Santa Claus travels the world with the Earthmate PN-40

North Pole – The Earthmate PN-40 has proven its mettle in the most demanding physical environments—from the high peaks of the Himalayas to the searing heat of the Sonoran Desert. Yet these extremes pale in comparison to the latest assignment for this indomitable device.

This year, Santa Claus has chosen the PN-40 to help him guide his sleigh as he circumnavigates the globe bringing joy (and DeLorme mapping products) to all.

“Rudolph’s navigational prowess is well known,” said Mr. Claus in a recent interview. “But the red nose is yesterday’s technology. When I heard the Easter Bunny had picked up a PN-40 and had shaved twenty percent off his delivery time, I had to get one.”

Working with his team of IT elves, Mr. Claus used XMap to quickly geocode the location of every child on the planet. In the resulting GIS layer, he added a Naughty or Nice field, with Nice assigned as the default initial value, of course. He then appended the Requested Presents database and even attached a copy of each kid’s Santa letter as an embedded document. Finally, he overlaid this point layer on the new XMap World Base Map data before creating the necessary map packages for his PN-40.

“The forms feature on the PN-40 is what will really make my job easier,” said Mr. Claus while stuffing his sack full of DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteers. “Let’s say I park the sleigh on the roof little Jimmy’s house. I just look down at the screen of my PN and click the symbol and up pops a form with all of Jimmy’s details: Nice–check; Copy of XMap–check. I’m on to the next house before the guys up front have a chance to finish their carrots. I even added a check box to the form to let me know that I’d visited this house. How cool is that? Now, if you’ll excuse me, I really have a lot to do.”

So there you have it, the PN-40 does its part to help bring holiday cheer to kids all over the world.

The XMap Team at DeLorme would like to wish you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

One of the daily challenges faced by DeLorme sales, marketing, and customer service staff is addressing the needs of all the industries that we serve. Because of its flexible nature, XMap has been adopted by a wide array of businesses and organizations, all of which bring their own requirements to the table. While DeLorme staff members can justifiably claim to have a high level of proficiency when it comes to understanding the workings of XMap, the application of the technology for a specific market can be considerably more demanding.

Thankfully, DeLorme has developed a network of Value-Added Resellers (VARs) who are much more familiar with the industries and territories that they serve and can interpret and apply the capabilities of XMap accordingly.

Over the coming months, the DeLorme Professional Newsletter will include a series of articles on some of our key VARs that will provide an insight into their business focus and sphere of expertise. If you are interested in the application of XMap within their particular industry, you are encouraged to contact them directly. If would like more information about becoming a Value-Added Reseller of XMap, please contact the XMap team at 1-800-293-2389 or email prosales@delorme.com.

 Our first reseller in the spotlight is Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Downtown Design Services, Inc. (DDSI). DDSI has been serving the oil and gas, electric transmission and distribution, fiber optic, and telecommunications industries, as well as municipalities and local governments since 1999. DDSI’s customer base is dispersed throughout the U.S. but especially in Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Offering drafting and design services, GIS data management, conversion and collection, DDSI provides their clients with superior service in a timely, cost-effective manner, meeting their clients’ goals and objectives.

“Having handled the pipeline corridor mapping for multiple gas gatherers across the United States in both CAD and GIS environments for many years, we found the DeLorme XMap GIS suite to be an ideal tool for companies wanting to implement or supplement their GIS,” said Tim Harrison, company president. “With one particular client, we had used AutoCAD to maintain their mapping system for many years. By introducing and implementing XMap GIS, as well as the Earthmate PN-Series GPS receiver, we have enabled them to push data to over 150 users across the region, thus allowing them to update their system on a daily basis.

DDSI specializes in converting existing CAD, DeLorme Street Atlas USA, or hard copy data to GIS. The company also provides client-specific implementation, training, and support of XMap.

For more information on DDSI’s GIS data conversion, management, or collection services or any other drafting and design needs please visit their Website: www.downtown-design.com

The following is a first-hand account of a successful rescue operation in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the Cascade Range in Washington State. Justin Mitchell, the Operations Leader for Bellingham Mountain Rescue, describes how the Earthmate PN-20 GPS receiver proved its mettle in extreme conditions.

On August 27th, 2008, just before midnight, I received a call from Don, an operations leader from the Skagit Mountain Rescue team. They needed some help from Bellingham Mountain Rescue for two climbers reportedly stuck on a ledge somewhere near Spire Point. The climbers were near the end of completing the “Ptarmigan Traverse,” a five-day thru hike in the North Cascades and were stuck on a ledge in bad weather with 100 ft visibility, not knowing exactly where they were.  I called and woke up one of our SAR deputies from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (a pleasure to wake them up instead of what is typically the reverse) to let them know we’d been requested. I then got to work putting a team together and downloading maps to my PN-20. Spire Point is located quite a way into the North Cascades, and with the normal road/trail system being washed out, I knew there was going to be quite a bit of bushwhacking and/or route-finding. It also meant our chances of getting back in there and finding them quickly without helicopter support was slim.

We met at “base operations” at the Concrete airport the next morning to discuss our options. Volunteers showed up from Skagit, Tacoma, and Bellingham mountain rescue teams. Despite the long distance involved, a team would go in by foot since the weather did not look favorable for a helicopter. The Bellingham team would continue to help at base ops but be on hot standby in the event a helicopter option became available. We were able to communicate with the stranded climbers a couple of times via cell phone and the situation was not good—they were extremely cold, wet, and showing signs of hypothermia. The cell phone, however, did provide us with a lat/long to start off with via its E911 feature. The coordinates did not initially make sense, although I was able to enter them into my PN-20 using a variety of different formats, until finally noting that they had come in via the degrees decimal format. Bingo—the coordinates put them near the summit of Spire Point (degrees minutes format N48° 19.042′, W121° 4.247′). So from there, we were able to come up with some possible scenarios and hone in our initial search area.

