Draft Vision Statement Presentation for ABJ60, Committee on Spatial Data and Information Science:

Focus Group - Environment

Robert Fuhler

GIS Section - Environmental Division

Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department

Transportation Research Board Meeting

Washington, DC

August 16 – 17, 2005

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARDOF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES

ARKANSAS STATE HIGHWAY & TRANSPORTATION

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS

DEPARTMENT

Draft Vision Statement Presentation for ABJ60, Committee on Spatial Data and Information Science:

Focus Group - Environment

DRAFT Vision Statement

The vision of the focus group on environment is to develop universal applications and/or methodologies that can provide a coordinated and cooperative enterprise-based process for early detection of all facets of environmental constraints in transportation planning.  It is anticipated that these goals be accomplished through effective communication exchange, data integrity standards and cooperative training.

Draft Vision Statement Key PointsFocus Group - Environment

1. Develop Universal Applications

2. Develop Universal Methodologies

3. Provide a Coordinated & Cooperative Enterprise-Based Process

4. Promote Early Detection of Environmental Constraints

5. Accomplish via Effective Communication, Data Integrity Standards and Cooperative Training Programs

Draft Vision Statement Key Points

1. Develop Universal Applications

1. Definition: Creation of a uniform design of information exchange that can be shared by many.

2. Training (on how to implement the applications)

3. Software interoperability (ESRI/InterGraph/GRASS)

4. Data Format Types

5. Mission Planning

6. Data Transfer

7. Data Types (Proprietary and General)

Draft Vision Statement Key Points

2. Develop Universal Methodologies

1. Definition: Creation of an interchangeable design of project implementation that can be shared by many across different platforms.

2. Training (on how to use the methodologies)

3. Applications/Model Designs

4. Dispersal of Information (Lists, Local/State or Agency Organizations or Groups)

5. Dispersal of Data (Such as GeoStor)

6. Early Notification of Impacted Areas for GIS initiation

7. Development of Standards

Draft Vision Statement Key Points

3. Provide a Coordinated & Cooperative Enterprise-Based Process

1. Definition: Organized partnership for peer exchange of universal information and methods.

2. Meeting conduction

3. Effective use of technology transfer (data repositories, ftp and development of listserves)

Draft Vision Statement Key Points

4. Promote Early Detection of Environmental Constraints

1. Definition: Illustrate the advantages of cursory environmental reviews through GIS at the start of projects.

2. Emphasis on training

3. Inclusion of both Planning and Environmental stakeholders early in the analysis process

4. Convey savings that can be gained by GIS use early in the environmental analysis process

5. Enhanced risk avoidance when GIS is used early to identify potential problems to more effectively avoid more comprehensive reviews

Draft Vision Statement Key Points

5. Accomplish via Effective Communication, Data Integrity Standards and Cooperative Training Programs

1. Definition: Vision goals can be met by interactive discussion, mutual development of data standards and by training program collaboration between peers and colleagues.

2. Networking through a list serve

3. Web-cast meetings

4. Collaboration with Universities, Public, Private, State and Federal Agencies

5. Effectively communicating within our own agencies to see what data is already available and how GIS can use it

6. These three aspects of the 5th point are a few facets of a successful GIS program and will significantly increase savings with staff time in the office and field.

Draft Vision Statement Presentation for ABJ60, Committee on Spatial Data and Information Science:

Focus Group - Environment

Robert Fuhler

GIS Section - Environmental Division

Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department

Transportation Research Board Meeting

Washington, DC

August 16 – 17, 2005 - Robert.Fuhler@Arkansashighways.com

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARDOF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES

ARKANSAS STATE HIGHWAY & TRANSPORTATION

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS

DEPARTMENT