If you have a question that hasn't been answered below, feel free to get in touch with the NFWV team - [email protected]
Getting Started
Why should I use the NFWV?
Here's a list!
1) The NFWV is New Zealand's single authoritative repository of future planned infrastructure projects.
2) The four largest councils in New Zealand choose to use this tool as business as usual, and we are onboarding more stakeholders every day - including utility companies, developers and construction companies - there's heaps of data in there which you can access.
3) This means that when you're planning your work programmes, you'll get no surprises - you'll be able to view other works happening in the area, including which roads are impacted, how long the project is planned for, the status of projects and who to contact for the project.
4) This enables you to plan your works effectively and efficiently, build relationships with other project owners, mitigate risk, avoid public disruption and share resources.
5) The NFWV also provides a rich source of contextual information which is being added to continuously. Information such as asset networks (water pipes, power networks etc), earthquake-prone buildings, bus routes, oversized vehicles routes, on-street parking bays etc. Using this contextual information you can plan your work with more confidence - knowing the risk that your project is exposed to from the surrounding built environment.
6) Best of all - it's free to use*! There's no charge for using the NFWV. If you want to on-board your whole organisation and load your programmes - there's normally no charge for this too - contact us today at [email protected] to get started.
*Each region has an anchor subscriber which means that everyone else gets access for free. Check with us to see if your region is covered. If its not we're happy to find an anchor subscriber and get NFWV rolled out in your region.
1) The NFWV is New Zealand's single authoritative repository of future planned infrastructure projects.
2) The four largest councils in New Zealand choose to use this tool as business as usual, and we are onboarding more stakeholders every day - including utility companies, developers and construction companies - there's heaps of data in there which you can access.
3) This means that when you're planning your work programmes, you'll get no surprises - you'll be able to view other works happening in the area, including which roads are impacted, how long the project is planned for, the status of projects and who to contact for the project.
4) This enables you to plan your works effectively and efficiently, build relationships with other project owners, mitigate risk, avoid public disruption and share resources.
5) The NFWV also provides a rich source of contextual information which is being added to continuously. Information such as asset networks (water pipes, power networks etc), earthquake-prone buildings, bus routes, oversized vehicles routes, on-street parking bays etc. Using this contextual information you can plan your work with more confidence - knowing the risk that your project is exposed to from the surrounding built environment.
6) Best of all - it's free to use*! There's no charge for using the NFWV. If you want to on-board your whole organisation and load your programmes - there's normally no charge for this too - contact us today at [email protected] to get started.
*Each region has an anchor subscriber which means that everyone else gets access for free. Check with us to see if your region is covered. If its not we're happy to find an anchor subscriber and get NFWV rolled out in your region.
Why wouldn't I just use or build my own gis?
You could but....if you were to recreate it yourself, you'd need to build it and maintain it and curate the data feeds from multiple sources in multiple formats, and depending on how you build it you may not be able to give access to external parties - which is the problem that the NFWV solves - collaboration and sharing of knowledge. Why build your own when you can use something that's already tried and tested? Check out our article here on why the FWV is streets ahead compared to a GIS
Do i have to use it?
You don't have to, but we highly recommend it!
In the cities where the NFWV is used we can tell you that stakeholders are strongly encouraging as many people and organisations as possible to participate and load their projects and assets. This creates a virtuous network effect - where the more people who add and use data, the more valuable the systems becomes to all users. Over time this creates a critical mass of users and data - at which point you'll wonder how you ever managed without the NFWV.
Before we get to that point though. it's up to your local Road Controlling Authority (RCA) to decide if using the NFWV is voluntary, advised or expected.
If you want to know which cities are using the NFWV or if your local RCA is planning to use the NFWV just email [email protected] and we'll let you know.
In the cities where the NFWV is used we can tell you that stakeholders are strongly encouraging as many people and organisations as possible to participate and load their projects and assets. This creates a virtuous network effect - where the more people who add and use data, the more valuable the systems becomes to all users. Over time this creates a critical mass of users and data - at which point you'll wonder how you ever managed without the NFWV.
