Spring NEARC 2022

Arriving early? Join us for a pre-conference drink at Great Awakening Brewing: https://greatawakeningbrewing.com/

Please take time to check out the following digital posters:

1. Western CT Regional Open Space Inventory
Tucker Beckett, WestCOG
Over the past year, WestCOG conducted a regional inventory of open space in western Connecticut. This work was conducted with a focus on flood mitigation and municipal engagement with FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) under a grant from The Nature Conservancy. Drawing from WestCOG's member municipalities and the land trusts within the region, an interactive web map of open space was created to make this data available to the public.
Authors: Beckett, Tucker, Western CT Council of Governments; Trabka, Nick, Western CT Council of Governments

2. Restoration of Our Own Destruction (Best Poster Award Winner!)
Jay Song,   Bridgewater State University
This study focuses on identifying the contamination level of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in each water facility with the population of each city in Massachusetts using a Geographic Information System. This study uses two sets of data.1622 water facilities in Massachusetts are analyzed and marked if they reach over the Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) of 20ng/L. Populations of 351 towns and cities are analyzed and displayed to identify which water facility a larger population use.

3. Weir Siting: An ArcGIS Approach (see PDF below!)
Alina Inchaustegui, Bridgewater State University
GIS will be used to analyze digital elevation data to identify optimal locations for installing two weirs on Great Hill on Bridgewater State University campus. The site locations will be based on characteristics of upland watershed, specifically permeable versus impermeable land area. Weirs will be useful in comparing the waterflow response of a natural versus urbanized area for sustainable development and climate resilience. Hydrology maps will be generated to model potential flood response.

4. Detection of Spatial Association between Lyme Disease and Environmental Factors in New Hampshire
Ana Marquez Pereda, Dartmouth College
In this study, we examined how Lyme Disease varies with certain environmental factors in New Hampshire (NH). On the Lyme Disease (LD) side, we used the data published by the NH Department of Health and Human Service (DHHS), which is town-level, age-adjusted rate data for two 5-year periods: 2004-2009 and 2010-2014. On the environmental side, we considered two factors, landscape fragmentation and surface temperature. The landscape fragmentation was measured based on the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Land Coverage Dataset (NLCD) and the metrics were calculated using the FRAGSTATS software. The surface temperature data are from the USGS Landsat 8-9 Collection 2 (C2) Level 2 Science Product (L2SP). Using ArcGIS, we processed the environmental raster layers into a usable form, first by mosaicking multiple parts into an integrated layer, clipping them to the New Hampshire spatial extent, and converting them into the NH State Plane coordinate system. We then calculated the zonal statistics of those environmental values using the town polygons. Finally, we calculated the correlation coefficient and linear regression between LD and the environmental factors. It appears that LD has spatial associations with some landscape fragmentation metrics and the surface temperature in New Hampshire.


5. Lyme Disease and Landscape Fragmentation in Connecticut
Rena Schwartz, Department of Geography, Dartmouth College
Each year, approximately 30,000 cases of Lyme Disease (LD) in the United States are reported by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the number has been steadily increasing. Previous studies have shown that landscape fragmentation may impact the risk of LD through an increase in tick and host densities as well as human-tick and human-host interactions. In this study, we detected spatial association of LD to landscape fragmentation using the town-level data in Connecticut (CT). We obtained the yearly town-level LD rate data for the period 1991-2020 from the CT Department of Health. On the landscape side, we used the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Land Coverage Dataset (NLCD) of eight years, including 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2001, 2013, and 2016. Using the land cover data and the FRAGSTATS software, we calculated 48 landscape ecological metrics for 15 land cover types for each year. We then evaluated the LD-landscape association using the population-weighted Pearson’s correlation. This is an expansion of earlier exploration in the states of New Hampshire and Maine. This analysis tests the hypothesis that LD is associated with landscape fragmentation in Connecticut. More specifically, developed land cover classes will have a relatively strong association with LD rates. Confounding factors could include the small numbers problem and cases reported without a town-level spatial association.
Authors: by Rena Schwartz, Joseph Earles, Meifang Li, and Xun Shi (all Department of Geography, Dartmouth College)

