Abstract

Cost Savings in Outdoor Warning System Design using GIS
Track: Disaster and Emergency Management
Authors: Brett Lord-Castillo

ArcGIS for Desktop and ArcGIS Server were employed in multiple phases in the rebuild of a 500+ square mile outdoor warning siren system. GIS played a role in system design, site selection, obtaining jurisdictional permissions, project coordination, installation, testing, sound modeling, and information for the stakeholders and the public. Through GIS based geodesign, a planned 260 siren system was reduced to less than 200 sirens, resulting in a savings of over $2,500,000 with a 20% increase in system performance. These design concepts are applicable to other forms of wide area systems such as radio communications and tsunami warning systems while this project demonstrates the multiple roles GIS can play in large area capital projects.