Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) is a multi-disciplinary civil engineering firm with projects covering the eastern half of the United States. While the information GPI uses to manage clients and projects is stored in an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software, it is not easily viewable in a map, and therefore unavailable for any spatial analyses.
The Innovation Team at GPI has used the existing ERP data to create an Internal Mapping Application for assisting directors, project managers, engineers, marketing specialists, and other employees to realize various operational efficiencies using previously unmapped data.
This presentation will cover the end-to-end dataflow of the project. Beginning at the initial inputs in the ERP software, and the ETL (Extract, Transform & Load) process where the data is geocoded, cleaned and transformed using a combination of SQL and Python. The data is then securely provided to GPI staff using ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise.
While the application is still in beta staff have already begun utilizing the data to enhance their existing workflows, particularly in marketing and branch logistics. Others, such as our corporate safety team, are using it to create completely new workflows which will save significant time and effort in their day-to-day tasks.
This presentation explores the transformative capabilities of GeoAI and image detection tools within ArcGIS Pro, focusing on their application in urban planning, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure management. By integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), users can achieve advanced data analysis and decision-making efficiencies.
GeoAI leverages machine learning and deep learning models to analyze spatial data, automating the detection and classification of features from high-resolution imagery. This enhances the accuracy and efficiency of geospatial analysis. Key topics include:
- Introduction to GeoAI in ArcGIS Pro: Understanding the integration of AI with GIS and its benefits for geospatial analysis. - Image Detection Techniques: Exploring methodologies for detecting and classifying features using deep learning models. - Practical Applications: Case studies demonstrating GeoAI use in urban planning, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure management. - Workflow Implementation: Step-by-step guide to setting up and using image detection tools in ArcGIS Pro, from data preparation to model training and deployment. - Future Trends and Innovations: Discussing emerging trends in GeoAI and their implications for the future of geospatial technology.
Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of harnessing GeoAI and image detection tools in ArcGIS Pro to enhance geospatial workflows and drive informed decision-making. This presentation is designed for GIS professionals, urban planners, environmental scientists, and anyone interested in AI applications in geospatial analysis. Participants will leave equipped with the knowledge and skills to implement GeoAI solutions, transforming their spatial data analysis and interpretation.
ArcGIS Online makes it easy to capture large volumes of data and photos in the field but few out-of-the-box tools exist to neatly convert these data into a traditional report. This presentation will cover the capabilities of the ArcPy and DocxTemplate Python packages towards generating a photo report in a .docx format, a companion photo location map, and hyperlinked spreadsheet for data review. This approach allows for the use of existing Microsoft Word templates in order to match organizational brand standards and enables the end user to make follow-up edits to photo comments and metadata.
Kestrel Land Trust and Green Burial Massachusetts were looking to find a property to establish a conservation cemetery (green burial) in western and/or central Massachusetts. GZA was tasked to conduct a suitability analysis for the conservation cemetery and create a web application to view the results. The GIS analysis was conducted across five counties (Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire) totaling 668,639 land parcels. Using publicly available GIS data, the analysis included identifying criteria for the cemetery site prioritization and used the criteria to establish a baseline and to exclude properties. The selected properties were then ranked based on feasibility characteristics and a suitability score was calculated. A digital web experience application (Experience Builder) was created to showcase the suitability results and allow the clients to view and filter the remaining properties for conservation cemetery site selection. The presentation will provide an overview of the project process, challenges we faced, and take aways.
Developing GIS tools with branching workflows and multiple levels of sub-steps has become relatively easy. Writing detailed directions for how to use them, however, remains difficult. Printed directions may start out beside the keyboard for ready reference, but often get buried under desktop detritus. Paging through a lengthy paper document is inconvenient at best and unrealistic if the goal is for a user to follow them step-by-step like a pilot running through a pre-flight checklist. And sometimes that is exactly how we want users to work. Digital directions provide a modern, intuitive, heads-up alternative to instructions written on paper. Web capabilities like hyperlinks, tabs, pages, and collapsible content vastly improve the user experience by providing easy access to specific information that is needed and hiding everything else that is not. Unfortunately, that usually requires web programming skills or acquiring and learning additional software. Fortunately, Survey123 has all these capabilities and is already available to most GIS users. Survey123 was created to ask users questions and collect their answers – reversing this flow of information is quite easy. In this presentation, I will show you how I used Survey123 Connect to build step-by-step, “click-along” directions for a complicated data entry workflow.
This session will focus on building your GISP portfolio whether it’s for becoming a GISP or recertifying as a GISP. We will take a dive into each of the submission areas: Education, Experience and Contributions to the Profession. And we’ll also spend some time on ethics and professional certification. Anyone interested in learning more about creating their portfolio is encouraged to attend.
The GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) is a non-profit organization that promotes the advancement of proficient GIS professionals through its international GISP® (Certified GIS Professional) certification program. The Institute fosters rigorous professional and ethical standards, community engagement, and professional mentoring within the GIS industry.
Tony currently serves as the Executive Director of the GIS Certification Institute (GISCI). He began this career after a 30-year career with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Tony is an active member of the MGISAC, NSGIC, MoGNB, and a past member of the National Geospatial... Read More →
Do you know how the network analysis tool works and how it's used to answer problems? This presentation will explore the fundamentals of how the tool works and how it can be used for real world applications. We will share a few case studies which used Network Analysis to solve unique problems related to snow plowing and emergency response. Participate in this 60-minute presentation by sharing your own tips and tricks or ask questions on the utility and application of the tool.
I am currently the sitting President of the NEARC board. I am a coastal resiliency specialist at Woods Hole Group. I help homeowners, municipalities and other entities plan for climate change using storm surge and sea level rise data from a robust hydrodynamic model. We work collaboratively... Read More →
Soil erosion and slope instability issues are a major concern for New England state Departments of Transportation (DOT), roadway planners, and designers, impacting the cost to maintain transportation networks and other critical infrastructure. Effective screening tools used for modeling, monitoring, and forecasting erosion can aid in assessing erosion and slope failure susceptibility, which is critical for regional operations and planning.
GZA developed a screening-level tool to identify roadways vulnerability to erosion and slope failures based on a number of factors, using the latest GIS Enterprise technology. The work is being performed in collaboration with the New England Transportation Consortium (NETC). The project objective was to develop a multi-scale, multi-season land-based erosion and landslide modeling and monitoring toolkit for infrastructure management for all the New England states (including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut).
The prototype Esri ArcGIS toolkit was developed for the MaineDOT based on Maine’s state-wide GIS data such as topography, land use, surficial geology, and roadway system inventory. Various environmental parameters were considered as risk factors for roadways, including proximity to surface water body, proximity to the 100-year floodplain, and slope geometric information.
A large set of slope stability simulations were assembled to capture key geotechnical parameters including soil type, material strength, and groundwater depth. This set formed the basis of a “Response Function” that was used to interpolate to all the grid cells in the study area. The end deliverables of this project, i.e., the Esri GIS web viewer, included multiple risk analysis data layers for users to interact with and identify high, medium, and low hazard areas, for screening, analysis, and planning purposes for the Maine DOT.
The innovative approach developed for this project is applicable to other states or even regions and adaptable for future improvements such as inclusion of climate change considerations.
This presentation will provide a case study in developing an enterprise-wide Sustainability Analysis application using "out of the box" Experience Builder. Strategies and techniques for developing a robust application without using the developer version of ExB will be presented. Additionally, tips for integrating custom widgets for "low code" options will be covered.
The Cape Cod shoreline is vulnerable to erosion, coastal storm flooding, and sea level rise. Current regulations, including the Massachusetts State Building Code, are based on FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas as delineated on Flood Insurance Rate Maps. These are developed based on historical flood data and do not consider a future with rising sea levels and intensifying coastal storms. As sea levels continue to rise and storms become more frequent and severe, the limitations of relying on outdated FEMA maps become increasingly apparent. This underscores an urgent need to revise regulations to account for future flood risks.
