New technology makes better cartographers

New technology makes better cartographers

Most Americans received their first glimpse of infrared mapping in the moments after the terrorist attacks began on Sept. 11, 2001.

Rescuers used heat-sensitive cameras to identify "warm spots" where survivors might be trapped among the carnage.

That technology now is at Muskegon Community College, which began offering a Geospatial Technology Certificate program this past fall. The program is designed to help professionals in various fields learn how to adapt the evolving technology to their needs.

"GIS (geographic information systems) has been around a long time," said Thomas Van Bruggen, property information analyst for the Muskegon County equalization department. "Muskegon County has been using it internally. But, it's now becoming more widely known."

Van Bruggen, who is teaching "Introduction to Geographic Information Systems" this semester, said aerial photography and infrared mapping likely is to gain in popularity as more people learn how to use it.

GIS is used to collect and analyze geographical data that can be used for such things as helping governments redraw county boundaries to aiding businesses with marketing strategies, said Stephen Carlson, an associate planner for West Michigan Shoreline Development.

Aerial photography and infrared imaging are more advanced aspects of GIS. The images that are culled from the processes can produce highly detailed data, said MCC geography instructor Diana Casey.

"A picture is really worth a thousand different words," said Casey, who taught the initial "Elements of Design," class this past fall.

Casey helped MCC obtain a $187,000 grant from the National Council for Geographic Education. The three-year grant primarily will be used to provide training for instructors, and purchase software and other equipment to teach classes, she said.

The college offers a more advanced spring semester class that will focus on infrared mapping. Eight students were enrolled in the initial fall semester class, which introduced students to the basics of map design.

Most of the students enrolled during fall semester were professionals who already had extensive knowledge about traditional cartography methods, said Van Bruggen.

That knowledge will be put to the test this spring when students will be assigned a group project that will involve studying the Lakes Mall area, and how development there has affected the local environment, said Casey.

Locally, infrared imaging use has been limited to emergency situations, such as water and fire rescues, said Casey.

But, use of the technology has many possibilities.

For example, West Michigan Shoreline Development planners believe the data collected from aerial photos and infrared images could have helped them design a better flood mitigation plan for the county, said planner Carlson.

"We used the information from maps that already existed -- but it was estimated," said Carlson, who serves as an adviser to the MCC program. "Satellite photos would have given us more accurate information."

MCC student Terry Zahniser is using the GIS program as a springboard to an eventual career in homeland security. A retired U.S. Marine, Zahniser garnered extensive experience in Intelligence Operations during two stints in Saudi Arabia.

Gina Roe, project manager for Muskegon's Trace Analytical Laboratories, said the new technology also will benefit the public in many ways. Because data is collected and stored on computers, the information will become more accessible.

"You won't have to go to the township (building) to find out the schematics," said Roe, who was enrolled in MCC's "Elements of Design" class. "That's old school."
source: http://blog.mlive.com/