GIS – Geographic Information Systems Basics

The power and ubiquity of GIS grew from the brilliant simplicity of its fundamental structure. Connecting any number of databases of any size or type with interactive geometry — "smart maps” is an understatement! In this session we'll go over the very-basics of how GIS works.

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GPS/GNSS – Satellite-based navigation has evolved, expanding end uses.

The term “GPS” is in some ways obsolete, referring only to the first multiple “constellations” that make up the combined “global navigation satellite systems”, or GNSS. The game has changed dramatically; did you know that some GNSS applications can be precise to millimeters? Let’s take a new look at the state of precision GNSS and how it can better support your enterprise needs.

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GIS Field Mapping – Knowing what and where your assets are is critical for good management

Mapping assets and resources used to be expensive; precision and accuracy came at a high price and with a premium on training. This has changed dramatically: almost anyone in your organization can field map and update asset records with tools and solutions that are as simple and easy to use as smart phone apps. 

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Recent Infrastructure Bills have made available millions of dollars in funding for infrastructure projects that include important GIS components.  

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In this session, we will provide guidance on how to access grant funding under these and other government funding programs.

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GIS – What kinds of analyses can you do with GIS data?

The power of GIS is that multiple databases of any type and size can be analyzed not only by attributes, but also spatially. We look at the basics: buffers, overlays, networks, topology, and more, and how these are used in infrastructure and asset management. 

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Underground Assets – Poorly documented and managed underground assets can be a hazard and a liability

In terms of asset management, the underground is the final frontier.  You can’t manage what you do not know you have. We explore the fundamentals of how effective underground asset management can, and sometimes does work.

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LiDAR – There are many types of lidar, empowering almost limitless applications 

Short for “light detection and ranging”, these scanning lasers have now found their way to consumer devices, like smart phones and autonomous vehicles. We examine the other lidar; the more sophisticated and precise types that can be leveraged for your enterprise “reality data” needs.

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Drones – There is a lot of nuance to choosing the right drone (and payload) for serious applications

In this session we will go over some fundamentals to contrast popular consumer and pro-sumer “drones” and more sophisticated and precise unmanned aerial systems (UAS). We touch on how UAS can be leveraged for your enterprise asset and infrastructure management needs.

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AVL and Fleet Management – Where are mobile assets? And how is their “health”?

There is more to mobile asset management than GPS locations on a map. Route optimization, scheduling, dispatch, performance metrics, and maintenance program management are a few of the benefits of modernized systems.   

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Reality Data – Geospatial data that is precise, accurate, current, and very powerful

Nice 3D representations of infrastructure have been around for decades, but all too often these digital representations are incomplete and out of date, limiting their utility. We examine the new wave of “reality data” that is revolutionizing asset management, digital twins, even entire cities. 

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Surveying – when it is good idea to call in a surveyor, and when it may be required by law

Just because a phone has GPS, and a GIS map shows a “property line” does not mean you should try to locate it yourself. There are nuances (and legalities) surrounding how property, assets, and topography should be located and measured. A surveyor can help you avoid very costly errors.

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Surveying Tech – The tools have evolved, and so can the things you can have a surveyor do with them

The tools of surveying have evolved; in a few short decades, from analog optical instruments to robotic, and near “cobotics” systems that can collect data much more efficiently, at high precision and with high confidence, than ever before. The value proposition has changed, and so should your expectations. 

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Aerial/Satellite Images and LiDAR – The strengths and limitations of each

There are a wealth of aerial images and lidar readily available online, some free, and other from vendors. But what are the implications of precision, accuracy, currency, and format, and when is it best to commission your own data capture? 

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Location Intelligence – Transaction analysis based on where it happens

Visualizing and analyzing data based on location has become an invaluable tools for planning, simulation, prediction, and making decisions.  The phone in your hand is one of the key providers of location intelligence data, but there are many other tools and resources. We’ll look at some basic terms and concepts and how this can be applied for your enterprise needs.

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GIS for Land Administration – any size jurisdiction can benefit from these improved tools

Whether you are managing a county assessment dataset, state agency lands, or even the cadastre of an entire country, GIS can (and has) become a primary mechanism for land management. 

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Digital Twins – Practical Applications for Cities and Infrastructure

While there is a lot of recent buzz about digital twins, they have been in use for may years in industries like manufacturing, and are now making an impact for utilities, energy, plant, and even entire cities. We examine the basics of how digital twins work, and the unique aspects when created for large scale infrastructure management.

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Online Geospatial Data Services – High precision images, lidar, and remote sensing data, online as-a-service

Multiple vendors are gathering aerial images, lidar, satellite images, and more, on an ongoing basis, with ever increasing precision, and sometimes spanning entire countries. There are a wealth of aerial images and lidar readily available online, some free, and other from these vendors. But what are the implications of precision, accuracy, currency, and format, and when is it best to commission your own data capture?

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InSAR – How satellites can detect changes on the ground in the order of millimeters

Natural geophysical phenomena like subsidence and landslides can be studied and monitoring with satellite based Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry. So can the effects of human-influenced effects, like subsidence from construction de-watering, or ground water depletion. We can also go backwards in the InSAR data as much has 15 years (in some cases) to look at trends. InSAR can also be used to detect water line leaks. This is catching on; some countries process nationwide InSAR data sets.

Transportation Asset Management – transportation networks are evolving to become digital twins 

What are the transportation assets in the right-of-way? What is the condition of the assets? And what are the other assets in the right-of-way, like utilities? How can geospatial tools and data help with pavement management, traffic and signals management, planning, design, construction and operations? We look at the advances in these tools.

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Reality Capture – Rapidly capturing and updating immersive digital environments

Realization of digital twins, metaverses, digital cities and comprehensive asset management will require the capture (and periodic updates) of massive amounts geospatial data. There are high tech tools to do this, but you need to choose the right one—or combination.

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Online Geospatial Data Services – High precision images, lidar, and remote sensing data, online as-a-service

Multiple vendors are gathering aerial images, lidar, satellite images, and more, on an ongoing basis, with ever increasing precision, and sometimes spanning entire countries. There is a wealth of aerial images and lidar readily available online, some free, and other from these vendors. But what are the implications of precision, accuracy, currency, and format, and when is it best to commission your own data capture?

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