To address this need, the Cape Cod Commission has designed model bylaws around a concept called the Coastal Resilience Zone. These coastal resiliency regulations allow for flexibility by encouraging Towns to select the best available data to identify future flooding. This ‘best data’ may be the Massachusetts Coastal Flood Risk Model (MCFRM), or an updated model as more reliable data become available. In all cases, applicants must meet current flood resistant construction standards as set in the State Building Code.
As staff developed the resiliency regulations, it soon became apparent that the available MCFRM data and the current enforceable construction standard did not exist in formats that could easily be compared. Learn how we solved this problem by creating design flood elevation layers and see how they fit into a larger suite of Cape Cod Commission map tools that help to illustrate the potential effects of historic and future floods.
A comparative viewshed analysis is used during permitting to assess how new structures or changes to existing structures may visually impact various scenic or historic resources. This presentation will outline how these analyses are completed using two different software: ArcGIS Pro and Global Mapper. A comparison of these tools will include systematic differences, strengths and limitations in how analyses are conducted.
The ArcGIS Utility Network (UN) is a transformational technology change, a modernization effort replacing earlier widely adopted Esri network technology and data models, embedding logic and functionality that will further empower organizations. At the same time, the UN represents a significant deviation from more traditional data schemas and requires a thoughtful and deliberate approach to help ensure organizational and technological readiness. As support for Arc Desktop is getting ready to be retired have you planned for how you will transition to ArcPro for your Utility data?
This presentation will highlight the ArcGIS Utility Network adoption pathway and address considerations for existing utilization patterns, required server infrastructure, integrations with Asset Management and other business systems. This transition is not a one size fits all approach and this presentation will help assist your decision process for the approach that best fits your needs and if the UN is the right fit for your organization. Additionally, this presentation will include an overview of what's next for Water Utilities addressing vertical assets and into the future with digital twins.
The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) and Blue Raster will give a short oral presentation on the approach and the GIS tools used to create a user-friendly web-based experience for the ECOS Regional Plan. CCRPC has been producing a Regional Plan to protect the county’s resources and to guide its development since 1976. CCRPC has branded their regional plan as the ECOS Regional Plan, a sustainability plan for the most populous county in VT. Currently, the ECOS Plan consists of disparate content types consisting of 8 pdf documents of existing conditions and policy, 70+ GIS Layers in a web map viewer, and 100+ indicators for tracking progress on the ECOS strategies. This has made access and useability a challenge.
For the 2026 update, CCRPC wanted a solution to better integrate all the types of content that makes up the ECOS Plan to increase understanding of the ECOS Plan among community audiences. CCRPC has partnered with Blue Raster to build the ECOS Plan website on ESRI’s Hub platform.
Using ArcGIS Hub Premium, Blue Raster designed and deployed a visually pleasing user-friendly Hub site for CCRPC’s ECOS Plan. The ECOS Plan Hub site brings to life the dense pdf document by using a topic-based icon system to connect community users with their topic of interest with just a few clicks. A user can then access key insights on that topic portrayed through short narratives, geo-spatial data and indicators. Additionally, the user can choose to translate the site into numerous languages using Hub’s translation widget.
Most of the data indicators for Chittenden County come from the Decennial Census and American Community Survey. Because CCRPC is committed to keeping the ECOS Plan data indicators current on an annual basis, they were looking for a solution to minimize manual updates and processing time. Blue Raster configured Hub to connect to ESRI’s Living Atlas and Community Analyst, so the ECOS Plan site is updated as soon as new data is available. This required custom coding of the Hub’s chart widget to connect to these services. Blue Raster also customized the chart widget to expand the number of variables and formatting of the charts shown on each ECOS Plan topic page.
Learn how CCRPC collaborated with Esri partner Blue Raster on a Hub site to connect community and increase understanding of the CCRPC ECOS plan by using the Living Atlas, dynamic charts and more!
Innovate enhanced the geospatial products by incorporating technologies such as AI feature extraction and 3D modeling. We used geoprocessing methodologies and web-based applications to create planning decision support frameworks from a neighborhood level to the national scale. We employed server-side geoprocessing tools to further generate analytical derivatives that we then used within cartographic products, dynamic web-based and mobile applications as well as supported graphics for technical reports. Innovate used Esri’s ArcHydro software to process overland stormwater flow data from DEMs and DSMs to model how water travels, accumulates, and gains velocity over topography. The by-product of this analysis provides a municipality with the ability to identify how changing its infrastructure from impervious to more green spaces can impact the potential for flooding.
Sr. IT/GIS Strategist & Architect | Project Manager | Subject Matter Expert | Business DevelopmentDynamic Senior IT/GIS Strategist & Architect with over 30 years managing and supporting IT and geospatial application development projects to implement complex and advanced geospatial... Read More →
Municipalities across the county are combining their local GIS data with federal FAA data to help safely integrate UAVs into their community. Drone enabled cities are seeing public safety, economic development and utility department benefits. This presentation aims to explain the integration framework necessary to achieve these benefits, and to highlight communities that are operating ahead of the curve.
Airspace Link is an FAA-approved UAS Service Supplier of the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) and is approved to provide FAA B4UFLY Services. Our mission is to enable the safe integration of drones into the national airspace and communities at scale through... Read More →
Communities worldwide face increasing challenges from climate-induced inland flood events, necessitating effective flood mitigation strategies. Florida’s Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan to characterize community asset vulnerability to climate impacted flood hazard is being used to assess the impacts of flooding from current and future precipitation on critical infrastructure in the communities to support development of adaptation strategies.
This study employs hydrological and hydraulic (H&H) geospatial analysis to evaluate the future flood events impact from climate change on critical assets and infrastructure. H&H modeling software Hydrologic Engineering Centers – River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) was used to simulate flood depths for various climate impacted events. Then, ESRI Model Builder was leveraged to analyze and identify vulnerable areas and assets prone to flooding within the community.
The comprehensive analysis provides actionable insights for strategic stormwater management projects aimed at mitigating flood risks. Results identify specific locations and infrastructure most susceptible to flooding, guiding the placement of infrastructure improvements and adaptation measures. To facilitate planning efforts, a user-friendly web application has been developed for planners and engineers to interactively access and utilize the analysis results.
This integrative approach not only improves flood resilience planning but also supports informed decision-making processes for sustainable community development in the face of increasing climate challenges.
Vermont, one of the most rural states in the U.S., is leading the charge to expand broadband internet access to its citizens. The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) is responsible for overseeing this work and distributing funding to and collaborating with regional collaborators. Stone Environmental, an Esri Silver Business Partner, empowered the VCBB with ArcGIS Online to manage data. Learn how Stone and the VCBB use ArcGIS Hub, ArcGIS Dashboards, and Experience Builder to bridge the digital divide in Vermont. We'll dive into a specific case study looking at the State-led BEAD Challenge process and the challenges and unique solutions Stone configured to meet federal requirements and the needs of Vermont addresses lacking adequate access to broadband services.
Mary is a talented GIS project professional with experience leveraging advanced-level GIS services in a range of technical projects. Before joining Stone, she applied her skills at the Vermont Agency of Transportation, where she administered geodatabases and mapping services with... Read More →
Everyone is talking or attempting to use Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or AI. Industry leaders would say that data is the most important ingredient to 'make' AI work. A common theme for the proper or efficient use of AI is a need for 'good data' or data of the highest quality. GIS Practitioners have coined the phrase 'Garbage In and Garbage Out' as a rallying cry for better data since the formation of the discipline. Most organizations have some set or repository of data they utilize for their business, and some even create their data. The state of quality of these data repositories can fluctuate from abysmal to pristine. So how can organizations improve the quality of existing data or ensure that the data being collected now, is the best the organization can make it? This presentation claims that data must be valued as highly as revenue or profits if data quality is to improve. If data are valued highly, then care is taken as it is collected, compiled, and collated, and arguably, quality will improve, and there is a fighting chance for the use of AI to succeed for whatever purposes is required.
