Field Data-Gathering: Critical First Step for a GIS

by James E. Kovas, Woolpert Geographic Information, Services, Dayton, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Resources Planning and Management and Urban Water Resources

Abstract:

Gathering data in the field is one of the first major tasks required for developing a geographic information system (GIS) or automated mapping/facilities management (AM/FM) system. This process, which is labor-intensive and often underestimated in terms of time and money, is a critical step in the development of a reliable GIS. Recently, great strides have been made in the technology and accuracies that can be achieved when obtaining structure locations and attributes in the field. Choosing the best data-gathering option depends on several factors. These include: the applications for the GIS, the accuracies required, the type of terrain, the amount of development, the time allowed, the type of data needed, the budget, and the equipment used. Based on these criteria, the features and benefits of several options for obtaining facility and structure locations and attributes are compared and contrasted.

Subject Headings: Geographic information systems | Information systems | Data collection | Mapping | Systems management | Information management | Terrain

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