2023

Overview:

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Geospatial Program (NGP) provides foundational digital geospatial data representing the topography, natural landscape, and manmade environment of the U.S. and is in the process of establishing the 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP) to modernize the mapping of the Nation’s inland waters. High-resolution, light detection and ranging (lidar) elevation data have been collected across much of the conterminous US (CONUS) through the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). This data will be used as the source to derive a positionally accurate and detailed stream network. 3DHP is the first systematic remapping of the Nation’s hydrography since the original USGS 1:24,000-scale topographic mapping program that was active between 1947 and 1992. By using modern acquisition, validation, and data management techniques, 3DHP will enable analysis and visualization for a broad range of environmental, climate, and infrastructure applications. This presentation will provide information on 3DHP, and on partnerships and data acquisition needed to support 3DHP.

Learning Objectives:

Learn about the 3D Hydrography Program and opportunities for collaboration to support this initiative.

About the Speaker:

Claire DeVaughan, U.S. Geological Survey

Claire DeVaughan is the USGS National Map Liaison for Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Utah. The National Map Liaisons cultivate and maintain long-term relationships with partners and develop agreements for The National Map and other initiatives that support USGS science. Claire has been with USGS since 1989, in various roles as a geographer and cartographer, and has been the National Map Liaison for Texas since 2006.

Overview:

LiDAR data is great! But it has the disadvantage of being in hard to use formats that require lots of effort to work with (or work around). Come to this session and see what I've discovered about using PDAL a point cloud abstraction library to build workflows that allow for the manipulation of point cloud data and outputs.

Learning Objectives:

PDAL pipelines and different writers, filters and readers. Advantages of using Postgresql PG-Pointcloud as a substitute for .laz files. Workflows that integrate pdal pipelines through script automation to generate different lidar products from the point clouds.

About the Speaker:

Brent Porter, University of Texas at Austin, Center for Space Research

Brent Porter works at University of Texas for the Center for Space Research, he has over 23 years of professional programming experience and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) systems and application development experience. Brent also serves as an Associate Adjunct Professor of the GIS Department at ACC. He also has extensive experience utilizing information technology in emergency response activities. His professional accomplishments includes: supporting the Columbia Shuttle Disaster Response; first response work on Galveston Island during Hurricane Ike; GIS support during Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill through the development of a real-time GIS Web Application; the creation and support of the STEAR Application - a database of vulnerable populations for use by first responders and regional planners for emergencies; and numerous other disaster response applications. During the pandemic he maintained a statewide COVID-19 web app in conjunction with TDEM and UT alongside work on a new data sharing and interactive decision support architecture for real-time modeling.

Overview:

The Landscape Ecology Program with Texas Parks and Wildlife has developed a workflow to extract canyons in the Balcones Escarpment using publicly available elevation data. The canyons were extracted for the purposes of updating the existing “Ecological Mapping Systems Data” and generating models to predict the locations of Bigtooth Maple communities for conservation actions. This appears to be the first large-scale spatial canyon data that exists for the state of Texas. High-resolution elevation data derived from airborne lidar were obtained from the TNRIS Data Hub for the study area. GIS software was used to generate landform features and create a series of models that capture features representing canyons meeting certain slope thresholds. The results of the models produced clearly defined canyons within the study area that can be used for the mapping and modeling efforts of the Landscape Ecology Program. Future work will continue expanding the study area and extracting canyons throughout the state. Additionally, modeling will be conducted to determine if the canyon features and abiotic data can help identify regions where Bigtooth Maple communities may exist.

Learning Objectives:

1) Provide an example as to how elevation data is being used for ecological and conservation efforts by Texas Parks and Wildlife

2) Describe a workflow that can be applied to other projects that require the isolation of landform feature types

About the Speaker:

Kelsi Schwind, Texas Parks and Wildlife

Kelsi Schwind is a GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist that works for Texas Parks and Wildlife (Landscape Ecology Program). She attended Texas A&M University, The University of Alabama, and Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi where she focused on how GIS and remotely sense data can be used for environmental applications. Her current role focuses on using lidar, elevation models, and imagery to assist the Landscape Ecology Program with updating ecological landcover data and for conservation efforts.

