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GIS
Description
Key Benefits
Features
of ArcView (ESRI website)
Where to Start a GIS
Where Does Property Data come from
Types of Maps
Costs & Software Requirements
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Geographic
Information System (GIS)
is a collection of maps, other spatially referenced information
and data joined
together within a common system to facilitate comprehensive
management of property. GIS is based ArcView® or AutoCAD Map®
software.
A GIS is a computerized mapping
system where map features are attached to information contained
in a database. GIS is used by National Geographic, cities
for 9-1-1 mapping, and even the TV show "The District"
uses GIS. A GIS is designed as a stand-alone solution or can
be integrated with a Lodgepole Property System.
Don't
know much about what GIS? Wondering how outdoor properties
can use GIS? GIS is best explained by seeing it, rather
than reading about it. We highly recommend that you:
- Visit
an Arctic
GIS website that simulates many of the GIS features
(climate change, biodiversity, etc.). You can experiment
with different GIS layers and features of the region.
"When you think about all the management that goes
into maintaining, purchasing systems, tracking correspondence,
calculations, scanned images, etc., you can see that a uniform
information interface would save money, not cost money."
CAD Manager November 2000
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Key
Benefits
What
can GIS do for your
site/facility
- Up-to-date
maps. Easy
to update maps and database (incorporate road additions
on the fly)
- Future
construction. Experiment with future construction
projects before you build it (site location to check access,
distance from existing utility lines). "Show"
property information visually
- One
Location. All maps stored in one easily accessible
location. It gives you a consistent way to store all maps
and information for the property
- Save
money. You draw your own maps, such as submitting
a drainage map to planning department. This saves your
thousands of dollars in consultant fees.
-
Flexibility/customization in viewing mapsZoom in
and print any map with any layers turned on. - ability
to zoom in, turn on & off map layers on any area of
the property
- Decision-making
tool for decision-making, sharing, reporting information
- Complete
tool. The complete method for working with property
data (more than CAD or paper), as it has the mapping features
AND the information behind it.
- Available
for everyone. Captures tacit knowledge and
gives the capability for all to use.
Working
with Architects
Prior to working with an architect.
We can take your existing maps, regardless of condition or
format, and other materials to create a GIS. This process
collects the information about your property, including background
which may be in a variety of formats and locations, and places
the data into a consistent format prior to giving the information
to the architect (saving both yourself and costly architect
time and cost of having to construct the information). The
property then has a GIS which can be updated continually with
as work is completed on the property incorporating the architect's
work and other work in the future.
At
the end of a project, we can take the CAD files and other
data, including planning information, of a property and make
a living GIS that you can use continuously with your property.
Because the data is already digital and accurate, the cost
of a GIS system goes down dramatically.
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| Where
to Start
There are 3 major factors in determining the success of a
GIS.
1) Who is in support of a Geographic Information
System? Is the executive management team behind the
project? Is there a champion who has management responsibility
supporting the project? There must be high level support for
this type of project as it will require time, people,
and money.
2) Are there dedicated resources? Does the
organization have a commitment to not only the initial expense
but also long-term resource allocation to the GIS? This includes
staff to gather data and interface with GIS consultant, a
GIS operator, having the computer software and hardware to
operate the GIS. In addition, there needs to be a plan for
future to address phasing in of new data and updates.
To accomplish this you have two choices to maintain and expand
it: 1) training an internal staff member or 2) hire it out.
Once you realize what you can do with the help of GIS you
will want to do more. GIS often becomes like a favorite hammer
used to build various projects. It becomes an invaluable tool,
made more useful by being kept in good shape.
3) Is there a dedicated, trained GIS operator?
How much time will this person be allocated to spend on GIS?
Too little time means they can print a limited amount of pre-defined
maps; more time allows for more analysis (mapping maintenance
occurrences, comparing horse trails with pedestrian trails),
custom maps (turning on and off different layers, zooming
to specific sites).
