Geography 292: Geospatial Analysis with Web GIS

Chapter 3

The flexibility and customizability of the experience builder is pretty amazing. Once again the relative simplicity of webGIS is a breath of fresh air. UI design is intuitive and the widget combination process is easy to understand and iterate upon. I can’t see myself using this too much because I don’t plan on making super complicated interactive stuff but it certainly useful to know how to do.

Chapter 4

AHHHH I hate mobile stuff. This whole “post-pc world” thing is absurd. One day sure, but phones just aren’t there yet. They’re finnicky and slow too dumbed down to be useful. I suppose learning this stuff is important for the future but for now its just irritating. All that being said, mobile data collection is fascinating, and the addition of AR and VR support to webGIS is pretty exciting.

Project Idea

Just based on the suggestions for survey123 applications at the end of the tutorial I think it would be really funny to make a crime reporting app and call it something like “brother eye” or “big brother” to really hammer home the 1984 vibes. Honestly I just don’t like working with phones so I don’t find any of these ideas interesting.

Chapter 1

Most of this is just going over stuff we learned last week with the introduction, I don’t really have a lot to add here. The simplicity of the web app over the desktop app (GIS pro) is a welcome change, and the utility of creating web apps directly in the application is quite useful for setting up website data. I also really like the ability to share and work on maps as a group which makes collaboration much easier.

Chapter 2

Smart mapping is actually awesome, I have seen webGIS story maps used in things like New York Times articles and learning how to make them could be really fun. The level of customization with each type of web app is breathtaking, and on the other side I really appreciate the auto-filled suggestions for things like UI design to be super helpful given how overwhelming the customization can be.

Applications

A pop-up map of my favorite places to visit in my hometown would be a fun (if simple) project to make. Given how most of the people at this school are from the Midwest a map detailing some of the best places to visit in Boston could be a fun way to show off my area. It could also provide information about the easiest routes to reach the selected location via public transit or the addresses of nearby public parking lots.

Hi I’m Max, sorry I took so long to actually start doing the homework. I’m a junior environmental science and geography major. I’m from Newton Massachusetts and I love maps. I really like making maps, I really enjoyed the 291 class and I am currently enjoying remote sensing. Other than maps I like playing videogames, reading fiction, and fighting. I run the Medieval Combat Club here at OWU and if you ever want to try sword fighting you should come check it out Tuesdays and Saturdays at 430pm.

Getting Started Article Notes:

• I didn’t know webGIS could do collaborative work. I think it would be super fun to work on one big map with a few other people at once.
• I like how much more simple and straightforward a lot of the UI design is for webGIS is. Arc is fun but it can get kind of annoying trying to find all the hidden functions.

Interesting web courses:

ArcGIS Pro: Essential Workflows

The Systems Approach to ArcGIS: An Introduction

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=e59532bdfb334b1da691f74e7e879685

Here’s a cool map of all recent volcanic and tectonic activity

ESRI also has a Roads and Highways tool that lets you plan routes check traffic conditions etc.

In Chapter 6 of Getting to Know Web GIS, the focus was on spatiotemporal data and the use of real-time GIS, tile layers, and on-premises Web GIS systems. One of the most interesting takeaways was how tile layers are used to efficiently deliver basemaps or large raster datasets over the web, allowing for fast and smooth map performance. The chapter also explained the benefits of hosting Web GIS on-premises, which is especially valuable for organizations that work with sensitive data or prefer local control over cloud-based hosting. Tools like Esri’s GeoEvent Server enable real-time processing of streaming spatial data, which opens the door to powerful applications such as live traffic monitoring, environmental tracking, or emergency response systems.

A few questions I had while reading include: what are the main limitations of on-premises Web GIS compared to cloud-hosted platforms? And can tile layers be updated dynamically with real-time data, or are they mainly used for more static visualizations?

Based on ideas from Chapters 5 and 6, one application I would be interested in developing is a real-time air quality monitoring dashboard using the Delaware Data from Geog 291. This dashboard would use tile layers for the basemap and historical context while integrating spatiotemporal data streams from air quality sensors placed throughout the state. The system could track variables like PM2.5 and ozone levels and display live readings with visual alerts for high-pollution areas. This type of application could be extremely useful for public health officials, school systems, and residents concerned about environmental quality—especially during times of wildfire smoke or industrial emissions.

