APWACongressPresentation · •GPS accuracy •No USB or memory card •Good protective case: $80 2014 APWA National Congress ~ Mobile GIS in Public Works 6 GIS-based Platform •Easy

8/4/2014

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2014 APWA National Congress

August 20, 2014

Mobile GIS for Public Works

Ben McConville, GIS Coordinator

City of Ames Public Works Department

Corey Mellies, P.E., Operations Manager


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Ames, Iowa

•60,000 population• 25 miles sq


Background

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Devices

•IOS (Apple) iPAD or iPhone.

•3G or 4G LTE required:

•$750 per unit.

•Scalable.

•Easy administration

•Tracking and wiping capabilities

•15 tablets within Public Works

•Very user friendly


Limitations

•Battery Life can be an issue for all day use.

•external power packs.

•Fixed On‐Board Storage.

•Dependant on 3G – 4G coverage

•Extreme temperatures.

• GPS accuracy

•No USB or memory card

•Good protective case: $80


GIS-based Platform

•Easy deployment – one map many devices.

•Integrates well with existing systems and workflows.

•Cost‐effective. Especially from a total city perspective.

•Scalable.

•OTB Application free from ESRI

•Can deploy from our own server or from ArcGIS Online, hosted services.

•Ensure data is current.

•Easily securable.

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GIS Approach


Data Consolidation

•Part of broader internal GIS Needs Assessment

Goal:

•Identify isolated but useful data (ex: spreadsheets for individuals or specific information that would be beneficial for others in the organization.)

•Consolidate data into the enterprise GIS database.

•Share through the GIS.

•Identified data creators and consumers across multiple departments.


• Customizable drop downs• Add attachments (i.e. Pictures,

movies, drawings, reports, etc.)• Place features by GPS or tapping

the screen

GIS App User Interface

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• Utility Correction Layer built into maps.

• Enables errors in mapping and critical incidents to be tracked in the system and fixed.

• Dramatic improvements of system accuracy and reliability of information.

• Reliability = Buy In

Utility Correction Layer

Office Desktop

Field

A Cycle of Continuous

Improvement


Hydrant Flushing ProgramUsing ArcGIS Mobile Technology

Real‐time public progress map

Real‐time inspection and flushing information on iPads and iPhone.

Dynamic Maps and Reports

Real‐time “hydrant out of service”

reporting

Fire Department

Streets Operations

Plugged Intake Reporting

Water Operations

Public

Engineering & Operations

Correlate trouble calls.

Water Plant

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Dynamic Reporting

•No duplication.

•Reports change as data changes.

•Accessible anywhere.

•Beneficial for budgeting and resource allocation.

•Easily printed or shared.

•No more excel spreadsheets!

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Publicly Accessible Progress Map

•Cut down on calls from the public.

•Provided real‐time status of where flushing was taking place.

•When City staff would be in their area.

•Complaint calls can be easily correlated. (Color, taste, odor)


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More Efficient•Easier for individuals to independently operate.

•Eliminated duplication.

•Transparent Progress. Motivating.

•Eliminated post processing

•Track Maintenance Performed

•Eased flow of information to others(i.e. Fire Dept, Storm Sewer.)


Paper

Laptops ‐ GIS

IPAD ‐ GIS

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Days

Days

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Sanitary Sewer Evaluation StudyProject:

• Infiltration/Inflow Study

• Flow monitoring

• Manhole investigations

• Video inspections

• Smoke testing

• Survey of manhole locations.

• Integrate with GIS

• Multi‐year project

Mobile Need:

• Track maintenance.

• Access completed work.

• Easy access to information.


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Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study

•Allows mobile access to project information. Reports, pictures and key information.

•Allows Operations Staff to track repairs and maintenance as completed.

• Engineering can access anywhere.

SSSE Information Map

Sanitary Maintenance Tracking


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Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study

Manhole and Pipe Inspection Reports accessible through the map

• PDF Format, downloadable, printable, easily shared.


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Custom Sign Management App

Needs:

• Ability to manage maintenance records, retroreflectivity compliance and condition assessment.

• Barcode scanning.

• Fully integrated with GIS database.

• Pictures of each sign location.

Solution:

• Move sign database to GIS

• Custom developer

• City agreed to help with app development

• DGTEX, Inc.


Paper

Access Database•No spatial component

•Hard to manage•Only one person at a time

GIS•Maintained anywhere.

•By anyone.•Dynamic Reporting

•Enabled change in RR strategy

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922 Handheld Retroreflectometer•Links via barcode.

•Automatically averages readings.•GPS Enabled.

•Enabled us to change compliance strategy from bulk timed

replacement to replacement based on need.

•Meets FHWA testing requirements.

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Sign Location Record

Barcode and GPS Enabled RetroreflectometeriPad

Barcode Scanner Location accuracy will improve as we fine tune with built‐in GPS.

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Sign Reports


Dynamic Reporting

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Tree Inventory


Purpose: City had opportunity for potential DNR grant for Urban Forester services. Decided to complete an inventory that would allow for a management plan and benefits to be processed in iTrees

• Hired two interns from Iowa State

• Collected approximately 15,000 trees (3 months)

• Data schema to match iTreessoftware requirements.

• Collected trees in right‐of‐way, City facilities, and Parks.

• Web editing for office adjustments and ongoing

maintenance.

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Tree Inventory


Lessons Learned

• iPad would not last all day, used external battery pack

• Used iPhone when iPad issues arose.

• Used browser based web editing map fine tune positions.

• App called LeafSnap used for leaf identification.

• We have more trees than we thought.

LeafSnap App

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Tree Inventory


Ongoing maintenance is carried out via the web editing map.

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Web Page Interface

•Cut down on calls from the public.

•Provided real‐time status of where flushing was taking place.

•When City staff would be in their area.

•Complaint calls can be easily correlated. (Color, taste, odor)


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Personnel

•Readily accepted. Makes their job easier, familiar interface.

•Support for management.

•Created “How To” videos for use in the field.

•Specific Tasks

•Empowering: Enables every staff member to participate and readily access and share necessary information.

•Added Mobile GIS Courses into the City’s GIS Training Program.

•Specific training for each app.



Further Benefits

•Video and picture capture.

•Texting and Emails.

•Facetime and real‐time video

•Device and status tracking

•Real‐time quick data capture for rapid assessment. (Storm impact, etc.)

•Device Recovery, tracking and wiping incase of loss.

•Education and Outreach

Storm Impact Map 2012 Tornado

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Where are we headed?….Forward

•Continue to centralize information within GIS database

•Training.

•Planning.

•Embrace new capabilities.

•More public availabilty.

Deliver GIS across the Organization


Questions?

Ben McConville, GIS Coordinator


[email protected]

Corey Mellies, P.E., Operations Manager


[email protected]

Documents

APWACongressPresentation · •GPS accuracy •No USB or memory card •Good protective case: $80 2014 APWA National Congress ~ Mobile GIS in Public Works 6 GIS-based Platform •Easy