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Digital Data Collection for Environmental GIS Updating (handheld vs. paper & pen). Beth M. Wrege bmwrege@usgs.gov. Charlynne T. Smith c_smith@ncsu.edu. www.usgs.gov. Mobile Computing: Why bother?. Do you need it? Can you even use it? What does it do for you?
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Digital Data Collection for Environmental GIS Updating(handheld vs. paper & pen) Beth M. Wrege bmwrege@usgs.gov Charlynne T. Smith c_smith@ncsu.edu science for a changing world www.usgs.gov
Mobile Computing: Why bother? • Do you need it? Can you even use it? • What does it do for you? • Savings (cheap / fast / accurate) • Pilot Projects • Did it help? (limitations / benefits) science for a changing world
IMGEN IMREC BGGEN TRAIR TRVEH UTSTO LAND USE HYDROLOGY TOPOGRAPHY NeedData Layers : Update Groundwater Watershed Stormwater science for a changing world
Issue:Management of Data forms science for a changing world
What does it take?Hardware : Software : Wetware science for a changing world
Cherry Point MCAS Ft. Bragg Fort Bragg Cantonment Watersheds Pilot Project science for a changing world
Existing SituationWhat is it going to take? • Existing Database ArcView, ArcInfo, DLGs, DRGs, CAD, Pathfinder • ArcPAD is a software program, it is a mapping application designed for field data collection and mapping. It works on handheld PocketPC with Windows CE as well as Windows 95, 98, NT and 2000. • Handheld CE, memory, ram, rom, interface, expand science for a changing world
Planning • Forms Development • Clearer definition of expected results • More training science for a changing world
Cape Fear River Basin North Carolina Fort Bragg Cantonment Area Preparation science for a changing world
Formats • Clips • Shapefiles : feature data format • JPEG : satellite imagery • Bitmaps : photos • CADrg : Background • Excel/Access • Trimble : GPS • Dialog Designer for attribute data • MrSID : visual background • Wireless technology, to download image or map layers • ArcIMS : data server uplink science for a changing world
Outfall 53 Linking imagery Other field applications… science for a changing world
ArcPad for Urban Forest Inventory Management North Carolina State University • Urban Forest Management System • Spatial Database exists ~ 5,000 trees in the database • Periodic updates required as result of field inspections science for a changing world
NC State University Watering Routes Landscape Services Division is responsible for • Campus plantings: trees, shrubs, flower beds • Campus Walkways Routine maintenance and emergency management situations Hurricane Cleanup science for a changing world
Urban Forest Health Poor maintenance by contractor Die-back indicating Leaf Scorch disease science for a changing world
Agriculture Application • County Agricultural Agent works with a variety of farmers • Recognizes the need for accurate map of the agricultural fields and plants • Inventory of species, cultivars • Infrastructure: irrigation, wind machines • Records • Pesticide Application • Disease Testing • Integrated Pest Management science for a changing world http://www.pearsonfarm.com/
Base maps are minimal Digital orthophotography County roads GPS connection to create accurate data layers handheld computer becomes the data logger GPS software not required Mapping the Peach Orchard http://www.pearsonfarm.com/ science for a changing world
Drop down list Entry field Date Check box Labels Required fields Scroll Data entry form science for a changing world
Select fields you would like to use Transfer to handheld with project file Create Form Create form Based on Attribute Table science for a changing world
Transferring from Desktop . . . science for a changing world
. . . to the handheld Data collection using handheld and ruggedized case science for a changing world
. . . back to the desktop Display / features with attribute Query / Immediate Use Edit / create / attribute, delete, modify Data capture / form completion GPS / collected in shapefile format Hyperlink photos . . . and update the database science for a changing world
Data Transfer Methods • Storage cards • Infrared transfer Paper science for a changing world
End User Applications NCSU – Improved Efficiency • Updates are in the hands of the field supervisor • Without a fulltime GIS technician the database receives more updates • Effectiveness allows time for new applications • Integrated pest management program • Communication Between Departments Agriculture Extension • Simplified, economical access to data • Improve documentation process and assist farmers • Less training and computer power required . . . science for a changing world
Results: Digital Data Collection • We will meet our publication deadlines • Elimination of data input process • Reduction in data entry time – redirect effort • Elimination of data input validation • Data are now checked daily by field person and map checked on plot • Elimination of data loss (data safe-keeping) • Transmitting the data in for validation, creates a backup copy • Increase in Quality • Errors are identified and remedied in the field • Validation of location • Provide near real-time access to data • The data are digital when collected science for a changing world
Additional Benefits • Using mobile computing to leverage existing GIS • Field Portable GIS • Correction of GIS data • GPS polygon capture • Creation of attributed files • Transportable Memory – Multiple Users science for a changing world
Limiting Factors Only Shapefiles Need to have existing GIS Memory : storage : filesize (32mb, 133, color) CE device Advantages Mr.Sid Field data Real-time data capture Image in the field Wireless data aquisition Mobile digital data acquisition science for a changing world
http://www.trimble.com/ Today • Pilot at Cherry Point • No Pilot at Ft. Bragg • Management of over 5000 trees • Implementation of Integrated Pest Management Program science for a changing world
Future Applications science for a changing world
Water Quality Sampling Sites • Route map updates • Locations Validation • NPDES Illicit Discharge Inspections • Field Data Acquisition science for a changing world
Surface Water Sites science for a changing world
Surface Water Sampling • Volunteers • Validation • Location accuracy • Repeatability science for a changing world
Urban Forestry & Agriculture • Inventory • Pest Management • Pesticide Applications • Water Quality • Worker Safety science for a changing world
Action • Mobile computing for my situation will improve accuracy, reduce labor, provide a quality product in a timely manner. • It requires both up front costs and planning • Fast / accurate / cheap science for a changing world
Mobile Computing Working smarter . . . not harder science for a changing world