Severe flood events had major impacts on Vermont in July 2023 and July 2024. The UVM UAS Team carried out more than 350 missions in support of rapid response and long-term recovery efforts after these events, deploying a wide range of UAS platforms and sensors to capture critical and timely data. This presentation will discuss the benefits, applications, challenges, and lessons learned from these efforts to inform the future of how UAS technology can be best applied to the next severe weather events in the Northeast, as well as the opportunities for training emergency responders and geospatial professionals on how to begin to use UAS to aid their efforts.
The University of Vermont is a core-member of the FAA’s ASSURE research center of excellence, which focuses on the integration of UAS into the national airspace. Within ASSURE, UVM’s research focus areas have centered around the application of UAS technology for disaster and emergency response. UVM’s UAS program began in the years following the impacts of Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 and has remained at the forefront of using these technologies to enhance the efficiency for disaster response. UVM was the first organization in the country to respond to a train derailment with UAS and has captured data of tornados, microburst, ice jams, floods, and landslides throughout the state.
UAS Research Engineer & Program Lead, University of Vermont Spatial Analysis Lab
Adam is an Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS) Research Engineer and UAS Program Lead at the University of Vermont’s Spatial Analysis Lab, integrating his academic and industry experience with UAS and geospatial technology. As part of UVM's core membership in the FAA’s ASSURE Center... Read More →
Topobathymetric LiDAR has long been a technology available exclusively on fixed wing manned aircraft making it costly and inefficient for smaller targeted surveys. Recent innovations have allowed for the development of more compact systems, allowing organizations to utilize unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to provide more timely, efficient, and affordable topobathymetric LiDAR. On a UAS platform, a topobathymetric survey can produce 200 points of elevation per square meter, capturing microtopography, scours, sediment impoundment and other geomorphologic characteristics. Whiteout Solutions is one of the first commercial vendors leveraging these technological advancements working with engineering firms, scientists, governments, and conservation groups to map ecosystems experiencing the first order impacts of climate change.
The rural community of Lyndon, Vermont has been subject to substantial flooding in recent decades. In 2023, the Town of Lyndon contracted SLR Consulting to conduct a flood study and to identify flood mitigation strategies. Utilizing its topobathy capabilities Whiteout Solutions surveyed roughly six miles of the Passumpsic river and adjacent floodplain. SLR leveraged the topobathymetry data to develop high-resolution 2D hydraulic modeling, allowing them to test and validate the effectiveness of various flood mitigation strategies. The results of this work provided the community with a series of options for how to improve the flood capacity and reduce flood impacts on the community. The high-resolution data not only is providing the engineering firm with more confidence in their models but also results in Lyndonville becoming more resilient to the expected future increases in flood magnitude and frequency.
With technologic advancements in LiDAR and new programs like USGS’s 3DHP, floodplain maps across the nation will benefit from higher accuracy models, better designs and safer communities.
Director, Product & Business Development, Whiteout Solutions
Whiteout Solutions is a geospatial technology company with a service bureau that collects high resolution geospatial data, processes and analyzes it. We also offer the GeoSAP, an application that automates the complex workflows and generates actionable insights and visualizations... Read More →
In the field of public engagement, the effective collection, analysis, and presentation of data are essential to fostering community involvement and informed decision-making. Esri’s ArcGIS offers a suite of powerful tools designed to seamlessly integrate these facets, notably Survey123, Dashboards, and StoryMaps. This presentation showcases the collaborative use of these ArcGIS products to enhance public engagement across a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) planning project with the Androscoggin Transportation Resource Center.
Survey123 plays a pivotal role in gathering public input and feedback efficiently. This tool enables project teams to collect georeferenced data from participants, ensuring that public opinions and observations are spatially contextualized. Surveys can be customized to address specific needs such as community needs assessments, call out areas of concern and allows the public to voice any additional thoughts they may have. By utilizing Survey123, communities can engage with diverse demographics, ensuring that a broad spectrum of voices is heard and considered in the decision-making process.
Once data is collected, ArcGIS Dashboards deliver an intuitive platform for analyzing and interpreting the information. Dashboards can be tailored for both public and private viewers, providing real-time insights and visualizations that are crucial for transparency and responsive planning. Through interactive charts, maps, and lists, stakeholders gain a comprehensive understanding of the collected data, thereby informing decisions and strategies effectively for a successful project.
Finally, StoryMaps combines narrative text, images, and multimedia with geographic data to create compelling, interactive presentations of project findings and additional details. This tool transforms raw data into an engaging story, facilitating a deeper connection with the audience and enabling a broader understanding of the project's impacts and objectives. The storytelling aspect is crucial for bridging the gap between data and the public, making complex information accessible and engaging.
By leveraging Survey123 for data collection, Dashboards for analysis, and StoryMaps for presentation, this integrated approach not only enhances data-driven decision-making but also fosters greater public participation and engagement. Attendees will gain insights into the practical applications, benefits, and best practices of using ArcGIS products in community-engaged projects, ultimately driving more inclusive and informed outcomes.
The UVM Spatial Analysis Lab has a long history of high quality and high impact GIS work. In the last year alone the SAL has performed emergency response to multiple major flood events, taught numerous workshops for first responders, state/federal employees, and highschol students and produced tens of thousands of square miles of high resolution land cover data, mapping areas that contain more than 9% of the total US population. In addition to producing these high quality services and datasets the SAL has employed upwards of 350 students/recent graduates/new GIS professionals in the past 15 years and currently has a robust work force of 40 technicians/GIS operators.
The SAL would like to share some lessons learned and insights gained from decades of work in the geospatial field and running such a complex, flexible and high achieving organization in the rapidly changing technological landscape.
From checklists and risk assessments to selecting (and employing!) emergency landing sites to the importance of pre-flighting to how (and when!) to safely fly from the seat of your pants this presentation discusses some of the many lessons learned in well over a decade of commercial drone flying. Presented in easy-to-swallow bites, these lessons are easy to take, adapt, and work into your protocols and procedures. These lessons will provide good value for beginners just starting out, as well as seasoned veteran pilots. At the very least, you can learn how to recover from obliterating your drone in front of a client and still complete the project.
Flooding is a growing concern in the United States and occurs across the country resulting in significant damage to property and infrastructure. Sanborn has been working with Huitt-Zollars and CDM Smith to develop a tool for the City of Oklahoma City to identify a flooding risk score for infrastructure within the city. This was accomplished by aggregating a wide range of information (FEMA and USGS floodplain data, digital elevation models, buildings, roads, and critical infrastructure) to create a score for each drainage basin, intended to identify the risk of flooding to infrastructure during a weather event. The process for building the risk scores was developed using Esri’s ArcGIS Data Interoperability extension. Sanborn configured an ArcGIS Experience Builder application to display the score within each major basin within the city.
The University of New Hampshire started our journey of Indoor GIS mapping more than a decade before ArcGIS Indoors was a glimmer in ESRI’s eye. We’ll discuss our early days of CAD georeferencing and conversion utilizing model builder, python and currently FME as well as poor CAD drafting versus the nobel sensibilities of GIS and realizing the third dimension. Furthermore, revelations on early indoor asset data collection via old school printed maps to Collector and finally Field maps and aligning to the ArcGIS Indoors schema. We’ll discuss the constant struggle between aligning our ever changing physical infrastructure to our “digital twin” or vice versa, whether it’s discovering “new” rooms to physical signage mismatches. Join us as we dive into the trials and tribulations of Indoor GIS mapping through the years and what it might hold for the future of space management and beyond at UNH.