Overview:

Maps are not just simple tools, they are evolutionary constructs that humanity requires to function. Research shows that all people use cognitive maps to function day-to-day, to organize their experiences, and to help determine future behavior. Painted, printed, or even digital maps are just an extension of this biological function. For thousands of years people around the world have crafted marvelous maps, for a plethora of purposes. This presentation examines why maps are imperative for humanity to thrive and explores unique maps that have changed our collective trajectory.

Learning Objectives:

1) Why mapping is important for humanity.

2) How mapping has evolved with humanity.

3) Why mapping is crucial for our future.

4) Explain why we are in a geospatial moment and that it is up to geospatial professionals to usher in the future.

About the Speaker:

Nikolas Smileovsky, Bad Elf, LLC

Dr. Nikolas Smilovsky is the GIS Solutions Director for Bad Elf, a GNSS technologies company. Additionally, he is a faculty member and instructor at Arizona State University. Dr. S is a certified Geographic Information Systems Professional, a certified Arborist, and a Part 107 certified UAV pilot. As a geospatial evangelist, custom geospatial solutions provider, and geographic researcher Dr. S is widely versed in all things geodetic. He is also a geoholic!

Overview:

The terms metadata and fun are rarely found in the same sentence. However, metadata creation and procrastination often find kinship, at least in my experience of managing geospatial and supporting data. We can all relate to finding and downloading data that is an awesome fit for our needs, yet we soon discover it has scant metadata, or none. Who created it? When was the last update? What is its purpose, extent, or projection? While working with my team to develop a metadata specification, I began experimenting with Esri's Survey123 Connect as tool for metadata creation and collection. A robust metadata specification was needed to support disaster-related search and discovery mechanisms that we were building into a federated service-centric application. One of the big challenges in a large-scale application is enabling users to find what they need; a populated metadata catalog solves this problem. Survey123 Connect and a customized workflow has fulfilled many metadata objectives in our development project. Is this a novel use of Survey123 Connect? I am not sure, but maybe your organization has done something similar, or you are curious how we stitched this together.

Learning Objectives:

Survey123 Connect is a highly customizable collection form. Our goal is to describe several features we utilized in Survey123, such as coding for repeated n-number of entries (think data attribute fields), geospatial extent choices, attachments, controlled pick lists to enforce validation rules, UI autocomplete for huge lists, choice filters for cascading selects, and embedded JavaScript. We will also provide an overview of our overall workflow, to include how we process and curate metadata submissions, and where the metadata lives in our digital ecosystem.

About the Speakers:

Paul Buschow; University of Texas at Austin, Center for Space Research

Paul Buschow is a 1998 graduate of Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Geography & Photogrammetry, and a minor in Mathematics. He has worked in GIS-related roles for the State of Texas for 24 years and is currently with The University of Texas at Austin, Center for Space Research since 2018. Paul served as a meteorologist and unit commander for the U.S. Air Force and Texas Air National Guard and retired with 28 years of service in 2018.

Brent Porter; University of Texas at Austin, Center for Space Research

Brent Porter works at the University of Texas for the Center for Space Research, he has over 23 years of professional programming experience and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) systems and application development experience. Brent also serves as an Associate Adjunct Professor of the GIS Department at ACC. He also has extensive experience utilizing information technology in emergency response activities. His professional accomplishments includes: supporting the Columbia Shuttle Disaster Response; first response work on Galveston Island during Hurricane Ike; GIS support during Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill through the development of a real-time GIS Web Application; the creation and support of the STEAR Application - a database of vulnerable populations for use by first responders and regional planners for emergencies; and numerous other disaster response applications. During the pandemic he maintained a statewide COVID-19 web app in conjunction with TDEM and UT alongside work on a new data sharing and interactive decision support architecture for real-time modeling.

Overview:

The trials and tribulations of setting up ArcGIS Enterprise for TWDB. We will walk through the entire process from architecting the system, obtaining licenses and machines, creating a data inventory, setting up administrative workflows, and adoption/implementation.

