eDAS: Ethiopian Spatial based Digital Addressing System
The project that I have contributed to as a GIS Consultant with eTech has been launched on February 22, 2024. The project is owned by Space Science and Geospatial Institute – SSGI.
What is eDAS ?
The Ethiopian Digital Addressing System, shortly known as eDAS, is a spatial-based system currently implemented for Bishoftu town. The system is free, fast, secure, and scalable to accommodate the entire country of Ethiopia.
The system is built based on the principle of GIS and represents realities on the ground. eDAS have incorporated different data which have been fed and coded with written programming algorithm. The dataset includes; road network, buildings, parcels, neighborhoods, landmarks, land use & land cover, Ethiopian major cities and traffic information such as height limit, sign-pools, underpass, and overpass. All the data are integrated as spatial layers and visualized with appropriate colors, symbols, and labels.
The system has been developed using open source tools and platforms such as GeoServer, PostgreSQL/PostGIS, OpenLayers, Leaflets, Node js, React, etc…
Functionalities of eDAS
eDAS has different functionalities as a main component of the system which allow users to search locations, find routes, get directions, navigate as well as get information about distance and route characteristics. These functionalities are making the system alive and special to serve its purpose. Locating the exact address of features helps a user to exchange location information and/or request for services like delivery, police, ambulance, fire brigade etc… The use of eDAS is tremendous because if we know where something is, we can be able to reach the destination at the calculated cost of distance and time. Which means, the system is useful for planning purpose as well. The searching capability of the system helps the user to search and find location names (e.g., name of building, bank, hotel, police station, hospital, building ID etc.) as well as geographic coordinates. This helps the user to find the closest facility and/or the location of interest in the entire town, besides receiving services to certain destinations.
Ideally, once the user knows where something is like, for example “one of the banks in Bishoftu town,” he/she can be able to navigate to the exact location following the preferred routes identified by the system. More importantly, the user will have the guidance by the system in the form of voice, text, and route direction to help ascertain once position. Also, the availability of speed limit warning is the key functionality of the system to assist drivers and protect them from accident.
Benefits of eDAS
eDAS has tremendous importance for supporting business and government activities from the different sectors. Directly or indirectly the system assists sectors such as;
- ➡️ transportation & general mobility
- ➡️ postal services,
- ➡️ meeting and social gathering,
- ➡️ eCommerce,
- ➡️ health & human services,
- ➡️ accident reporting & response (crime, fire etc…).
In general, the use of eDAS is numerous and by using it, the country can catalyze its ambition of digital driven and technologically supported economy.
How to access the web and mobile applications of eDAS ?
The system is built in such a way that functions online as well off-line and on web as well as on handheld mobile devices. It is a free system that can be accessed by the following links.
- Web : www.edas.et
- Android user: https://lnkd.in/dpwKeSbM
- IOS users : https://lnkd.in/dqwdnU9p
What is the next plan ?
eDAS is an ambitious project that will add-on many towns and cities across Ethiopia. Addis Ababa and Adama are among the cities soon to be included in the system. As per the SSGI, the ideas is to include about 73 towns in the coming 10 years.
