Designed and developed a specialized GIS web application to assist search and rescue (SAR) operations by visualizing the potential hiking routes of missing individuals directly on an interactive Google Maps interface. Upon registering a missing person—capturing demographic data, coordinates, and operational notes—the individual was added to a side navigation menu for rapid access, complete with pop-up profile dialogs for field operators. By configuring a search radius around the last known location, the system calculated proximity to a nation-wide database of trail networks sourced from Hellaspath, automatically rendering high-probability hiking paths on the map in descending order of distance to help rescue teams deploy efficiently.

The primary objective of this project was to establish a centralized Geographic Information System (GIS) tailored for Search and Rescue operations to streamline emergency response workflows for missing persons in remote areas. By converting and organizing nationwide hiking trail networks into structured spatial data, the platform provided dispatchers and rescue teams with real-time geographic insights, allowing them to instantly evaluate proximity, assess terrain risks, and determine the most likely routes taken by missing individuals.

Key Features & Capabilities

• Interactive map interface for real-time visualization of lost person locations and hiking trails
• Missing person registration system capturing demographic data, coordinates, and operational notes
• Side navigation menu with dynamic user profiles for rapid search and retrieval
• Configurable search radius calculation to identify and display nearest hiking paths
• Proximity-ranked path results displayed in descending order of distance from the last known location
• Automated rendering and overlay of hiking route geometries directly on the map interface
• Interactive pop-up profile dialogs displaying detailed missing person telemetry for dispatchers