Learning Objectives:

What is involved and things to consider when setting up ArcGIS enterprise.

About the Speaker:

Chelsea Sidenblad; Texas Water Development Board, TxGIO

Chelsea Sidenblad serves as a Systems Administrator at the Texas Geographic Information Office, managing and organizing TxGIO's and the Texas Water Develpment Boards geospatial assets. She has worked for TxGIO for 5 years and got her start as an intern working in the Historical Aerial Archive.Chelsea earned her B.A. in Geography from the University of Texas at Austin and completed the GIS 1 Certificate at Austin Community College.

Overview:

In this session, Brandon Palin from Ecopia will address the pressing need to build community resilience in the face of changing climate perils. By highlighting rapid environmental changes occurring worldwide - including rising sea levels and temperatures and the evolving interaction between the growing population and the natural world - Brandon will demonstrate how geospatial data can be used to analyze climate inequality in local communities and inform resilience strategies. A recent Ecopia case study on the Houston Metropolitan Area leverages multiple layers of geospatial data to examine the spatial relationships between income, poverty, tree equity, and impervious surface distribution. Drawing on the insights from this case study, Brandon will highlight how lower-income communities often bear the brunt of climate change due to land use distribution, and how up-to-date data can help communities reduce this inequality. By analyzing up-to-date land cover data from Ecopia and population statistics from the American Community Survey, the case study reveals how different areas of Houston are changing, as well as how resilient they are to climate perils brought about by this change. Land cover percentages at the census block group level are layered with demographic data to produce actionable insights to enhance resilience and equity. Disparities in impervious surface and tree canopy coverage are crucial for understanding climate risk and equity, as areas with higher impervious land cover percentages experience increased flooding and urban heat island effects. At a glance, the study shows that lower-income households have disproportionately lower tree canopy coverage, exacerbating climate resilience inequality. Comprehending the spatial relationships between climate perils, income, and land cover, enables communities to implement targeted strategies to mitigate risks and foster a more equitable and sustainable future. This presentation emphasizes the importance of data for building community resilience to changing climate perils and is a must-attend event for any public sector professional working on sustainability and equity initiatives.

Learning Objectives:

-Grasp the role that geospatial data plays in analyzing and addressing climate risks and community resilience.

-Learn how lower-income communities are disproportionately affected by climate change due to factors like land use distribution.

-Understand how multiple layers of data, including income, poverty, tree equity, and impervious surface distribution, can be analyzed together for actionable insights.

-Recognize the environmental challenges, such as rising sea levels and temperatures, faced by communities and how these interact with socio-economic factors.

-Understand the significance of using current data from sources for accurate analysis and informed decision-making.

-Learn how accurate data and analysis can inform strategies that enhance resilience and reduce climate inequality.

-Understand how communities can implement targeted strategies to mitigate climate risks based on geospatial analysis.

-Gain insights into how data-driven approaches can contribute to more equitable and sustainable community planning.

About the Speaker:

Brandon Palin, Ecopia AI

Brandon Palin is the Senior Director of Public Sector and International Development at Ecopia AI, a geospatial data company that leverages groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence to convert high-resolution imagery of the Earth into HD Vector Maps. These datasets are embedded into critical applications around the world, providing foundational information for decision-making that improves the welfare of societies, the efficiency of economies, and the health of environments. Brandon's main responsibilities include leading the development of Ecopia's solutions in emerging markets and overseeing North American public sector clients. He holds a Master of Science in International Business from the Richard Ivey School of Business in Toronto, Canada, as well as a CEMS master’s in international management from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland.

Overview:

VertiGIS Networks is a suite of web-based products with the functionality you need to put ArcGIS Utility Network into action and unlimited configuration options to take it even further. The rollout of your Utility Network is accelerated with web and mobile interfaces that work online and offline to support your critical workflows. From visualizing and tracing, to designing and editing – the powerful web apps in VertiGIS Networks can enable your organization with tools that make Utility Networks easy, functional, and performant for everyone. Come see it for yourself!

Learning Objectives:

-Introduce a wider audience to this new technology.

