Good Day GIS enthusiasts,
Welcome to my continuation of Homeland Security GIS topics. We are continuing our look from last week at Minimum Essential Data Sets (MEDS). But this week we are looking at practical application. This week revolves around taking the data sets and layers generated last week and applying them with some additional data, particularly some LiDAR derived rasters, and looking at a real world situation. The situation in question is the Boston Marathon bombing of 2013. Here we are taking the MEDS Boston data, and looking more so to prevention through establishment of surveillance, security, and observation points within view of the finish line and surrounding area. With these points I am utilizing specific analysis tools available through ArcMAP and ArcScene. The overall objectives for this week were to explore the LiDAR data using it to generate Hillshading, perform a Viewshed analysis, and create a Line Of Sight analysis utilizing our created observation points. Two maps were generated using predominately ArcMAP, and a little ArcScene on the second.
Lets look at the first map.
This is an overview map of the event area. This shows a 3 mile buffer area around the marathon finish line. Identified around the finish line area are the 10 closest hospitals and medical centers. All of these have been identified as needing increased security during the event. A 500 ft buffer has been placed around each of these critical infrastructure facilities. This is a fairly simplistic view of the area showing the various levels of road features throughout. The primary, secondary, and local roads are all symbolized appropriately for easy acquisition and understanding. The lower inset which is an up close look at the finish line highlights additional security locations by placing checkpoints at each road intersecting with the 500 foot buffer from the finish line. Additionally, another inset highlights the 6 counties that are a part of the Boston Metropolitan Statistical Area.
There is much more deliberate analysis in this map. The first section at the top is a straightforward look at 15 identified observation points around the block within view of the finish line, highlighted in the center. These are also labeled with the elevation of the best observation height for the point. The second frame down combines a multitude of analysis. Most clearly visible is the Viewshed analysis. This is the pink and green layer symbolized by pink meaning an area is not visible from the closest associated observation point, and green meaning the view is unobstructed. This layer is generated by a Hillshade layer which provides the gray shadowing underlying the Viewshed. Over top of this layer is a line of sight look from each point to the finish line. The red areas indicate some form of obstruction and the green areas are clear. This view is further broken down by the most obstructed point (# 4), and shown in the graph just under and to the right of the line of sight look. Additionally all of the line of sights are evaluated in the 3D environment of ArcScene. The lower left inset shows an exported feature from ArcScene depicting the lines of sight in a 3D relationship with the surroundings. This layer is also oriented with the same SW - NE look as the other data frames above for continuity of reference. Also an inset for this area is provided much closer in than the base map above.
I dont know the exact process that was in place on that fateful day. However with this type of planning and technical ability we can hope that we can better plan and prevent such acts in the future. This is an excellent look at some of the analysis that goes into such large events drawing tens to hundreds of thousands of people. Thank you.
v/r
Brandon
Welcome to my continuation of Homeland Security GIS topics. We are continuing our look from last week at Minimum Essential Data Sets (MEDS). But this week we are looking at practical application. This week revolves around taking the data sets and layers generated last week and applying them with some additional data, particularly some LiDAR derived rasters, and looking at a real world situation. The situation in question is the Boston Marathon bombing of 2013. Here we are taking the MEDS Boston data, and looking more so to prevention through establishment of surveillance, security, and observation points within view of the finish line and surrounding area. With these points I am utilizing specific analysis tools available through ArcMAP and ArcScene. The overall objectives for this week were to explore the LiDAR data using it to generate Hillshading, perform a Viewshed analysis, and create a Line Of Sight analysis utilizing our created observation points. Two maps were generated using predominately ArcMAP, and a little ArcScene on the second.
Lets look at the first map.
This is an overview map of the event area. This shows a 3 mile buffer area around the marathon finish line. Identified around the finish line area are the 10 closest hospitals and medical centers. All of these have been identified as needing increased security during the event. A 500 ft buffer has been placed around each of these critical infrastructure facilities. This is a fairly simplistic view of the area showing the various levels of road features throughout. The primary, secondary, and local roads are all symbolized appropriately for easy acquisition and understanding. The lower inset which is an up close look at the finish line highlights additional security locations by placing checkpoints at each road intersecting with the 500 foot buffer from the finish line. Additionally, another inset highlights the 6 counties that are a part of the Boston Metropolitan Statistical Area.
I dont know the exact process that was in place on that fateful day. However with this type of planning and technical ability we can hope that we can better plan and prevent such acts in the future. This is an excellent look at some of the analysis that goes into such large events drawing tens to hundreds of thousands of people. Thank you.
v/r
Brandon
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