Luck was on our side. Although the mountains were still socked in, the weather was clearing somewhat and a Navy helicopter arrived to possibly help. We collectively gathered around our USGS maps and came up with a plan—we would follow the valleys in towards Spire Point, keeping well under the cloud ceiling, and try one of three different “insertion points” on alternate sides of the mountain for a drop off. And from there, we’d climb up near the top of Spire Point as quickly as we could to search for the climbers. This was clearly our best option given the time it would take for the first team to get in there on foot. Moreover, another weather system was on its way in and promised to bring worse weather than this one. As we loaded onto the helicopter, I entered the three insertion points as waypoints into my PN-20, wondering if we’d even get to use them.

The flight in was interesting. We followed roads and valleys into the area, keeping a close eye on the weather ceiling. And one by one our hopeful insertion points were shut out by the bad weather. All the while, though, I sat next to the side door of the helicopter with my PN-20, keeping track of where we were relative to our insertion points. As we exhausted our last option, though, I asked the pilot to head back west and try another option. I had seen a small lake on the topo map of my PN-20 that just might be accessible via a small side valley. We rounded the corner into the valley and I asked the pilot if he’d be comfortable poking his nose just over the trees at the head of the valley. We were just below the ceiling but he agreed since it was basically our only hope. As we skimmed over the trees, Itswoot Lake appeared with a perfect little landing zone on the south end of the lake (N48° 17.870′, W121° 5.319′).

The rotor wash on the Seahawk helicopter (basically same as a Blackhawk but in Navy terms) was tremendous as they took off and accelerated the wetness of the rain. We quickly donned foul weather gear, oriented ourselves with a map and compass, and headed up the mountain. Visibility was minimal, and the higher we got up Itswoot Ridge, the more rainy, windy, and cold it got. None of us had ever been here before either so our maps, compass, and altimeters were crucial to route-finding. And although we’ve trained ourselves not to rely on a GPS, the PN-20 and its integrated maps were outstanding for confirming our location and route. We got up to just under the summit of Spire Point and set up camp on the Dana Glacier in the dark. Our voices were hoarse from yelling and whistling, and our bodies were tired and hungry from battling the elements. We felt pretty good about the progress we’d made but also knew first hand the weather these climbers had gone through. We went to sleep with hopes of finding survivors in the morning.

Morning came quickly and the winds had calmed down a bit, but visibility was still quite challenging. As we loaded up our tents, we resumed our yells and whistles, and to our surprise heard a very faint yell back! Tracking the direction of the yells was difficult because of various echoes involved, but we made our way north along the Dana Glacier and eventually found the lost climbers cold, wet, but otherwise alive, and very happy to see us (N48° 19.384′, W121° 4.115′). As we fed them some hot food, they explained how they’d huddled in their one remaining sleeping bag all night and were going to head back down the north side of the mountain if help had not arrived by that afternoon.

We gathered all their stuff and headed back down the way we’d come up, meeting the other rescue team along the way. A helicopter soon arrived to take us and our rescued subjects back to warmth, safety, and their loved ones.

I shudder to think of the consequences if we hadn’t have found them when we did, especially given the colder and more intense weather system that was hitting the area the very next day. The expert flying provided by our local Navy base was certainly key to us succeeding with this mission, but equally as important was knowing exactly where we were at all times via the maps on my Delorme PN-20. I truly believe it contributed to two saved lives, and I look forward to even better capabilities on the PN-40.

For more information on Bellingham Mountain Rescue, visit www.wcsar.org/bmrc/.

To read more about the Earthmate PN-Series GPS receivers, click here.

In the early hours of September 13 2008, Hurricane Ike made landfall as a category two storm to the east of Galveston, Texas. In the preceding days, Ike had wreaked havoc on the islands of Hispaniola and Cuba before heading northwest across the Gulf of Mexico. The impact on the coastal areas of Texas and Louisiana was catastrophic with over 100 people losing their lives and an estimated $24 billion in damage.

In preparation for the storm’s imminent landfall, Texas Task Force One, the state emergency response organization comprised of more than 300 emergency personnel from 60 agencies and departments across the state, set up their Command Center in Houston. Among those who responded were GIS specialists from the Texas General Land Office (GLO), who brought with them DeLorme’s XMap software and Earthmate PN-20 GPS receivers.

One of the lessons learned during the response to Hurricane Katrina, which hit Louisiana three years earlier, is the important role played by GIS in such emergency operations. During a disaster, a substantial amount of spatial information is collected, processed, and shared among countless responding agencies. The technology that allows this data to be efficiently managed must not only be sufficiently powerful and capable, but must also be straightforward enough for responders of all skill levels to utilize quickly and effectively. A key benefit that XMap brings to the emergency operations process is that it can be rapidly put to work to help in the recovery effort.

One of the first tasks undertaken by the Information Systems/Business Automation/GIS specialist from the GLO was training other GLO response team members on the use of the PN-20 for simple field data collection. Their job was to quickly create a database of damaged and destroyed properties based on the precise coordinates of each structure. They were also instructed to photograph what remained of each building as a first step in the recovery and rebuilding process.

The significance of GPS in any disaster situation cannot be overstated. The basic process of navigation, which normally depends on visual reference points such as buildings or street signs, is no longer a viable option as many of these features are destroyed during a storm. In order to determine the current location or to navigate to a specific address, a GPS receiver with accurate map information is essential. A GPS receiver that offers the ability to display aerial imagery, such as the PN-20 or its successor, the PN-40, provides even more value in disaster situations as the imagery allows emergency responders to see where buildings or structures originally stood.

For the GLO response teams, the primary function of the PN-20 was to collect the coordinates of each impacted property. Simpler and more accurate than marking a map, a GPS-collected waypoint allows the responder to precisely record and name damage locations with just a few button pushes. In this format, the data collected on the PN-20s was later transferred to XMap and integrated into the GIS database.

A final part of the process involved matching each photograph with the appropriate GPS point so that the actual image could be accessed from the map. This data was later offered for public viewing through an online map service.

