SCAUG conference 2011 San Antonio conference summary of presentations

A PERSPECTIVE ON AGEING GIS WORKFORCE
Ashok Wadwani, Applied Field Data Systems Inc.
 
At the present time the GIS community does not seem to be concerned about the upcoming shortage of GIS professionals. In some cases current GIS professional and human resources departments have expressed concerns about the up coming shortage but nothing (or very little)has been done to focus on this issue and take adequate steps to address the situation. The presentation will focus on presenter's observations collected during his several visits with GPS/GIS user community and educational institutes in the USA and abroad. Various options to address this issue will be shared and discussed.

TARRANT COUNTY’S GIS SOLUTIONS
Travis Baker & Ramon Campos, Tarrant County

Tarrant County Provides geospatial solutions utilizing the latest ESRI technologies. These solutions include applications for the Tarrant County Office of Emergency Management, Tarrant County Transportation Department, Tarrant County Public Health and public accessible applications to name a few. The technologies for these applications include a mash-up environment of Bing maps and ESRI Cached mapped services and the ArcGIS API for Microsoft Silverlight. Ramon Campos and myself would like to present the following applications:

TCEOC
This application assists the Tarrant County Office of Emergency Management by supporting real time disaster management, documenting historical disasters for future analysis and prepare/measure our readiness for future disasters. This application uses the Online ESRI Cached map services.

CAID
This application allows the public to conduct a spatial query based on a user entered address and returns precinct and district information using the latest ESRI REST services and Bing maps.

TCROW
This application assists the Tarrant County Transportation department manage right of way projects, produce statistical reports and display the project parcels in a geographical manner. This application uses the ESRI REST services to import/export parcel data.

Public Health Complaint Locator
This application assists the Tarrant County Public Health Department in managing reported complaints and staff allocation. Complaints are represented as features with symbology based on the type and age of the complaint. This application uses the ArcGIS API for the Microsoft Silverlight technology.

THE UPDATE GAME
Julie Teal, ERDAS, Inc.

Roads changing and leaving you with old data in your GIS? Is it time to re-fly?  We’ll look at the workflow of a national mapping agency and see how they approach their task of staying current using Esri’s ArcGIS and ERDAS’ Stereo Analyst for ArcGIS. We’ll also look at the science behind one of the most accurate ways to map your world – stereo feature collection – with and without the funny anaglyph glasses.

EMPOWERING GIS TO MANAGE PUBLIC WORKS, UTILITIES, AND PERMITTING
Jeremy White, Azteca Systems, Inc.

This presentation will illustrate the benefits having of a GIS-Centric work order management system in public works, and utilities.  It will also highlight how a GIS-Centric system can help to track permits, planning in development activities, engineering processes, business or regulatory licenses, and code enforcement cases on properties. 

The presentation addresses a city or county’s need to leverage GIS to facilitate daily workflow within a department, or across many.  It will address the ability for workers in the field to contribute to workflows that may be created in office.

Will show, ArcGIS, Cityworks Desktop, Cityworks Server AMS and PLL.

APPLICATIONS OF ENHANCED RISKMAP MAPPING PRODUCTS
Joe Gilberg, GISP, AECOM

Recently, FEMA has transitioned from their Map Modernization (MapMod) project to their Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (MAP) strategy and if you have been involved with MapMod you are aware of the deliverables such as a GIS database, Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Not only does RiskMAP include these deliverables but new products are going to be available that can be very useful tools for risk communication, analysis and planning. In particular, this presentation will focus on water surface elevations, depth raters and change maps and will give an overview of these enhanced products. In addition, further advanced analysis will be discussed that can identify areas where your car could float away, human instability in flood waters and potential structure damage.

