GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS:
Now more affordable and flexible than ever
Local governments across the nation are using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to increase their efficiency and provide a greater return on the investment of public dollars. As technology continues to advance, flexible options have become available that provide a wider range of applications and a host of opportunities to fit any budget.
Potential Uses of GIS for Municipalities
Typically, municipalities use GIS technology to manage their sanitary sewer systems, public water systems, and roadway networks. However, GIS can also be used to create zoning maps and monitor building permit and property owner information. It can even be used to refine school bus routes for the revisions that come with each new school year or to analyze census data to create new voting districts based on population adjustments. Perhaps most important, in these times of heightened security concerns, GIS can be an effective tool for emergency responders. An integrated GIS with data on all local infrastructure can help municipalities identify obvious targets such as chemical plants or water supplies, assess the risk to nearby residents and buildings, and plan for evacuation routes or the need for increased security in certain areas.
Customizing GIS to Fit Your Budget and Needs
Depending on the municipality's budget and the degree of accuracy required, a GIS database can be created in a number of different ways. Although GIS professionals generally prefer the most accurate database possible, many municipal uses such as zoning maps, property owner information, and permitting do not require high levels of accuracy. Thus, a low-cost system created from old paper maps and plans could be a viable option when funds are low. Integration of county provided data can either provide a good base or an enhancement.
If the database will be used to support design functions such as roadway planning and improvements or sanitary sewer connections, it must be accurate enough to fit the design parameters. Therefore, low level aerial photography and surveying of field locations on the ground may be necessary. In general, the more accurate the database is, the greater flexibility it will provide for future use, which can make the up-front costs a wise investment in the coming years.
Personalized Service & Training
At HRG, our goal is to provide cost-effective solutions to our clients that are easy-to-use and tailored to their unique needs.
Over the years, we've created a wide variety of GIS solutions to address all of the various applications mentioned, and we continue to work with our clients on an individual basis to devise new, creative uses for their GIS data. We also train our clients to use their systems using their own data and assist with ongoing maintenance as needed.
With all of the varied options available and the dramatic reduction in system development cost over the last few years, the time to explore the possibility of GIS in your municipality has never been better.
If you would like to discuss how GIS can make your municipality more efficient and save taxpayer dollars, contact Rob Rowe at (814) 238-7117 or email us. We are keenly interested in discussing how GIS can be implemented in your municipality. |
