Final Project: Bobwhite-Manatee Transmission Line

For the past few weeks we have been using everything we've learned to create a PowerPoint presentation showcasing maps made with our new skills.  In this project, we were to present the best option for a corridor linking two electric substations with a new transmission line.  The study area included wetlands, conservation lands, and populated areas which needed to be taken into account.  Keeping costs low was another factor.

To begin, we created a model of the process we planned to follow to gather and analyze the data; it included possible GIS tools and methods that could be used.  Next we created maps based on criteria selected during the public input process.  Using GIS processes, the proximity of houses, schools and daycares was investigated.  Wetlands and conservation lands were identified so the impact of the transmission corridor could be minimized on these sensitive environmental areas.  Last, the length of the route was calculated.

Once the map were created, they were included in a Powerpoint presentation of the kind that would be given to a prospective employer.  Here is a link to the presentation and to the slide-by-slide report.

Presentation

Report

This was an extremely challenging  process, but one that felt, and probably was at least in part, realistic. What is presented here is my best effort, a good start.

Final Project

 



In our final project for this course we prepared a map for use in a newspaper article about high school seniors and college entrance scores. Two sets of data had to be presented on one map: test participation rates and average scores.


After preparing a basemap showing the United States and projecting it to an Albers Equal Area projection, since the statistics related to area, the data was tabulated in Excel. Then choices had to be made about how to present set of statistics. 


The data showing the percent of graduates tested by state is reflected by graduated symbols in 5 classes using the Natural Breaks classification method. The graduated symbols easily convey the differences visually, and 5 classes allows for a reasonable amount of variation per class. Average scores were displayed using a sequential color scheme, also with 5 classes using Natural Breaks classification. The graduated colors allow patterns to be easily discerned, and the classification method considers the distribution of data along the number line. Grouping similar data values together was desirable.
Although I am quite pleased with the results, I wish I had time to tweak a few more things.  However, yesterday I turned on my 4-month-old computer and found a blue screen.  It will be a week before it is fixed, or for a new computer to arrive. Here is what I could do with my son's laptop, with its tiny screen and missing "s" key.

This has been a fun, interesting, and challenging course.  I look forward to putting what I have learned to use, and to practicing the skills I have learned so far.  Clearly, we have just scratched the surface of what is possible.  Thank you, teachers and fellow classmates!

Georeferencing, Editing, and ArcScene

This week we made two maps.  One was a 3D map of the UWF Campus showing the georeferenced buildings and digitized road created in the other map.  The aerial maps, buildings, and roads were "draped" over a Digital Elevation Map to create the 3D effect on the land features, and then the building heights were further adjusted to create more of a visual effect.

The lower map shows UWF Campus buildings that have been georeferenced in two ways, creating slightly different RMS Errors but with overall visual accuracy for both.  Two types of editing were done - a polygon was created to show the UWF Gym, and a line was created to show Campus Lane.  We also created a Multiple Buffer Ring around an area designated to protect an eagle's nest.

KML files and Google Earth

Google Earth is amazing.  Like many people, I've spent quite a lot of time checking out places I've been and places I'd like to go.  This lab taught me that it's also an amazing tool for displaying data I choose to add.

This week we learned how to convert files from ArcMap to Google Earth format (KMZ files).  After converting the Dot Density map of S. Florida from last week's lab, we created a tour of 7 locations within that area, including Tampa Bay (above), as well as Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa and St. Petersburg.  As we added these stops to the tour, we used Google Earth tools to zoom in and around, choosing an interesting perspective for each.