This GIS operator needs to take
basic GIS user training. Depending on the organizational plan
for updates this person may need to take additional technical
training to be able to manipulate, change, update the
system.
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Where
does the information come from?
The sources for collecting data about your property are vast.
GIS data comes from physical elements on or in the land-such
as buildings, trees, and water wells. Information also encompasses
anything which can be tied to physical locations such as names,
road width, ownership. This is called non-spatial data, because
it is not physical in nature. However since data is usually
about something which can be tied to a physical location it
can be included in the GIS. By looking at both sets of information
you are able to track and view the inter connected nature of
all the data. Some places to start gathering are:
- Utility company
- Your maps (hand drawn, architectural,
etc.)
- Surrounding agencies or cities
- Aerial photography
- National databases
- Forest service
- Assayers office
- Talking to people who live
and work on the property
- Collecting historical information,
photos, maps, stories, library, archives, vault
- Strategic, master plans, architectural
plans
- Property studies
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Types
of Maps in GIS
| Maps
In a GIS - A GIS is capable of producing any or all
of the following maps based on what information you have
included in the maps and database. |
Description
- Which maps you produce depend on what "map
layers" you decide on to start your GIS and what
"map layers" you add, when, as the GIS grows.
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| Site
or Base maps |
Determined
by the GIS client. Usually, a combination of physical
features, program or special use elements and landmarks,
and legal property information. See sections below for
each of these kinds of maps. |
| Utilities |
Communications-phone,
data, electric, natural gas, propane, sanitary sewer,
septic, storm, water |
| Physical
features maps |
Lakes,
rivers, mountains, valleys, washes, permanent structures,
roads, trails, sidewalks, parking lots |
| Emergency
Preparedness |
Evacuation
routes, fire department access, time to travel from point
to point, fire safety equipment locations, gathering places |
| Program
or special use |
These
maps are very specific to the area included in the GIS.
Some examples are, Park-n-Rec. uses, land use, specially
designated program areas for boating vs. swimming, etc.. |
| Landmark |
Can
be physical elements but may be defined by use of the
area also. Church, school, grocery store, post office,
hotel, highway access points, pick up and drop off points,
event locations, parade route |
| Legal
property description |
Usually
surveyed data. Includes property boundary, lots, parcels,
right-of-way, easements |
| Historical |
Can
include abandoned utility lines, roads, old sites, major
constructions, high incidence sites, etc.. |
| Images |
Can
be linked to specific physical elements on the map through
the hot link function, allowing you to view a current
image of a cabin, for example. |
| Studies |
Soil,
water basin, forest management |
| Analytical
maps |
Slope,
drainage, proximity, occurrence |
| Maintenance |
Can
be used in conjunction with maintenance records to show
where maintenance done on property, tracking trends, such
as a unit or pipe location which has been repaired more
than 6 times in the last 3 months. Can be useful in preventative
maintenance, heavy use locations |
| Planning |
Strategic
plans, master plans, future development, infrastructure,
site impact, cost analysis through trying out the solution
before committing funds |
| Species |
Locate
the plants, animals,trees, and the sightings, follow trends
across the area, see shifting habitat areas, establish
low or no use zones, cycle high impact uses to minimize
damage |
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Costs,
Services,
and Software Requirements
Costs
vary according to the scope of the project. Advanced GIS projects
will cost more in proportion to their complexity. Factors
are:
- How
much you do versus how much we do for you
- What
information is wanted/needed to create a GIS - each GIS
is unique
- How
much information exists, including its format and location
- How/where
to get missing information
- ArcView®
Software: Available directly from ESRI http://www.esri.com/arcview
Version 8.2, $1500 (single user license-US only)
- Computer/Hardware:
- 17"
monitor, 19" preferred
- Color
Printer, 11"x17" optional
- Zip
disk or CD-RW for regular backups, highly recommended.
Training
(additional fee):
Available directly from ESRI
- Face
to face, either on-site or off-site
- Web
based training
- User
manuals
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