After Hurricane Ike recovery the Earthmate PN-20s were deployed to collect location data on the status of oil and gas facilities as well as damaged or sunken vessels along the coast. In preparation for the storm, virtually all oil and gas operations in the impacted area of the gulf had been shut down and secured, however an immediate assessment on the level of damage was critical to mitigate further harm to the natural environment. This data collection effort allowed GIS specialists at the GLO to create maps depicting each location and provided the means for response agencies to efficiently allocate the necessary resources where the need was greatest.

While many would assume full recovery from a major natural disaster such as Hurricane Ike can take years, the appropriate actions taken in the immediate aftermath can greatly hasten the recovery. Much of this effort depends on having the right tools in the hands of the right people at the right time. This was proven in coastal Texas after Ike came ashore, and the rugged and adaptable Earthmate PN-20 lived up to the task.

For more information on the Texas General Land Office, visit www.glo.state.tx.us.

To read more about the Earthmate PN-Series GPS receivers, click here.

Introduction
In recent years, there has been a surge in interest in a location-based technology among organizations and agencies that would previously have considered these tools to be beyond their means. The emergence of low-cost and Web-based mapping applications and the ubiquitous availability of worldwide satellite-enabled navigation have instilled a spatial mindset within a broad cross-section of the population. Software offerings such as DeLorme’s XMap and Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers like the rugged Earthmate PN-40 are bringing this technology firmly down to earth.

The utilization of geographic intelligence has been particularly evident in the field of emergency management and response, where GPS technology has long played a critical role and where Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are now coming to the fore. Response agencies at the national, regional, and local levels are learning that the efficient management of data plays a critical role in all aspects of emergency management from mitigation to recovery.

Unlike many other situations where the benefits of GIS are measured in terms of increased efficiency, higher productivity, and, ultimately, dollars and cents, the benefit of this technology for emergency managers is that it saves lives. No matter what the situation—whether it is a major natural disaster, such as a hurricane or flood, or a local search and rescue operation, GIS can play a key role.

GIS Defined
While many GIS specialists might offer a more complex definition of their chosen field, the basic tenet of GIS is fairly straightforward. A GIS is a system for managing data in its locational context. Typically a GIS is a computer-based system for gathering, storing, organizing, and distributing location-based information.

Why GIS?
A well-organized GIS provides an invaluable tool for collecting data form a variety of sources, organizing it into a usable format, and efficiently redeploying the data to those who need it most. In the field of emergency management, a GIS can reduce response time, eliminate redundancy, streamline the allocation of personnel and resources, and  provide crucial information for planning future operations. Additionally, the common file formats in which GIS data is usually stored offer an easy means to share maps and data with other responding agencies.

Integrating GIS and GPS
It is frequently assumed that GIS and GPS are inherently connected; however, the interoperability of these two technologies is often a difficult process requiring the conversion of files to allow the exchange of data from one platform to the other. Few GPS receivers offer the option of viewing GIS layers or aerial imagery, a feature that serves to extend the reach of the GIS infrastructure to remote locations. It was with this in mind that DeLorme developed the Earthmate PN-40, a GPS receiver that offers a unique set of capabilities.

Foremost is its ability to display map data from a wide variety of sources, including aerial imagery, USGS maps, NOAA charts, GIS layers, and more. Additionally, this waterproof device can be used to collect data in the form of waypoints and tracks, both of which can be easily integrated into an XMap GIS.

GIS for Emergency Management
Often the development of a GIS is approached as three-phase effort: data collection, data processing, and data sharing. For emergency managers, much of the data collection and processing can be performed as part of the preparation work. A broad range of relevant data can be imported or created to reflect what might typically be required in an emergency within the jurisdiction of the responding agency.

However, when an emergency strikes, the GIS infrastructure needs to be flexible enough to work in the field and to incorporate all of the additional data that will be collected as part of the emergency operation. In such a dynamic and challenging setting, the system must be easy to manage and the data must be accessible to those with limited knowledge of GIS. An overly complex GIS requiring a specialist to run it may become an unwelcome bottleneck when the need for data and maps becomes critical.

Typically, GIS software is designed for office use; however, DeLorme’s XMap, which has been developed on the platform of the company’s award-winning navigational software and includes route planning and GPS interoperability as standard features, has helped redefine GIS. XMap is equally at home in the office, in the vehicle, in the field, or wherever emergency operations are managed.

GIS and GPS for Search and Rescue Operations
When a hiker fails to show up at a designated rendezvous spot or a child goes missing after wandering away from a campsite, the local emergency response agency quickly steps up to the plate, often assisted by other organizations and willing volunteers. From the outset, a high degree of organization is essential.

Many will be unfamiliar with the area so there is the risk of escalating the crisis with those who are searching becoming lost themselves. Others, eager to assist, may take it upon themselves to initiate a search without any collaboration with those in command and without access to potentially critical directions.

A GIS will allow the emergency manager to identify and record any currently available information: Where was the subject last seen? Which direction was he heading? What is the terrain, land cover, and natural vegetation in the proposed search area? Where are the best access points? With all of this information at hand, a strategy can be developed and a plan initiated.

A useful component of the GIS for both assigning response teams and keeping track of areas covered is a grid superimposed on the search area. By way of preparation, a custom floating grid can be created in XMap and dragged to target area. For those responders who do not have access to a GPS device, a map displaying this grid along with all of the other pertinent information can be printed. Users of DeLorme’s PN-40 GPS receiver can have the same map sent directly to the device so as they proceed on their designated search path, they can see where they are in relation to the grid.

Upon returning to the command center, the track recorded by each GPS device is imported into XMap and overlaid on the grid to determine which areas have not yet been covered in the search. The GIS tools in XMap allow each track to be buffered, creating a wider swath on the map so a more realistic perspective of the actual area that was searched can be ascertained. XMap’s spatial querying and symbolization capabilities are then used to create an updated map that is then redeployed to each PN-40.

Classification, or color-coding, of the tracks is used to map the area searched by each team. For example, the track files that were recorded and downloaded from the GPS receiver used by the canine unit could be represented by a unique color, allowing the emergency manager to see where this particular team should be assigned next.

The collection of point-specific data is also important in the search and rescue effort. Tagging a location where evidence has been found is a simple process using the PN-40. A button on the device is used to create a labeled waypoint to which detailed comments can be added. As with tracks, this point data is easily integrated into a GIS layer, allowing all of the information to be centrally managed and, if necessary, updated and redeployed.

