Geographic Information Systems 0806514

GIS ESSAY:! The use of GIS for the A9 Dual-Carriageway Development!Introduction!Development projects are a prime example of utilising technology for faster, more efficient and better quality output. Some of the most vital projects for rural and urban development involve utility networks such as water, drainage, electricity, road and rail. Geographic Information Systems (GISs) play a pivotal role in such projects where they can be applied for an extensive range of purposes, including mapping and spatial multi-criteria analysis (van Haaren and Fthenakis, 2011). In general a GIS is a piece of computer software with a graphical user interface capable of effectively capturing, storing, analysing, manipulating, and displaying data (Longley et al., 2011). GISs amalgamate a database management engine with geo-visualisation capability and facilitate spatial and attribute querying specific to the user’s requirements (Thill, 2000). A GIS uses a coordinate system to orient and determine position of features within it’s display. Features represented in a GIS include land parcels, population statistics, lithological and forestry information, slope and elevation. A GIS displays features as points, poly-lines, or polygons within layers. Each feature layer can possess associated attributes for the features contained within it and holds these within an attribute table. By generating layers, ordering and selecting layers on or off GISs can produce maps that are visually impressive and satisfy user requirements. Often new maps are created as a part of development projects to graphically visualise the existing environment and represent development proposals. GISs are a powerful technology that can be used throughout the planning, construction and quality assurance phases of a project. Their use can reduce the number of site visits and produce answers to complex geospatial questions within short timescales but relies on the right data being available to the GIS analyst. GISs offer a vast built-in toolset and some GISs are now offering the opportunity for the user to create their own applications through a built-in python programming environment. Furthermore, by using real-time data as input a GIS can offer real-time information and analysis. This essay aims to outline and assess the ability of GIS as a development project tool within the context of road development, specifically the upgrade of single to dual carriageway of the A9 road in Scotland.!!The A9 is a notoriously dangerous road due mainly to its mixture of single and dual carriageway where drivers often exceed speed limits to pass slower vehicles at the earliest opportunity. Figure 1.1 below indicates the number of accidents on the A9 between 2007 and 2011, in terms of accident severity green points indicate slight severity, blue are serious and red are fatal. It can be seen from the map that the section between Luncarty and Pitlochry is particularly prone to accidents, notably fatal accidents.!!!!

� | �1 12

Geographic Information Systems 0806514

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stakeholders!Development planners are concerned with finding the most cost effective way to deliver a safe high performance output and GISs have become crucial tools in assessing key development criterion. Network models for transport developments often consider the sub-categories of environment assessment such as population and health, landscape, biodiversity, flora and fauna, soil and water, flood risk and the historic environment (Transport Scotland, 2013). The A9 is an arterial road that links Central Scotland to the Highlands and carves through the Cairngorm National Park. The national park possesses stunning views of forest, rivers and mountains and is home to an array of wildlife, flora and fauna. Furthermore, the A9 is in close proximity to many historical sites and buildings that are of historic significance and economically valuable for tourism. Figures 1.2, and 1.3 below show maps created in a GIS of proposed A9 dualling road that intersects environmental areas.!!!!!!!!

� | �2 12

Fig 1.1 Road Accident Location Map of the A9

LUNCARTY

PITLOCHRY

Geographic Information Systems 0806514

!Sustainable growth has been brought into focus in recent years and it is now more important than ever that environmental impacts are taken into account for any proposed development. Existing or proposed assets that obstruct a planned development should be factored. For example the electricity and rail infrastructure that run parallel to the existing A9. In special cases it may be necessary to alter existing infrastructure to make room for newer developments. A GIS represents such features within layers and can apply unique coloured symbology to clearly distinguish between the various classes and make the display more aesthetically pleasing. By mapping and digitising these layers, overlaying and intersecting them we can see possible conflicts of interest. These conflicts may require transport planners to liaise and compromise with stakeholders such as the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) or utility companies such as Scottish Power and Scottish Water.!!!!

� | �3 12

Fig 1.3: A9 Route - Intersecting Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).

Fig 1.2: A9 Route - Intersecting Ancient Woodland (green polygons).