6. Lyme Disease and Land Cover in Massachusetts
Joseph Earles, Dartmouth College
Each year, approximately 30,000 cases of Lyme Disease (LD) in the United States are
reported by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the number has been
steadily increasing. Previous studies have shown that landscape fragmentation may impact the
risk of LD through an increase in tick and host densities as well as human-tick and human-host
interactions. In this study, we detected spatial association of LD to landscape fragmentation
using the town-level data in Massachusetts (MA). We obtained the yearly town-level LD count
data for the period 2010-2014 from the MA Department of Health, and calculated rate using
yearly population estimates from the University of Massachusetts. On the landscape side, we
used the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Land Coverage Dataset (NLCD) of
2011 and 2013. Using the land cover data and the FRAGSTATS software, we calculated 48
landscape ecological metrics for 15 land cover types for each year. We then evaluated the
LD-landscape association using the population-weighted Pearson’s correlation. This is an
expansion of earlier exploration in the states of New Hampshire and Maine. This analysis tests
the hypothesis that LD is associated with landscape fragmentation in Massachusetts. More
specifically, developed land cover classes will have a relatively strong association with LD rates.
Confounding factors could include the small numbers problem and cases reported without a
town-level spatial association.
Authors: Rena Schwartz, Joseph Earles, Meifang Li, and Xun Shi (all Department of Geography, Dartmouth College)

Geographic information systems, like the broader world of computational technology, has become over the past four decades the site of ever larger accumulations of data coupled with ever more sophisticated forms of analysis. This world of “big data” marks not just a shift in the technical possibilities of informatics, but also a shifting economic and political relationship towards knowledge. Yet the rise of “big data” has also inspired a series of countermoves, including both critical resistance to the dominance of quantification as well as a popular demand for storytelling and interpretation. In this talk, I’ll discuss how we might move from a GIS of “big data” to a more pluralistic concept of “big evidence,” by considering the intertwined technical and social systems that surround digital mapmaking.

Posters are listed in the Lunch Item in the Agenda! They are all digital and can be accessed via the links provided there. 

Improved BIM and GIS integration has enabled teams to successfully support project delivery and operations by adding valuable context throughout an asset’s life cycle. AEC project teams and Owner/Operators can visualize, monitor, and gain insight into their projects with ArcGIS. With the ability to integrate BIM, Point Clouds, 3D Mesh and Dashboards along with field data collection and other site level geospatial data, ArcGIS is emerging as a collaborative Project Delivery Digital Twin.

This presentation will focus on the evolution of GIS at MassDOT and highlight its turning point, which is with the adoption of Roads and Highways. It will also highlight how we leveraged the eco-system of LRS tools created and how these tools sprung opportunities for automated road updates, end user’s data ownership and location intelligent workflows.

We'll share apps designed to engage our towns for a better partnership and to foster best practices in Municipal and Regional Transportation.

We are experiencing a time of unprecedented opportunity for the growth and advancement of GIS. Responding to this opportunity has placed increasing demand on GIS professionals’ and practitioners’ time, expertise, and resources. It has also emphasized the need for the development of clear strategies to help organizations effectively address the growing GIS demand. In this session we will discuss current practices around strategic planning for GIS including the purpose, different approaches organizations can take, and the benefits that can be realized.

Sadly, Brian was not able to attend and present his topic! He provided a PDF of his Powerpoint, which is linked below.

With the goal of using Excel-like Pivot Table functionality in a GIS environment, Brian Hebert will describe in detail how multi-level hierarchical sets of data coverage/change points are created and visualized in MS Power BI. The relative strengths of Business Intelligence (BI) related functionality in ArcGIS and QGIS will then be compared and contrasted. Classic BI 'Pivot Map' drill-down, roll-up, and drill-through actions will be reviewed using Census data for New England.

3D city models are a public resource for understanding the future and history of places. Developing and preserving city models as a cultural resource requires collaboration among designers, GIS professionals, and archivists. citySchema.org provides free templates and tools for developing and managing city models -- using a streamlined workflow built on ArcGIS Pro Tasks; producing an open catalog / repository that exposes tiled terrain models and individual building models in open formats.

The NJ Land Use + Transit Data Application allows users to map, report, analyze, and download a range of land use, travel, public transit, demographic, and real estate development data. The application was developed using ArcGIS API for Javascript and ArcGIS Enterprise. The application is useful to elected officials, community and economic development professionals, real estate developers, land use and transit service planners, and others engaged in the land/transportation planning process.

Arcade is a portable, lightweight, and secure expression language used to create custom content in ArcGIS applications. Like other expression languages, it can perform mathematical calculations, manipulate text, and evaluate logical statements. Arcade is available across much of the ArcGIS platform and in this session we will cover using it in ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro. Come to this session to learn how Arcade can help make your life easier and your maps better.

Access to Geo-data information is critical to make informed decisions at a ground level. Digital twin models of cities created using lidar, hi resolution nadir and oblique orthoimagery can offer a wide range of solutions to public utilities and GIS stakeholders. And being able to visualize and simulate events in a 3D environment provide a realistic view of assets and supports emergency management services in responding to event.

