Application of GIS Technology by the Albemarle Charlottesville - Essay Example

Sur Pro9fessor A Proposal for the Application of GIS Technology by the Albemarle Charlottesville HistoricalSociety There are probably very few instances where one tool will serve as the solution to so many of the problems as well as the opportunities facing a business or other organization. Fortunately, GIS technology is one of those tools. In the case of this project, GIS technology is the ideal tool for virtually all of the proposed uses needed by the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society (ACHS). Not only is GIS the ideal tool for the applications listed as being desirable to the ACHS, but it would be an easy case to show how these applications could be further enhanced and even expanded to include any number of applications that the ACHS wishes to pursue with their data. Why GIS? As we have seen throughout this course, GIS is literally the picture that’s worth a thousand (or more) words. It’s little wonder that the use of GIS technology has expanded so exponentially since its initial development. Surname 2 In the case of the ACHS, the requirements required by the client are in keeping with their needs—and more. The truth is, ArcGIS can provide not only a more robust system for their currently applications, but considering the potential for growth, the proposed system would be unmatched. The growth of the GIS industry has resulted in a trend from an esoterically inclined group of computer geeks working on mainframes, to the common user on desktop computers. This trend will benefit the ACHS a great deal, not only allowing them to collect, store, and visualize their own information in a better format, but will give visitors to the ACHS a portal that will allow the most inexperienced user to benefit from the data available. It is also fortunate that the tool being suggested for use is Arc GIS, which is a full complement of GIS tools in one package. The net result of using ArcGIS for this application is the ability it will give a wide variety of users to work with the available data on their level of need as well as being within their ability to use the tool. In this project, we have been asked to provide GIS-based maps for a number of different applications for Sanborn data. These include: Land use change studies. Land use data layers will allow city planners and others to see changes in the use of land through time. Assuming that the data available is accurate, those responsible for creating and maintaining datasets should find their tasks considerably easier. Geneology. Another GIS application needed by the ACHS is genealogy, which will allow persons and businesses included in city directories and other data sources to be included in Surname 3 the historical datasets. These records will make keeping track of these persons/businesses easier and of greater value. This benefit is not only good for those who want to find long-lost relatives, but queries for a more general nature that can trace period history. City visualization. GIS really does give users a vision of their data like never before available. Unlike crystal-ball gazing, GIS can give users the perspective of growth over time for a vision of their city based on reality. The project requires that the GIS data set includes maps that provide data layers covering 10-year increments, from 1900 1990, or a total of nine data layers for each data set. It is fortunate for all of the parties involved that GIS is the perfect tool for visualizing data from such diverse sources. Fortunately, this is a strong suit of GIS technology. It is also good to know that the GIS tools available can make easy access to maps the attribute data possible. Further, it would be easy to import attribute data for standard sources. It is also important that a good basemap is available or can be obtained. If the data that the ACHS plans to use now and/or in the future is in the form of raw data, the GIS would make importation of the material simple and accurate. Database links can be used to transfer data on other network systems. Interface The personnel responsible for using the GIS tools at ACHS should be able to effectively use the interface available to them. Fortunately, the ease created by an effectively intuitive interface can make it easy to get around in and support queries of the complexity required to fulfill the goals of the ACHS. It is important to remember that power and complexity is useless without access that is simple and intuitive. Data should be accessible with users having to go through Surname 4 endless layers of menus, dialog boxes or commands to accomplish even the simplest tasks. This only results in either software that becomes “shelfware,” or by taking the fun out of creating maps. Functionality When considering a new program such as that being considered by the ACHS, it is always important to “try before you buy.” This ensures that the potential users of the ACHS GIS program can use the system. Since the GIS is readily available it would be good to get a general impression as to the present state of the users’ comfort and knowledge level prior to beginning, and arrange for training. General Functions Users of the ACHS GIS program should first become aware of the general technical capabilities of the tools. Sometimes, in light of the layers of sophistication and glossy cosmetics, features can be hidden which can make or break a program’s usefulness. As a result, they can be missed or ignored. Some of these might include: Projections and Viewing Tools. As is often the case with a GIS that focuses on a single city or particular area, map projections are rarely compromised unless they lack the needed details. This, of course, can be avoided with the availability of good data, which only makes a GIS even more powerful and useful to use. Surname 5 Considering the proposed application of the GIS by the ACHS, being able to view different projections and other options would give them the benefit of comparing their data with the encompassing county, other cities, and a practically unlimited number of other options. Incorporating these viewing options would give users the ability to realistically portray the data needed and make it that much more meaningful and useful to users. Presentation Capabilities. In addition to the multitude of data display capabilities possible afforded by a GIS, the presentation capabilities of a GIS are practically unlimited. This would be an important consideration, especially in the case of an organization such as the ACHS, where the potential of presenting data to so many diverse groups is probable. Not only can simple lines of data become more understandable through the use of maps, but further understandability can be increased exponentially through the use of a wide variety of three-dimensional maps and icons that can even be tailored to fit the need. Maps can be further enhanced through the use of different typefaces, lines, differing thicknesses of lines, colors and other enhancement tools. Just as is the case with many tools, the tools of different GIS products vary widely. There are GIS products that can produce presentation quality maps, but virtually nothing else. In terms of data, some of these products are very poor. Fortunate for the ACHS, ArcGIS is one of the most powerful and robust of these products. ArcGIS allows users the ability to create maps that are both attractive and informative. This is especially important in cases such as the applications listed for the ACHS. Surname 6 For the applications specified, it is critical that analysis-level modeling be