Geographic Information Systems 0806514

Population and Health!Road development relates directly to population and health as it is a means of transporting people between places and may impact health through air pollution, noise pollution and even vehicle accidents. Land ownership data should be considered to determine where land may need to be purchased and for how much. It is possible to assess the number of land parcels that need to be purchased, who from and for approximately how much using GISs. Health can also be examined in GIS by modelling air and noise pollution within close proximity of the road through the use of buffers and estimations of air and noise pollution during quiet, normal and peak times (Beelen et al., 2009). It is not clear if air and noise pollution would rise from current levels as a result of the A9 road upgrade to dual carriageway as traffic numbers may not increase. However, a GIS could be used to model the assessment. Moreover, road safety for all users should be considered. Kukko et al. (2007) propose the potential use of 3D and virtual reality in traffic modelling and simulation systems that examine the interaction between vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians on the roads as a means to improve road planning and reduce future accidents (Kukko et al., 2007).!!Landscape!Yalcin et al. (2011) argue that landslide inventory, lithology, slope, aspect, elevation, land cover, distance to stream, and distance to road are the considerations for land stability and can be used in landslide susceptibility modelling (Yalcin et al., 2011). Consideration and mapping of these factors through a GIS can be significant for landslide prevention and mitigation, particularly in areas such as the Cairngorm National Park where landslide scars are clearly visible from the road. It is important to ensure a new road is not placed in a landslide prone area. Landslide susceptibility can be modelled and analysed in two (2D) or three-dimensions (3D) within a GIS by incorporating a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) or Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Dense laser scan and LiDar point clouds and aerial photography files can also be incorporated into the GIS environment to improve modelling. Point cloud data can provide very accurate mapping and can be used within road development projects to accurately measure distances on site from within the office, saving time and money on site visits. Photography can be used within a GIS environment to give a real-world feel to the model and help give the user a better sense of position. Colour photography can be useful for reference as it may enhance the image and highlight certain things that do not display well within a point cloud dataset. In terms of the A9 road development, the safest, flattest route with the best views of the landscape may be obtained by utilising GIS functionality.!!For example, ESRi ArcScene is capable of modelling in 3D and allows the user to view from any perspective of their choice. Figure 1.4 and 1.5 show a 3D point cloud of a road using a laser scanner and a 3D visualisation of a road respectively.!!

� | �4 12

Geographic Information Systems 0806514

!Furthermore, the cut and fill tool within the ESRi ArcGIS toolbox can be used to model cut and fill by calculating the volume of a selected polygon (ESRi.com, 2014). This could help planners estimate project cut and fill costs. Figure 1.6 below shows cut and fill of a river within a GIS but the tool could be similarly applied to any development project by using layers which detail proposed cut and fill compared with a DTM or DEM.!!!!!

For example cut and fill analysis could be useful where the A9 single carriageway currently passes through a land or rock partition, it could enable planners to approximate resource allocation for land clearing to fit the second carriageway.!!GISs also possess the functionality to incorporate a scanned base map into the GIS environment by using the GIS transformation tools to transform the scanner coordinates into the desired coordinate system. For example, British National Grid coordinates for the A9 route. Potential routes can then be digitised on top of the base map and spatial multi-criteria queries carried out relating constraints criteria and proposed routes. For example, selecting areas of a proposed route within 25 meters of the existing route that do not intersect areas of environmental or historic importance and where the associated cut and fill cost is less than the allocated cut and fill budget. Figure 1.7 shows the Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP) method where layers are weighted in terms of importance and overlaid to create a map with quantitative meaning behind it (Mohammadi Samani et al., 2010). This method could be used in road development to analyse potential routes.!

� | �5 12

Fig 1.6: GIS Cut and Fill tool - could be applied to cut and fill of a road route

Fig 1.4: Laser scanned image of road using mobile scanning

Fig 1.5: Interpolated point cloud image of a road from a plan perspective

Geographic Information Systems 0806514

!!!!!!!!!!

Conservation!Conservation involves the protection of land and resources, or using the land in the wisest possible way. Within the Highlands of Scotland biodiversity, flora and fauna are key to the natural environment. Measuring the wildness of an area is a means to measure how well conserved it is. Figure 1.8 below shows the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Wildness mapping of the Perth and Kinross area adjacent to the A9.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

