Automated method for estimating building floor area and creating 3D models of existing buildings based on LiDAR data and building footprints.

Software used:
ArcMap/ArcInfo 9.3
ArcMap ModelBuilder including Spatial Analyst Extension tools
Lidar Processing: LP 360 by Q Coherent
ArcScene and Google Sketchup for displaying 3D extrusions

This map shows the extent of LiDAR coverage for the Willapa Bay Intertidal Area, placed over 2008 one-foot orthophotography. Oyster growing areas such as oyster beds, oyster bed leases, oyster farms, and oyster reserves are labelled and displayed. The map also shows intertidal areas, prohibited commercial shellfish growing areas, as well as recreational shellfish beaches. Additionally, the locations of oyster and other seafood processing facilities are displayed. The map also includes a brief description of the physical environment of Willapa Bay, the history of the bay's oyster industry, and relates the importance of private stewardship towards maintaining this vital Pacific County industry.

For the past 8 years, the 5th Street Cemetery Necrogeographical Study has sought to combine and model the “best practices” of several associated disciplines and apply these methodologies to timely issues of local import. Every community has its intriguing historical questions that can benefit from but actually transcend a paper-and-pencil approach. These questions are appropriate practicum situations for inquisitive students, who can be empowered with mastery investigative skills and the appropriate technologies to unravel local conundrums and enhance the community’s understanding of itself. We have learned that the truth may be more interesting than any fiction. And the total truth is rarely seen through only one glass.

Belying their tranquility, cemeteries harbor several contagions. Nineteenth century embalming methods are especially problematic. Undertakers routinely used an arsenic trioxide solution in large doses to control bacteria and postpone putrefaction. Some recipes recommended up to 12 pounds per corpse. However, it killed many practitioners and was banned by 1910. Arsenic sickens by allosteric inhibition. Essential metabolic enzymes are blocked, and the victim suffers multi-system organ failure. Mortician health improved, but the effects of arsenic pollution in old graveyards have only lately received attention. This poster reports and explores the findings of two teams of junior and senior high school students in Lewiston ID.

The City of Springfield designed this jam packed map to provide the community and potential developers with as much vital City information as possible in one map. The challenge brought to our GIS department was the need to see about 10 maps on 1 map without losing clarity, information and to maintain feature simplicity and balance. Although the battle was in the details, this cartographic design included elements of generalization, simplification, abstraction, hierarchy and ground relationship, colour and contrast.
The final map product was successful in bringing all City data together with equal importance and straightforwardness giving a large audience an easy to read, robust map of our City.