A significant challenge of census address ingestion programs such as LUCA, New Construction and GSS is identifying duplicate address records and creating processes that perform reliable change detection. This presentation will elaborate on a methodology that conflates and synchronizes the NYS E911 address records, the NYS tax parcel centroids, US Census Bureau TIGER files and the USPS address naming convention. The presentation will elaborate on quality control processes and other applications

Please take time to check out the following digital posters:

1. Western CT Regional Open Space Inventory
Tucker Beckett, WestCOG
Over the past year, WestCOG conducted a regional inventory of open space in western Connecticut. This work was conducted with a focus on flood mitigation and municipal engagement with FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) under a grant from The Nature Conservancy. Drawing from WestCOG's member municipalities and the land trusts within the region, an interactive web map of open space was created to make this data available to the public.
Authors: Beckett, Tucker, Western CT Council of Governments; Trabka, Nick, Western CT Council of Governments

2. Restoration of Our Own Destruction (Best Poster Award Winner!)
Jay Song,   Bridgewater State University
This study focuses on identifying the contamination level of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in each water facility with the population of each city in Massachusetts using a Geographic Information System. This study uses two sets of data.1622 water facilities in Massachusetts are analyzed and marked if they reach over the Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) of 20ng/L. Populations of 351 towns and cities are analyzed and displayed to identify which water facility a larger population use.

3. Weir Siting: An ArcGIS Approach (see PDF below!)
Alina Inchaustegui, Bridgewater State University
GIS will be used to analyze digital elevation data to identify optimal locations for installing two weirs on Great Hill on Bridgewater State University campus. The site locations will be based on characteristics of upland watershed, specifically permeable versus impermeable land area. Weirs will be useful in comparing the waterflow response of a natural versus urbanized area for sustainable development and climate resilience. Hydrology maps will be generated to model potential flood response.

4. Detection of Spatial Association between Lyme Disease and Environmental Factors in New Hampshire
Ana Marquez Pereda, Dartmouth College
In this study, we examined how Lyme Disease varies with certain environmental factors in New Hampshire (NH). On the Lyme Disease (LD) side, we used the data published by the NH Department of Health and Human Service (DHHS), which is town-level, age-adjusted rate data for two 5-year periods: 2004-2009 and 2010-2014. On the environmental side, we considered two factors, landscape fragmentation and surface temperature. The landscape fragmentation was measured based on the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Land Coverage Dataset (NLCD) and the metrics were calculated using the FRAGSTATS software. The surface temperature data are from the USGS Landsat 8-9 Collection 2 (C2) Level 2 Science Product (L2SP). Using ArcGIS, we processed the environmental raster layers into a usable form, first by mosaicking multiple parts into an integrated layer, clipping them to the New Hampshire spatial extent, and converting them into the NH State Plane coordinate system. We then calculated the zonal statistics of those environmental values using the town polygons. Finally, we calculated the correlation coefficient and linear regression between LD and the environmental factors. It appears that LD has spatial associations with some landscape fragmentation metrics and the surface temperature in New Hampshire.


5. Lyme Disease and Landscape Fragmentation in Connecticut
Rena Schwartz, Department of Geography, Dartmouth College
Each year, approximately 30,000 cases of Lyme Disease (LD) in the United States are reported by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the number has been steadily increasing. Previous studies have shown that landscape fragmentation may impact the risk of LD through an increase in tick and host densities as well as human-tick and human-host interactions. In this study, we detected spatial association of LD to landscape fragmentation using the town-level data in Connecticut (CT). We obtained the yearly town-level LD rate data for the period 1991-2020 from the CT Department of Health. On the landscape side, we used the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Land Coverage Dataset (NLCD) of eight years, including 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2001, 2013, and 2016. Using the land cover data and the FRAGSTATS software, we calculated 48 landscape ecological metrics for 15 land cover types for each year. We then evaluated the LD-landscape association using the population-weighted Pearson’s correlation. This is an expansion of earlier exploration in the states of New Hampshire and Maine. This analysis tests the hypothesis that LD is associated with landscape fragmentation in Connecticut. More specifically, developed land cover classes will have a relatively strong association with LD rates. Confounding factors could include the small numbers problem and cases reported without a town-level spatial association.
Authors: by Rena Schwartz, Joseph Earles, Meifang Li, and Xun Shi (all Department of Geography, Dartmouth College)