Arcade is a versatile expression language tailored for enhancing ArcGIS maps and applications, enabling dynamic and interactive analysis within the Map Viewer. This empowers users with meaningful data driven insights quickly and effectively. Unlike conventional desktop analysis workflows, Arcade expressions provide exceptional flexibility and efficiency in situations where project limits are frequently changing, thereby enabling more responsive and insightful analysis. This presentation explores the use of arcade expressions within a web map and dashboard for conducting desktop environmental reviews to identify extents of environmental impacts along utility project routes. By configuring a custom popup with expressions that reference MassGIS hosted datasets, the project team can efficiently review summary statistics, resource area intersections, and utility routing options to make informed decisions about permitting and construction needs. This presentation details the methodology, challenges, and outcomes of integrating Arcade expressions in utility routing analysis, highlighting their role in optimizing the process for constantly evolving project areas.
As communities and states modernize their electrical grids to overcome power outages due to energy sources or extreme weather events, emphasis should be placed on equity and resilience. In collaboration with the Vermont Electric Power Company and the University of Vermont College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, the Spatial Analysis Lab is supporting the mission of energy resiliency and equity focused on rural Vermont. This project is in collaboration with multiple utility distributions across the state. The wider-project's intent is to support resilience and equity of Vermont’s electrical grid by using geospatial data to fill pressing informational gaps by developing models that utility providers can use to improve energy resiliency in the face of climate change and increasing extreme weather. Specifically, the lab is mapping utility electrical infrastructure information from 2023 statewide Q1 LiDAR data. This presentation will cover the series of techniques used to classify the LiDAR point clouds and custom surface model development. Techniques included such as ERSI's pretrained GEOAI models and active learning to further train LiDAR classification models. With this research, the lab will provide utilities with highly accurate vector data that can be used for utility maintenance and preparedness. This project is funded by the Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships.
In this presentation, Brian Hebert will work through several workflows using and comparing both ArcGIS Pro and Google Big Query, focusing on classic geoprocessing tasks including import, export, append, spatial join, buffer, dissolve, intersect, etc. using high volume vector data. The full US Tiger Edges (All_Lines) polyline network and Meta (Facebook) sponsored high resolution population point data will be used to map out flood and evacuation scenarios. Arcpy and Google Big Query SQL source code examples will be reviewed. Particular attention will be given to getting data in/out of ESRI formats before/after processing in Google Big Query. This presentation would be of interest for anyone who is challenged with high volume vector data manipulation and will highlight leveraging the awesome power of big-database cloud engines for geospatial processing.
Higher Education has attempted to grapple with the efficient utilization of space for decades. The issues adding to the challenge vary from internal politics to the lack of reliable or complete data sources for decision making. Many techniques and tools can be used to try and assess or quantify the use of space. No single one seems to offer the solution. The University of New Hampshire leadership recently engaged with a software vendor to try and find a new technological approach to solving the space problem. We are currently implementing the use of this software platform that utilizes AI for the mapping of devices via wireless access points and uses the data collected for the assessment of space utilization. That’s the claim anyway. This talk will go over the challenge of the university’s leadership expectation for a technological “easy button” as well as implementation challenges associated with this solution. Join us as we attempt to hold a software contractor/consultant accountable for their claims in relation to leadership expectations and whether the solution holds up to the sniff test when compared to traditional tools used to asses space utilization.
ArcGIS Dashboards allow GIS users to create webpages which enable audiences with a range of GIS experience to explore maps and data in an interactive, engaging way. While producing a basic dashboard is not very difficult, the process of arriving at the correct balance of form and function to craft a truly useful dashboard can be challenging and often requires a great deal of experimentation. Determining the “best” use of ArcGIS Dashboards for a specific purpose involves a combination of personal and organizational sensibilities with an awareness of the possibilities presented by the technology. During this session, I will (hopefully) make this process easier for attendees by detailing some of the tips and tricks I have discovered while working on numerous dashboard projects, as well as, unveiling a newly-developed online resource to help GIS more easily start using these approaches in their own work.
Shane Bradt is a University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension State Specialist with the Natural Resources Program and an Extension Professor with the UNH Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Geography. Shane's outreach GIS outreach efforts in NH are largely... Read More →
Each fall, Western Arctic caribou migrate across frozen Northern Alaskan rivers to reach wintering grounds. Regional climate changes have altered ice and vegetation phenology dynamics throughout caribou habitats, preventing caribou from crossing rivers and successfully calving. Caribou cannot cross partially frozen rivers and require healthy vegetation in the spring to calve. The Massachusetts NASA DEVELOP Team partnered with the National Park Service in Alaska to analyze changes in river ice formation and terrestrial vegetation. Landsat 8 and 9 Operational Land Imagery, Terra and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Sentinel 1-Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) C-band, and Sentinel 2A/B Multispectral Instrument imagery were used to assess ecological conditions relevant to caribou survival. The timing and duration of ice formation was assessed using the Normalized Difference Infrared Index (NDII), Relative Difference River Ice (RDRI), and Vertical-Vertical/Vertical-Horizontal (VV/VH) backscatter values based on the spectral and surface characteristics of rivers. Similarly, phenology cycles were quantified using the Nadir Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function Adjusted Reflectance (NBAR) for Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time-series data. The team produced annual freezing timelines, time series plots and maps, and composite imagery at various caribou locations to analyze annual changes. This research compared various optical and radar remote sensing methods in detecting high ice extent and high-quality vegetation over remote Alaska regions where in situ measurements are often infeasible. These study results can help evaluate spatiotemporal migratory shifts and contextualize recent shifting population dynamics.
70% of the total cost of ownership of most assets happens long after the asset is built and installed. Once the asset is designed, built, and installed, owners have minimal control over the total cost of ownership throughout the lifecycle of that asset. Developing a true asset lifecycle management program is a powerful methodology and allows owners to save more than 40% on the total cost of ownership over the asset's life. Trimble Unity utilized Esri GIS in a truly seamless process to take control of your asset management program and maximize the asset's true potential, reduce costs, and improve overall performance.
Trimble is an industrial technology company, concentrated on helping the world work, better. Our technology enables jobs to get done more precisely and accurately so you can build, construct, grow and move the things we need to live our lives and build future communities.
Learn how to use JavaScript frameworks, data structures, and design principles to make your own custom, reusable Esri widgets in ArcGIS Experience Builder.
Stone Environmental’s Geospatial and Data Solutions Team will share its strategies and code for customizing ArcGIS Experience Builder widgets to push your web and mobile applications to the next level. We will share our New York Geographic Information Gateway web app, which aims to democratize New York’s geospatial data for educational, recreational, and citizen science purposes. This app brings Esri mapping to everyone, regardless of experience. It was built with ArcGIS Experience Builder, but unfortunately Experience Builder did not offer the State everything it wanted out-of-the-box, and there is little documentation on customizing this state-of-the-art Esri suite.
Join our presentation as we share what we’ve learned about customizing Experience Builder widgets and how to optimize custom code in your Esri applications. We will share how JavaScript, TypeScript, React.js and Redux can integrate cleanly into your development experience. We will also demonstrate how to access and build on open-source widget code from Esri. We will share helpful tricks we discovered in our work, as well as explore principles of design and accessibility to make a sleek and stylish front-end experience. Finally, we will unpack helpful strategies for data manipulation and control within and across Experience Builder widgets which will help any GIS developer in their projects.
This presentation will require experience with JavaScript, TypeScript, React.js, CSS, JSX, Redux, Git, and ArcGIS Experience Builder.
Web Application Developer, Stone Environmental, Inc
Chris Aragon is a web application developer at Stone Environmental, a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm based in Vermont. Chris specializes in web development, building custom software with Esri suite products, JavaScript frameworks, and A11y design and best practice... Read More →
The team at the University of Connecticut’s Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) has decades of experience making maps and geospatial data available to the public in simple and accessible ways. As technology has evolved and advanced, the tools for sharing maps on the internet have also changed. From the early days of web mapping using ArcIMS, Esri Flex Viewer and more recently the Web AppBuilder and others, the CLEAR team has kept up with the changing ways in which maps are delivered to diverse audiences. This presentation will cover how we are working to manage the changing trends as we migrate dozens of viewers and websites to Esri’s latest platform – Experience Builder. We’ll talk about what has worked well for us so far (and what hasn’t) and share ideas about how to make the migration easier for those thinking of taking the leap to the next generation of web mapping.