WORK FLOW AND LESSONS LEARNED IMPLEMENTING 9-1-1 WIRELESS PHASE 2 IN TWO COUNTIES, AND HOW THE USE OF GIS SOFTWARE WAS CRITICAL FOR CERTIFICATION AND ONGOING MAINTENANCE
Orlando Nino, Lower Rio Grande Development Council Mapping Department

Texas wireless cell phone services have seen changes and new requirements with the implementation of Wireless Phase II. One of the major efforts we have in our department to comply with WPHII is to issue correct 9-1-1 physical addresses to tower structures in our region. This is complicated by several carriers having equipment on the same tower and requiring unique addresses. Using GIS we maintain our regions MSAG, from this we are able to address these tower structures. When routing new towers sectors in our region the use of aerial photography is vital. If not for aerial photography and an accurate basemap the requirements and implementation of WPHII in our region would have been significantly delayed.  This presentation will focus on the workflow using GIS Software and lessons learned from the continuing efforts on WPHII implementation in our region.

OBLIQUE IMAGERY IN USE WITH GIS APPLICATIONS
Kevin Beers, Pictometry International Corp.

Recent advances in technology have brought a new paradigm in how we can view the world through imagery. Geo-referenced oblique aerial imagery opens the door to many new uses for GIS data, which were not possible in the past with traditional “straight down” orthogonal imagery. This presentation will explore some of those uses, including 3D modeling, and also cover a technical overview on the capture process for this type of imagery.  The presentation will also detail the recent integration of oblique imagery into ArcGIS and ArcGIS Server applications and a discuss the deployment of oblique imagery in Web based applications.

MAPPING ECONOMIC SECTOR TRENDS IN TEXAS WITH GIS AT THE COUNTY LEVEL 1997 – 2002
Charles Woodrow Ashton Jr., Columbia Regional Geospatial Service Center

Until recently to map economic features one would have to physically search through mountains of data in local depositories, translate those data into spatial units, (counties or municipalities) then build a database of all the necessary information to generate maps. The labor associated with this kind of undertaking made it cost prohibitive for most people other than national or regional economic professionals to compile.  And, if attempted, the existing time lag in data reporting made the database basically a historical summary, rather than a current analysis of economic activity.  With the continued exponential growth of computer technologies, data sharing, and internet infrastructure, an effective Geographic Information Systems (GIS) application for mapping economic features is possible for use by government entities. The thesis will present a basic spatial economic analysis of Texas using GIS analysis.  Methods to produce economic maps that show the general trends in a simple and direct way will be discussed and illustrated.  By the end of the work, readers will have a basic understanding of Geospatial Economic Analysis and have the ability to interpret regional maps f or personal or professional research.

Using ArcMap to Generate KML Content for Consumption in Google Earth

Wes Keller, City of Universal City

Promulgating the use of GIS within an organization requires a platform consumers are willing and able to make use of. Google Earth provides such a platform. It has a simple interface, is economical, and has numerous capabilities. ESRI provides tools in ArcGIS Desktop which allow for the creation and manipulation of Google Earth content.  Google Earth has a standard format called KML (Keyhole Markup Language) to store and represent spatial data. This presentation demonstrates some examples being used by the City of Universal City on a day-to-day basis. Examples will include floodplain mapping, zoning, and fire response.

The National Map: US Topo maps

GIS MAKES ITS WAY TO THE IPHONE, IPAD, AND ANDROID! LET THE FUN BEGIN!
Tanya Hardison, CDM

GIS on an iPhone and Android?  You have got to be kidding…  well, it’s here, it works, and

it will have its place in the industry.  In fact, this may be the start of a new

generation of geospatial applications.  During this talk, an overview of ESRI’s iOS,

Android, and Windows 7 APIs will presented along with what one needs to know about getting

ramped-up to implement these mobile applications.  Demonstrations will be provided

demonstrating the pros and cons of the technology, as well as the usability of the

technology for mobile data access, data collection, and public data consumption.

