Illuminating maps created using data from across the globe show the world’s roads, rails and cities glowing in bright neon from the darkness
- Maps show the world’s infrastructure in a different light – using electrifying patterns to connect roads and rail
- Images are the results of graphic designer Peter Atwood, 23, who spent three days doing research into travel
- He used a 3D modelling and animation programme to emit light onto the maps to help form luminous glow
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We each use rails, roads and airports to live our lives but striking new neon maps show the world’s infrastructure in a different light – using electrifying patterns of glowing lines to show how roads, rail and ports cross the globe.
Graphic designer Peter Atwood, 23, from Nova Scotia, spent three days researching into a variety of data sources to show the maps ‘which connect our world.’
He gathered precise information from Natural Earth Data and plotted each different point on a map with a black and white ‘mask’, which then generated a light-source.
Seeing the world in a brand new light: All of roads in the world highlighted in a map created by graphic designer Peter Atwood, who used precise information collected information from Natural Earth Data
Light entertainment: These comparative images show all of the roads across England, Scotland and Wales (L), plus all of the railway roads in the United Kingdom – as highlighted in a detailed map created by Peter Atwood
All of the urban cities in the world: Mr Atwood used a 3D modelling and animation programme to emit light onto the maps to help form a glow in these striking pictures
Mr Atwood said: ‘I find it immensely satisfying to be able to watch patterns emerge as I work with data and gain a better understanding of the world I live in.
‘While most ‘normal’ maps tend to show many types of information for example the natural landscape, political boundaries etc.
‘These series of maps shows only one type of information – the urban areas of the world.
‘By separating each type of infrastructure into a different map I hope it allows people to see patterns and connections that they might not see otherwise.’
He used a 3D modelling and animation programme to emit light onto the maps to help form a glow in these striking pictures.
Mr Atwood, a graduate student studying archaeology, relies on governments to report and collect data accurately.
Nautical: All of the ports in the world highlighted in an electric blue hue, which shows their locations across the globe
Railways of the world: This image showcases the intricate nature of train tracks throughout the world. Interestingly, huge swathes of Australia can be seen without any, as can substantial sections of Brazil
The friendly skies: This image displays all of the airports around the world, showing particular density in America and Europe
He added: ‘The hardest part about this is that there is a lot of trial and error to figure out how to achieve the visual effect that I was looking for.
‘Every project I start always raises a dozen new questions and gives me many new avenues to explore. I try not to inject my projects with too much meaning or political agenda.
‘One person might see these maps as evidence of the damage humans are doing to the planet, while another person might see this as a testament to how interconnected we are as a species and the remarkable achievements that we have made.’
He has currently created a global and UK map but plans to explore other parts of the world using the same technique.
He added: ‘It’s been incredibly shocking and gratifying to see the massively positive reaction that I’ve gotten for my designs over the past few months.
‘I have a love for information and coming up with ways to share that information with others.’
