Insights

What do you think of when you think GIS?

GIS or Geographical Information Systems is a system that can store, manage, and analyze data much like any other database or table. The bonus with GIS is that it relates that data to a place and even a point in time. With these additional data elements, this information becomes spatial or geospatial in nature, placing it geographically in the real world.

One of the most common ways a GIS database is used is mapping, which is why it is a frequent assumption that GIS is just a way to map data. Maps are a fantastic way to illustrate data results from a GIS system, but the real magic happens during the data analysis which is where the story of the infrastructure can come to life.

How can a GIS system benefit local governments?

It can be daunting for local governments to think about investing in something like a GIS system with many already struggling to find funding for infrastructure repair and upgrades.

One thing to keep in mind with the implementation of a GIS system is that once it’s in place, it will start to pay you back. One of the most direct ways to see dividends is using GIS to create an asset inventory and management system, which is required by some funding sources. For example, the EPA requires a GIS asset management system for lead pipes to participate in their grant funding program. By building an asset inventory in a GIS system, communities can qualify for funding that would otherwise not be available to them.

GIS also allows users to layer data and incorporate timelines. This spatial component provides the power to proactively maintain systems by prioritizing projects based on anticipated failure dates. It can also help identify significant impacts that system upgrades may cause. Let’s say a utility puts in a new water plant that increases the water pressure or flow to accommodate higher demand. This will put more strain on the existing pipe network. A GIS system could identify all pipes that cannot accommodate this higher level of pressure, providing an opportunity to replace them before they burst and cause costly damage.

Layering data in GIS also helps identify high priority improvements that may be affecting vulnerable populations. Many local governments are looking for a way to prioritize infrastructure needs for these members of their communities. Once GIS helps identify these improvements, it can open doors for funding sources dedicated to improving the quality of life for these groups.

GIS Brings Communities Together

GIS is more than just an asset management system or an interactive map. It sparks collaboration and provides transparency with other agencies to increase safety and connectivity within a community, such as working with emergency services to determine the most efficient response routes, snowplow information for streets, or helping schools determine the safest routes for students to navigate to school. These key conversations are vital for growth and economic vitality. For example, as part of their active transportation plan, B&N worked with three Ohio villages within proximity to each other - Yorkville, Tiltonsville, and Rayland - to create a GIS-based sidewalk inventory. This along with analysis of the available StreetLight data provided an understanding of the area’s existing pedestrian and bicycle facilities and travel patterns. The image to the right shows a summary of Public and Stakeholder feedback that allows for identification of needed pedestrian and bicycle facilities in three Ohio villages.

When agencies work collaboratively to share their GIS data, the result is that everyone gains access to a wealth of information that they would otherwise have to collect and pay for themselves. Access to this data can help tell a more comprehensive story about asset characteristics and how they relate to the overall network. B&N applied this tactic to a safety project for a metropolitan planning organization in West Virginia. Using the free open-source GIS system OpenStreetMap that grants users access to source code and allows for updates we added missing intersection data to the organization’s GIS system at a much lower cost than traditional data collection methods. The data was quality checked for accuracy and then used to build a systemic safety plan for the area. Leveraging existing data in this way allowed us to create a system that prioritizes the client’s intersections for safety improvements.

This icon links to a GIS hub site used to foster transparency and connect stakeholders to the public. 

If GIS Systems are so great, why don’t all municipalities use them?

Upfront costs

Until recently, implementing a GIS system has required a large upfront cost for both hardware and software that many municipalities did not have in their budgets. There are now Software as a Service (SaaS) online subscription solutions available to ease that financial commitment. The subscriptions are a lower risk financially and allow municipalities to slowly build their GIS system to evolve and expand over time using the SaaS solution.

View of data housed within the SaaS ArcGIS Online platform.

Maintenance

There can be a large learning curve when adopting a new system and many agencies may not have adequate personnel or the resources to hire someone with GIS experience to manage it. B&N offers training to help staff get started. The Village of Hebron, Ohio was interested in developing a GIS system as part of a water collection and distribution project. Our staff trained their team and used the opportunity to educate the Village on what was possible with a GIS system. They also started a dialogue to ensure the system would align with the vision of all the Village’s divisions.

This sounds great! How do I get started?

If you have an interest in a GIS system but do not know where to start – please reach out to us. We are happy to answer questions or discuss options. GIS is our passion and we’d be happy to help!