Case Studies for Technology

Enabling Easy and Flexible Access to Complex Data

Challenge. The client produced and distributed different types of data through multiple data distribution systems, making it challenging for users to find and request different data types. Users had to visit different systems, making multiple requests for data, often for the same geography. Each system had different levels of user customization options. The client needed a single, user-friendly data distribution system for LIDAR, raster, and vector data.

Solution. TBG developed a data distribution system that allows users to search for and request data for user-specified areas of interest and with custom outputs such as file format and projection. TBG staff continually adds new data to the system, maintains system functionality, and delivers ongoing user support by providing timely responses to user questions, system errors, and requests for new data.

Impact. The client's constituents have easy access to data needed for coastal management applications. Data downloads have averaged well over 5,000 requests per quarter.

Providing Layered Visualization and Analysis Tools to Help Guide Goals

Challenge. Protecting coastal habitats for long-term sustainability is a community concern for two counties in the southern United States. Strategic conservation planning performed with geospatial visualization and analysis tools is helping these counties accomplish this goal.

Solution. In 2008, the client teamed up with three non-profit conservation organizations and local and regional conservation organizations to identify priority areas for habitat conservation and restoration. Combining local scientific knowledge with geospatial data, priority areas were identified and made accessible to stakeholders through an interactive, online map viewer. Stakeholders provided information about habitat conservation and restoration goals, objectives, selection criteria, and available data. Using this information and an existing planner tool, geospatial analyses were conducted to identify preliminary priorities and participatory mapping techniques were used to engage stakeholders throughout the process.

Impact. After priority habitats were finalized, the online map viewer was developed to make the priority areas and additional related data layers accessible for users with or without advanced technical skills. Local stakeholders are now able to view and interact with the data, allowing a variety of organizations to guide their collective habitat conservation and restoration actions toward common goals. In June 2010, the Habitat Mapper was used to assist with oil spill response, directing workers on where to place oil booms to protect essential habitat.

Raising Awareness and Supporting Disaster Relief

Challenge. In the wake of the 2005 hurricane season, the client needed to create an inventory of elevation data to support efforts such as creating floor recovery maps and mapping high water marks. It was the most comprehensive elevation inventory conducted for this region. Further investigating showed that many other target audiences in all regions would benefit from this information.

Solution. The inventory, which began in 2005, was to encompass all publicly available elevation data, both topographic (on land) and bathymetric under water) elevation datasets. Focusing on the best-available dataset for a particular area, each dataset, up to 21 pieces of information, was collected, information accessed through an ArcServer (i.e., a server in a network used to store backup copies of data; Arc is short for Archive) files based viewer where users can zoom in and select their area of interest to investigate available data resources. The inventory raised awareness of and increased access to existing elevation data, provided information about data quality and regional data resources, and gave direct access to data. This information can be used by state and local groups to identify data gaps and inform and encourage collaboration on future collections.

Impact. The topobathy inventory has been conducted for the four major regions in the United States, in each the inventory has generated much interest and been very well received. One of the inventories received phenomenal positive attention and has earned a following. Federal partners have also recognized the value of the Inventory. We are currently working to integrate disaster relief broad-brush inventory of topographic elevation data for the nation into the topobathy viewer. This combined inventory will then be utilized as the "state of knowledge" for what elevation data exists for the nation in support of a major national initiative.