Geospatial Educator, University of Connecticut, CLEAR
I make maps and teach others how to make maps, too. Sometimes I make maps that help land use decision makers make good choices. That's it in a nutshell.
Current, accurate land cover information is a common foundational data set that can be used to address a wide range of management issues, from flooding risk and natural infrastructure to policy evaluation and land use planning. Knowing what exists on the ground (and how it has changed through time) gives planners more information, and the better that data, the better our understanding.
For more than two decades, NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management has been producing consistent, accurate land cover and change information for the coastal U.S through its Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP), with the goal of continually updating these maps every 5 years. In recent years, NOAA has been working to establish an operational higher resolution land cover product line, allowing for local and site-specific applications. This work has been possible because of the wealth of available imagery and lidar data, improved software and hardware capabilities, and artificial intelligence classification techniques.
This presentation will review the products that have been released for most coastal areas, nationally, plans for additional data and updates, as well as focus on our most recent products (just released) for the state of Maine. We will speak to the methods, accuracy, and potential applications of that data, as well as the partnership NOAA had with the state to fund this mapping.
Jamie Carter is a remote sensing analyst with NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management (OCM) and serves coastal communities primarily in the Northeast Region. He has a bachelor’s degree in Ecology from Tulane University, a master’s degree in Physical Geography from Oregon State... Read More →
This presentation focuses on using FME to work with Surficial Geology GIS data that has been stored in everything from Feature Services to e00. Surficial Geology can refer to the unconsolidated sediment, landforms, or surficial bedrock present in an area. This project focuses on the unconsolidated sediment and landforms, which vary depending on the region. The goal of this project is to derive “high-level” insights from publicly available data where the desired information is often buried within a paragraph. This presentation will cover the challenges and techniques that were applied within FME to wrangle these data. Each state that has been processed so far has provided its own challenges and unique issues.
I am currently working as a GIS Analyst for Terracon Data Services, where I tackle a variety of user needs using FME, Python, ArcGIS Pro, and PostGIS. I was previously a GIS Intern at the City of Cambridge from April of 2022-2023.
The presentation will focus on the collaboration between Fugro, a global geospatial company, and Pepperdine University, a private university in Southern California, to create a digital twin of the university’s campus. The presentation will cover the data collection and processing methods used to create the digital twin, including aerial lidar, photogrammetry, and GIS analysis.
The benefits of having a digital twin of the campus will be highlighted, including improved asset management, enhanced safety and security planning, and the ability to simulate and optimize campus operations. Additionally, the presentation will showcase potential applications of the digital twin, such as virtual campus tours, disaster response planning, and energy efficiency analysis.
Overall, the presentation will demonstrate how collaboration between industry and academia can lead to innovative solutions for complex challenges, and how digital twins can improve the management and operation of physical assets and systems.
Monarch butterfly populations are drastically declining due to habitat loss and the species may soon become federally listed. The Monarch Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) is a collaborative initiative between the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and over 50 entities from the energy and transportation sectors. This agreement provides regulatory predictability for enrolled partners and aims to benefit monarch butterflies through the implementation of existing vegetation management practices on energy and transportation lands that results in a net benefit to monarch butterflies.
This presentation will demonstrate the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mobile data collection technologies throughout the CCAA application, enrollment, and field monitoring processes. Key topics will include an introduction to the CCAA initiative, illustrative client case studies, methodology for compiling and analyzing spatial datasets, and techniques for conducting spatial analysis of roadway networks and utility corridors to identify potential enrolled and adoptable lands. Additionally, we will discuss ground truthing methods and post-enrollment habitat monitoring procedures. Using these technological methods, these projects take an active and comprehensive effort to protect and restore vital habitats for monarch butterflies across vast areas of the United States.
Jesse Therrien is an Environmental Scientist and Senior GIS Specialist with VHB based out of Rutland, Vermont. He has been working in consulting sciences field in Vermont for nearly 20 years, with a focus on energy and renewables, natural resources, water resources and land planning... Read More →
Join us for a discussion on developing a comprehensive Power BI dashboard designed to report all published content on ArcGIS Portal. This dashboard, created using FME, Python, and Power BI, is an essential tool for managing and understanding your GIS resources.
The session will cover:
Integration and Data Flow: Learn how FME and Python are utilized to extract, transform, and load (ETL) data from ArcGIS Portal into Power BI. We will explore the automation processes that ensure the dashboard is updated daily.
Dashboard Features: Discover how the dashboard provides a centralized view of all published services, web maps, and other content on the ArcGIS Portal. The discussion will highlight key functionalities such as:
Service Identification: Easily locate and identify all services and web maps published on the portal.
Impact Analysis: Understand which services are affected by schema changes to underlying layers.
Usage Metrics: View metrics to determine the most frequently used layers and services.
Service Monitoring: Quickly find stopped services to ensure uninterrupted GIS operations.
Benefits and Applications: Understand the practical benefits of having a holistic view of your GIS content. The dashboard enables efficient resource management, proactive problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making.
Whether you are a GIS analyst, data manager, or IT professional, this session will provide valuable insights into leveraging Power BI for effective ArcGIS Portal content management. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your GIS operational efficiency with a powerful, automated reporting solution
With the availability of federal and state funding, states such as Massachusetts have a financial opportunity to ensure that every broadband serviceable location (BSL) across the state has access to at least one high speed internet connection. Though great progress has been made, there are still a few remaining pockets of unserved and underserved locations across the commonwealth.
The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) is administering federal broadband infrastructure funds allocated to Massachusetts through the American Rescue Plan Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. MBI saw a need to develop more accurate statewide BSL data to support its objective of deploying federal funds to achieve universal access to high-speed internet service. The licensing requirements, data sharing and distribution constraints, and low data accuracy of existing address level BSL data prevented MBI from leveraging third-party data.
To get a complete view of the broadband landscape in Massachusetts, Sanborn collaborated with MBI to create a state-owned BSL layer using publicly available 911 and parcel data using Safe Software's FME and Esri ArcPro QA/QC tools. The resulting data allows MBI to more accurately target federal funds for the state of Massachusetts to achieve viable broadband mass market service availability to every residential and business address in the state.
Last year the state of Connecticut acquired a suite of statewide geographic datasets including 3 inch, tide coordinated aerial imagery, high-density Lidar (minimum of 15 points per square meter), bare earth elevation (2 ft DEM), 1 ft contours, building footprints, and 3D buildings. The data processing is nearing completion and the CT State GIS Office and its partners are implementing plans to make it available and accessible to all interested users. The presentation will focus on the technical aspects of making data available including services, viewers, and download, as well as the outreach aspects including presentations, webinars, help materials, and the ability for any user to have their questions answered.
Geospatial Educator, University of Connecticut, CLEAR
Emily Wilson is a Geospatial Educator at CLEAR. Since joining UConn in 2000, her role has been to provide GIS and remote sensing information and support to CLEAR programs including the NEMO Program, the Geospatial Training Program and other related research and outreach efforts. Emily... Read More →
The New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP), a partnership between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), developed and currently maintains the Invasive Species Tiers ( “the Tiers”), which guide management prioritization for hundreds of invasives species with high invasive potential across New York State. Each year, NYNHP runs a spatial analysis to aggregate hundreds of thousands of species observation occurrences for invasive species in and near the state to generate population counts by species, which are then ranked to guide management decisions. After final expert review, the resulting Tier values are published to a public interactive data table which provides links to species distribution maps within iMapInvasives, as well as links to regional views by Tier Value. This presentation will cover: 1)A brief background of iMapInvasives and community biodiversity data collection platforms, 2)The process by which the Tiers are generated, 3)How these results are shared, and 4)The impact of the Tiers on invasive species management action and decisions.