About the Speaker:

Scott Stafford-Veale, VertiGIS North America Ltd.

Scott has been involved in the GIS Industry for over 25 years. Having worked with Esri Canada for 12 years, he joined VertiGIS (formerly Latitude Geographics) in early 2011 to continue building relationships with Esri technology users. Working primarily in account management and business development, Scott has successfully helped a wide range of government (Federal, State, Provincial, and local) and private sector organizations to implement enterprise GIS and develop purpose-built applications to fulfill their business requirements. Scott is based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Overview:

Prepare for anything with cloud-based access to high-res imagery (5.5cm), 3D (15cm), and GIS layers from Nearmap. We will demonstrate data-driven scenarios for resiliency, national security, asset management, and public safety. You’ll learn to: Gain new insights and perspectives on your objective with Nearmap AI and measurable oblique imagery, Combine post-disaster aerial imagery, 3D, and AI with Esri applications for powerful disaster response and recovery, Design a security plan with Nearmap 3D textured mesh to give your scenario accurate context, Create a controlled environment using Nearmap 3D to conceptualize event scenarios, road blockages, and exit points, Nearmap proactively captures imagery up to 3x/year for over 80% of the U.S. population. Our 3D and AI-derived GIS layers are the most current, high-quality view for Homeland Security missions such as humanitarian and disaster response (HADR), tactical planning for public safety, and general asset management for resiliency efforts.

Learning Objectives:

- Combine post-disaster aerial imagery, 3D, and AI with Esri applications for powerful disaster response and recovery

- Design a security plan with Nearmap 3D textured mesh to give your scenario accurate context

- Create a controlled environment using Nearmap 3D to conceptualize event scenarios, road blockages, and exit points.

About the Speaker:

Jorge Ruiz, Nearmap

Jorge Ruiz has been serving as a solutions engineer with Nearmap since August of 2022. His GIS career has brought him to many states and countries working in various sectors of the GIS industry, mostly in local government engineering and utility network management. Jorge studied geography and political science out of Arizona State University when the conference moniker was still the Pac-10!

Overview:

In 2021 we launched digital AECOM to create and deliver innovative technology solutions that inspire smarter, data-driven decision-making and help our clients advance their own digital journeys. Our global team of over 2,000 digital specialists works alongside scientists, engineers, planners, and designers to help investigate, develop, implement, and evolve new and efficient approaches to deliver a better world. This presentation will highlight several of AECOM’s proprietary GIS-driven solutions that support environmental management and transportation planning objectives, with a special focus on real-world projects to help demonstrate the challenges our clients are facing and the benefits realized by the integration of these tools.

Learning Objectives:

- Suitability Analysis

- Web-mobile GIS

- Network Analysis

- Python Automation

- AGOL Dashboards

About the Speaker:

Kristi Teykl, AECOM

Kristi Teykl, GISP (Co-speaker) - Kristi Teykl serves as a Practice Lead for Digital AECOM. With more than 25 years of professional experience developing and implementing geospatial technology and data, she is responsible for conceptualization, technical design, advanced analytics, and management of projects with a technology focus for a diverse array of clients across public and private sectors of business. Her expertise encompasses the spectrum of GIS functionality in support of real-world planning, engineering, and environmental management applications. Kristi's professional accomplishments include certification among the 2003 inaugural class of GISCI GIS Professionals (GISP) and Gold and Silver medals awarded in the 2007 and 2013 ACEC Texas Engineering Excellence Competitions.

Corby Schaub, AECOM

Corby Schaub is a GIS Supervisor in AECOM’s Data Practice Group based out of Austin, TX. He has been working in the transportation department at AECOM for the last 7 years. For the first couple of years, he worked in the aviation department performing 2D and 3D spatial analysis for many clients nationwide including BWI, AUS, and DEN. Corby transferred to the Technology, Traffic/ITS department where he began focusing on Connected Automated Vehicles under the direction of Paul Avery, where they began to develop AV-Readi (av-readi@aecom.com). Daily skills and duties include developing automation tools using data science modules within Python (including arcpy), developing ETL workflows within FME, geospatial database design, and developing web applications on AGOL.

