Ander's Geo Quest

M6.2: Least Cost Analysis

Part 2 of the final assignment for GIS 4048. 

For the second part of the lab we went over Least Cost Analysis

Scenario 3 started with skills from Scenario 1 and 2 with tools Slope and Reclassify.

First encounter with the cost distance tool was a bit daunting. When looking for the tool I saw the backlink tool and thought that had to do be done separately. After a few iterations, I realized my misunderstanding and corrected from there.

Least Cost Analysis went fairly smoothly with the Cost Path and Raster to Polyline tools. I used the intersect tool to determine the river crossings.

The other tools used in the Scenario were Polyline to Raster and Raster Calculator.

For time constraints, I ended up using the world hillshade included with the Topographic base map for my screenshots. I attempted to create my own but this is the moment that my ArcPro really started having issues and kept getting stuck in the wheel of death.

After saving Analysis A-F, I closed out of ArcPro since it was being sluggish and restarted my computer.

I started Analysis G in a new map and did not have any issues with using the cost distance and corridor tools. My corridor looked pretty similar to the example. My only issue was the increased process time. I just figured it was due to the larger data set.

After determining the minimum values of the corridor - I went to change the symbology and every change took longer than the last and at the end, when everything was mathematically correct- my map didn't match the example. Which, Dr. Gallagher said to not get hung up on that, but mine was basically only showing a very small middle chunk... so I got hung up on it. I tried adjusting the values, redid all the steps with my desktop slowing to almost a crawl at some points. With no improvement and my desktop taking longer and longer to complete tasks- I quit for the night and moved on to Scenario 4 the next day with plans of returning to Scenario 3 at the end.

Scenario 4 started again with Slope, Euclidean Distance, and Reclassify. Weighted Overlay was used again- had a bit of an issue with getting the scale to output 1 through 10. Problem was with the zero in Landcover. After trying restricted and no data, setting it equal to 1 delivered the expected result.

Only issue I had with the inversion was my computer taking longer than expected to process it.

On the Scenario 4 corridor analysis, I realized where I had gone wrong with scenario 3. Again, ArcPro was processing every change very slowly but I was too far in to try and switch to Citrix. I completed Scenario 4 and started a new map to redo Scenario 3 from the beginning before doing the final layout. By the time I worked through everything again - it was very late. I was able to redo all my work fairly quickly on Thursday through Citrix and Friday on my desktop.

I am not usually a last day person, but, the universe had different plans.

I tried several different ways to troubleshoot the splatter of missing values but did not ever reach a successful attempt.

That's it for GIS 4048. The last assignment proved to be a challenge but with perseverance and slight lack of sleep-

I was able to adapt and overcome.

I have awarded myself a Gold Medal for sheer determination.

See you blog readers in 2 to 3 weeks!

Hopefully I'll be Security+ certified by then!

M6.1: Suitability Analysis

M5: Damage Assessment

Module 5 was a continuation of Module 4 but focused on Damage Assessment. 

It was quite the refresh on a number of skills and tools I have briefly used before; Display XY Data, Points to Lines, Creating Symbology, Adding Graticules, Preparing Rasters, Flicker and Swipe, Domains, and Creating Feature Classes.

Creating the Citizen Damage Report was technically new to me in ArcGIS Survey, but I create surveys on a frequent basis in Microsoft and Google Forms so I did not have a huge learning curve with that. 

For the Damage Assessment, I added the pre and post storm images of the area, created the domains, added the feature class, added the parcels, and study area. From there I used the pre storm images to add all the structure points and I went down the attribute table changing the values for each point after swiping between pre and post. 

Next, I created the coastline using the pre storm images, made a multiple ring buffer from the coastline, and manually counted the structures between the lines. If it was a larger dataset I would have used some combination of buffers, spatial joins, clipping, etc to determine the numbers. 

Total structures that were damaged is 86. Based on the way the streets looked - I am assuming all the buildings in the area had some type of damage from the initial inundation, be it water, sand, or debris. 

As of this writing, the area I live in is in the path of the cone of uncertainty for a Tropical Storm/Hurricane, making these last two modules a sudden correlation with real life. While I am native (of Florida and Emergency Response), I now have a deeper understanding of the flooding factors and post damage assessments. 

Which means I am also quickly trying to wrap up this course and get my life sorted in case we are hit or have to deploy to the area that is hit. 

Stay safe blog readers! Let me know if you need anything for Storm Season. I have resources!