NYNHP Invasive Species Tiers: https://www.nynhp.org/invasives/species-tiers-table/ NYNHP Invasive Species Tier Maps by PRISM: https://www.nynhp.org/invasives/species-tiers-maps/
With a significant number of GIS users across our organization, our Data Solutions team encountered a challenge related to the abundance of data available on our portal. We faced the issue of distinguishing between high-quality and low-quality data, with the aim of enhancing data utilization.
Our primary objective was to optimize resource utilization by eliminating data that was either unused or of low quality, ensuring that our users have access to the best available data. To address this issue, we developed a comprehensive dashboard that provides insights into all the data within our portal. This platform empowers users to gain a deeper understanding of their data and facilitates our efforts to educate them about improved data standards.
Through the implementation of this dashboard, we have successfully directed our team and users towards a focus on data governance, data literacy, and data quality, thereby fostering an environment of enhanced data maturity.
The Town of Branford, a Connecticut coastal community bordering Long Island Sound, was looking to update their Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) that had traditionally been a very long, encyclopedic document. The Town had a limited budget with which to update the NRI using the same methods as before; therefore, GZA proposed developing a digital web experience application (Experience Builder) to make the NRI a more interactive experience where the user can search the maps for locations of interest, turn on and off layers, print custom maps, and click web links for more information. This NRI relies heavily on mapping to tell the story while having short summary text with links to organizations that provide more in-depth information on the topic. This web experience utilized publicly available GIS data that is live-linked to the original dataset so that it will automatically incorporate future updates. Additionally, the NRI is more widely accessible to the public where it can be viewed on multiple devices including a laptop, tablet, or phone. This web experience can be used by Town officials and the general public, and also acts as a teaching tool for classrooms to learn more about the natural resources within the Town of Branford. The presentation will provide an overview of the project process, take aways, and discuss future uses of Experience Builder.
Monitoring performance and scalability in a large, multi-server environment can be difficult. Learn how we use ArcGIS Monitor in our Enterprise GIS to identify bottlenecks and create alerts for when things don't go as planned.
The City of Woburn, Massachusetts needed to migrate from a third-party work order management solution that they had been relying on for water and waste waster operations and maintenance (O&M) tracking. The previous provider was divesting, and the City was looking to make better use of the resources already at their disposal in ArcGIS Online. Weston & Sampson was contracted to develop in that environment a comprehensive solution for the full work order lifecycle from generation through assignment and tracking and finishing in summary report generation. This was particularly important to the O&M strategies of their water department which is responsible for weekly and monthly tracking of statistics on their water quality for reporting to state regulatory commissions. Weston & Sampson proposed and implemented a system based in ArcGIS online that synthesized the complementary platform components of ArcGIS Online, Field Maps, Experience Builder, Work Force and Survey123. Bringing all of these together in a single total solution that allowed their water department to create work orders for specific tasks such as daily treatment rounds, sampling, meter changeouts, hydrant flushing, service line installation, meter reads and more and then deliver the assignments electronically to users in the field, track their status collaboratively, and output automatically formatted reports for submissions to the requisite state agencies. The solution was constructed based around the existing schemas of the previous solution to allow for easy porting of historical data and was also designed to accommodate easy expansion to other departments notably the sewer department and to incorporate MS4 compliance through the integration of stormwater O&M forms later.
Daniel leads a team of GIS analysts providing cartographic services to the larger body of engineers within the enterprise. His specialties include mobile data deployment and collection using ArcGIS online, utility records document management, asset management and data migration/standardization... Read More →
Vector tiles are rapidly rising in popularity due to improved performance over raster tiles and the ability to dynamically style maps based on attribute data.
Traditionally vector tiles have required creating an entire static datset upfront before serving it. This can be quite time consuming and cumbersome -especially during the early phase of a web application build.
Recently the ArcGIS JS api has been quietly equipped with some features that allow reading of attributes from 3rd party vector tiles servers.
I plan to demonstrate how a developer can leverage pg_tileserv to automatically create instantaneous layers for any table, view or tileset returning function in a Postgis database and dynamically style them in the ArcGIS JS Api client without needing to pre-generate any static tilesets in advance.
I also plan to go over some tips for vector tile performance we've learned in recent projects at Stone.
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) Office of Aquatic Invasive Species (OAIS) has surveyed over 260 waterbodies across Connecticut since 2004 to document native and invasive aquatic plant species. This extensive data collection aims to map species locations and abundances, track the spread of invasives, and monitor changes in aquatic plant communities over time. These data are crucial for lake associations, lake management consultants, and government officials in managing aquatic invasive species and preventing their spread.
The goals of this project were to enhance public access to the data and transform the way OAIS communicates information with the public using ArcGIS Experience Builder. Achieving these goals required a comprehensive overhaul of the data management system. In this session, you will learn about the necessity of the project, its implementation, and the challenges encountered along the way.
In 2022 the Connecticut GIS Office, began collecting parcel and CAMA data from Councils of Governments (COGs). In previous years the information was gathered and packed in zip files for public use. In 2023 the GIS office created the first rendition of a statewide parcel layer from the years collection and published this data in the CT Geodata Portal. The state of Connecticut has been making strides to improve the parcel and CAMA data collection process as well as the parcel and CAMA data itself. This talk will dig into the challenges, findings and future of the Connecticut Parcel and CAMA collection.
The NHDOT had a need to map their buried fiber optic system to a high level of accuracy to support fiber system maintenance, development of an accurate asset inventory, and implementation of a GIS environment. NHDOT contracted with CDM Smith to implement a geodatabase design and data collection process for 29 miles of fiber optic cable that runs along the I-93 corridor in southern NH. To support NHDOT requirements, it was clear that a subsurface utility engineering (SUE) approach was required by locating buried lines using geophysical tools such as ground penetrating radar and line tracing equipment. The end result was a highly accurate dataset that primarily meets “Quality Level B” mapping standards as documented by the American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) Standards for Subsurface Utility Mapping. This project took a fresh look at a traditional data collection workflow, and the lessons we’ll share are valuable process and management insights that are applicable to any kind of field collection project. The project involved a variety of data sources coming from several field teams, including fiber optic cabinet component inventories, manhole inspections, subsurface utility location information, and centimeter RTK-GPS measurements of asset locations in ESRI Field Maps, and it was all compiled into a single, integrated GIS workspace. Throughout this presentation, we will detail the approach to the data collection process and share some best practices that were gleaned regarding setting up quality control procedures to ensure accurate capture of assets is achieved. We’ll also dive into the components of the final product, share how it is possible to take advantage of the collection phase to assist in the final data development by using tools like 360-degree GPS-enabled cameras, and show how this process produced a valuable database that will find use in future locating efforts, system overview visualizations, and asset management. Through our example, you’ll take away some experience-based tips about how to plan ahead for your field collection efforts to ensure a smooth turnaround from field to office and set up a successful and thorough a data development process from start to finish.
In my presentation, I will demonstrate our python based workflow for automating setup and the publishing of Enterprise Geodatabase layers within a Portal environment. Enterprise Geodatabase is essential for managing large scale operations. In contrast, utilizing hosted layers for publishing data is convenient, however the data store is a black box and can only handle so much. In circumstances where domains are being updated on a regular basis, this puts a huge strain on the publishing services of an ArcGIS Server instance. As well as disconnected domains from one feature service to another. Moving to Enterprise Geodatabase helps us properly manage our domains while not overwhelming ArcGIS Server’s publishing tools, by giving us direct access to the underlying data. This process has streamlined our data maintenance procedures, along with standardizing our schema and improving our data life cycle management.
Climate change has impacted forest growing season length, streamflow quantity, and the intersections of complex forest hydrologic processes. This research explores the geospatial hydrology and forest phenology (e.g. growing season length) change points throughout the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States from 1982-2012. Gridded NDVI data were obtained from NOAA AVHRR satellite imagery and analyzed to determine the growing season length. Hydrology datasets and watershed boundaries were extracted from the USGS HCDN (Hydro Climatic Data Network) dataset, which consists of exclusively natural (non-anthropogenically impacted) watersheds. Hydrology and phenology variables in each watershed were analyzed to determine the year(s) that a change point occurred and to determine the temporal duration between a mean shift in growing season phenology and watershed hydrology.
