Case Studies on GIS Needs Asssessment
Caltrans PEAR-STEVE Systems Evaluation
Challenge
The California Department of Transportation, Division of Environmental Analysis required a comprehensive system requirements evaluation for two projects: the Preliminary Environmental Analysis Report (PEAR) tool and the Standard Tracking and Exchange Vehicle for Environmental System (STEVE) project.
Solution
Farallon performed a comprehensive system requirements evaluation of the PEAR-Tool and STEVE projects and prepared a detailed System Requirements Specification report that documents the programs' functional and non-functional system requirements, use studies, interview data, and the perceived limitations of the program. Read more details...
Categories: Planning & Training, GIS Needs Asssessment
Integrating MDOT’s business data with its geographic data using Oracle Spatial
Challenge
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is responsible for planning, designing, building and operating the state's transportation network. MDOT's existing LRS implementation was not geographically referenced . This limited their ability to automate data validation or perform real-time spatial analyses of their network.
Solution
Farallon developed a data model to support MDOT's transportation system workflows and integrated the data with Oracle Spatial. Farallon also developed dynamic segmentation procedures to link tabular data (e.g. traffic reports) to on-the-fly to visualization of road segments. MDOT can now access mapping and business data dynamically. Read more details...
Categories: Geodatabase Design, Transportation & Linear Networks, Planning & Training, GIS Needs Asssessment
MTC SAFE’s Bay Area Freeway Service Patrol fleet management evaluation
Challenge
MTC SAFE's Freeway Service Patrol Program uses an Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) system that allows the California Highway Patrol to verify that tow service trucks are at their designated locations. The FSP needed a comprehensive diagnosis of their existing telecommunications network, especially the AVL system.
Solution
Farallon examined the current software, provided diagnosis, made recommendations for technical and logistical improvements, and to develop and implement a fleet management program, as well as integrate with external incident management systems. Read more details...
Categories: Geodatabase Design, GPS Field Data Collection, Planning & Training, GIS Needs Asssessment
QPC risk management geoprocessing to develop a nationwide set of risk factors using Oracle Spatial
Challenge
Quality Planning Corporation (QPC), a risk management insurance company, wanted to analyze massive amounts of unstructured historical data (both spatial and non-spatial ) in order to develop a flexible, customized and configurable nationwide set of potential risk factors. This would be used to improve the way insurance companies currently rate auto insurance policies.
Solution
Farallon developed a series of pre-processing services and custom data structures for the intensive geoprocessing using Oracle Spatial 10g. Tens of millions of individual policy locations were combined with historical claims records to determine predictive correlations between potential risk factors and location of policy holders. Read more details...
Categories: Spatial Data Processing, Risk Management, Planning & Training, GIS Needs Asssessment, Training & Technology Transfer
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Oracle Spatial Technical Support
Challenge
PG&E needed to develop robust GIS applications and tools for identifying and analyzing its power pole transmission line data. They also wanted training for their internal staff in how to develop custom GIS applications while still maintaining data validation and business rules.
Solution
Farallon worked with the PG&E team using Oracle Spatial 9i with PL/SQL database programming to develop several custom applications, including a Java JSP-based map viewer for analyzing transmission line data. Technology transfer and training was an integral aspect of the project. Read more details...
Categories: Geodatabase Design, Network GIS, Planning & Training, GIS Needs Asssessment, Training & Technology Transfer
Parsons-UXB Joint Venture on Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Demilitarization GIS
Challenge
Farallon worked with Parsons-UXB to develop an online mapping system that managed the cleanup of unexploded ordnance (UXO) on the small Hawaiian island of Kaho'olawe.
Solution
Using a web interface, users who click on a grid square get a summary of information at a glance, while those who click on a piece of UXO get information and photographs about that item including GPS coordinates and images depicting everything from vegetation to the destruction date, as well as proximity to historically signficant Hawaiian sites and artifacts. Read more details...
Categories: Web Applications, Geodatabase Design, Planning & Training, GIS Needs Asssessment
Fairfield Suisun Sewer District Water Utility Enterprise GIS and RDBMS
Challenge
Fairfield Suisun Sewer District (FSSD) needed to expand their existing GIS for utility pipeline management, to integrate with and be of use to other departments.
Solution
Farallon developed a business case for a complete enterprise GIS, including the development of technology, geodata, workflows, a web portal, and staffing plans. Implementation included a water utility data model, a populated geodatabase (using ArcSDE and ArcGIS), and specific GIS workflows designed to ensure that FSSD's network administrators and GIS staff were comfortable managing the enterprise GIS. A geospatial web portal integrated other District business units, consolidating specific GIS applications (such as property review and notification), metadata, workflows, and standards into a single, web-based environment, available to all staff. Read more details...
Categories: Web Applications, Notification, Property Review, Geodatabase Design, Utility System Data Modeling, Planning & Training, GIS Needs Asssessment
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for Emergency Response
Challenge
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) is the first responder for incidents within California's wild lands, as well as for many rural counties and cities within California. Yet CDF did not have a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system.
Solution
Farallon implemented a statewide GIS data model for CDF to manage streets, response zones, and other important emergency response information. Farallon worked with CDF and their CAD vendor to create the accurate and valid GIS data necessary to power the e911 CAD system. Read more details...
Categories: Geodatabase Design, Transportation & Linear Networks, Planning & Training, GIS Needs Asssessment
California Highway Patrol E-911 Enterprise GIS
Challenge
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is the Primary Call Answering Point for all cellular phone emergency 911 calls in the state of California. They needed to define a strategic plan to keep their Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system data up-to-date.
Solution
Farallon developed a GIS Strategic Business Plan that provided CHP with a flexible enterprise GIS structure to support multiple departments and business processes including their CAD 911 emergency response for a portion of California. Read more details...
Categories: Planning & Training, GIS Needs Asssessment
City of Fairfield Enterprise Geodatabase and Master Address Development
Challenge
The City of Fairfield (Fairfield) faced several challenges in building a functional Enterprise GIS. Fairfield had fragmented, disparate technologies and limited communication with potential external GIS partners. Fairfield needed an enterprise-wide strategic GIS designed to meet the needs of all its stakeholders.
Solution
Farallon recommended that Fairfield develop an enterprise geodatabase using ESRI's ArcSDE software and Microsoft's SQL Server database. From this, Farallon built a variety of GIS applications that support business functions of the city and it various departments, including a geospatial portal that allows all city staff to quickly create notification lists and summary reports for any property within the city. Read more details...
Categories: Web Applications, Notification, Property Review, GIS/IT Integration, Master Address Database, Geodatabase Design, Planning & Training, GIS Needs Asssessment