When a photographic record is also appropriate, XMap includes a tool for automatically assigning a series of downloaded digital photographs to the precise point on the map at which they were taken. This geo-referenced photo can be displayed as a thumbnail image on the map or as a hyperlink that opens the full size photograph.

For emergency managers, the application of GIS does not end with the completion of the search operation. All of the data that has been collected during the rescue effort can be reviewed and analyzed to help plan and prepare for future events. It can also be used to create simulations for the purpose of training other responding agencies.

Conclusion
A GIS is a tool that manages information to enable better decision-making, and nowhere is the decision-making process more import than in emergency management and response. Among the critical considerations when deciding the apply spatial technology for emergency management and response are the flexibility and suitability of the system for field applications; the accessibility of the technology for non-GIS users; the interoperability with other applications and data sources; and the ability to efficiently share data with handheld GPS receivers.

XMap GIS software and accompanying Earthmate PN-40 GPS receiver from DeLorme meet all of these requirements and collectively provide a perfect mapping and GPS platform for all emergency operations.

One of the circumstantial benefits of conducting an XMap training program  is that it provides a first-hand opportunity for DeLorme to learn how the technology is used to address a very specific set of challenges. All DeLorme training programs focus on the particular goals and objectives of the individuals being trained, so every session is unique and every class is a learning experience, not only for those in attendance but also for the instructor.

Such was the case recently during a training program for employees of FiberNext, a fiber optic solutions provider headquartered in Bow, New Hampshire. Longtime users of XMap and Earthmate GPS technology, FiberNext had recently upgraded to XMap 6 and had hired some additional staff. Recognizing the need for training, they contacted DeLorme to arrange a class. During this two-day session, the process of efficient data collection was discussed and a strategy was developed to optimize the use of XMap for this purpose.

One of the tasks for which FiberNext employs XMap is field data collection and, specifically, the establishment of a spatial inventory of the existing utility infrastructure. XMap is ideal for this application because it combines powerful GPS navigation functionality and location intelligence with straightforward database management capability.

Working with the Editor version of XMap on a laptop computer, FiberNext technicians are able to accurately map the location of each utility pole and assign the appropriate attributes, such as ownership, status, attached hardware, etc. Using this straightforward data entry technique, a spatial database is easily created while in the field.

To manage the acquisition of data by multiple technicians, FiberNext data managers explored the possibility of applying XMap’s Enterprise data distribution techniques. However, because of their unique requirements, neither the synchronization nor the check-out/in functions provided a workable solution. Instead, it was decided the data collection would be done with the manual transfer of the necessary files. 

In preparation for the task, the project administrator creates an empty OpenSpace GIS layer to which and all of the required attribute fields have been added. After exporting this layer as an OpenSpace transfer file, each technician imports the empty layer into their version of XMap GIS Editor in preparation for the data collection process. Adding data to this layer is as simple as tagging the current GPS location and populating the preformatted fields with the necessary information.

The template layer can also be preformatted with a classification scheme so that as the data for each pole is added, the symbol on the map will immediately reflect the values that have been typed. In the field, the technician can automatically assign a pole to a specific class by selecting the required symbol from the Classification menu on the toolbar. This process will also insert the appropriate value in the corresponding field in the attribute table.

One of the hurdles that must be surmounted as a result of this system of data collection and management is that at the end of the data collection process, all of the individual OpenSpace layers need to be combined. Fortunately, a new feature that was added with the release of XMap 6 makes this process very easy.

After receiving all of the layers, the data administrator imports each file into his version of XMap and appends the data to the original master layer. The result of this process is a single OpenSpace layer that includes all of the collected pole data. For future projects, the same empty OpenSpace layer serves as a template and can be reimported each time at the start of the data collection process.

This straightforward data collection and management system has allowed FiberNext to significantly streamline their workflow and enhance their productivity. Their expertise in this field has allowed them to explore other applications of this technology and expand their services to a wider market.

About FiberNext

Located in Bow, New Hampshire, FiberNext is a versatile, turn-key solutions provider for any company working with fiber optics across the Northeast. The company’s unique business model includes both technical services and custom manufactured products that are designed to meet a wide variety of needs. Technical services include hands-on fiber optic training programs (civilian and military, BICSI and FOA certified), network design consulting, field sub-contracting, on-the-job training programs for contractors, custom kitting and equipment rental. For more information, visit www.fibernext.com.

Long-time subscribers to this newsletter might recall an announcement  that was made a little over a year ago about a small town on the coast of Maine that made the decision to embark on a project to apply mapping technology to the management of their municipal data. 

Westport Island is a quintessential Maine community. As its name implies, it is surrounded by water, with a single two-lane bridge its only access to the mainland. According to the census figures, its population is a little over 700 people, although, as is typical in this part of the world, this number is bolstered by the influx of summer visitors “from away.” It is fair to say, therefore, that this is a community of modest means; a fact that makes what they have been able to achieve all the more remarkable.

The previously published account of their work described the efforts of a handful of eager citizens to digitize the town’s property boundaries using XMap; a process which had yet to be completed. At that time, the subsequent phases of the project—integrating the town’s tax records and providing public access to the data—seemed a long way off.

Fast-forward to the present. Not only have the town officials completed the digitization process and tied in the property ownership information, they have created GIS layers showing wetland areas, trails, shoreline zoning setbacks, and much more. All of this data is available for public scrutiny via an XMap Web site that was created and is maintained by the same town officials. Visitors to the site, which includes high-resolution aerial imagery as an optional base map, can quickly search for properties by owner, map-lot number, or several other criteria.

By way of concluding this article, it is worth reprinting the final paragraph from the original piece.

Westport Island is an example of a community with limited means who have recognized the value in efficiently managing critical municipal assets and have not been deterred by their modest size. The lesson learned form this example is that if Westport Island can successfully adopt and apply GIS technology, there is no reason why towns of a similar size cannot do the same.

