GIS is more than mapping software. When deployed with a clear strategy, GIS is a technology that can change an organization fundamentally and positively. GIS goes beyond mining data to give you the tools to interpret the data and lets you model scenarios to test various hypotheses and see outcomes visually. The application of GIS is unlimited.

GPS used with GIS can help us find our way and replace assets. Previously located features such as signs, lights and hydrants can be found using a GPS unit utilizing the longitude and latitude or X, Y coordinates. New items can then be installed making travel safe again. GPS can also be use to find your way using coordinates when there are no street signs.

Why use GIS?
GIS goes beyond mining data by giving you the tools to interpret data, allowing you to see relationships, patterns, or trends intuitively that are not possible to see with traditional charts, graphs, and spreadsheets.

GIS can help us to work more efficiently by locating and networking utility features, GIS enables the utility department to quickly locate homes affected by a water line break. Maintenance records on the pipes and other fixtures can be tracked using GIS.

GIS tracks and can maintain assets, locating features such as fire hydrants, street signs, and lights, it is easy to determine maintenance schedules and current conditions of the assets.

GIS can be used to help keep us safe by tracking and mapping the instances of fire-related calls, the response times, along with dollar loss of the incidents. The fire department can readily see where it can make improvements, such as mapping out one and one half and three mile routes from each fire station, this shows the greatest need for new stations.

One of the tools meteorologists use to track hurricanes is GIS. We have all seen the devastation after a hurricane. What do we do next? How can GIS help? GIS can assist with damage assessment. Field crews can call in locations of impassible roads due to fallen trees, downed power lines, or flooding. This information can be entered into a GIS database with the results shown instantly. Locations of structural damage can also be mapped and other information entered to assist in clean up and repair. Aerial photographs can give us a birds-eye view of the damage.

How does GIS use geography?
With a geographic information system (GIS), you can link information (attributes) to location data, such as people to addresses, buildings to parcels, or streets within a network. You can then layer that information to gain a better understanding of how it all works together. You choose what layers to combine based on what questions you need to answer.

Where do the layers come from?
Information to create a GIS layer comes from several different sources, such as aerial photographs, GPS points, tabular data, or digital maps.

Parcel layer: The parcel layer with the Property Appraiser’s information included can tell us many things about the properties such as parcel size, location, value, and sales information.

Parcels showing just market value: Properties can be color coded to show the market value. Any field in the table can be used to show the unique attributes. Other information such as the year a structure was built or even if the property has a pool can be queried and the results reflected on a map or exported to a new table.

Parcels with / without Homestead Exemptions: GIS can easily show properties with and without homestead exemptions indicating which homes are owner occupied. The possibilities are only limited to the amount of data in the table.

Street layer: The street layer used on a map helps to pinpoint a location. However, the real strength of the street layer lies in the address information contained in the table. This allows the 911 CAD system to use this layer. Routing is created to show the most efficient way from Point A to Point B. This layer also allows you to geocode a database of addresses and create points at their location.

Zoning or future land use layer: The zoning layer allows you to see how land is divided into different zoning areas. A project requiring a particular code can be queried and the matching areas are quickly located. The future land use layer can be use the same way.

Layering the layers: You can add multiple layers together to show the spatial relationship between them. We can use this information for planning purposes or to determine the distance between two or more features.

Layers in the water and on the beach: GIS can help us keep tabs on turtle nests and show where the signs and ICW markers are to aid in boating navigation.

Aerial photographs
Aerial photographs can give us a birds-eye view. Compare the two photographs below. Aerial images have been enhanced and can provide precise detail of land mass.

1948 aerial photograph

2004 aerial photograph