0. Geographic Information Systems/Science (GIS)
Guest Presentation for UST 610
Geographic Information Systems/Science (GIS)
Jim Wyles, GISP
College Lecturer in GIS

1. What is GIS?
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computerized systems designed for the storage, retrieval and analysis of geographically referenced data
GIS uses advanced analytical tools to explore at a scientific level the spatial relationships, patterns, and processes of cultural, biological, demographic, economic, geographic, and physical phenomena

2. A GIS Journey National Geographic Video (by ESRI): 10 min.
National Geographic link:
Alternative link:
URL:
Some other interesting GIS videos:
GIS Definition Video Clip (by ESRI)
(by Penn State University)

3. Why does GIS matter?

4. Why does GIS matter?
80% of local government activities estimated to be geographically based
a significant portion of state government has a geographical component
businesses use GIS for a very wide array of applications
military and defense
scientific research employs GIS
80% of local government activities estimated to be geographically based
plats, zoning, public works (streets, water supply, sewers), garbage collection, land ownership and valuation, public safety (fire and police)
a significant portion of state government has a geographical component
natural resource management
highways and transportation
businesses use GIS for a very wide array of applications
retail site selection & customer analysis
logistics: vehicle tracking & routing
natural resource exploration (petroleum, etc.)
precision agriculture
civil engineering and construction
military and defense
Battlefield management
Satellite imagery interpretation
scientific research employs GIS
geography, geology, botany
anthropology, sociology, economics, political science
Epidemiology, criminology

5. Examples of Applied GIS
Urban Planning, Management & Policy
Zoning, subdivision planning
Land acquisition
Economic development
Code enforcement
Housing renovation programs
Emergency response
Crime analysis
Tax assessment
Environmental Sciences
Monitoring environmental risk
Modeling stormwater runoff
Management of watersheds, floodplains, wetlands, forests, aquifers
Environmental Impact Analysis
Hazardous or toxic facility siting
Groundwater modeling and contamination tracking
Political Science
Redistricting
Analysis of election results
Predictive modeling
Civil Engineering/Utility
Locating underground facilities
Designing alignment for freeways, transit
Coordination of infrastructure maintenance
Business
Demographic Analysis
Market Penetration/ Share Analysis
Site Selection
Education Administration
Attendance Area Maintenance
Enrollment Projections
School Bus Routing
Real Estate
Neighborhood land prices
Traffic Impact Analysis
Determination of Highest and Best Use
Health Care
Epidemiology
Needs Analysis
Service Inventory 7

6. “Almost everything that happens, happens somewhere
“Almost everything that happens, happens somewhere. Knowing where and when something happens is critically important.”
Longley et al. (2001), Geographic Information Systems and Science, John Wiley & Sons, p.2.

7. Geographic (Geospatial) Problems
What kinds of people live in the 10th Congressional District?
Where should I open my next clothing outlet store?
Where should I dig up the road to gain access to the gas main?
How can my authority best respond to the needs of those single parent families with low income and poor housing?
How can I find a famous Italian restaurant in this city and which route would be the fastest way?
Geographic (Geospatial) Problems

8. Maps and GIS Mapping does not always mean doing GIS!
However, a map can be transformed to either spatial information or spatial knowledge depending on how you use GIS.

9. NODIS GIS maps Maps and projects using GIS from
Northern Ohio Data & Information Service (NODIS)
NODIS GIS maps

10. Geographic Problems Location…Where is it? Proximity…What is near?
Where are my competitors?
Proximity…What is near?
What banks are within 2 miles of my home?
Patterns…How is it distributed?
Public facilities, population (age specific), land use…
Modeling…What if…?
A chemical tanker truck spills toxic chemical into storm sewer. Where will the chemical travel within one hour?

11. How can we solve geographic problems?
Data (spatial/non-spatial)
Spatial queries and reasoning
Visualization

12. GIS supports all the problem solving processes through:
Spatial data integration
Spatial data analysis (tools)
Spatial information/knowledge visualization

13. The Power of GIS: Data Integration
Link basemap with:
Residential data
Agency data
Scanned documents, images or videos
Global positioning system data
Backdrop with:
Digital aerial imagery or
Satellite imagery

14. Real-World Examples

15. October 10, 2007 CSX Train Derailment (Painesville, OH)

16. Incident Action Plan Map
Source: Lake County GIS Department

17. Impacted Property Ownership Data Provided
Source: Lake County GIS Department

18. Floodplain houses - FEMA maps with needed structure info.

19. Emergency Preparation
Source: Lake County GIS Department

20. Hazardous materials teams can have toxic plumes and at-risk populations mapped
Source: Lake County GIS Department

21. Park Service Areas 1/4 mile 1 mile 3 mile 1/2 mile 2 mile Parks
Source: Leah J. Pesek (GIS Capstone Project, 2009)

22. GIS project examples
The following are links to a sampling of my projects:
Water Distribution Infrastructure- City of Cleveland, Water Division
Water Utility Service Dispute- GIS Expert Witness: City of Zanesville, OH
Bioindicators Project- Ohio EPA
Locate "Mega" Retail and Grocery Store using demographics- Kramer & Associates
Ohio Redistricting Competition Workshop using ArcGIS districting software- Ohio Secretary of State
Market Penetration of Chemical Coating Facilities- Sherwin-Williams Co.
Locate Additional Children's Activity Center- Horizon Activities Center

23. UST /586 coordination
Use NEOCANDO to see list of possible 2010 Census variables

24. More information about GIS?
If you want to know more about GIS or GIS Certificate Program of Levin College, contact me:
Phone: (216)
Office: UR 123