USING GIS AS A SPATIAL INDEX
Krystal Forgenie and Tanya Hardison, CDM

The City of Dallas is in the process of updating their method of storing and retrieving

their stormwater, paving and plat plans. The City has several years worth of paper plans

filed and stored. Due to the volume and condition of plans there was a need to store and

access these plans digitally for internal and public use. GIS (Geographic Information

Systems) was implemented in order to preserve plans and provide the city with easy

retrieval to their documents.
In order to accomplish this goal, each plan was scanned and indexed to their corresponding

feature in GIS. This process was repeated for every plan type. For example, paving plans

were linked to the features in the roads feature class in GIS by a unique identification

number that was used to retrieve the plan associated with that particular feature.
Once all of the scanned plans were spatially linked to a feature in GIS, a Web Application

was developed to retrieve plans based on spatial location. The Web Application was then

used by city staff and the public to retrieve plans. Additionally a terminal system was

implemented that queues scans and allows the user to print scans in full size.
In summary this presentation will outline the process of using GIS to improve the storage

and retrieval of city plans by implementing a spatial index and Web Application.

MAPPING AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Joseph C. Molis, GISP, City of Harker Heights

GIS can be an invaluable tool in the day-to-day management of a large variety of projects.

This presentation focuses on the use of GIS throughout the four primary phases of a

project: Planning, Execution, Reporting, and Analysis.  While this presentation focuses on

a wastewater study, these uses of a GIS can apply to just about any type of project or

study.
In the Planning phase, GIS can be used to define and refine the project scope, identify

project stakeholders and other parties, determine project phases and benchmarks, and

estimate budgets and timelines.  Throughout the Execution of the project, GIS can

establish progress tracking, workflow management, help with contingency planning, and

facilitate and document quality control measures.  For project Reporting, a GIS is

essential for status report mapping, mapping updates, data integration, and final mapping

and reporting.  Finally, a GIS is crucial for various project Analyses, such as

determining geographic trends, comparative analysis, cost/benefit analysis, and to help

determine areas of future study. 

LEVERAGING HYDRAULIC SEWER MODELING AND PIPE CONDITION DATA FOR A ROBUST AND SUSTAINABLE GIS
Scott Kelly, City of Irving, Nelson Esquivel and Mazen Kawasmi, P.E., Freese and Nichols

This paper is a case study for the City of Irving Wastewater Master Plan project where it

describes a proactive approach utilizing GIS in developing a sustainable wastewater

collection system capacity and renewal/rehabilitation capital improvement program with

limited resources. The renewal program prioritized replacement infrastructure using

various performance parameters including work order history, pipe age, pipe material,

capacity, and coordination with other infrastructure rehabilitation.  The program also

includes a data integration component which integrates various data sources, such as

hydraulic models, GIS systems, and customer information systems. This integration of

various data sources will provide a link to continue a robust and sustainable wastewater

collection system capacity and renewal/rehabilitation program in the future.

THE GIS ROLE IN DISASTER RECOVERY
Andrew Clem, CDM
 
When disasters occur, they are both unplanned and have dramatic regional effects;

economic, financial, human lives, and infrastructure. Aside from the immediate

ramifications of a disaster, the effects on the future are numerous as well. Recovery

efforts in a region can last many years as infrastructure is renewed, economies rekindle,

and lives are restored. Hurricane Ike hit Texas in 2008 and left a wide path of damage.

Many communities and residents of southeast Texas were left with their homes ruined or

severely damaged. GIS was used throughout the recovery effort, defining its role both in

the planning stages and throughout the recovery effort.
 
The Harris County Homeowner Disaster Recovery Program (HCHDRP) was initiated to assist

homeowners recover from damage due to Hurricane Ike. An immense amount of geographic

information was needed to carry out all of the program components, so HCHDRP leveraged the

benefits of GIS to assist in the recovery effort. GIS was initially used to spatially

locate and verify applicants, but the real power of GIS was used to help perform

environmental analysis. Furthermore, GIS geodatabases and MapBook templates were used to

efficiently supply a stream of procedural and specialty maps to support the high demand of

requests from project staff, as well as support a program staff web application.
 