XMap at Work

The Town of Westport Island Chooses XMap for Digital Parcel Mapping

Westport Island Maine is a forward-thinking community of around 750 residents nestled in the mid-coast region of Maine. The town’s elected officials, recognizing the importance of efficiently managing property database and tax records, recently selected XMap to build and maintain a digital parcel management system.

With no previous experience in the field GIS and with limited resources and technical know-how at their disposal, the town officials faced a daunting task. They needed to find a tool that they could all learn to use and that would fit within their municipal budget constraints.

After a brief meeting with a municipal mapping expert form DeLorme, the town’s representatives decided that XMap 5.2 GIS Editor would meet their requirements and would allow them to become self-sufficient with their mapping projects.

After gaining the approval of the electorate of the town to embark on this endeavor, the next step in the process was training. Several representatives from the town participated in a two day program hosted by DeLorme in which the instructor introduced the class to the principles of GIS and to the features and functions of XMap. Armed with this information, the town officials recruited a group of volunteers to begin the process of building a municipal GIS from the ground up.

The initial phase required digitization of paper parcel maps that had been scanned and registered as a raster or image layer in XMap. Overlaid on aerial imagery, this provided a reference from which to create an accurate digital parcel layer. If needed, GPS-collected point locations will be used to verify the accuracy of the property boundaries.

The second phase will be to integrate the current assessor’s data so that each property polygon on the map will offer access to the relevant information about that parcel. This will make searching for properties and owner information a very easy process.

Coordinating the effort on behalf of the town is Dennis Dunbar. According to Mr. Dunbar, the property mapping project is just the beginning. “Looking beyond the tax maps the GIS database really shines. The town will be able to incorporate data on important natural resources (wetlands, important habitats, aquifers and etc) wells, moorings, cemeteries, fire ponds and other important historic or archeological sites that warrant monitoring and tracking. Dunbar added that when complete, Westport Island residents will enjoy one of the most advanced integrated GIS resources management systems in the state of Maine.”

Westport Island is an example of a community with limited means who have recognized the value in efficiently managing critical municipal assets and have not been deterred by their modest size. The lesson learned form this example id the if Westport Island can successfully adopt and apply GIS technology, there is no reason why towns of a similar size cannot do the same.

Special Limited Time Holiday Offer – Through December 23, 2008, receive a free belt clip and a DeLorme 2009 Calendar with any PN-40 purchase. 

The Earthmate PN-40 GPS represents a new breed of handheld GPS receiver. Incorporating the latest DeLorme GPS technology and rugged enough to endure the harshest conditions imaginable, the PN-Series devices are ideally suited for serious work or play.

For over 30 years, the DeLorme name has been synonymous with both superior quality maps and innovative spatial technology. These paths have converged with the PN-40, resulting in a truly unique and feature-laden GPS receiver that is an ideal mobile complement to DeLorme’s XMap professional mapping and GIS software suite.

“There are a batch of handheld GPS units on the market, but I’ve never seen one that is as fast as this new DeLorme model, has a clearer screen or offers such flexibility in downloading everything from topo maps to aerial photographs of the areas you’ll be traversing.”

Detroit Free Press, December 4, 2008

Virtually any map or data layer created by or imported into XMap can be copied and transferred to the PN-40 for use in the field. Data formats supported include:

• Shapefiles, CAD files, and other vector data layers imported into XMap’s OpenSpace format
• Seamless USGS 1:24,000 quad sheets and NOAA navigational charts
• XMap USA Topographic maps combining contours and elevation with updated roads and streets
• Satellite and aerial imagery downloaded through XMap’s NetLink tool
• Third-party imagery and other raster layers in MrSID and GeoTIFF format
• Images and maps layers created using XMap’s image registration process

DeLorme’s new Map Library subscription service is now available for XMap users and offers unlimited downloads of USGS Quads, NOAA charts, and aerial and satellite imagery — all for under $30 per year. This downloaded map data is yours to keep and it can be viewed in XMap and on the PN-40 GPS receiver.

The PN-40 provides fully functional mobile mapping solutions with on-device route creation as well as road and backcountry navigation. Use the Waypoint tool to catalog, name, and symbolize key field locations for subsequent downloading and integration into an XMap GIS layer. Create waypoints based on GPS location, selected map location, or by entering known coordinate values. Record track files to monitor movement and trip details or to map linear features such as a new roads, trails, or property boundaries.

Contained in a waterproof impact-resistant case and featuring an ultra-bright screen, the PN-40 is at home in almost any environment and is ideally suited for a wide variety of mobile professionals:

• Emergency responders
• Field technicians
• Utility crews
• Natural resource managers
• Law enforcement officials
• Civil engineers
• Land developers

Powerful enough to meet the demands of today’s mobile workforce, flexible enough to be equally at home in your vehicle or in the wilderness, intuitive enough to be easily learned by anyone, and affordable enough to fit the budget constraints of any company, agency, or organization, the Earthmate PN-40 GPS receiver combined with XMap is the ideal mapping GIS and GPS solution.

Cape Elizabeth, Maine Land Trust adopts XMap for GIS Needs

Christopher Franklin, Executive Director Cape Elizabeth Land Trust.

When our local land trust began looking at potential GIS and GPS products to assist our conservation efforts we considered both the ESRI family of products (ArcView, ArcEditor…) and several other products.  Partially due to our Southern Maine location we also explored the Delorme products, as their global headquarters are only 20 minutes up the road.

 From the outset our experience with Delorme was very encouraging.  Their XMap software contained all of the functionality we desired, and appeared to be more intuitive than the products I had used during an ESRI training program.  After receiving a comprehensive ‘tour’ of the program’s functionality at the Delorme headquarters we signed on.   

 Over the past nine months this program has literally revolutionized the way we communicate with property owners, and the way we approach conservation planning, mapping and property monitoring.  

 While the learning curve for any powerful program such as XMap exists we have found both the user guides and technical support to be very accessible.  During a recent follow-up meeting with one of the program’s developers, we were both pleasantly surprised to see how much of the functionality of the program we had been able to access.  