� | �6 12

Fig 1.7: AHP map created by weighting and overlaying layers

Fig 1.8: SEA Environmental Assessment - Wilderness Mapping

Geographic Information Systems 0806514

The map indicates that road development adversely affects wildness of areas close to the road. GISs can be used in road development to ensure habitats are not disturbed.!!Flood Risk Assessment!As road developments seal the underlying soil from rainfall, surface water can become a danger to vehicles and also contributes to flooding within the catchment. Al-Sabhan et al. (2003) explain the integration of various software and mathematical systems can be used for the development of real-time hydrological modelling (Al-Sabhan et al., 2003). A GIS can then be used to graphically model the resulting data (Al-Sabhan et al., 2003). Figure 1.9, right, shows an example of layers that can be combined using the AHP method and displayed as a hydrological model in a GIS.!!Historic Environment!Tourism in Scotland is not simply centred around the exceptional scenery within Scotland, historic sites and buildings also contribute considerably. Ruins and battle fields are popular tourist sites and are of cultural significance. Historic sites should be considered when proposing development, they can be displayed as a feature layer on a GIS map and intersected with any proposed developments to check for conflict.!!Disadvantages of GISs!GISs require licenses and high-spec hardware to run efficiently and due to large file sizes may require considerable backup storage available that may prove expensive in the short-term. It should be noted that specialist knowledge, experience of the chosen GIS package and availability of the appropriate datasets is recommended to produce the best results.!!Conclusion!GISs are clearly an extremely powerful technology that offer simplistic solutions for complex geospatial data problems. Within road development projects it is effective in producing environmental, traffic, terrain and hydrological models. These models can be used to determine the ideal route and quantitively assess costs and environmental impacts of the development. Although initial investment in GIS software, hardware and specialist personnel may be large in the short-

� | �7 12

Fig 1.9: Flood Risk Assessment Layers

Geographic Information Systems 0806514

term it appears that the solutions and long-term savings offered by a GIS greatly out-weigh the initial investment. In terms of the A9 dualling project, extensive considerations and geospatial solutions to establish the ideal route will prove worthwhile in the long-term as the project looks set to be completed on time, within a reasonable budget, to a high standard while also minimising environmental impact.

� | �8 12

Geographic Information Systems 0806514

References!!Book/Journal Sources

!Al-Sabhan, W., Mulligan, M., Blackburn, G.A. (2003) A real-time hydrological model for flood prediction using GIS and the WWW, [Online] Computers, Environment and Urban Systems 27 (1) p.9-32. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0198971501000102 [Accessed 22nd October 2014] !!Beelen, R., Hoek, G., Houthuijs, D., van den Brandt, P.A., Goldbohm, R.A., Fischer P., Schouten, L.J., Armstrong, B., Brunekreef, B. (2009) The joint association of air pollution and noise from road traffic with cardiovascular mortality in a cohort study, [Online] Occupational & Environmental Medicine 66 (4) p.245-250. Available from: http://oem.bmj.com/content/66/4/243.full [Accessed 20th

October 2014]!!Kukko, A. et al. (2007) Road Environment Mapping System of the Finish Geodetic Institute - FGI ROAMER, [Online] IAPRS 36 (3) Available from: http://www.isprs.org/proceedings/XXXVI/3-W52/final_papers/Kukko_2007b.pdf [Accessed 22nd October 2014]!!Longley, P. A., Goodchild, M. F., Maguire, D. J., Rhind, D. W. (2011) Geographic Information Systems & Science, 3rd Ed. Hoboken (US): John Wiley & Sons, Inc.!!Mohammadi Samani, K., Hosseiny, S.A., Lotfalian, M., Najafi, A. (2010) Planning road network in mountain forests using GIS and Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP), [Online] Caspian Journal of Environmental Science 8 (2) p.151-162. [Accessed 19th October 2014]!!Thill, J.C. (2000) Geographic information systems for transportation in perspective, [Online] Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies 8 (1-6) p.3-12. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0968090X00000292 [Accessed 22nd October 2014]!!van Haaren, R., Fthenakis, V. (2011 ) GIS-based wind farm site selection using spatial multi-criteria analysis (SMCA): Evaluating the case for New York State, [Online] Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 15 (7) p.3332-3340. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136403211100147X [Accessed 22nd October 2014]!!Yalcin A., Reis S., Aydinoglu A.C., Yomralioglu, T. (2011) A GIS-based comparative study of frequency ratio, analytical hierarchy process, bivariate statistics and logistics regression methods

� | �9 12

Geographic Information Systems 0806514

for landslide susceptibility mapping in Trabzon, NE Turkey, [Online] ScienceDirect 85 (3) p.274-287. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0341816211000233 [Accessed 21st October 2014]!!!Internet Sources!!ESRi.com (2014) http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#//009z000000vt000000 [Accessed 21st October 2014]!!Transport Scotland (2013) A9 Dualling: Strategic Environmental Assessment, [Online] Available from: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/system/files/uploaded_content/documents/projects/A9%20dualling/A9_SEA_FINAL_ARTWORK_300513.pdf [Accessed 19th October 2014]!