Chapter 4 is about mapping density, which is useful when analyzing areas of different sizes. Density maps help show patterns rather than individual points or connections. There are two main ways to create a density map. The first method is by using defined areas. This is a quick and easy way to display data that has already been summarized. However, it’s not the most detailed method since it doesn’t come directly from raw data. If extra detail isn’t necessary, this method is a great way to visualize patterns. The second method is by using a density surface. This approach is more detailed but requires a lot more data input since it doesn’t use pre-summarized data. It looks similar to raster models because it uses layers and cells. It’s also possible to switch between the two methods by assigning values to summarized maps. Factors like cell size, search radius, calculation methods, and units impact how the final map looks.

Chapter 5 focuses on taking a closer look at maps to understand how different features, values, and layers work together. It also revisits the idea of discrete versus continuous values. Discrete values are unique and identifiable, like locations or addresses. Continuous values can be numerical or categorical, but they vary across an area.

This chapter also explains different ways to study areas and features. One way is by looking at the overall areas and features, which gives a quick visual representation but doesn’t provide specific data points. Another way is by selecting inside an area, which gives precise information about that space but doesn’t help with anything outside of it. Lastly, overlaying methods combine multiple layers of data to create a more detailed view. This method is useful but requires a lot of data input.

Chapter 6 begins by discussing the difference between mapping by distance versus cost. Distance mapping is usually enough, but it’s not always the most detailed option. Cost mapping considers travel expenses and effort, making it more precise but also more complex. This fits with a common theme in the book: more detailed methods require more data and effort.

The chapter also introduces planar and geodesic mapping. Planar mapping assumes the Earth is flat, which works for small areas. However, for larger areas, geodesic mapping is needed to account for the Earth’s curvature.

Different methods can be used to analyze distance within a map. District bands help compare distance with other characteristics, while inclusive rings show how totals increase as distance grows

Creating buffers is another important concept. Buffers define boundaries around values, helping to highlight edges and centers. The rest of the chapter focuses on how to apply these methods in real-world mapping. I’m curious to see how all of this will come together when we start working through tutorials and applying what we’ve learned.

Chapter 1- This chapter introduced me to using ArcOnline, which was a different experience compared to what I had learned in Geog 291. At first, I was able to follow along easily, but as I got further into the chapter, I ran into challenges when working with data layers. One of the biggest issues was figuring out how to properly format my data so that it would display correctly on the map. I had to go back and double-check my work multiple times before it finally looked right.

Another part that I found difficult was understanding how to adjust the symbology settings to better represent the data. I wanted to make the map more visually clear, but I struggled to find the right colors and symbols that would best display the information. After experimenting with different options, I started to get the hang of it. I realized how important these small details are in making a map both informative and easy to read.

Chapter 2- Going into this chapter, I was feeling more confident, and overall, things went more smoothly. One of the first tasks was working with attribute tables, which I found really helpful in organizing and understanding the data. Being able to filter and sort information within the table made it much easier to see patterns in the dataset.

A challenge I faced in this chapter was trying to properly configure labels for the map. I wanted certain features to stand out, but some of the labels were either too small or overlapping in a way that made the map look cluttered. After adjusting the settings multiple times, I was finally able to make the labels clear and readable.

By the end of the chapter, I felt a lot more comfortable with these tools, and I started to see how all the different elements—layers, symbols, labels, and attribute tables—come together to create an effective map. I’m looking forward to applying what I learned to more complex projects in the future.

Chapter 3 mainly discussed the ArcGIS Experience Builder, which I found surprisingly easy to use even without much Web GIS experience. I was also pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to create both 2D and 3D  maps and customize them using widgets to make them more interactive. The tutorials walked me through how to build multi-page apps and organize content visually, which was helpful. Chapter 4 dove into the mobile aspects of Web GIS, which I hadn’t realized was so advanced. The idea of GIS moving into the “post-PC era” stuck with me—it’s really crazy how much we rely on mobile devices now, and even more impressive that we can collect and analyze data directly from them. While I found it helpful in GEOG291 to learn how to use desktop GIS, this is definitely the future of this kind of software. Learning how to use Survey123 and Field Maps opened up a lot of possibilities for real-time data collection. I loved how you could easily make surveys to fit local needs and then access and analyze that data seamlessly. Additionally, I could see that the section on rapid data collection was particularly relevant for emergency response, environmental monitoring, or even community engagement projects. Overall, these chapters made me realize how much more accessible and action-oriented Web GIS can be, it really expands the user base. One way I thought of that Survey123 can be used in conjunction with a web map is to create a lost and stray animal reporting system where community members could submit details like location, photos, and contact info through a simple survey. The data would then appear on a real-time web map, helping users spot patterns and filter reports, with the goal of connecting lost pets with their owners quickly.

