Impact Conference The Wharton School University of Pennsylvania August 21, 2002 Alan Stevens Alan Stevens International Program Manager US Federal Geographic Data Committee Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI)

Geography: To Advance Business & Government Using ……. The Power of “Place” to Support Decision Making

How do we make decisions on these critical issues? n Reducing crime n Enhancing public safety n Containing costs n Managing growth n Improving accountability n Protecting the environment

Improving Business & Government Through… Improved Decision Making Improved Decision Making Providing Better Services Providing Better Services Communicating with Citizens Communicating with Citizens

What if there was a tool that could integrate data from diverse sources — and visually analyze data to support decision making — many times faster than any other tool?

A tool that could: n n Expand the information base n n Enhance the analysis of available options n n Streamline the decision-making process n n Dramatically improve your ability to select the best course of action n n Expand the information base n n Enhance the analysis of available options n n Streamline the decision-making process n n Dramatically improve your ability to select the best course of action

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Giving decision-makers the power to make more informed decisions.

To make informed decisions, we have to gather the right information. …using the best data available.

N.C. Department of Public Instruction wanted to manage school buses more efficiently.

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction n n Hit-or-miss route mapping in 107 school districts n n Huge inefficiencies n n Inability to contain costs efficiently n n Hit-or-miss route mapping in 107 school districts n n Huge inefficiencies n n Inability to contain costs efficiently Without GIS:

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction With GIS: n n Developed pilot program more than 15 years ago n n Mandated use of GIS by all districts statewide in 1992 n n State funding incentives reward efficiency: fewer buses, better routes With GIS: n n Developed pilot program more than 15 years ago n n Mandated use of GIS by all districts statewide in 1992 n n State funding incentives reward efficiency: fewer buses, better routes

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Results: n n In the school year: - more than 500 fewer buses were needed statewide than originally estimated - 15,000,000 fewer miles were driven than originally estimated n n Between 1990 & 1996: - the state saved over 2,000,000 gallons of fuel Results: n n In the school year: - more than 500 fewer buses were needed statewide than originally estimated - 15,000,000 fewer miles were driven than originally estimated n n Between 1990 & 1996: - the state saved over 2,000,000 gallons of fuel

So how does the FGDC, the NSDI and the GSDI fit into the picture??? n Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) n n National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) n n Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) n Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) n n National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) n n Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI)

To make informed decisions, we have to gather the right information. …using the best data available.

Realities Among Data Relevant data is often hard to find and in incompatible forms. Relevant data is often hard to find and in incompatible forms. Information describing data is often non- existent. Information describing data is often non- existent. Framework data does not exist for broad geographic areas. Framework data does not exist for broad geographic areas. Data sharing across organizations is inconsistent. Data sharing across organizations is inconsistent.

Create a National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) ……… To encourage the collection, processing, archiving, integrating, and sharing of geospatial data and information using common standards and interoperable systems and techniques To encourage the collection, processing, archiving, integrating, and sharing of geospatial data and information using common standards and interoperable systems and techniques ….. and accessible via the web To encourage the collection, processing, archiving, integrating, and sharing of geospatial data and information using common standards and interoperable systems and techniques To encourage the collection, processing, archiving, integrating, and sharing of geospatial data and information using common standards and interoperable systems and techniques ….. and accessible via the web

Aerial Imagery Elevation Geodetic Control Boundaries Surface Waters Transportation Land Ownership Other Thematic Data Framework Data Relationships Among Data Build Once, Use Many Times Soils Sewer Lines Water Lines Landcover Demographics Flood Zones

The Federal Geographic Data Committee n Chartered in the early 1990s n n Federal – 19 cabinet level agencies & offices n n Most states, regional, & local governments n n Private sector n n NGOs n n Theme coordination committees - 13 n n Working groups - 8 n Chartered in the early 1990s n n Federal – 19 cabinet level agencies & offices n n Most states, regional, & local governments n n Private sector n n NGOs n n Theme coordination committees - 13 n n Working groups - 8

Core Components of the NSDI Partnerships Metadata GEOdata Clearinghouse (catalog) Framework Standards

The Federal Geographic Data Committee …. what’s new? n Geospatial One-Stop –E-gov –E-com n n Implementation Teams (I-Teams) n n Homeland security n Geospatial One-Stop –E-gov –E-com n n Implementation Teams (I-Teams) n n Homeland security

The Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) n The mid 1990s n n The same benefits that are realized internally translate across international boundaries n n 5 th International GSDI meeting over 40 countries and 300 attendees representing over 40 countries n n GSDI-6 in Budapest, September 16-19, 2002 & click on ‘GSDI 6’ n The mid 1990s n n The same benefits that are realized internally translate across international boundaries n n 5 th International GSDI meeting over 40 countries and 300 attendees representing over 40 countries n n GSDI-6 in Budapest, September 16-19, 2002 & click on ‘GSDI 6’

The Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) n Why should I want to be involved? –Business case examples –Netherlands –Land transfer n Why should I want to be involved? –Business case examples –Netherlands –Land transfer

The Global Spatial Data Infrastructure …. what’s next? n Global capacity building –Country/Region training –ESRI $5M Grant –Partner with donor organizations n n Closer collaboration with other global organizations n n Cookbook – a living document n n Formalize the GSDI as an organization n n Complete incorporation process n Global capacity building –Country/Region training –ESRI $5M Grant –Partner with donor organizations n n Closer collaboration with other global organizations n n Cookbook – a living document n n Formalize the GSDI as an organization n n Complete incorporation process

Additional Information n Global Spatial Data Infrastructure n Federal Geographic Data Committee n Open GIS Consortium n Umbrella Org. for Geog. Info. n Permanent Comm. For the Americas n