GIS4930 Network Analyst - Report Week

Producing maps with the routes created last week was the focus of this week's lab. The patient evacuation maps were inserted into a pamphlet template which included information for the patients and their families. Each of the emergency supply routes to the evacuation shelters was shown on its own sheet which included turn-by-turn driving instructions for the National Guard crew members and other emergency workers. These maps were specifically created in grayscale for ease of reproduction as requested; following that same thought process, the maps were created in an 8 1/2 x 11 format for easier handling, storage, and reproduction. 

Emergency Supply Delivery Route Map
with Turn-by-Turn Directions

The map shown here is representative of the supply route maps. It was not a favorite to complete, but is included as an honor for having the distinction of providing plenty of opportunities for me to learn from my mistakes. I feel so much smarter already. There were two particular challenges. One challenge encountered with this part of the project was trying to ensure that there was suitable contrast between the different map elements. The other challenge was fitting all the required information on a single sheet and still retaining legibility.

The final map was created for media distribution to the public. Because the map was requested for use in print media as well as on television, simplicity was expected. The map shows the shelter locations with primary streets along with the addresses of the evacuation shelters and some miscellaneous shelter-related information obtained from the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County. The analysis aspect of this map was completed in ArcMap using Network Analyst and the map was finished using Adobe Illustrator.

The entire project from start to finish was very comprehensive, very practical, and very educational.

GIS4930 Network Analyst - Analyze Week

The analysis portion of the Tampa Hurricane Planning project built on the information prepared in the previous module. The map shows routes from the National Guard Armory to three schools serving as hurricane shelters for emergency supply distribution runs and the routes from Tampa General Hospital to Memorial Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital for the evacuation of patients prior to the hurricane’s arrival. The map also outlines the areas to be served by the three emergency shelters (identified on the map).

Tampa Hurricane Planning - Routes

To prepare this map, a new network dataset was created from the streets layer prepared earlier with attributes selected to create the fastest, simplest routes rather than shortest-distance routes with flooded roads closed to the public but possibly traversable by emergency vehicles.

The areas to be served by each of the storm shelters were created in Network Analyst with values selected to avoid accidentally excluding any of the study areas from the analysis and to clearly identify only one storm shelter for any area.

As done in the preparation lab, a map package was created for the map and zipped together into one folder with the metadata files, routing map image, and the process summary. Again, a sample email detailing this information and process was created as if a co-worker would be completing the project. The email included the zipped folder, details of what the City of Tampa had requested, what had been accomplished during this part of the project, and what needed to be completed yet. Items to completed next are different information brochures along with a map and supply list for emergency supply distribution. These will be done during the Report portion of the project.

GIS4930 Network Analyst - Prepare Week

The focus of this module was preparation of data to be used for the production of a map and public information brochure by the City of Tampa in preparation for a hurricane. The City is especially interested in routing for evacuation, emergency access, and post-hurricane supplies, taking into consideration road closures. Elevation zones for the basemap were produced from a Digital Elevation Model which was classified into distinct elevation classes and symbolized. The flood zone for this hurricane (expected surge of 5.5 feet) is symbolized in red to stand out. Higher elevations are shown in other colors with 1-foot increments. Shelters, hospitals, fire and police stations, the National Guard armory, and roads are shown on the basemap as well. Symbols for facilities were shaped distinctly different from each other and generally included an associated letter designation to ensure that there was no confusion caused by color blindness or lack of familiarity. This would be important to anyone already experiencing the duress of an evacuation before an impending disaster.

Tampa Hurricane Planning Basemap

The streets layer was prepared for use as a network dataset with the addition of attribute fields for length in miles, travel time in seconds, and whether the road is in the flood zone. Interstates received the "not flooded" attribute because they are elevated. This information will be utilized in the next module.

A map package was created for the map and zipped together into one folder with the metadata files, basemap image, and the process summary. A sample email detailing this information was created as if a co-worker would be completing the project. The email included the zipped folder, details of what the City of Tampa had requested, what had been accomplished to date, and what needed to be completed yet.