Chapter 6
Chapter 6 focused on spatiotemporal data, data connected to both location and time, and how it’s essential in real-time GIS operations. The chapter used practical examples like tracking 911 calls and monitoring environmental conditions live, which made the technical concepts easier to relate to. I found the discussion of the Internet of Things (IoT) especially eye-opening. Previously, I only thought of IoT in broad or historical terms, but this made it clear how devices, sensors, and networks come together with tools like GeoEvent Server and ArcGIS Velocity to collect and process live spatial data. I also learned about ArcGIS Dashboards, which lets you display real-time data with interactive maps, charts, and filters. Time-enabled layers were another key feature, allowing me to animate data over time—a technique I was introduced to in GEOG 291, but this chapter gave me a better grasp of its full potential.
For a project, I’d like to build a dashboard that tracks the impact of land development on waterways and wetlands in Delaware County. By integrating zoning maps, parcel data, and hydrology layers, I could pinpoint where construction might be encroaching on environmentally sensitive areas. Users would be able to sort parcels by zoning type, check statistics about buffer zones near streams, and use a time slider to visualize changes in development over time. This type of tool could help planners make more informed choices and encourage development that protects water quality and local ecosystems.