Abstract

Rasters are Faster: Reasons to Use Vector Data Instead
Track: GIS Concepts and Fundamentals
Authors: Jake Engelman, Jennifer Chester, Matthew Smith

Completing a suitability analysis is often one of the first steps in the development of a linear facility project such as transmission lines. The analysis usually takes the form of the usual opportunity and constraint overlay model involving multiple datasets from varying sources, some raster and some vector. The typical approach GIS professionals learn in school is to convert all the data to a raster format before moving forward with the analysis. Raster data is simpler (fewer attributes), often smaller in file size, and usually runs much more quickly through geoprocessing tools than vector data. In addition, some tools such as Least Cost Path and Least Cost Corridor require input data in raster format. Using vector data throughout the suitability analysis models can provide many benefits (and challenges) over using raster data and both will be explored in this presentation.