Improving Field Data Collection Through the Integration of ArcView 2.1 and GPS Technology Recent improvements in technology have allowed the natural resource scientist to collect spatially explicit field data with vastly improved efficiency. Current field collection techniques often involve a paper trail of data where the conversion to usable electronic format can be extended for months. This time gap from collection to conversion costs both in terms of technician hours and data entry error. An application has been developed to facilitate real time electronic data collection that is spatially pinpointed using a Global Positioning System receiver in combination with the ArcView 2.1 GIS software package. Scripts were written in the Avenue programming language to pan and zoom GIS coverages to a point obtained from a GPS receiver. Further scripts allow the user to enter points, lines, or polygons and attribute them in real time with full error checking. This application as utilized for the collection of sample plots for satellite image classification produced a ten-fold increase in efficiency and vastly improved data fidelity.
Assessing the accuracy of small scale maps requires generalized observations made over large areas. GPS referenced aerial video offers a means for rapidly acquiring large transect samples for use in a GIS. In this application, an accuracy assessment was performed to evaluate a 13 class ArcViewHRR derived land-cover map of Arizona. A light aircraft was used carry an oblique color video camera. GPS location was titled on each video frame. Land-cover class was interpreted from the video and plotted onto flight lines. The segmented flight lines were overlayed on the land-cover map and a coefficient of agreement calculated. The results indicate that GPS referenced video offers an attractive alternative to traditional field methods of map accuracy assessment.
Professional management requires accurate and comprehensive information of park resources. Perhaps the most basic information for managing natural resource areas is a thorough knowledge of vegetation, a resource whose contribution to scenic beauty, wildlife habitat, and overall ecosystem function is undisputed. Rapid vegetation changes in Southeastern Arizona ecosystems have been well documented (Nichol, 1937; Reynold and Bohning, 1956; Hastings and Turner, 1965; Bahre, 1991). To assess vegetation change at Chiricahua National Monument an ArcInfo based GIS has been developed as well as a revised Brown, Lowe, and Pase vegetation classification system. The GIS and vegetation classification system in conjunction with numerous remote sensing methodologies and GPS-based automated field mapping techniques have been indispensable tools in the development of a new up-to-date vegetation map. The new vegetation map coupled with GIS analysis provides a means for making informed management decisions about the relative extent and nature of vegetation changes between 1939 and the present. The new "community" based vegetation map will also (1) serve as a baseline dataset for monitoring the effects of natural fires and prescribed burning programs, (2) serve as an aid in the evaluation of potential wildlife habitat, and (3) be used to assess the possible impacts of human activities.
Developed by Lockheed Martin and implemented as a pilot program with the City of Aurora, Colorado, ALTS integrates Global Position System (GPS) and a city or county's geographic information system (GIS). Using speech recognition software to capture data in the field, a turn key system is created to cost effectively locate and capture information on the GIS. The ALTS allows the City of Aurora to do dynamic tracking of City vehicles for location as well as route planning. Everything from location of City vehicles, to the status of street signage and striping, to the location of potholes and other maintenance items can be monitored and managed using the tools offered by ALTS. Its powerful analysis tool box allows the City to fully exploit the GIS and automatically generate reports, work orders and other items. The City is able to monitor and quickly update infrastructure continuously and accurately. ALTS uniquely integrates GPS, GIS and DBMS so that field locations data can be automatically added to a GIS basemap. Other attributes, such as hazardous material storage data or fire hydrant capacity, can be attached to a geographic location. ALTS integrates all of the city's geographic-based asset information, such as water main locations and public utilities resources, into a unified resource for every city department. The ALTS system entails installing a notebook sized GPS receiver, speech recognition and communication units onto City vehicles. As the driver travels a regular inspection route, potholes, downed street signs, malfunctioning street lights, and sidewalk damage are spoken into a headset using specific keywords. A typical entry would entail the driver saying "streetsign, down, left" ALTS records the location of the problem and plots in onto detailed GIS basemap. ALTS currently uses the Esri GIS product. This system gives the City the ability to not only monitor what we have to deal with every day, but also create a geographical database that gives a complete picture of the City's current infrastructure. It also gives the City the basis to initiate a proactive strategy for dealing with neighborhoods before they become a serious problem. ALTS is the neighborhood early warning system. Future uses for ALTS will allow police departments to graphically locate patrol cars and provide situational awareness for officers entering a potentially dangerous situation. The system will provide data on locations with a history of police problems so that officers have a better handle on possible hazards. Fire Departments can also benefit from the system's centralized database by receiving the same sort of information as well as providing the location gas lines or hazardous material permit stores that can jeopardize firefighters as they respond to calls.