!!(Fig 1.1 p.1)!Transport Scotland (2013) http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/sites/default/files/private/documents/projects/A9/Appendix%20O-Accident%20Location%20Maps.pdf [Accessed 22nd October 2014]!!(Fig 1.2 p.2) !Transport Scotland (2013) http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/system/files/uploaded_content/documents/reports/Appendix_D3_Section_C_combined__low_res__0.pdf [Accessed 19th October 2014]!!(Fig 1.3 p.2)!Transport Scotland (2013) http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/system/files/uploaded_content/documents/reports/Appendix_D3_Section_C_combined__low_res__0.pdf [Accessed 19th October 2014]!!(Fig 1.4 p.3)!http://cdn.blog.safe.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/filter.png [Accessed 23rd October 2014]!!(Fig 1.5 p.3)!SPAR Point Group (2014) www.sparpointgroup.com [Accessed 23rd October 2014]!!!

� | �10 12

Geographic Information Systems 0806514

(Fig 1.6 p.4)!ESRi ArcGIS Help 10.1 (2014) http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#//009z000000vt000000 [Accessed 19th October 2014]!!(Fig 1.7 p.4)!Mohammadi Samani, K., Hosseiny, S.A., Lotfalian, M., Najafi, A. (2010) Planning road network in mountain forests using GIS and Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP), [Online] Caspian Journal of Environmental Science 8 (2) p.151-162. [Accessed 19th October 2014]!!(Fig 1.8 p.5)!Transport Scotland (2013) http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/system/files/uploaded_content/documents/reports/Appendix_D3_Section_C_combined__low_res__0.pdf [Accessed 19th October 2014]!!(Fig 1.9 p5)!http://www.tuflow.com/Images/Flood-Risk-Analysis.png [Accessed 23rd October 2014]!!!!

� | �11 12

Geographic Information Systems 0806514

Further Reading!!Baban, S.M.J., Parry, T. (2001) Developing and applying a GIS-assisted approach to locating wind farms in the UK, [Online] Renewable Energy 24 (1) p.59–71. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148100001695!!Brown, A.L., Affum, J.K. (2002) A GIS-based environmental modelling system for transportation planners, [Online] Computers, Environment and Urban Systems 26 p.577–590. Available from: http: / /ac.els-cdn.com/S0198971501000163/1-s2.0-S0198971501000163-main.pdf?_ t i d = 4 3 1 1 b c 7 2 - 5 1 f e - 1 1 e 4 -a569-00000aab0f26&acdnat=1413111501_3fe85ef2f680136527b2e0209f827649 !!European Conference of Ministers of Transport (2000) Strategic Environmental Assessment for T r a n s p o r t , [ O n l i n e ] A v a i l a b l e f r o m : b o o k s . g o o g l e . c o . u k / b o o k s ?i d = o J _ WA g A A Q B A J & p g = PA 8 8 & d q = s t r a t e g i c + e n v i r o n m e n t a l + a s s e s s m e n t + f o r+transport&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KfxIVJHeLsSV7AbRxIDgCA&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=strategic%20environmental%20assessment%20for%20transport&f=false !!European Conference of Ministers of Transport (2004) Assessment and Decision Making for Sustainable Transport, [Online] Available from: http://www.keepeek.com/Digital-Asset-Management /oecd / t ranspor t /assessment -and-dec is ion-mak ing- fo r -sus ta inab le -transport_9789282113134-en#page1!!Lia, H., Chenb, Z., Yonga, L., Kongc, S.C.W. (2005) Application of integrated GPS and GIS technology for reducing construction waste and improving construction efficiency, [Online] Automation in Construction 14 (3) p.323–331. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926580504001050!!Rebolja, D., Sturmb, P.J. (1999) A GIS based component-oriented integrated system for estimation, visualization and analysis of road traffic air pollution, [Online] Environmental Modelling & Software 14 (6) p.531–539. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364815299000171 !!Sadeghi-Niarakia, A., Varshosazb, M., Kima, K., Jungc, J.J. (2011) Real world representation of a road network for route planning in GIS, [Online] Expert Systems with Applications 38 (10) p.11999–12008. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0957417410014867 !

� | �12 12