Before we get to that point though. it's up to your local Road Controlling Authority (RCA) to decide if using the NFWV is voluntary, advised or expected.
If you want to know which cities are using the NFWV or if your local RCA is planning to use the NFWV just email [email protected] and we'll let you know.
can anyone use the nfwv?
The NFWV is open to all users who have a role or stakeholder interest in the delivery of projects - infrastructure, commercial, housing and events. There's a terms of use section on the website which provides the restrictions on what users can do with data from the NFWV (which is - to use it for the benefit of their project but not to re-publish).
We don't provide access to the general public, advocacy groups (unless approved by a major stakeholder within a region) or media. We want the NFWV to be used as widely as possible by those with a genuine interest in collaborative planning and minimising community disruption.
We don't provide access to the general public, advocacy groups (unless approved by a major stakeholder within a region) or media. We want the NFWV to be used as widely as possible by those with a genuine interest in collaborative planning and minimising community disruption.
i'm a busy person - how much extra work is it if i have to use the nfwv?
The good news is, not very much! If you've got large or multiple programmes, once we've sorted identified your single source of truth data, we can do some clever technical stuff to create an automated process whereby the data is extracted from your system on a regular basis and plugged straight into the NFWV.
Alternatively, you can email us your programme for our technical team to upload, or use the manual upload feature on the NFWV.
There are a few options - we'll run through this with you during the onboarding process. Remember - putting your data into the NFWV will save you time in the long run, by alerting you to clashes and allowing you to create efficiencies by utilising existing resources.
Alternatively, you can email us your programme for our technical team to upload, or use the manual upload feature on the NFWV.
There are a few options - we'll run through this with you during the onboarding process. Remember - putting your data into the NFWV will save you time in the long run, by alerting you to clashes and allowing you to create efficiencies by utilising existing resources.
how do i sign up?
Click here to sign up for your free account. You can sign up for Read Only access (select Business User) or Edit and Read access (select Project Planner). You will only be able to upload and edit data for your own organisation if you select this access.
i've forgotten my password...
Happens to the best of us! Click here to reset your password.
how much does it cost?
The FWV works on an anchor subscriber basis - so if there's an anchor subscriber in your region already, then it's free for you to use and provide data. An anchor subscriber is usually a council or an alliance. For more information about our pricing, or to find out if there's an anchor subscriber in your area, click here.
How does it work?
What does it actually do?
Your forward works programme is shared to the NFWV either by manual upload, or an automated process. We can use APIs to access the data from the source. The minimum data we require is:
- project name
- project reference
- start and end date
- brief description of the project
- contact name
- contact telephone number
- location of the project, ideally provided in a geospatial format
Once your data is in the FWV, all organisations who use the FWV will be able to see it. If you have a project you don't want others to see, it can be marked as confidential so that only your organisation can see it.
Projects can only be edited by those who have permission within the system to do so (Project Planner access), and they can only edit their own organisation's projects.
You can search for a project using the search function, or use the map for a visual representation of project locations. By clicking on the project, it'll alert you to any clashes or opportunities with nearby projects, and it'll tell you the contact details for the person in charge of those projects so that you can collaborate with them.
All of the data can also be extracted and used for analysis, such as creating a heatmap of activity over a certain time period.
- project name
- project reference
- start and end date
- brief description of the project
- contact name
- contact telephone number
- location of the project, ideally provided in a geospatial format
Once your data is in the FWV, all organisations who use the FWV will be able to see it. If you have a project you don't want others to see, it can be marked as confidential so that only your organisation can see it.
Projects can only be edited by those who have permission within the system to do so (Project Planner access), and they can only edit their own organisation's projects.
You can search for a project using the search function, or use the map for a visual representation of project locations. By clicking on the project, it'll alert you to any clashes or opportunities with nearby projects, and it'll tell you the contact details for the person in charge of those projects so that you can collaborate with them.
All of the data can also be extracted and used for analysis, such as creating a heatmap of activity over a certain time period.
how does my organisation start using the nfwv?
