URBDP 422 Urban and Regional Geo-Spatial Analysis Lecture 4: GIS Applications to Solve Spatial Problems Team Work Time I: GIS Project January 16, 2014

Objectives of Lecture - Introduce the Team Projects - Illustrate examples of geo-spatial research projects - Guest speakers: Chad Lynch, Sara Zora and Kyle Rowe from City of Seattle to discuss how geospatial analysis and data were used to update the Bicycle Master Plan

Class Projects

Scope ~ pilot (proof of concept) of a thesis, professional project -- invest your time! I’m considering dropping an exam for a better project -- has lead to internships, post graduation jobs. Tips: keep asking yourself if you can answer your question. How can you narrow down the focus?

Final Deliverables Final report: Paper should be pages in length. –The first section is an agency brief that should be written with the agency in mind as the client. A digital data folder including all final GIS projects and layers fully documented (metadata and data dictionary). Final presentation to class and mentoring agency.

Final Deliverables Final report: –Agency brief (2-pages) summarizing: the major findings, methodology, and transferability of approach to the Client. –Problem definition –Project question –Methodology –Data dictionary –Project findings (maps and graphs) –Analysis & interpretation including limitations –Reflection on transferability and GIS capabilities

Example project ideas Bike planning Contacts: Chad Lynch, Sara Zora, and Kyle Rowe 1.Model builder – use established criteria to prioritize projects. Compare with equity measures. 2.Design and communication/visualization project – design a bike friendly user map similar to Austin, TX, color coded based on comfort 3.Assess current bike storage and assist with prioritization of new projects. 4.Assess how biking and transit link. This one is somewhat open, but fruitful.

Example project ideas Environmental planning Contacts: Ryan Haugo (TNC) 1.Mapping and prioritization of forest restoration strategies (TNC) 2.Spatial planning of the nearshore (in communication)… let me know if you are interested and we can discuss details.

Example project ideas Transit planning Contact: Stephen Hunt (KC Metro) They are looking for innovative ways to use data to help solve questions about service provision, equity, demand and performance. at developing a long range plan for which will require us to look at travel demands, demographics etc. Two specific applications where students could use GIS and data sets to explore current challenges at Metro; 1. Identifying locations where buses are experiencing delays, slower travel speeds etc. This would use data from Metro’s on board systems. 2. Comparing travel demand and transit usage. This would use data assigned to traffic analysis zones from model outputs.

Timeline DateProject Progress and Deadlines Week 2; Jan. 14Schedule project interviews Week 4; Jan. 28Interview write-ups and Project Idea Submission Week 5; Feb. 41 on 1 Group Feedback Week 6; Feb. 11Draft Project Design, write up of piloted methods Week 7; Feb. 181 on 1 Group Feedback Week 8; Feb. 25Project Design Revisions Week 9; March 4Project Status Report Week 10; March 13Final Project Digital Commons Reserved Fridays towards end of semester – details Karen?

Interviews What are some pressing problems or tasks the agency has identified that could be assisted by a geospatial analysis? What research has already been conducted? What reports are available? What questions still remain? How do they define their system? What does their conceptual model look like? What data do they have? What data is missing?

Project Idea Form Start your research now… read about the system you will be working with! write up the background information, start identifying problem statement. Begin drafting research question to address identified problem. What data will you need? What kinds of methods will you use? Initial map (to show you are finding and exploring relevant datasets)