Overview:

Archives & Records and the GLO Geospatial team are working together to expand outreach and awareness of the GLO Map Store and historical resources. Through the GLO Geospatial internship program, we work closely with Archive & Record’s PhD subject matter experts to create dozens of static maps and ArcGIS StoryMaps for use by the public and educators to learn about “Hidden” Texas History.

Learning Objectives:

To show how collaboration between GIS professionals and non-GIS subject matter experts can produce content and tools that are accessible to the general public. The goal is also to show how the new GLO Map Store is better developed for visitors to access historic documents and learn about historical events that have affected and shaped Texas through ArcGIS StoryMaps.

About the Speakers:

Lynette Cen, Texas General Land Office

Lynnette Cen joined the Texas General Land Office’s Archives and Records division in 2022 in the role of Education Outreach Archivist. Prior to that, she worked for over five years in the Historical Marker Program for the Texas Historical Commission. Lynnette holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and master’s degree in sociology from Texas State University. Her experience working nine years for the Bullock Texas State History Museum gave her an appreciation for great customer service and an interest in making history exciting for future generations.

Kelsey Bonnell, Texas General Land Office

Kelsey Bonnell received her Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Texas and is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Applied GIS from Sam Houston State University. She began her career in GIS working with the United States Air Force, where she served in a variety of airbases in the U.S., Japan, and Afghanistan. She also worked previously as a planner and GIS Analyst for the Texas Department of Transportation. She has been a GIS Analyst with the Texas General Land Office's Geospatial Technology Services team since 2020.

Julias Bordelon, Texas General Land Office

Julia Bordelon joined the General Land Office in 2022 as a Map Vault Program Specialist. She supports research requests related to the Archives and Records division’s extensive map collections and coordinates varied projects, including StoryMaps and public tours, that expand access to the GLO’s archives. Her previous work experience has encompassed urban planning, GIS, and social media. Julia holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Geography from Rutgers University and the University of Texas at Austin, respectively.

Thomas Wang, Texas General Land Office

Thomas Wang has been a GIS Analyst with the Texas General Land Office since October 2021 and was a GLO summer intern in 2013. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin in 2012, he worked in GIS for municipal water and wastewater and for gas utilities, updating and maintaining pipeline and facilities data. He is using his 10 years of GIS experience to help serve all people who call the State of Texas home.

Overview:

At the Texas Department of Transportation, roadway attributes are maintained conducted within the Geospatial Roadway Inventory Database (GRID) application either through manual updates in the user interface (UI) or an Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) process. Roadway attribution is a crucial effort but time costly, especially when working with divided roadways. When a single roadway becomes divided, with a left and right roadbed separated by a physical median, the artificial centerline representing the route requires its own separate roadway attribution in addition to the left and right roadbeds. The attribution applied to the artificial centerline usually represents the right roadbed's attributes, though for some items it is the aggregation of both the right and left roadbeds’ data. Due to GRID’s limitation, a computed copy of attributes from one roadbed to another is not possible and instead requires manual input from a GRID user, which introduces room for error in addition to the time cost. The solution I will present is a tool I have created for GRID users which automates the creation of data for the artificial centerline. I have developed a python script that takes advantage of GRID’s existing ETL functionality to build the attribution using extracted right and left roadbed information. This tool is then integrated as a custom add-in tool within ArcGIS Pro to allow any GRID ETL user/editors to automate asset attribution of artificial centerlines for divided roadways.

Learning Objectives:

Audience will learn how TxDOT used Python and ArcGIS SDK for .Net to create a custom plugin in ArcGIS Pro to automate artificial centerline roadway attribution.

About the Speaker:

Erik Martinez Luna, TxDOT

Graduated from Texas A&M with a B.S GIS. Currently enrolled in Penn State for MS GIS. Employed by TxDOT as a GIS Analyst.