Drop an email to [email protected] and we'll get you started. The on-boarding journey is really easy and we'll help you every step of the way.
WILL THIS BE A HASSLE FOR MY ORGANISATION - LEARNING NEW TOOLS AND KEEPING DATA UP-TO-DATE?
Like any good relationship, the NFWV requires commitment but its worth the effort. In fact there's less effort than you might expect. We work with you to develop simple ways to load your data and familiarise everyone in your organisation with how things work. There's also lots of resources available to help you along the journey, and it's got a really simple user interface - you log in and you're immediately presented with a map of your region with projects mapped on to it.
The most time consuming part is onboarding, but we make this process as pain free as possible for you. Organisations that have the easiest time on-boarding are those that identify a champion to work with us and are able to easily access the right people such as schedulers and project managers. It really helps if you know where all of your project data is kept, and it's already geospatially mapped. After a couple of meetings we're normally ready to load your data and get things rolling.
But we also understand that all good relationships take time - so why don't you request access (did we mention that's free?) and have a look around at your own pace and see how simple it is to use. Once you're ready to take the next step - just get in touch.
The most time consuming part is onboarding, but we make this process as pain free as possible for you. Organisations that have the easiest time on-boarding are those that identify a champion to work with us and are able to easily access the right people such as schedulers and project managers. It really helps if you know where all of your project data is kept, and it's already geospatially mapped. After a couple of meetings we're normally ready to load your data and get things rolling.
But we also understand that all good relationships take time - so why don't you request access (did we mention that's free?) and have a look around at your own pace and see how simple it is to use. Once you're ready to take the next step - just get in touch.
HOW DO I GET MY DATA PUBLISHED?
Easy peasy.
You can either upload your projects one-by-one using the interface in the viewer or use our technical service desk (for free) to carry out a bulk upload. We can talk you through both options when you onboard. Don't worry about the format or quality of your project data - we're yet to find a dataset that we can't load into the NFWV.
The NFWV also has the ability to add contextual GIS layers - for example, your local bus routes or other geospatial information you'd find useful. If this is something you'd like to add just let us know.
You can either upload your projects one-by-one using the interface in the viewer or use our technical service desk (for free) to carry out a bulk upload. We can talk you through both options when you onboard. Don't worry about the format or quality of your project data - we're yet to find a dataset that we can't load into the NFWV.
The NFWV also has the ability to add contextual GIS layers - for example, your local bus routes or other geospatial information you'd find useful. If this is something you'd like to add just let us know.
can i email you my data to publish?
Sure thing - send it to [email protected]. We'll take a look and let you know if there's any information missing that's needed before we can load it. We'll probably ask a few questions like how often you plan to send us updates (we're relaxed with whatever frequency you suggest - current arrangements range from daily to every few months).
What base layer map do you use for the NFWV?
We use OpenStreetMap (OSM), which we rate highly. It's the Wikipedia of the mapping world, with data provided by a huge community of contributors. The benefits of using this mapping software are as follows:
We also use aerial images as an alternate base layer. This is sourced from Land Information New Zealand.
- Agility - a huge community of contributors who are able to update the map, which is immediately visible and version controlled. You or I could add an update at the click of a button! An example of how useful this is was during the Christchurch Earthquake rebuild. The maps on OSM were quickly updated to reflect road closures. OSM also does not rely on data releases, KPIs or approvals which larger companies would need to adhere to.
- Crowd sourced data - updates come from local knowledge and are regulated by the OSM contributors.
- Free and open - a value that matches ours, the OSM is published under an open licence that allows anyone to access, use and share data. This allows a diverse variety of contributions.
- Easily editable - if you find something incorrect on the map, head to www.openstreetmap.org. Here you can sign up for an OSM account and edit the map yourself, or you can post a note on the map to share with the OSM community who'll update on your behalf.
We also use aerial images as an alternate base layer. This is sourced from Land Information New Zealand.
Can I edit the base map layer?