Like many other land trusts we knew there was a great deal of geographical data regarding our service area that we had seen on other maps, and in reports.  The ability for us to access this information has been remarkably simple.  On a single CD provided to us by our local town hall we were able to instantly access the town’s zoning districts, wetland boundaries, tax parcel data (which when linked to the assessors database provides owner names for each parcel), town roads, trails, and even building footprints.

 This data, when combined with state and federal layers for rare and threatened species, soil types and much more enables us to create a wide variety of maps depicting the entire town down to individual parcels.  Coupled with the native data included with XMap (topo data, points of interest, contour shading, and roads) we are able to portray the same areas in multiple formats and styles.  

While the graphic ability of these programs are somewhat limited in terms of font styles and other design elements, we have rarely found ourselves wanting a design feature that we could not add, or import from another program. 

Since becoming operational there has not been a week that has passed that we have not created or modified a map for new purposes.  The ability of maps to convey large amounts of complex information quickly and clearly cannot be underestimated.  Listed below are some of the ways we are utilizing our new GIS mapping software:

Land Stewardship

• Property Maps:  Utilizing XMap our land trust now has detailed maps for each of our 22 properties.  These maps include local tax lot lines, wetland designation, accurate trail overlays, and aerial photos.  These maps also have a series of waypoints demarking property corners, and other points of interest.
• Property Monitoring:  For years our property monitoring visits included many sites lacking proper monumentation, surveys, or reliable landmarks.  For the most part we were able to approximate boundaries when necessary, and ultimately pay for proper surveys for certain properties.  With the XMap product and any number of handheld GPS devices we are now able to assign geographical positions, or waypoints to our maps created in XMap and export these to our hand held unit.  Once in the field the handheld GPS will now navigate the user to within 30 feet of each property boundary, or property corner.   This functionality has enabled us to become much more accurate in our property monitoring.
• Documenting Property Resources:  The ability to add waypoints to our maps while in the field has also been an extremely helpful tool.  Using our handheld GPS unit we can now capture the geographic location of our vernal pools, nesting sites, photo documentation points, rare species sites and various other natural resource points of interest.  Once back in the office we can transfer these waypoints to our maps.
• Trails Data:  Using our GPS we can now accurately capture accurate trail data.  We also have the ability to combine the data of all local trails as a comprehensive trails layer that we can overlay on the entire town.

 Land Acquisition

While we knew that mapping would strengthen our ability to monitor, and document our properties we had no idea how useful it would be when working with a landowner considering conservation.  Much of a successful negotiation with a landowner centers on our ability to educate the landowner about the benefits of conservation, and to make them feel comfortable with the idea of permanent conservation restrictions.

•  Landowner Outreach and Education:  When introduced to a new potential project, the very first thing we do now is to create a map.  These maps clearly define the property boundary lines (subject to local tax lot map accuracy-typically not very good), covey a sense of vegetation type and/or cover, clearly delineate any existing trails, waterways, habitat areas, and importantly a clear sense of how this property relates to those surrounding it.  These maps are essential tools when working with a landowner, for many it is the first time they have ever seen their property depicted in such detail.  This process also instills a sense of legitimacy to the land trust as a knowledgeable entity clearly considering how the parcel meets land acquisition criteria and conservation goals.
• Strategic Conservation Planning:  Our mapping was initiated by our organization’s commitment to strategic conservation planning.  Through the use of these maps we are attempting to document the remaining open, undeveloped areas within our service area to further prioritize the proactive landowner outreach we do each year.  The maps we have created have been absolutely essential to this process.  Again the ability to see the big picture, and to overlay various geographical information data has given us a perspective that previously had been unobtainable.

In summary the functionality provided through our new mapping software has forever changed the way we approach land planning, property monitoring and even public outreach.  The ability of this software to display such a wide variety of geospatial data, and the user’s ability to layer this data, and symbolize this data in infinite variations is truly remarkable.  As we look forward we are already contemplating how to incorporate interactive maps on our website, as well as developing a workstation to be available for member to map their own properties, bike routes, and/or hiking routes.  

In our geographic region, southern Maine, there are several GIS service centers offering low, or even no cost mapping services.  While these centers may be called upon for some of our more challenging applications we have found that the ease with which we now create our own maps to be invaluable, and the timeliness with which we can produce these maps indispensable.

About the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust

Since its inception in 1985, the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust has permanently protected over 560 acres of land for public benefit. As a community-based organization, CELT strives to maintain neighborhood trail access to protected lands and to provide new and lasting protection of valued lands in Cape Elizabeth. For more information visit www.capelandtrust.org

The Earthmate Blue Logger is arguably the most versatile GPS receiver that DeLorme has ever produced. This remarkable device can wirelessly transmit a GPS signal to virtually any Bluetooth enabled computer or PDA, turning your laptop, Palm, or Windows Mobile device into a portable navigation tool.

The pocket-sized Blue Logger is also a powerful standalone data collector. Simply turn it on and, as soon as it picks up a GPS fix, it will begin to record its location, speed, and more, at a distance or time interval that is established using the included Blue Logger Manager software. The collected data is downloaded wirelessly in one of a number of formats and can be easily imported, displayed, and managed in XMap.

The Blue Logger GPS has been used in a wide variety of applications including:

• Monitoring fleet movements
• Creating trail and road networks
• Managing highway maintenance crews
• Mapping forest stands
• Recording vehicle location and speed.

Click here for more information the Earthmate Blue Logger GPS, or click here to order yours today.

DeLorme is pleased to announce that the Mobile Airport Authority’s Brookley Complex in Mobile, Alabama, has selected XMap to help build and manage their Geographic Information System.

 MAA staff members are using XMap GIS Enterprise for a wide variety of spatial data management functions, including property and building footprint mapping, tenant and lease management, marketing, strategic planning, and much more.

 The MAA opted for the Enterprise version of XMap as it offers a multiple point image registration tool. Having recently captured high resolution aerial imagery of the entire Brookley complex, the ImageReg function was used to accurately create a raster layer as a base map for a variety of mapping tasks.