Overview:

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) developed the Texas Water Service Boundary Viewer (TWSBV), an online mapping tool to collect currently served retail water service area boundaries for approximately 4,500 public water suppliers in the state. Accurate service area boundaries play a vital role in the state’s water planning process. They are used to develop population and water demand estimates and other spatial analysis tasks that evaluate water supply and infrastructure needs. The TWSBV application was designed to have three versions with specific functions for editors, admin (TWDB staff reviewers), and the public. Each year as public water system (PWS) utilities submit their previous year’s water use data to the TWDB, an approved representative from the utility can log in as an editor and use the TWSBV application to review and adjust their system’s boundaries. The TWSBV administrator assists editors, reviews, and approves their submissions. For example, the editor version of the TWSBV application includes tools that identify boundary overlaps that can occur between neighboring water systems and helps editors and admins resolve those issues. In the public version, anyone can view and download system boundaries. The TWSBV application currently links PWS boundaries to other relevant water system data sources like the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Drinking Water Watch and historical water use survey data. In the future, the TWSBV application will provide additional PWS reports that will contain information such as water loss audits, conservation activities, recommended future water supply projects, water quality data, and serve as a gateway to comprehensive PWS information.

Learning Objectives:

During this presentation, the audience will hear background information on why there was a need for the TWSBV application. They will learn how PWS editors use the application to submit changes to their boundaries. The TWSBV administrator will demonstrate techniques used to review the submitted boundary changes using the application’s tools. They will be shown how any user can view and download PWS information including reports, boundary shapefiles, and maps through the application. They will also hear about plans for the application and its data.

About the Speaker:

Genera M Navarra, Texas Water Development Board

Genera Navarra became a member of the Water Use and Planning Data team in April of 2022. Her primary role is administrating the Texas Water Service Boundary Viewer. She maintains the boundaries through communication with PWS representatives throughout the state to ensure the validity of all 4500+ active community water systems. Genera has a B.S. in Resource and Environmental Studies from Texas State University.

Overview:

The City of San Marcos Fire Department has a uniquely difficult challenge in providing adequate fire service to it’s citizens: a sprawling, irregular shaped city limits that are bisected by a freeway and two sets of train tracks.  In this talk, we will share our approach to analyzing service areas, response times, and effective response force. And, how we bring it all together in an interactive dashboard that enables our Fire Chief to present the challenges he faces covering the City and recommendations for investment as the City looks to the future.

Learning Objectives:

Fire Service, Planning, Spatial Analysis, Network Analysis, Communication Tools

About the Speakers:

Jessica Neuner; City of San Marcos, TX

Jess Neuner is the GIS Manager at the City of San Marcos, TX where she works with GISers across the organization. She is an experienced GIS professional with over 20 years of experience working across technologies and industries. This year she has enjoyed taking a deeper dive into data science concepts and learning how to bring those practices to use for local government.

Emilee Freeman; City of San Marcos, TX

Emilee Freeman, MS, is a Texan native from her hometown of Midlothian, Texas. She attended Texas State University for her graduate studies, where she obtained a Master of Science degree in Geography. Emilee currently lives and works at the City of San Marcos, where she uses GIS and data analytics to enhance public safety initiatives. By analyzing geographical data and patterns, she is able to contribute to safer communities within her city.

Overview:

The concept of big data was popularized in the early 2000's by Doug Laney when he defined it by the three big V's, volume, velocity and variety of data. Trends in how we collect, analyze, and value data have been influence by this concept ever since. This focus on volume and velocity has created a landscape where metadata and data standards are often not considered. The principles of FAIR data management were introduced in 2016 with the intent to improve Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse of scientific data resources. We will go over why you should consider FAIR data standards in your current work flows, and how metadata is actually not just a pain in the neck!

Learning Objectives:

Principles of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) Data, Metadata and Data Standards, Data Management

About the Speaker:

Taylor Christian, Texas Water Development Board

Taylor Christian is a Water Data Scientist and Coordinator working at the Texas Water Development Board. Taylor has been working in water data for 13 years worked at the TWDB for the last 10 focused on a variety of data and mapping applications. For the last several years she has been the data lead on the Texas Water Data Hub project which launched a beta version at the beginning of 2023. Taylor is passionate about improving data standards in Texas and her favorite part of her job is spreading the good word of FAIR data!