Yes you can! The NFWV uses OpenStreetMap (OSM) which is a free editable crowdsourced map of the world. If you want to edit something in the base map head to www.openstreetmap.org. Here you can sign up for an OSM account and edit the map yourself, or you can post a note on the map to share with the OSM community who'll update on your behalf.
Can our GIS or data team add any value?
Absolutely, in fact, we'd love for your GIS team to get to know us better. There are many ways for your geospatial experts to add value to your organisation using the NFWV - this typically falls into one of three areas:
- Data uploads. Linking your scheduling systems, geospatial systems and project management processes is something that GIS people often know how to do really well. This means that they can help collate and load your data much more efficiently into the NFWV.
- Data extraction. The NFWV provides a data service to all users for them to extract data and reuse it for all sorts of analysis, including using it in their internal mapping systems. We strongly support organisations who want to do this - it's great to get data into the hands of people who need to make decisions so if they use an internal system instead of the NFWV - we're good with that (we're still providing the data to allow this to happen).
- Data analysis. There is so much analysis that can be done to create value from the data loaded into the NFWV. We can provide loads of great examples - and it's your GIS team who can build some really great outputs and analytics of what's happening in your region.
how do i know when the data was last updated?
It's important to know when project data was last updated by the organisation responsible for the project. Each project includes a 'last updated date' in the project summary box on the project page. To find this box simply select the project on the map then in the pop-up box scroll to the bottom of the 'overview' tab and select 'view details'. This will take you to the project page where you can find the project summary box.
What's the relationship between my FWV user account, my organisation and my projects? Why can't I edit projects sometimes?
For security purposes, users can only edit projects for the organisation they selected when first creating an account.
For example if you signed up for an account under "Company NZ" but all of the projects in your company are linked to the organisation "Company.inc", you won't be able to edit those projects. If you need your organisation changed, or you need a project changing to a new organisation, please contact [email protected] and we'll swap things over for you.
If you are a contractor working on behalf of another organisation and you want to add or edit projects for them, you will need to either:
To edit a project, you'll need to have signed up for 'project planner' access - this gives you the ability to add and edit projects for your organisation. If you've signed up for the wrong type of access, that's OK - just contact Support and we'll change it for you.
BUT - it's important to note that different organisations supply data in different ways, and sometimes you shouldn't be editing your projects in the Forward Works Viewer - if you're not sure what to do, just drop us an email.
For example if you signed up for an account under "Company NZ" but all of the projects in your company are linked to the organisation "Company.inc", you won't be able to edit those projects. If you need your organisation changed, or you need a project changing to a new organisation, please contact [email protected] and we'll swap things over for you.
If you are a contractor working on behalf of another organisation and you want to add or edit projects for them, you will need to either:
- sign up for an account and select the organisation's name as your organisation. For security purposes, we will need approval from someone in that organisation for this to happen
- if the project exists in the system already, we can move a project from one organisation to another - but if the project data is coming from a data source, this will break that connection (see the next section below)
To edit a project, you'll need to have signed up for 'project planner' access - this gives you the ability to add and edit projects for your organisation. If you've signed up for the wrong type of access, that's OK - just contact Support and we'll change it for you.
BUT - it's important to note that different organisations supply data in different ways, and sometimes you shouldn't be editing your projects in the Forward Works Viewer - if you're not sure what to do, just drop us an email.
What does the project state mean, where it says 'In Progress' or 'Planned'? My project has finished, but it's still saying 'In Progress'?
The project state is a system generated state, based on the project start and end dates that have been provided.
A note on completed projects - we will be building a 'completed projects' layer as part of our next tranche of development work. This means that projects which go 14 days beyond their end date will drop from the map, but will be viewable on a different map layer which can be turned on and off.
- Anything 'planned' means that the start date is in the future (relative to today's date), and shows up on the map with no coloured outline.
- Anything 'in progress' means that according to the project start and end date, the project is currently happening and shows up on the map with a black outline.