This presentation will deliver an overview of how GIS can be leveraged in disaster

recovery efforts, using examples from HCHDRP. With the mass amount of data needing

accessed by the various program components, GIS can centralize and provide as a logical

access point of required information.

BICYCLE FACILITY PLANNING USING GIS AND MULTI-ANALYSIS TO PROPOSE BIKE RIDES FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO’S  BIKE-SHARE SYSTEM
Adrian Lipscombe and Sergio Martinez, University of Texas at San Antonio

A confluence of factors such as: increasing gasoline prices, a stronger desire for

physical activity for health purposes, a growing concern with environmental pollution, and

a rise in traffic congestion, have contributed towards an increase in the number of people

thinking on bicycling for recreational and utilitarian purposes.  As the population of

cyclists increases, development of a bike system has become essential.

The bicycling trend has been embraced by San Antonio’s government, which has recently

enforced two bicycle safety ordinances, started the updating of the region’s Bicycle

Master Plan and created a bike-share program (SA Bikes) in the downtown area; striving to

transform San Antonio into a bicycle-friendly city.

In order to reduce the environmental, economic and social effects of the city’s

automobile-dependency, the number of people and the frequency at which they switch from

automobiles to bicycles must increase. However, for those changes to become permanent, a

culture alternative transportation needs to be embraced by the city’s residents.

Otherwise, bicycling will be a transient trend instead of becoming part of the city’s way

of life.

San Antonio is visited by a large number of tourists and the majority will visit the

downtown area where the SA Bikes program is located. This presents the risk that the

bike-share program be misinterpreted by city residents as a tourist-only program therefore

curbing their utilization of it. 

The bike-share system is designed to mobilize users in short duration trips.  After the

initial thirty minutes, fees will accrue in subsequent thirty minutes increments.

Currently, the locations of the stations have been defined but there are no proposed bike

rides to connect them. This study utilizes GIS to analyze the existing conditions of the

bike-share system’s area of influence to propose a network of rides that maximizes its

utilization by both tourists and San Antonians.

SARA AND PAPE-DAWSON PERFORM A NETWORK ANALYST ANALYSIS OF WILSON COUNTIES TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM FOR IMPROVEMENTS FOR EMERGENCIES & EVACUATIONS
Jessica Hammons, EIT and Rell Fowler, GISP, Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc
Ralph Arias, PE, San Antonio River Authority

As part of the San Antonio River Authorities Watershed Master Plan for Wilson County, a local concern was identified relating to flooding.  The problem was during flooding periods, exit routes for numerous neighborhoods and subdivisions were blocked and alternate routes were few or non-existent.  This required new roads and/or improvements, however there were too many locations to be addressed with the counties limited resources.  Using ArcGIS Desktop’s Network Analyst extension, a model of the flooding conditions with these blocked routes were identified to research the new roads or improvements that could lead to the most impact for the limited resources of the county.

USING GIS IN DISSEMINATING HEALTH CARE DATA
Sohail Hasanjee, GISP, Oklahoma State Department of Health

Health Care Information Division of the Oklahoma State Department of Health annually publishes Oklahoma Discharge Public Use Data File. PUDFs are compiled from health care facilities reported data. Identity of patients and associated health information reported in these datasets are classified by state statutes and protected by HIPAA laws. This presentation will overview the use of GIS and non-GIS processes in georeferencing patient records while maintaining HIPAA’s health information security and privacy protection requirements. Presenter will also discuss procedures involved in the pre and post GIS processing of the data and its effects on the output data.

ARMY MAPPER
Pamela Colby, GISP, US Army Installation Management Command

Army Mapper is the US Army's enterprise geographic information system
(GIS) that has three main elements: 
Web Map Viewer - a web-based interactive mapping tool providing basic viewing and querying of common data for all integrated installations.  Desktop Tools - commercial GIS and CADD software available through Citrix Data Repository.  Secure and robust data architecture to support managed maintenance and archival of standardized installation data.