Overview:

For many years FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) were created using manual GIS processes by many different PTS providers. In January 2020 FEMA released an automated tool that generates FIRMs based on Geospatial database that was submitted with the Project Task. Since AMP was released there has been a lot of questions on when it’s appropriate to use AMP over the Manual method, along with other technical questions-based symbology, labels, and Notes to User languages. This Presentation will cover a brief history of Flood Boundary Hazard Maps, Map Mod FIRMS, and Risk Map FIRMS and go into detail how to and how we can mitigate the obstacles that presented itself with the switch from manual production to Automated Map Production. The information that will be covered during this presentation will be valuable for individuals working on FEMA Physical Map Revisions and County Wide Flood Projects.

Learning Objectives:

By attending this session, the key takeaways for participants will be how FEMA FIRM production has evolved to be fully automated, and how we can mitigate the obstacles that presented itself with the switch from manual production.

About the Speakers:

Miguel Segura, AECOM

Miguel Segura has 10 years of experience in the geographic information system (GIS) and mapping arena. His GIS experience includes geodatabase management, geoprocessing, GIS project management, database QA/QC, performing topology, map production QA/AC. Miguel is also a subject matter expert in FEMA floodplain products with 8 years of experience in the field. He takes pride in his ability to pay attention to details, mitigate problems, and innovate client deliverables. Miguel currently is leading AECOM's Flood Risk Solutions Dallas GIS team as GIS Manager.

Ethan Guyer, AECOM

Ethan Guyer is a GIS Specialist with 1 year of experience, and a background in Environmental Sciences. His skills include Analyzing data, Floodplain Mapping and Base Level Engineering Production, and Managing federal documents. Ethan is currently part of AECOM’s Flood Risk Solutions Dallas GIS Team. Ethan is eager to further his career through exposure and experience by using GIS in the global market.

Overview:

Loss of habitat and environmental changes have detrimentally affected many indigenous species of plants and animals around the world. Among the most adversely impacted have been birds. Especially hard hit are the colonial waterbirds along the coast that use decreased areas on beaches and islands as nesting habitat. Historically, locations of colonial waterbird nesting colonies have been surveyed using ground-based visual techniques, with results reported using point locations on paper maps and, later, GPS coordinates. Using point locations doesn’t allow for much change analysis beyond the increasing or decreasing of waterbird numbers from the annual surveys. More useful information could be gained with polygon outlines which can be used, for example, to document and monitor habitat changes due to shoreline erosion. The associated land ownership and bird species information can also help prioritize habitat protection and conservation efforts by governmental and non-government entities like Audubon Texas and the Texas General Land Office (GLO)’s Oil Spill Prevention and Response Program. In 2020, the GLO’s Geospatial team manually digitized more than six hundred polygons based on the most recent aerial imagery and Lidar data. Such manual drawing, however, is a tedious and time-consuming operation. We are evaluating new, faster processes to automatically generate polygons from images of various sources including satellite, drone, and Lidar data. We are also currently discussing a graduate student project with Rice University’s Data to Knowledge (D2K) Lab with the goal of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to automate the mapping of shorelines and island boundaries from these sources.

Learning Objectives:

To learn how advancements in GIS technologies, including drone mapping and artificial intelligence, can be applied to the mapping of colonial waterbird habitat along the Texas coast through a collaboration between private citizens, university students, and governmental entities.

About the Speakers:

Hank Arnold, Conservation Volunteer

Hank M. Arnold was born in Aldershot, England. Attended U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD and Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. Started using drones for Audubon bird count surveys in 2015 as an unpaid volunteer. Became a licensed UAV pilot in 2017. Currently volunteers on a continuing basis for Audubon, Costal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, Aransas Navigation District, Texas Parks and Wildlife (Cold Stunned Turtles), and Texas General Land Office (the current project).

Daniel Gao, Texas General Land Office

Daniel Gao was born in Yumen, China. Attended Beijing University from 1981 to 1988 earning a Bachelor and a Master degree in geography. Also attended the University of Texas at Austin from 1993 to 2001 earning a Ph.D in geography. He is a senior GIS analyst and a member of the Geospatial team of the Texas General Land Office for more than 20 years. His expertise, among other things, includes coastal zone mapping, Lidar, and drone technologies.

