresponding button in the left panel. The map will automatically update to show relevant data layers and provide contextual information about that perspective.

Map Navigation

Basic Controls

  • Zoom: Use the mouse wheel or the plus/minus buttons to zoom in and out of the map
  • Pan: Click and drag to move around the map
  • Reset View: Click the “Reset View” button to return to the default map extent

Park Selection

Use the “Select a park” dropdown menu in the left panel to quickly navigate to a specific park. The map will automatically center on the selected location.

Layer Controls

The right panel contains comprehensive controls for customizing which data is displayed on the map.

Layer Categories

Data is organized into the following categories:

Parks - Parks boundaries (current and improved methods) - Park entrances (calculated access points) - Public footpaths - Recreational facilities (gardens, tennis courts, stadiums)

Eyes on the Park
- Venues that provide natural surveillance (bars, pubs, social facilities) - Residential areas - Commercial establishments (newsagents)

Awareness - Features related to signage and information availability

Inclusion - Accessibility and inclusive design features

Crime - All crime density heatmaps - Violence and sexual offense data

Administrative Boundaries - Bradford District boundaries - Bradford City Centre boundaries

Managing Layers

  • Individual Layers: Check or uncheck boxes next to specific layer names to show or hide them
  • Category Expansion: Click on category headers to expand or collapse sections
  • Bulk Controls: Use “Select All Layers” or “Clear All Layers” buttons for quick management
  • Category Indicators: Arrows show whether categories are expanded (▼) or collapsed (▶)

Interpreting Map Data

Feature Details

Click on any map feature to view detailed information in the “Feature Details” panel on the left. This will display relevant attributes and data about the selected item.

Data Visualization

Different types of data are represented using various visual methods:

  • Boundaries: Outlined areas showing park perimeters and administrative regions
  • Points: Individual locations such as park entrances and facilities
  • Heatmaps: Color-coded density representations for crime data
  • Lines: Pathways and routes through park areas

Color Coding

Each data layer uses distinct colors and symbols to ensure clear differentiation when multiple layers are displayed simultaneously.

Alternative Formats

The dashboard also provides a table view of the data for users who prefer non-visual data presentation or require accessible alternatives to the map interface. Access this through the “Table View” navigation option.

Technical Requirements

The dashboard works best with modern web browsers and requires an internet connection to load map tiles and data. For optimal performance:

  • Use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge browsers
  • Ensure JavaScript is enabled
  • Allow sufficient time for data layers to load when first accessing the dashboard

Support and Feedback

This dashboard is currently in development. If you encounter issues or have suggestions for improvement, please refer to the main project website for contact information and reporting procedures.

Data Sources and Methods

For detailed information about data sources, processing methods, and research methodology, please refer to the “Data and Methods” section accessible through the main navigation menu.