 “We selected XMap because it was relatively easy to use,” said Jana Stupavsky, of the MAA marketing department. “Because none of us had any previous experience in GIS, it was important that the software we chose was uncomplicated yet powerful enough for our needs. XMap met these criteria.”

 To help get the most out of XMap and to acquire a basic understanding of the principles of GIS, several MAA staff members attended a Web-based XMap training program. “The training class was very worthwhile investment,” said Ms. Stupavsky. “Because it focused specifically on our intended use of XMap, we were able to quickly learn how the software could help us surmount the unique challenges that we face.” 

 About the MAA’s Brookley Complex

Situated on the site of a former U.S. Air Force base, The Brookley Complex is the region’s foremost industrial and aviation technology center. The 1,700 acre complex, which includes a 9,600 ft runway, is home to over 100 companies with a combined workforce of over 4,000 highly skilled employees. Aerospace companies, including US Airways and United Airlines, are among the major tenants at the complex. Recently, it was announced that a new U.S. Air Force refueling tanker, a joint $40 billion EADS/Northrop Grumman project, would be built at the Brookley Complex along with Airbus’s A330 freighter aircrafts.

In the spring and summer of 2007 the Environmental Protection Agency and the Casco Bay Estuarine Partnership commissioned the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve (WNERR) to map fringing marsh along the mainland coast of Casco Bay, Maine. Early (spring) work involved the use of aerial imagery to identify fringing marshes along the mainland coast. Later in the summer, after vegetation had matured, teams performed field surveys at randomly-selected sample points to obtain information not available from aerial photography. The following white paper, written by Peter S. Hayes of the WNERR (www.wellsreserve.org), documents the research process and findings of the study, in which XMap was extensively used.

 Fringing marshes are small salt marshes that form along estuary channels, protected coves, and other areas shielded from heavy wave action. Unlike the better known barrier or finger salt marshes, fringing marshes are small – often only a few meters long and a meter or two wide – and, because of these characteristics, have not been documented in resource or ecosystem inventories as have larger salt marshes. With an increasing appreciation of the ecological significance of these small ecosystems, there is increasing interest in documenting their existence and, where appropriate, improving efforts for their protection.

The goals of the project were to produce GIS-compatible files of the location and areal extent of the fringing marshes along the mainland coast. Field surveys were to provide estimates of the size of marshes as measured using hand-held GPS units. Those marshes surveyed were subjected to a ‘rapid assessment’ protocol that provided quick estimates of characteristics significant in evaluating marsh health and degradation causes. Finally, as part of the GPS measurements of marsh area, the perimeters of a subsample of marshes were to be measured at an elevation of forty centimeters (40 cm) above the existing marsh perimeter. This would provide an estimate of the potential marsh adaptation to a predicted 40 cm rise in sea level over the remainder of this century.

Pete Hayes combines an eclectic background, including degrees in electrical engineering, environmental studies, and (soon) environmental economics, and experience in computer databases and software development. His interests in promoting a better, more sustainable human-ecosystem coexistence have led to participation in several projects for the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, with activities ranging from field work in coastal watersheds and salt marshes to image processing and computer modeling. He lives with his family and four dogs in Cumberland, Maine, working to make life, as the Maine slogan says… the way it should be!

DeLorme is pleased to announce that Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) has chosen the Earthmate GPS PN-20 as the GPS receiver of choice in support of track maintenance crews throughout the organization.

Designed by DeLorme GPS engineers, the PN-20 is a rugged, waterproof receiver with a bright-color screen that displays DeLorme topographic maps, aerial imagery, and other GIS data. It also delivers exceptional searching, mapping, and routing functions, which are further augmented with DeLorme XMap GIS software.

The PN-20 provides BNSF field technicians with access to the company’s track and milepost data, displayed against a background of DeLorme’s USA street-level or topographic base maps. The ability to view aerial imagery enhances field intelligence for better decision making. Field personnel will be able to search on BNSF data for track defects, view and query track and milepost locations, and create waypoints with basic descriptions. Armed with location data that has been customized for BNSF, field technicians can automatically download defect information directly from BNSF geometry cars to the PN-20 GPS handheld.

“Our people worked very closely with their counterparts at BNSF to develop a custom nationwide dataset that placed BNSF’s GIS infrastructure on a USA base map,” said Geoffrey Ives, Director of Professional Sales for DeLorme. “That teamwork also led to a PN-20 application programming interface that specifically supports BNSF’s waypoint requirements.”

About BNSF

The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, the holding company formed by the September 22, 1995 merger of Burlington Northern, Incorporated and the Santa Fe Pacific Corporation. The BNSF Railway directly owns and operates track in 28 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. For more information about BNSF Railway Company, visit their website at www.bnsf.com.

Once the domain of highly trained technical specialists, GIS has finally come down to earth and wind energy companies of every size and scope are realizing its benefits.
 
A simple definition of a geographic information system, or GIS, states that it is a method for studying data in its geographical context that typically includes computer hardware and software, which are used to display or process relevant data into layers. These overlaid layers of information expose patterns and relationships within the data that might otherwise go unnoticed.
 
GIS technology is ideally suited for the business of wind energy utilization and management because virtually all of the relevant data is geographically based. For every stage of the development of a wind energy project, from initial site determination to output analysis, a well-organized GIS is an indispensable tool. It can provide timely information, steer the decision-making process, and, ultimately, save money.
 
The use of a well-organized GIS can help you determine the optimal location for a wind farm project by incorporating such data layers as wind resources, terrain, property ownership, existing electric transmission lines, access roads, surface and subsurface geology, environmentally sensitive areas, avian migration routes, and much more. With all of this data concurrently influencing site selection process, it is difficult to imagine managing a project without the aid of a GIS.
 
For an organization considering the development of a GIS, a few factors must be considered before the decision is made to proceed. First and, perhaps, foremost, it is wise to compile a list of requirements that outline the functions you expect your GIS to fulfill. This list might include locating suitable project sites, gauging environmental impact, and identifying adjacent property owners. Next, you should consider what level of GIS is appropriate. Do you anticipate applying complex spatial analysis techniques or are you simply looking for a data visualization tool? Then you should ascertain how much your budget can afford. Can you justify hiring a dedicated staff member to manage your GIS or will you delegate a member of your current staff to oversee its implementation and management? You will also need to determine who will have access to the data and in what form. And so on.
 
