industries to better manage their resources, facilities, utilities and govern their corporate bodies.
Some are successful while many others are in different levels of failure. Usually because of
improper planning and non-strategic development of a proper, accurate GIS foundation/landbase
on which to build the GIS information. Many cities and municipalities have been left `holding the
GIS bag` with a product that is inaccurate, cost tens of thousands of dollars, and cannot be
queried/used the way it was intended. As anyone knows, you must have a proper foundation to
build anything whether it's a house or GIS.
RAS can lead you through the challenges of GIS development with personnel experienced in the
technology, successful planned landbase creation for GIS environments and professional ties with
the leaders in GIS software sciences and development. All with a purpose to grow a successful
GIS for you on which to build future GIS data. We at RAS understand the best clients are acquired
by word of mouth from satisfied customers.
miscellaneous reasons, capital improvements, state mandates, planning, engineering design, etc.
These typically were hard copy map sheets that soon became obsolete and were redone years
later for other projects. With the advent of the GIS environment, the whole procedure has
changed. All newly created maps are presented in a digital format, in a specified datum and
compatible with mapping software used by most government agencies. Therefore, new
information may be edited into the digital landbase. Furthermore, cities and municipalities
completed mapping projects of their corporate areas every 10-15 years spending huge amounts
of money which had to be redone whenever substantial change occurred on the land surface.
Now in the digital GIS environment it can be completed once, in either of a few ways (see below),
that more cost effective. Once completed, all data and edits occur on that digital landbase growing
and purifying the GIS as time goes on. Therefore, the landbase is always current. With a highly
accurate digital landbase all GIS data may be attached to the physical map and can be completely
relied upon (providing the attached data is accurate). With this type landbase in place, numerous
departments may use the digital map to attach their specific data that may be shared
departmentally. Any inaccurate information, during GIS development, when discovered, can be
revised knowing that the foundation/landbase map is accurate and reliable.
Types of GIS Landbase
Many cities and municipalities assume they need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to
start using GIS technology. That is not true. Today there are alternative ways to create an
accurate digital landbase serving as the foundation for GIS development. First, there is digital
orthophotography that is as accurate as a planimetric map and that clearly shows features on the
land surface as a photo image. This information is stored in a computer database upon which all
planimetric map features can be added in the future. Secondly, there is a limited plan digital
landbase that can be used as a basis to build a new parcel or tax map. That is good news for
those that are mandated to update their tax map by the state or are up for re-valuation. All the
remaining planimetric features may be added as they can be afforded; including topography ,
buildings , utilities etc. The third option is a full planimetric digital landbase that includes all visible
features visible on the aerial photography which may have other information added in the future
such as topography, tax or parcel data , other utilities , digital orthophotography etc. And lastly, is
a full digital topographic/ planimetric landbase with a digital orthophotography component and
often a field edit to add features not seen in the aerial photography.
Cities and municipalities cannot afford not to get involved in GIS. No longer should a throwaway
map be created at the expense of the taxpayer. GIS is affordable and can be implemented in
every city and municipality. Proper management, governing, decision-making , engineering , tax
assessment , emergency services and public use support this technology.
Let RAS help you with your GIS development. Use our expertise to create an accurate foundation /
landbase on which to build your GIS. Please contact our GIS consultant Kurt Lutz for more
information, samples, scheduling of a meeting etc. at (908) 813-3900 or at
lutzk@robinsonaerial.com. He would be happy to assist you with your GIS project.
