Abstract

Models, Social Media, & Gravity Theory: Relative Population Density
Track: Statistics
Authors: Erin Goodnough

We made a high fidelity relative population density index for human geography analysis in areas lacking reliable census data. Using Model Builder and Raster Processing Tools, we made a gravity theory model that uses social media to estimate relative population density. Our methods demonstrate that with careful data preparation and knowledge of raster datasets and their pitfalls, open source data and ESRI utilities are valuable tools for solving GIS challenges with advanced geospatial modeling.