6. Lyme Disease and Land Cover in Massachusetts
Joseph Earles, Dartmouth College
Each year, approximately 30,000 cases of Lyme Disease (LD) in the United States are
reported by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the number has been
steadily increasing. Previous studies have shown that landscape fragmentation may impact the
risk of LD through an increase in tick and host densities as well as human-tick and human-host
interactions. In this study, we detected spatial association of LD to landscape fragmentation
using the town-level data in Massachusetts (MA). We obtained the yearly town-level LD count
data for the period 2010-2014 from the MA Department of Health, and calculated rate using
yearly population estimates from the University of Massachusetts. On the landscape side, we
used the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Land Coverage Dataset (NLCD) of
2011 and 2013. Using the land cover data and the FRAGSTATS software, we calculated 48
landscape ecological metrics for 15 land cover types for each year. We then evaluated the
LD-landscape association using the population-weighted Pearson’s correlation. This is an
expansion of earlier exploration in the states of New Hampshire and Maine. This analysis tests
the hypothesis that LD is associated with landscape fragmentation in Massachusetts. More
specifically, developed land cover classes will have a relatively strong association with LD rates.
Confounding factors could include the small numbers problem and cases reported without a
town-level spatial association.
Authors: Rena Schwartz, Joseph Earles, Meifang Li, and Xun Shi (all Department of Geography, Dartmouth College)

We developed a free 12-week ArcMAP GIS course in 2013 and have continued to offer it and update the materials steadily. QGIS was added to the mix in 2020 and ArcGIS Pro was added in 2021, offering students the opportunity to learn how to create the same map or analysis three different ways. During these nine years, the hosting service changed three times. Our institution went from ignoring the course to now awarding electronic badges for completers.

ArcGIS Field Maps is an all-in-one app that uses data-driven maps to help mobile workers perform data collection and editing, find assets and information, and report their real-time locations. See how to set up a web map for the field, use smart forms, take maps offline, and integreate with other apps.

Police departments in Western Connecticut struggle to meet training requirements for firearms due to an inadequate availability of firing ranges. A regional firing range option was proposed however siting the location proved to be a complicated discussion. This is WestCOG's GIS journey using Network Analyst to select a location. Struggles and breakthroughs.

3D city models are a public resource for understanding the future and history of places. Developing and preserving city models as a cultural resource requires collaboration among designers, GIS professionals, and archivists. citySchema.org provides free templates and tools for developing and managing city models -- using a streamlined workflow built on ArcGIS Pro Tasks; producing an open catalog / repository that exposes tiled terrain models and individual building models in open formats.

With ArcGIS Survey123 you can create powerful smart forms for the web and mobile devices to deliver the most sophisticated smart form capabilities to your field crews. This session provides a high-level overview of the different components of this product including its smart form authoring tools, web and mobile applications. Join this session to get a tour of the most recent advancements in ArcGIS Survey123.

The Town of West Springfield has a unique and diverse array of both natural and man-made features that are impacted by stormwater runoff. From reservoirs to streams, and levees to pumping stations, it is the town's responsibility to convey these waters as cleanly and efficiently as possible to their ultimate destination. Understanding where the water comes from and where it goes is essential in capital planning as well as state and federal compliance. Historically, our GIS data have been limited to just stormwater utility infrastructure. Recently however, our team has been working on manually digitizing water bodies that interconnect with our existing stormwater system. This has given us the ability to trace upstream and downstream through the entire water network--giving our engineers and planning staff the ability to see where the water ultimately came from, and where it ultimately goes. These tracing analyses are available to our team both in the office and in the field--made possible by custom recursive SQL queries.

Are you a GIS student and soon entering the workforce? Are you looking for a GIS job? Are you looking for employees to fill GIS positions? Join this in-person round table discussion to talk about desired skill sets, network with potential employers and ask questions about entering the GIS workforce. This will also give higher-ed educators the opportunity to learn what GIS skills are desired in the workplace. We recommend bringing resumes and job descriptions if applicable. All are welcome!

ArcGIS Quick Capture is Esri’s at-speed field data collection mobile app. Through its ‘big button’ user experience, ArcGIS Quick Capture offers the simplest way for field users to capture field observations. Quick Capture supports at-speed asset inventories, on-the-go damage assessments, aerial surveys and much more. Join this session to learn how to configure and get the best out of ArcGIS Quick Capture

Each fiscal year, municipalities throughout the country allocate a significant amount of time and money on snow clearing operations. This presentation takes a deep dive into utilizing ArcGIS Pro and ESRI’s Network Analyst to help optimize municipal snow clearing operations. By implementing “smart routes”, municipalities can reduce the number of vehicles/equipment and the amount of time it takes to complete runs during a snow event.

Posters are listed in the Lunch Item in the Agenda! They are all digital and can be accessed via the links provided there.