Getting to Know Web GIS (2022, 5th edition)

Chapter 6

Moving, discrete, stationary, and change are the categorical groupings of spatiotemporal data. The time value of an event can be a point in time (e.g. moment of lightning strike) or a duration of time (e.g. the time a wildfire starts and ends) in spatiotemporal GIS data. 

IoT is the network of physical objects embedded with sensors and network connectivity that enable these objects to collect and exchange data. Smart cities (supply information to assist a city in managing assets and resources efficiently) are an enterprise IoT application and smart homes are a consumer IoT application. 

The basic components of both ArcGIS Velocity and GeoEvent Server are ingest, process, and output. Feed items, real-time analytic items, and big data analytic items are exclusive to ArcGIS Velocity. 

The poll or the push method may be used to deliver real-time data from servers to clients. The traditional approach is the poll method where a client periodically polls the server to retrieve the latest data. The push approach is a new way to serve data using the HTML5 WebSocket protocol. 

ArcGIS Dashboards allows the user to monitor and track events in real or near real time by providing a common view of the systems and resources being managed. 

ArcGIS Mission provides geospatial collaboration and tactical awareness capabilities. The three components of Mission are Mission Manager (web app), Mission Responder (mobile app), and Mission Server (ArcGIS Enterprise server). 

Animating time-series data allows the user to visualize the data at each step, or interval, and see patterns and trends emerging over time. Animating time-series data involves creating a time-enabled layer, adding the layer to a web map, and creating a web app using ArcGIS ready-to-use web client.

Chapter 6 – Dashboard

 

Application based on ideas from Chapter 6

I could create a web dashboard that explores how land development in Delaware County affects local waterways and wetlands. By combining parcel, zoning, and hydrology data, the dashboard would visualize which properties are located near sensitive environmental areas. Users could interact with the map, filter parcels by zoning type, and view statistics like the number of developments within a certain distance of streams or wetlands. Charts, indicators, and pop-ups would make it easy to understand where development might pose a risk to water quality or natural habitats. This kind of application could promote environmentally responsible planning by making complex spatial data clear and engaging for the public.

Chapter 1 basically just introduces the main ideas of Web GIS. I was particularly interested in learning about its growing impact across a variety of industries including governmental entities, businesses, and educational institutions. This chapter also discussed the flexibility of Web GiS in storing and sharing data, either in the cloud through ArcGIS Online or directly managed by users. The software integrates many essential elements of mapping such as data, layers, web maps, scenes, tools, and apps, to create a user-friendly system for the synthesis of interactive and shareable maps. The tutorials helped me learn the basics of Web GIS by guiding me through the simple process of creating items, adding them to folders, and publishing maps for public viewing. Understanding the different types of layers that can be used and how they can be applied to practical projects is something I know will be useful in the future. Although parts of this chapter and its information felt intuitive due to my experience in ArcGIS Desktop, Web GIS clearly makes sharing data and my visualizations much easier, and makes this software and its benefits more accessible for a broader audience. Overall, this chapter provided a great foundation for understanding Web GIS and its potential applications. Chapter 2 continues to discuss layer types and introduces smart mapping, which helps to simplify maps to highlight data patterns. I found the mapping styles table helpful for selecting the right map type for projects. The chapter also covers ArcGIS Arcade, a scripting tool for customizing popups, similar to using formulas in Excel. It goes into more detail on personalizing popups to make data easier to understand and introduces Story Maps as a way to combine text, media, and interactive maps for clear communication with non-GIS audiences. The tutorials on creating story maps with swipe comparisons and timelines were especially useful. Chapters 1 and 2 could be used for many applications, one idea that excites me would be creating a wildlife conservation map with popups to track endangered species. This would be a useful tool for biologists to have and share data to track populations and possibly look at change over time.

Chapter 6 first had me create a dashboard with 911 calls and incident reports. On the dashboard, I started by adding a map and then added numerous other elements. I added a gauge and changed the colors based on percentages; I added a list of the 10 most recent incidents, which was updated in real-time. I also made a pie chart, a serial chart, and a header. I was also able to reorganize them on the screen so that the map still took up the majority of it. I also added a category selector, which is added to the header so that when you toggle it on and off, it shows different elements. I also had to write expressions for Arcade to change the highlighting for different elements. For the fifth tutorial, I created a time-enabled feature layer. I created a new item and made it time zone specific. For the last tutorial I animated time series data. This was similar to something I did in GEOG 291 so it was more familiar to me. I did this by accessing map properties and creating a time slider. This was used to show population change in the US from 1790-2000 1 decade at a time. I was able to customize the slider and created an app for the slider. For this chapter I would choose to create a dashboard for incident reports in Delaware County by using the data from GEOG 291.