Assistant Professor of Geography, Penn State University
Brandi Gaertner is a climate change hydrologist in the Master of GIS and Spatial Data Science program at Penn State University. Her research focuses on understanding the impact of climate change on streamflow quantity using multivariate regression, machine learning, and statistical... Read More →
This past spring, the City of Boston’s Analytics Team collaborated with the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) to determine where 100 new Bluebike stations (Boston’s bikeshare system) should be placed throughout the city, and why they should go in that location. This project is set to grow Boston’s bikeshare network by 40%- a major impact to the city to expand mobility options for residents.
The Analytics team worked together to apply data science methods and geospatial analysis to make station location recommendations, utilizing data such as job and population density, and ridership and station status. The Bluebikes data was translated into informative metrics such as station trip volumes, instances when stations were empty or full, and a pair of metrics- lost trips and lost returns- that highlighted areas of the city that are not able to meet the existing demand for starting a trip or ending a trip. The team used this data to identify locations with strong latent demand for bike share and to maximize the percentage of households in Boston within close proximity to a Bluebikes station.
In order to provide BTD with specific locations, the team utilized a geospatial suitability modeling approach, inputting dock, population, and job density data, and the new lost trip/return metrics into the model. The suitability modeling was done in two groupings- once for ‘expansion’ stations and one for ‘infill’ stations. The groups had differences in data inputs as well as how the data was weighted and transformed, due to different priorities for the purpose of that station placement. Once the weights and transforms were applied, the team selected the highest scoring locations (with a minimum buffer distance between existing and proposed stations). Currently, BTD is siting the Analytics Team’s proposed station expansion locations, with plans to begin installation within the next year.
The accuracy and completeness of utility GIS data are critical as data now plays a key role in utility management, improvement, and maintenance. Today, GIS and asset management data support various functions, including compliance reporting, construction management, complete streets, and utility operations. However, many municipalities and government agencies face challenges with outdated GIS and asset data developed over a decade ago, which often do not meet current needs. This has prompted a trend of reinvesting in data development to achieve higher accuracy and broader usability. Utilities are seeking guidance on improving their GIS and asset data.
To address this need, the municipalities, government agencies, and utilities are enhancing their GIS and asset management capability by increasing the quality and scope of their GIS. Advanced technologies like mobile GIS, subsurface utility location tools, 360-video, and 3D LiDAR are being utilized to accomplish this goal. These tools help map the location and assess the condition of assets, providing higher-quality data to staff through improved web, mobile, and augmented reality applications. Additionally, utilities are unifying their information management systems (GIS, CMMS, models, etc.) to enable better decision-making through integrated technology.
This presentation will overview how the Town of Hudson, NH, the US Navy, and other organizations are enhancing the accuracy of subsurface utility systems using techniques such as ground-penetrating radar, 360 GPS-enabled cameras, and enhanced GPS. These advancements allow utilities to expand their technology environment for various uses, including improved asset management, condition assessment, construction management, 3D augmented reality, and data-driven capital planning. Case studies will demonstrate how utilities are improving the quality and detail of their data, showcasing the processes and benefits of these enhancements.
Python and the pandas library are great for processing data, but if you're working with a large database, SQL is often faster and more straightforward. While working on a large spatial data processing project, we've replaced much of our Python code with SQL while still using Python to run the data pipeline. We store our SQL code in a Git repository and use Python to test it, modify it using Jinja templates, and send it to the database. We've worked out a system in which each language does what it does best.
Jason is a software architect with a background in Earth science, GIS, aviation, and utilities. He works with geotechnical engineers at Terracon to help clients choose locations for major renewable energy projects. He also volunteers with the Civil Air Patrol and as a trustee for... Read More →
Wednesday October 30, 2024 9:30am - 10:00am EDT
Lake Champlain A
Of all the resource areas protected by the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act, coastal bank is particularly challenging to define. The authors propose a GIS-based approach using the Spatial Analyst extension, to be presented with a case study.
In Vermont, development projects that require historic preservation consultation for federal and state undertakings often necessitate detailed field surveys of buildings and structures, accompanied by comprehensive map exhibits. VHB Preservation Planners consult for an array of clients including municipalities and state transportation agencies, tackling projects ranging broadly in scale from individual buildings to statewide surveys.
This presentation will showcase recent advancements in historic preservation GIS deliverables, emphasizing the use of ArcGIS Experience Builder, and exploring how mobile data collection tools such as ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey123 have improved field data collection in historic preservation. Notable projects involving large-scale field surveys, including the BUILD Grant Mitigation - Rail: Historic Bridge Mitigation Survey, the Town of Brandon Preservation Survey, and the Middlebury Village Historic District Survey and National Register Nomination Update, will be highlighted.
The presentation will demonstrate efficiencies achieved during field survey data collected using Field Maps and the benefits of automated reporting capabilities integrated with the Vermont Architectural Resource Inventory form adapted for Survey123. Additionally, the presentation will highlight the dynamic map deliverables made possible by Experience Builder, underscoring their value in presenting and managing historic preservation data.
Do you know how much of your property, campus, or office complex is covered by asphalt or concrete? Discover the crucial role of high-resolution aerial photogrammetry in assessing such impervious surfaces, vital for effective stormwater management. This presentation delves into how municipalities leverage the 2D planimetric mapping of man-made and natural features derived from aerial orthoimagery to support sustainable funding strategies. One leading example is stormwater utility fee programs, which charge businesses and residences a fee proportional to the impervious surface existing on their properties. Accuracy is the name of the game, and high-res orthos with high horizontal (x,y) accuracy is the tool of choice by municipalities to avoid billing disputes and lawsuits. Join us to gain insights into the evolving landscape of stormwater management and the pivotal role that aerial photogrammetry plays in reducing flood risks to our communities.
As the frequency of natural and human-caused disasters increases, there is a greater need for efficient coordination amongst emergency responders, resource managers, and the public. GIS is often touted as an invaluable and underutilized tool for public safety teams. But what does mapping in near real-time entail, and is this feasible for a small municipality? This presentation will explore how the Town of Concord, MA recently embarked on answering this question using ArcGIS Online’s suite of tools.
In March 2024, the Town’s GIS team was asked to facilitate a tabletop exercise, in coordination with several other Town departments, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), and students from Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s Emergency Management program. We created a web application to edit and visualize near real-time updates of an excessive rainfall/flooding event in a simulated Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
In this presentation, we will demonstrate our final application and operations workflow, which took inspiration from the Emergency Management Operations ArcGIS Solution. We will also share our thought process for selection of appropriate tools, how we customized a solution within a limited scope and timeframe, and how we integrated data collection, maps, dashboards, and live data feeds, using Experience Builder. Finally, we will share our ideas for ways to expand and improve upon this application in the future.
As the movement away from “car-only” design continues and more communities integrate Complete Streets planning and design, there is a challenge to collect the detailed data required to scale up from community engagement to actionable, biddable projects. The Town of Barrington, RI recently completed a comprehensive field assessment of its roadways using crowd-sourced data collected via a Survey123 webform. The project provided cost-effective data collection, but also provided public education and coalition building for increased advocacy and implementability. The fieldwork also resulted in Level of User Stress Assessment leading to prioritized capital investment.
The Survey123 form empowers trained volunteers to gather critical data about roadway characteristics, contributing to improved identification of gaps in existing transportation networks and prioritizing projects to improve multimodal transportation infrastructure. Volunteers used the form to record information on:
•Roadway features: Number of lanes, presence and condition of sidewalks and bike lanes •Traffic conditions: Vehicle speed, traffic volume •User experience: Perceived stress levels for cyclists and pedestrians
This crowdsourced data, aided by intentional cartographic choices for public engagement, provides valuable insights into the safety and usability of roadways for diverse users. By identifying areas with high stress levels or inadequate facilities, municipal planners and transportation authorities can prioritize improvements, ultimately creating safer and more accessible streets for residents and taxpayers.
