science for a changing world Digital Data Collection for Environmental GIS Updating (handheld vs. paper & pen) Beth M. Wrege [email protected]

science for a changing world

Digital Data Collection for Environmental GIS Updating

(handheld vs. paper & pen)

Beth M. Wrege [email protected]

www.usgs.gov

Charlynne T. Smith [email protected]


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)


NeedData Layers : Update

TOPOGRAPHY

LAND USE

HYDROLOGY

IMGEN

IMREC

TRAIR

TRVEH

UTSTO

BGGEN

• Groundwater

•Stormwater

• Watershed


Issue:Management of Data forms

Cost of Data Entry

labor, time

Poor penmanship, missed data, wrong location of data collected

Cost of Data QA/QC Quality assurance, data validation - difficult

Re-key

labor, time

Error correction

introduce error

Data loss Lost data due to time lag

Time to Publish Less time, collect more data, accuracy, faster release


What does it take?Hardware : Software : Wetware


Pilot Project• Cherry Point MCAS • Ft. Bragg

Fort Bragg Cantonment Watersheds


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


Planning

• Forms Development

• Clearer definition of expected results

• More training


PreparationFort Bragg Cantonment Area

Cape Fear River Basin

North Carolina


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


Linking imageryOutfall 53

Other field applications…


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



NC State University

Landscape Services Division is responsible for

• Campus plantings: trees, shrubs, flower beds

• Campus Walkways

Routine maintenance and emergency management situations

Watering Routes

Hurricane Cleanup


Urban Forest Health

Die-back indicating

Leaf Scorch disease

Poor maintenance

by contractor


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

http://www.pearsonfarm.com/


Mapping the Peach Orchard

• 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

http://www.pearsonfarm.com/


Data entry form

• Drop down list

• Entry field

• Date

• Check box

• Labels

• Required fields

• Scroll


Create form Based on Attribute Table

Select fields you would like to use

Create Form

Transfer to handheldTransfer to handheld

with project filewith project file


Transferring from Desktop . . .


. . . to the handheld

Data collection using handheld and ruggedized case


. . . back to the desktop

. . . and update the database

•Display / features with attribute

•Query / Immediate Use

•Edit / create / attribute, delete, modify

•Data capture / form completion

•GPS / collected in shapefile format

•Hyperlink photos


Data Transfer Methods

• Storage cards

• Infrared transfer

• Paper


End User ApplicationsNCSU – 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 DepartmentsCommunication Between Departments

Agriculture Extension

• Simplified, economical access to data

• Improve documentation process and assist farmers

• Less training and computer power required . . .


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


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


Mobile digital data acquisition

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


Today

• Pilot at Cherry Point

• No Pilot at Ft. Bragg

• Management of over 5000 trees

• Implementation of Integrated Pest Management Program

http://www.trimble.com/


Future Applications


Water Quality Sampling Sites

• Route map updates

• Locations Validation

• NPDES Illicit Discharge Inspections

• Field Data Acquisition


Surface Water Sites


Surface Water Sampling

• Volunteers

• Validation

• Location accuracy

• Repeatability


Urban Forestry & Agriculture

• Inventory

• Pest Management

• Pesticide Applications

– Water Quality

– Worker Safety


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


Mobile Computing

Working smarter

. . . not harder

Documents

science for a changing world Digital Data Collection for Environmental GIS Updating (handheld vs. paper & pen) Beth M. Wrege [email protected]