GIS in National Security

USDOT's National Pipeline Mapping System – Meeting All User Needs Securely

—Leigha Gooding and Katie Field, US DOT-PHMSA

The risks posed by pipeline infrastructure are relevant to all levels of government and the average citizen. It is important to know if there is a pipeline in your jurisdiction or backyard and who owns it. To increase awareness and transparency and to assist with emergency planning and mitigation, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has released two newly updated ArcGIS Server web mapping applications to share the contents of their National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) geospatial database. The applications were designed to accommodate both novice public users and more advanced local, state, and federal government users. Striking a balance between data security and the public's right to know, the public- and private-based applications differ in their level of detail and accessibility. These applications address diverse user needs via viewing, querying, and mapping tools while preserving the sensitivity of our nation's critical infrastructure.