M4: Coastal Flooding

Module 4 we explored Coastal Flooding- the procedures for assessment, how elevations models are used, overlay analysis, how to examine the effects of difference in boundaries, and how to determine errors.

New Tools were the Raster Calculator, Region Group, Times

Tools I had to refresh my knowledge on LAS Dataset to TIN and Reclassify.

Thanks to my classmates who had already troubleshooted quite a few things on the discussion boards and tips from Dr. Gallagher , I only had a few brief roadblocks, most notably the files not repairing, converting the LiDAR from feet to meters, and using the Region Group tool correctly. 

I did a quick map of the New Jersey area post Hurricane Sandy . I started from one of the layout templates and then I tried out a "zoom" visual. 

I did not use a template on Collier County and used the same "zoom" technique as I did for Sandy. I also did a gray background on the credits to provide an anchor/balance to the page. 

Notes

Overall, I feel like I did not struggle with concepts as much as I struggled with ArcPro and using the tools correctly. I kept rereading the instructions (and even repeated Analysis 3) to make sure I got all the steps in order correctly. Mostly because I have the feeling I am missing something- Kinda like when you pack for a trip, can't shake the feeling like you forgot something but it all seems to be there, and you only figure out the thing you forgot when you need it. I'm hoping it's imposter syndrome but will not be surprised if it's not. 

Florida vibes

Visibility Analysis

• Introduction to 3D Visualization
• Performing Line of Sight Analysis
• Performing Viewshed Analysis in ArcGIS Pro
• Sharing 3D Content Using Scene Layer Packages 

July Sunset Portland, OR.

LiDAR

System Details:

Crime Analysis

Welcome back blog readers! It's the first week of GIS 4048 - Applications in GIS.

We kicked off the course with hotspot analysis exploring grid overlay, kernel density, and Local Moran's I.

Part of this week for me was getting reacquainted with the features and geoprocessing tools in ArcGIS Pro. I had not used some of them since our Cartography course. 

Analysis

Grid Overlay

I had a small issue with this on the Spatial Join. I was working through all the options while waiting on a reply in the discussion forum. I was a few tries away from the correct settings when my classmate replied. 

Other than that, grid overlay analysis was straightforward. Brushed up on using the export feature with SQL filters, the dissolve tool, adding a field, and calculate field. 

Kernel Density

First time using the Kernel Density tool (well the 2nd time if you count the first part of the assignment). I used the parameters in the assignment and didn't have any issues. Also the first time using Reclassify and Raster to Polygon tools- but between the standardization across geoprocessing tools and the assignment instructions I had no issues. 

Local Moran's I

Also a first time use of the Local Moran's I tool. Again by following the assignment and using the skills from the previous steps, I did not have any issues. 

Results

Kernel Density

•     Largest total area     
•     Most number of 2018 homicides within 2017
•     Highest percentage of 2018 homicides within the 2017 hotspots. 

Local Moran's I 

• Lowest numbers in all 4 categories. 

Notes

Okay, Whats Next?

About Me 

Updated June 2024 for Apps in GIS

I celebrated 11 years as a 911 dispatcher in February 2024. Since the beginning of my career I had not only been an end user for GIS products but also unknowingly dabbling in GIS skills. 

Before the Pandemic I finally learned a bit more about GIS. I knew they were the people who kept our maps at work updated but I never gave a thought to how. The more I learned the more I felt I had found a new path but I wanted to finish my Masters in Instructional Design & Technology Leadership as well. At that time I was able to use the GIS Certificate program to fulfill the Technology electives that were required. 

Unfortunately the Pandemic hit and I put my educational goals on hold. During that time I updated a Google Map for our county that I created some years ago with our emergency service related districts and landmarks and I also was creating data visualizations (maps, graphs, etc) for some of our larger data sets. 

By the time I decided to come back to school - My Masters program had changed and I was no longer able to use the GIS Certificate to fulfill the requirements. After some reflection - I choose to pursue just the Undergraduate Certificate in GIS.  

When I complete the Certification Program I plan to take the exam portion of the GISP and start working on the FDEM GISS Task Book so I can deploy as a GIS Specialist when needed. 

Since March - I have completed and certified in CompTIA ITF+, A+, and Network+. I start Security+ in July. 

My ultimate goal is to be a 911 GIS/IT Administrator. This role combines all my passions - Emergency Services, GIS, IT, and Program Development/Instructional Design. 

My StoryMap is a brief highlight reel of my Career and Education. 

Updated 6/29/2024

Quote Reference:

Bartlet, Josiah. The West Wing.