This presentation will discuss how we have leveraged the capabilities of SQL database views to create streamlined, dynamic reporting workflows for enterprise geodatabases. Oftentimes, as the technical needs of a project evolves, the geodatabase schema created at the outset may not be suited to best report on and track the data via dashboards or other web applications. SQL database views offer a method through which GIS professionals can transform, join, or aggregate datasets dynamically to fit their needs without overhauling their geodatabase model or affecting the underlying datasets. In addition, SQL database views can offer an alternative to other automatic field calculation methodologies such as attribute rules or scripts. In this presentation, we will dive into three different real-world project examples, ranging in complexity from beginner to more advanced, to showcase how database views allowed us create maps, apps, and dashboards best suited for our clients’ needs. The first use case will show how database views can be used symbolize stormwater assets based on their related inspection and maintenance data as well as create dynamic, calculated fields to track asset inspection statuses. The next will demonstrate how views can aggregate multiple different datasets to optimize stormwater illicit discharge inspection reporting efficiency and create more streamlined user interfaces for web applications. The third example will delve into the process of using database views to temporally manipulate stormwater best management practice inspection data, granting the end user the ability to examine overall inspection statistics from not only the current year, but also any previous year over the inspection program’s duration. To wrap up the presentation, we will give a high-level overview of how to get started with database views, including which tools and software are required, to empower attendees to implement database views for their own project needs.
Maximize your GIS investment by learning the benefits of integrating a CMMS with Esri’s ArcGIS platform using a modern, GIS-Centric approach. Understand how work management can be accomplished faster and more accurate as work orders are developed from the map using GIS-Centric technology. Become versed in the best practices for identifying assets in the field, creating work orders, attaching work history to assets, and analyzing the data through reporting. Get an overall picture of how budgets are being consumed and how capital planning tools can help prepare for upcoming expenditures.
The use of technology is a controversial issue in many communities, and there is a growing disparity between those who want to share and those who want to maintain privacy in this fast-moving world of information. This is true globally, as we see places that we enjoy being “overloved” with activity once they are public, and conversely that communities are being underrepresented because they fear putting their “place” on a map. Using examples from mapping and engagement methods used with the indigenous Micronesian communities of the Ulithi atoll, in the Yap Outer Islands of the Federated States of Micronesia, this talk will discuss the benefits of starting an early community engagement strategy, considerations of information gathering, and the steps used to train non-users in science and technology from a modern western perspective. There are many sub-categories of learning associated with this topic, including ethics in GIS, how to capture data using offline FieldMaps technology, increasing buy-in to the planning process with enhanced transparency, and improving the results of the information-gathering process to create a more comprehensive, thorough and thoughtful GIS.
With more than 20 years in GIS experience from working in the field of conservation biology and natural resources management, Sarah is now taking a larger approach to social change through Community Engagement and Mapping work. Sarah is an independent consultant who contracts to small... Read More →
Wednesday October 30, 2024 11:00am - 11:30am EDT
Lake Champlain A
In May of 2023, we launched the New Hampshire Zoning Atlas – only the third statewide zoning atlas in a nationwide movement to create a National Zoning Atlas. After wrangling zoning maps and regulations for 269 jurisdictions, the data had to be stitched together into a cohesive statewide zoning layer and analyzed to make some (hopefully) insightful conclusions on zoning’s effect on housing in NH. One of the challenges was how best to tell the story of zoning in NH (spoiler, using a StoryMap), and how to build an interactive viewer for users to explore the data in a meaningful way (spoiler 2 – Experience Builder). Join me for a behind the scenes look at putting the StoryMap and NH atlas together and brief demo of the final product, plus an update on planned improvements moving forward.
Rick is the sole proprietor of Upstate GIS, an independent GIS and cartography business located in rural upstate NY. Many of Rick's projects focus on natural and agricultural resources planning and protection. The scale of Rick's projects range from creating a custom hand drawn/digital... Read More →
Wednesday October 30, 2024 11:00am - 11:30am EDT
Green Mountain C
Chapter III, Section 4 (g) of the Niagara County Sanitary code (Sanitary Code of the Niagara County Health District, 2022) charges the Niagara County Health Department with informing property owners who utilize a septic system that there is a requirement to connect to a sanitary sewer if one is available at the time of a property sale (or transfer). If sanitary sewer is not available at the time of sale, then the county health department must perform a test (tracer dye testing) of the existing septic system to ensure that the system is in good working order. Also, at times when an aging septic system is replaced, county public health engineers may be called upon to inspect and approve a new septic construction. Historically, GIS has played no role in this process.
The Niagara County Department of Public health has embarked on an ambitious multi-year GIS project; the goals include:
--> To map existing sanitary sewer pipeline GIS data (covering the entirety of the county’s 12 towns and three cities).
--> Append to the GIS data the layout and components of newly installed septic systems (using a high-accuracy GNSS receiver with RTK augmentation)
--> Provide a document management tool via a web map application/interface that will easily link the user to the project file of each septic system inspection or new installation.
The purpose of this session is to share our experiences thus far in in this process. We hope that attendees of this session will share their own in-house processes to fulfil county health code requirements. We aim to use GIS to improve access to, as well as the accuracy of our project records. While the process will take time, our end deliverable of this project will be a modernized record management tool and high precision mapping of the county’s approximately 18,000+ septic systems.
Over the past two years, the Town of Concord, MA deployed Field Maps for data collection and asset management applications across multiple departments. These projects include catch basin cleaning operations for MS4 compliance in Public Works, to developing an asset management and tracking program for the Natural Resources Commission, to quarterly hydrant flushing operations with the Water department.
Field Maps has proved to be an invaluable tool for jump-starting and recovering stalled data collection projects, and has become integral to how we as a GIS team serve our colleagues in their day to day operations. In this presentation we will offer insights on deploying and maintaining Field Maps solutions for a wide array of departments. We will demonstrate the customizations we utilize in Field Maps like auto-calculated fields and logic trees for field visibility, and explain how we integrate Field Maps with other Esri and third-party applications. We will cover the benefits and challenges of the application when working across knowledge and skill bases, discuss best practices for updating solutions built from scratch, and reflect on developing custom solutions as a stand-alone GIS team within a municipality.
School districts often require spatial modeling for enrollment forecasting, program analysis, or school boundary changes. Providing accurate data for school districts for long and short-term curriculum and facilities planning can make a world of difference for students, enabling them to have access to a more equitable and robust education. ArcGIS spatial tools can be used in tandem with Alteryx modeling software to create custom workflows that provide data-supported answers to school district questions. Alteryx is a powerful data analytics software with spatial capabilities that allows for rapid and easily customizable model building (no coding required), while spatial data preparation, investigation, editing, and mapping are all performed within ArcGIS. This session will show several examples of how ArcGIS and Alteryx can be used together to improve workflows and perform complex data modeling and will dive into our Enrollment Modeling Application and special programs accessibility analysis. While the session focuses on school district analyses as an example, the integration of ArcGIS and Alteryx for spatial data modeling is widely applicable to a variety of topics.
Parcel data management can be an efficient and enjoyable process with ArcGIS Pro! This presentation will demonstrate using ArcGIS Pro and esri's Parcel Fabric to work with land record datasets effectively. Workflows and tips & tricks will be discussed for two distinct approaches: (1) use of a simple geodatabase model and (2) use of the parcel fabric. Topology and attribute rules will be covered, as well as using a map series to produce tax maps. The presentation will also cover esri’s latest Parcel Fabric record-driven workflows, its flexible data model, automatic history, and tools unique to the Parcel Fabric dataset. The continued improvements to ArcGIS Pro have made custom tax mapping tools obsolete. Find out why ArcGIS Pro is becoming the standard for land-data management!