Workflow automation increases productivity and frees up your workforce to stay focused on the most important work. Webhooks and automation platforms can help to glue together geospatial workflows, data processes or user experiences. This session will cover an introduction to use cases for webhooks and automation platforms like Power Automate, along with several useful examples.

Protecting drinking water is a major concern and one approach is to protect natural land covers and minimize hazards in source areas. Through a project funded by the CT Council on Soil & Water Conservation, UConn CLEAR is creating a set of metrics for parcels in drinking water watersheds and aquifer protection areas. The metrics and their weighting are leading to a parcel map showing the importance of each parcel. GIS methods include creating reusable tools with Model Builder and Python scripts.

In many New England states, NV5 Geospatial has been contracted to acquire QL1 or Ql2 Lidar through USGS 3DEP partnerships or direct municipality contracting. With higher resolution imagery and Lidar (QL1) the point clouds can enable the processing of additional derivative options focus on the point cloud data, the surface models and remotely sensed analytics.
This presentation will focus on these Lidar derivatives and how it benefits each municipality and/or agency.

Presenters:
Michael Olkin, Alex Hiller and Luis Santiago-Ramirez, Springfield Water and Sewer Commission

Many high-accuracy RTK GPS/GNSS units are now compatible with the ArcGIS Field Maps app, providing the opportunity for a streamlined data collection experience. We'll provide a field demonstration of data collection.

Meet at "The Owl's Nest" in the Ely Campus Center. Once assembled, we'll walk over to Stanley Park, across the street from the WSU campus. 

Learn about new patterns of use that are becoming more used in ArcGIS in this jam-packed session. Lear about Parcel Fabrics and Utility Networks, and how they leverage Branch Versioning and Web Services. Learn how Indoor Mapping is being implemented with ArcGIS Indooors, IPS, and GeoBIM. Also, learn about ArcGIS Velocity, and how it creates real-time GIS capabilities hosted in ArcGIS Online.

There are approximately 5,000 graveyards in the State of Connecticut, 4 of them are maintained by the town of Tolland. They date back to as early as the 1700's. The Town, like countless others, had been using and maintaining burial and ownership records by hand on detriorating paper maps, paper index cards, and disconnected databases in proprietary software systems. Recognizing the need to modernize and preserve their fragile paper files as well as compile all the data into a single form of truth, they sought out a GIS based solution that would provide them with the tools necessary to add efficiency to their record keeping, digitize their maps, and offer a resource that served them better both in the office and the field. This presentation will show the project application of ArcGIS online and field mapping tools to provide a commonly feasible solution to a growing problem across the state. The presentation will also discuss a regional approach to providing GIS mutual aid services.

Changing habits in field data collection can be challenging. The presentation will review the trial and error process of implementing a GIS Based tablet application to simplify the workflow of collecting Drainage Structure Invert Data.

While a detailed Survey 123 platform was developed, there was resistance by field staff to utilize the application. The complexity of the field app was reduced to utilize existing manual methods to gain overall acceptance and trust in digital applications.

ArcGIS Collaborations extend the reach of your GIS content by seamlessly sharing maps, apps, layers, and more with other organizations. Learn about Partnered and Distributed collaborations, and how they can help you manage projects and content with other organizations, or between groups in your own organization.

Over the past few years everyone has had to adapt in one way or another. With the ever-changing climate due to COVID-19, many municipalities have had to transition from in-person meetings to virtual outlets. Initially, there were concerns regarding public outreach but with innovative tools, such as Storymaps, Town's have been able to transparently relay project information in an easy to digest format and solicit feedback in a way that was more convenient and accessible to much of the public. This presentation will provide successful case uses of StoryMaps and other innovative GIS tools to engage the public in more meaning ways and improve project transparency during COVID-19 times.

As new UAS mapping practitioners enter the drone industry and established UAS practitioners search out new tools and technologies, the multitude of sensors and payloads available to the end user can be overwhelming. The objective of this session is to provide an impartial overview of the prominent technologies that mapping professionals will encounter and to discuss important considerations when choosing a sensor for a given project or application.

New England salt marshes provide many ecosystem services to humans and the environment. But these environments are at threat from drivers such as sea level rise. Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle (UAV) acquired, very high spatial resolution, remotely sensed imagery can be used to monitor and assess vegetation changes within these landscapes. This presentation will discuss the methods and benefits of collecting and processing varying band, date, and elevation layer combinations for this purpose. UAVs and aerial camera systems will be on display for attendees to examine.

Join your NEARC colleagues at the Tavern for some snacks and a social networking opportunity after the conference. All attendees welcome, and the winners of the poster competition will be announced!