possible. Another important consideration should be the fact that with some programs WYSINWYG (What You See Is Not What You Get). Some programs present an excellent display on screen, but when it comes to printing or projections, the graphics are far from perfect (i.e. jagged letter edges, etc.). Other programs cannot present a fully 3-D image on a monitor screen, but can when the image is printed. This shortcoming is fine for printed images, but when presenting the graphic over a network or in a video presentation, the images are largely useless and unable to carry the full benefit of a GIS model. Data Management. One of the most important capabilities (indeed, much of the reason) for a GIS is the ability is gives users to take what could be largely disparate data files, and juxipose those data into layers so that they can not only be viewed in a more comprehensible way, but to be in a form that can be managed and maintained in a format that has a more visual frame of reference for everyone, not just an esoteric few in the IT department. What could have initially been several if not many huge data files and tables to create stunning graphic representations of the complex datasets. These graphic representations of such disparate data layers makes data so often so easy that a child could understand it. Unfortunately, as is the case with many products, GIS software programs are often so different in their ability to allow users to manipulate data. This also frequently affects the interface, which makes the matter of data manipulation much more complicated than it should be. An excellent argument for this position is the fact that there are many GIS products that make data manipulation and display very easy. Surname 7 Programs that limit a user’s ability to manipulate data to present formats and sequences can be very frustrating to work with, especially when users are working with more complex datasets and configurations. Layer Management. Of course, one of the strongest suits of a GIS is the ability to layer datasets on top of each other in order to present data in new ways. Too much data? Eliminate whatever isn’t needed. Too little data? Import more. Too much emphasis on suplurvious data? Deemphasize it. You can present only the data that is needed. Spatial Analysis and Modeling. The GIS will provide the ACHS and users of their data with unparalleled control of what goes into a map? What you ever used a paper map to try to illustrate a message you were trying to convey? Pulling out your map (probably obtained from the nearest gas station), you made marks on the surface to try to sort of show what you were trying to show on it? It didn’t go very well, did it? And then try to convey a message about a nearby area where you didn’t have a map? Forget it. With a GIS, the ACHS will be able to literally zoom in on what they want to know (and/or show). The ACHS should also be able to handle more advanced and diverse geographic queries. Within a single view, it should be possible for a user to select and deselect a different geographic feature. With the touch of a button a circle can be drawn and other boundaries identified, selected (i.e., boundaries, etc.) and highlighted. Other special features include point-to-point distance measurement and routing on streets and highways could prove important in ACHS work. Surname 8 A good application of a feature like this would be the city view application desired by the ACHS. City officials might want to various scenarios available to them when tracing the history of city growth and testing the possibility of changes to transportation routes, emergency right-of-ways, and other factors for routing in the most fastest and most efficient means possible. Speed. How fast does the product create the desired result? This is another important factor to consider when selecting a GIS product for the ACHS. Of course, although this is partially dependent on the hardware, some GIS software products are quite simply easier and faster to use than others. To a great extent due to the types of users who will be using the ACHS product, a faster software program should be used. Selection of Data The type and sources of data used in the ACHS GIS program is critical to the success of the system. It is obvious that good attribute data needs to be central to the success of the ACHS GIS program. Otherwise, like any other computer system, GIGO. To one extent or another, a GIS that is being begun in one part of a city is a blessed child when it is nurtured by a parent department—or not. If the ACHS is fortunate enough to obtain data from another department of the city that maintains good datasets and has access to other data that is just as well maintained, the ACHS is fortunate and is probably off to a good start. Of course, conversion and translation is an important consideration, but often this is an important part of selecting the second phase system. Otherwise, the selection of source data must come from a different source or the data must be collected by the ACHS, which can be a very difficult and time—consuming endeavor, even under the best of circumstances. Surname 9 Obtaining Data Officials with the ACHS should ensure that the data they wish to analyze is obtainable to them. Otherwise, data may not be counted on to provide the modeling and analysis that is needed for useful work by the ACHS. For the applications specified, for example, the ACSH will need information pertaining to genetics in order to create the specified genealogy data views. Unfortunately, to use some of the other data applications listed in the requirements such as building types, directory listings, etc., there seems to be little resemblance to information that will probably be needed to generate genealogy-based information. This is someone akin to wanting to collect information about the homeless by gathering name, address, and phone information from telephone directories. Obviously, homeless persons won’t have directory information about them available, so genealogy information will probably have to be obtained from other sources. And further, to have genealogical data that would be practical to any amount of the population of the city, there would have to be considerable amounts of data that came from other areas/sources to be able to help filling queries since there doesn’t seem to be much likelihood that many residents of the area and their families go back very many generations in the area. The ACHS is fortunate to be able to obtain a GIS tool for the work they plan to incorporate into the mission of the group. They are joining an ever-growing segment of the official population that can use geographic data to solve problems and take advantage of opportunities available to them to an extent never before possible. (Clark) Surname 10 Of course, there are problems that GIS won’t solve. For example, GIS technology can’t gather good data. GIS can’t make decisions for you. GIS can’t solve a problem for you that requires a subjective judgment. GIS can’t find errors in your input. GIS can’t communicate for you. GIS is only as good as the personnel who work with it. Regardless of these issues, it seems that ACHS is on the right beginning track to putting together a GIS program that will effectively carry out the vision it has for its GIS. Not only that, but what appears to be an effective current program seems to be set that will allow for growth and probably steer them to a future of using GIS effectively at they and their program grows. Clark, W.A.V. and P.L. Hosking. 1986. Statistical methods for geographers. John Wiley and Sons, New York. 518 p. (G70.3.C55) Read More