- A project which goes beyond its end date will remain on the FWV map for up to 14 days, then it will drop off the map - so it's important to keep the start and end dates up-to-date. The search function will also search for completed projects, so if you can no longer find the project on the map, you can find it by searching for it, and editing it that way if you need to change the date to make it show on the map.
A note on completed projects - we will be building a 'completed projects' layer as part of our next tranche of development work. This means that projects which go 14 days beyond their end date will drop from the map, but will be viewable on a different map layer which can be turned on and off.
Features and benefits
Can i plan a journey using the nfw?
There are better tools to use to plan a journey but NFWV will help you understand what is likely to happen on the transport network over the coming weeks and months. This is particularly useful for people who have roles in managing transport networks and working across different regions of NZ. For planning a journey we recommend using NZTA's Journey Planner tool.
As we develop the NFWV we hope to make data available to other systems so that managing journeys and transport networks is more intelligent and efficient.
As we develop the NFWV we hope to make data available to other systems so that managing journeys and transport networks is more intelligent and efficient.
Is the national forward works viewer a programme planner?
The NWFV is a viewing tool, not a programme planner, so whilst you cannot plan a programme within the viewer itself, you can use the information the viewer gives you to help you plan dates for your works programme and look for efficiencies.
Does the NFWV have any asset data in it? Eg water pipe locations, power cable locations?
Yes it does. We call this 'contextual data' and, at the request of our anchor subscribers in the main centers, we have included lots of data layers that help project managers plan their projects. However, there is currently limited data on utility networks and public assets - so at present the NFWV can't show you where the water pipes are located. There is lots of other data such as bus routes, heavy vehicle routes, earthquake-prone buildings, parking zones etc.
Can I filter projects on the map to look at a certain time period?
Yes - on the map there is a time-slider box which you can change the settings to view by day, week, month or year. You can also use this to view set time periods by setting the date ranges of the period of time you want to view.
Does the NFWV have events in it, such as marathons or carnivals where roads would be closed?
Yes. We encourage all councils to load their events into the NFWV - it's best practice and avoids any unfortunate clashes with road works. There's a special category in the NFWV for events which can be displayed separately on the map.
Does the NFWV have routes of interest in it, like bus routes?
This data is called 'contextual' data in the NFWV and it is included at the request of the lead organisation in your area - this is typically a council. We can include any contextual data that is available and requested. Other types of route data include heavy good vehicle routes, critical routes, HPMV routes etc.
Does the NFWV have the ability to send me notifications?
Yep! You can set up saved searches, create watchlists from those searches, and be emailed once a week if you've got any new projects in the watchlists!
Can I customise my view when I log in to the NFWV?
You can switch layers on and off, and change the base map, and you can view projects within specific timeframes.
Does the NFWV work on mobile devices?
Not yet - the NFWV is optimised for desktop usage. If there's enough demand for an app version for mobile devices, this is definitely something we'll look into as a development opportunity. If this is something you'd benefit from, drop us an email to let us know.
I have some feedback/suggestions. How do I contact you?
We love feedback! It helps us create a tool that services the industry and allows us to keep on improving. Feel free to get in touch by emailing [email protected] and we'll get right back to you.
What aerial imagery does NFWV use?
We use aerial maps from Land Information New Zealand (LINZ).
Does the fwv integrate with google maps?
The short answer is no - currently data isn't fed into Google Maps but the longer answer is that the FWV offers the potential do a lot more...
As a minimum we only require a project boundary in order to create a project in the viewer. However, a user has the option of adding traffic impacts as part of the project creation process. These impacts are captured digitally using an OpenStreetMap schema and all traffic impacts from the viewer are available as a data service - so they can be consumed by any external system or software. This means that Google maps could consume our impacts if they choose.
As a minimum we only require a project boundary in order to create a project in the viewer. However, a user has the option of adding traffic impacts as part of the project creation process. These impacts are captured digitally using an OpenStreetMap schema and all traffic impacts from the viewer are available as a data service - so they can be consumed by any external system or software. This means that Google maps could consume our impacts if they choose.