Intro to GIS: Final Project

In this final project, we created various maps using ArcMap to analyses different objectives for the Bobwhite-Manatee Transmission Line project. The project was to place a transmission line from the Manatee Energy Center starting in Manatee County and moving south down to Sarasota County. The transmission line would allow people in Sarasota County to have more access to energy. The four objectives that we had to analyses were:

• It avoids large areas of environmentally sensitive lands
• It has relatively few homes in close proximity.
• It generally avoids schools and school sites.
• The line can be built along this route for a reasonable cost. 

Each of these maps should the final results of the analyses taken from these objectives that FPL requested. Also, these maps show the skills that I have learned from this course.

Link for presentation: http://students.uwf.edu/ts95/Intro2GIS/Bobwhite-manateeTransmissionLineproject.pptx
Link for commentary: http://students.uwf.edu/ts95/Intro2GIS/commentaryscranton.htm

Intro to GIS: Week 13 - Georeferencing

In this week's lab, we learned about georeference, editing, and ArcScene.To show that we understood the material, we created a map of UWF's Campus. We had to merge the raster data (UWF's North and South Aerial images) and the vector data (building features, roads, and eagles nest data) as one dataset. To do this we used the 'Georeferencing' tool to connect the ' UNKNOWN' (raster) data to the 'KNOWN' (vector) data. After geoferencing the data, we had to edit some of the presence data that was not documented which was the UWF Campus Gym and Campus Lane roadway. The 'Editor' toolbar was quite useful for creating new polygons for the gym building and connecting Campus Lane with other existing roadways. Another purpose of this map was to show where an eagles nest was located to preventing any kind of destruction to the eagles' habitat. If any construction were to take place, we created a multiple ring buffer zone showing the extent of the eagles' nesting ground. The first buffer ring extended to 330ft and the second one extended to 660ft. Once we were finish mapping out the data, we started to dabble in ArcScene which allowed us created a 3D effect and add a different angle of perspective to the data that we were manipulating. We used ArcScene to created 3D presentation of the DEM of UWF's Campus, buildings, and roadways. 

Intro to GIS: Week 12 - Geocoding

In this week's lab, we learned the importance of geocoding data. To process this skill, we created a map showing the various EMS stations within Lake County, FL and the optimal route to get to 3 of them. We created our own address locator to help translate the EMS xls datasheet onto the map so we could locate the EMS stations. There were some issue with geocoding the addresses which we used the 'Interactive Rematch' window which allowed us to find candidates that were close to the location of the EMS station or we created our pinpoint by using the 'Pick Address from Map' tool. To create the optimal route to the 3 EMS stations, we used the 'Network Analysis' extension which enable us to find the best possible route to get to these stations.

Intro to GIS: Week 10 - Vector Analysis Part 2

In this week's lab, we learned how to utilize the buffer and overlay tools in ArcMap by narrowing down our search parameters for potential campground sites. We learned how to use ArcPy which we used to create a script to run the buffer analysis tool once or multiple times. We used spatial queries to help us analyze the vector data presence. There are six different overlay operations that can be used to combine or erase data features from analysis. Along with learning about the overlay tool, we leaned about the difference between multipart layers and singlepart layers. 

This lab was a pretty straightforward with its instructions this week. I had some fun playing with the buffer tool when creating the different buffer distances of the roads feature on the map. The six types of overlay operations made things kind of interesting as well. The union operation and the update operation highlighted different areas of the map; however, both of the operations' areas fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. Overall, this week's lab was pretty fun to work on for class.

Intro to GIS: Week 7-8 Lab Assignment

In this week's lab, we had to find data to create our own maps of the counties that each of us were assigned for this week. The purposes of this assignment was to test our skills in collecting, managing, and recording the data that we found for our maps which we later used. We also had to figure out which projections would the best in presenting the data that we collected and had to make sure that our maps could be easily interpreted by anyone reading the maps that we created. The county that I was assigned for this week's assignment was Lake County, Florida. Lake County was has a unique shape which caused me some extra work as I was looking for the 'Digital Elevation Model' (DEM) for the county. Lake County has two DEM files which had to be downloaded into ArcMap and clipped to the shape of the county. 

I had a little bit of difficulty with DOQQ raster dataset showing in the Albers projection. I changed the projection to Florida State Plane East in which the raster dataset did appear but was in the wrong location. So I used my thinking cap and thought that Lady Lake city is very close to the Florida State Plane West zone which might affect the location of the dataset. I then changed the projection to Florida State Plane West zone which worked like a charm. Overall, I found this assignment quite an educational experience when dealing with raster data not projecting properly.

Intro to GIS: Week 6 Lab Assignment

In this week's lab, we learned how to navigate sites, such as Labins.org and FGDL, to obtain our datasets for create our maps. Through these sites we were able to get aerial raster images, transportations routes, and the state of Florida's county boundaries. Along with obtaining the datasets for our maps, we learned how to create XY coordinates from degrees, minutes, seconds coordinates with specific formulas to alter them. We added these XY coordinates data into ArcMap where we had to Define the projection as WGS84 and then Reproject it to State Plane North. These XY coordinates show the locations of the petroleum tank storage contamination monitoring stations.

The area that I focused on  in my map was Pensacola in Escambia County. I utilized the Labins.org and FGDL sites to get my datasets for my map. I had to convert majority of the datasets to State Plane North so the layers would line up properly in the map. The XY coordinates data for the petroleum tank storage contamination monitoring stations was provided by Florida Department of Environmental Protection. For ArcMap to read the data, we had to add two columns. One for x coordinates and the other for y coordinates. Formula was also used in these columns to convert the degrees, minutes, seconds coordinates to decimal degrees which ArcMap will be able to read. The next step after this is what got tripped me up on this project. When I uploaded the XY data, I didn't define the data properly which lead me into a minor crisis until I got clarification on how to correct this mistake from Amber.