Unfortunately, many would-be GIS adopters neglect this initial self-assessment process and jump headlong into purchasing the first GIS software that grabs their attention, only to be disappointed when their chosen solution fails to yield the expected results or is much too complicated for their needs. A wrong decision can be a frustrating, time- consuming, and expensive mistake. For GIS novices, there are numerous inexpensive alternatives to more established names in the GIS industry that usually provide an appropriate level of functionality. As well as comparing products based on a list of features and functions, it is a good idea to ask each provider about the availability of support and/or training on the use of the product, if the software will run on your existing computers, and about other wind energy companies that are using the product in question.
 
One of the most common questions posed by GIS novices is, “Where do I begin?” You have learned what a GIS can do for your business; you have studied all of the product literature; you have made your product selection; and you may even have perused the user guide for your chosen software, but that nagging question still reverberates, “What next?”
 
For convenience, the implementation of a GIS can be broken into three stages. The first stage, quite simply, is to determine the source or sources of your data. The second stage is to process your data in such a way as to expose and utilize its geographical characteristics. The third stage, often overlooked, is to develop a procedure for sharing your data or making it available to your target audience.
 
GIS Implementation Stage One – Data Sources
A fully functional GIS offers mechanisms for incorporating or converting data from a wide variety of sources and in many different formats. Some data types will already be in a format that your GIS software supports while others will require a little work on your part.
 
A solid foundation for any wind energy project is a suitable base map, preferably one that shows topography. The provider off your GIS software can often offer such a dataset. Recent aerial or satellite imagery adds further value by affording a level of accuracy for points or locations that a conventional map cannot match.
 
With the proliferation of GIS over the last decade, many agencies and organizations have created vast archives of data, much of which is readily accessible to GIS users. An online search might reveal downloadable data relevant to your project, such as wind potential, property parcels, or protected areas. Usually, incorporating this data into your GIS is as simple as following the import steps, which result in the points, lines, or polygons appearing as a layer on the map and as a collection of records in your database.
 
A more challenging process is to integrate data from a non-GIS source, such as a spreadsheet listing the names and addresses of the property owners near your planned development. Creating a GIS layer from this data and thereby assigning each object to the correct location on the map involves a process called geocoding, in which each address is matched to a street name and house number contained in the base map layer.
 
Paper maps present an additional challenge for the development of a wind energy GIS. A surprisingly large percentage of relevant spatial data is available in print form only, especially in more remote areas. Converting hard copy map prints into usable GIS layers usually involves scanning the map into a digital image format and registering the image by tagging specific points with known coordinates. This procedure creates a raster layer, which in GIS terms is a geographically referenced image. If needed, you can use point, line, or polygon tools to trace the relevant data from the imported map, creating individual records in a GIS database. This procedure creates a vector layer from which you can assign unique attributes to each object on the map. 
 
While much of the GIS data that you use to plan and manage a wind energy project is already available, the most important data layers are created as the project evolves. You can generate layers onsite from GPS observations that show specific turbine sites, planned access roads, and other infrastructure features or derive them from analysis of existing layers or aerial imagery. Geometric and attribute editing tools in the GIS software make the process of creating these and other layers as simple as drawing with your computer’s mouse.
 
GIS Implementation Stage Two – Data Processing
In GIS, displaying an object on the screen is only half of the story. Embedded in each object is a potential wealth of data which, when effectively managed, can convey much more than location.
 
As a starting point, processing your GIS data might entail simply customizing its appearance in such a way as to distinguish it from other data types. A layer that contains transmission lines might appear as dashed red lines while a layer showing property boundaries might be assigned a yellow color. With this simple step, you immediately start to see your data in a more organized way.
 
Within each layer, you can adjust the appearance of objects to reflect a particular attribute or characteristic. For example, you can shade wind resource polygons using a sequential color pattern to show areas with the lowest to highest average wind velocity. This process is referred to as classification, which involves grouping objects in a layer based on a common value or range or values. 
 
Another method for focusing on a particular element of your data is through querying. You can create queries that isolate objects within a layer based on attribute or geographic characteristics or both. For example, you can conduct a query on a property layer to determine which properties are defined as residential, and then apply a further query to create a list of those residential properties that are within a certain distance of your turbine sites.
 
GIS Implementation Stage Three – Data Sharing
Ultimately, a GIS is a communication tool. Data that has been imported and processed is, more often than not, presented in a particular fashion to a target audience. This audience might be your colleagues, customers, clients, or the community. Although this aspect of GIS development is often relegated to an afterthought, it merits attention at every stage of the process. Knowing that your data will eventually be accessed by others, you should strive to ensure that it is well structured, efficiently organized, and clearly presented.
 
In many cases, sharing GIS data necessitates little more than printing a map containing the relevant layers. Printed maps are often used for community outreach or wind farm project presentations. Another method for data exchange is interoperable file transfer within or between organizations or companies. Some GIS software titles have automated the process of facilitating the distribution of digital data by using advanced database administration tools. In other cases, simply exporting and e-mailing a file achieves the same result.
 
Finally, the Web is increasingly used as a medium for viewing GIS data layers in a fully interactive setting. Visitors to a GIS Web site can often control the view settings of the data layers and can zoom in to see more detail for a particular area. Some software developers have included the necessary Web publishing tools within their GIS programs.
 
With so much spatial data under consideration, GIS technology has become an essential tool for managing wind energy projects at every level. Indeed, there are few other industries for which GIS is more ideally suited. Fortunately, this technology has become more accessible in recent years so that any wind energy company, regardless of scale, can now apply spatial technology to every aspect of its workflow.
 
 
 
About the Author
David McKittrick has worked for DeLorme, a Maine-based mapping and GIS company, since 1997. During this time, he has served in several capacities including, most recently, as a trainer responsible for the design and delivery of GIS instruction programs to a variety of industries and businesses.