Overview:

This presentation will explore the transformative power of spatial data in Emergency Management. As our urban environments grow more complex, geospatial information becomes increasingly critical in enhancing preparedness, response, and recovery processes. By leveraging geospatial data and technology, Emergency Managers can develop more accurate risk assessments, optimize resource allocation, and implement more effective response strategies.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the role of spatial data in the various phases of emergency management. Gain insights into practical applications and real-world examples of spatial data usage in emergency management. Learn strategies for integrating geospatial technology into your organization's emergency management processes.

About the Speaker:

Bernardo Salazar, UrbanDataLabs, LLC

Bernardo Salazar, Urban Data Scientist at UrbanDataLabs, LLC, is a seasoned professional holding prestigious AICP and GISP certifications. His diverse experience in Public Policy, Urban Planning, and GIS, coupled with a strong foundation in data analytics, empowers him to transform data into meaningful, action-driven strategies. His specialized experience in Hazmat Planning further testifies to his ability to manage complex data in safety-critical scenarios. Bernardo's multifaceted skill set, combined with his commitment to leveraging data for the public good, uniquely positions him to navigate the complex challenges of urban environments. His deep understanding of urban issues and policy, backed by his data science expertise, enables him to deliver solutions that drive change and foster resilience in urban communities. Bernardo's passion and expertise play a pivotal role in helping clients solve their toughest urban challenges.

Overview:

A digital twin, or the detailed 3D rendering of a real-world study area, is often the goal when collecting and processing geospatial data. The rapid emergence and proliferation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones for lidar or image collection continue to make the creation of digital twin models consisting of 3D data more accessible. Beginning with a camera-equipped UAV for data collection and GIS software for photogrammetric processing, GIS analysts can collect data and carry through the process to create a digital twin with image, point cloud, and mesh layers. From these derivatives of the geotagged UAV-captured images, further analysis can be executed with steps to generate terrain and surface models, extract key features, and overlay additional data for a more detailed 3D rendering of the intended area.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the data requirements for UAV-collected that will be used in a photogrammetric reconstruction.

2. Understand the value of photogrammetrically derived 3D data and how it can be classified and edited.

3. Understand how additional data layers can be created from the photogrammetrically derived 3D data.

About the Speaker:

Gus Cooke, Blue Marble Geographics

Gus Cooke is an Application Specialist at Blue Marble Geographics, a GIS and geodetic software company based in Maine, USA. Gus attended the University of Maine Farmington and studied Geography, focusing on GIS, surficial geology, and computer science. In his previous role with the 30 Mile River Watershed Association, Gus’ work focused on mitigating the spread of invasive aquatic plant species in Maine. In his current role at Blue Marble Geographics, Gus’ advanced GIS skill set has been invaluable in assisting users worldwide in solving real-world challenges.

Overview:

In February 2021, Winter Storm Uri impacted all 254 counties in Texas. Numerous counties experienced record low temperatures and snowfall totals along with prolonged electrical power outages. Based on the concerns with the state's power grid, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 3 to address weather preparedness for the state’s electrical supply chain in the event of energy emergencies. The bill provided the authorization to establish an electricity supply chain map produced by the Texas Electricity Supply Chain Security and Mapping Committee. The legislation led the Railroad Commission of Texas to create a Critical Infrastructure Division to address administrative compliance and conduct inspections of the state’s natural gas infrastructure based on Texas Administrative Code Rule 3.65 and Rule 3.66. The division tracks and updates critical infrastructure changes for the electrical supply chain using GIS software. The division also uses geospatial data for data science analysis, tracking inspections through a digital Critical Infrastructure Inspection System (CIIS), and conducting vehicle fleet planning and operations. The division uses geospatial information to address various aspects of its regulatory responsibilities and requirements.

Learning Objectives:

Understanding the dynamic uses of GIS for state-level regulatory requirements with respect to critical infrastructure.

About the Speaker:

Jared Ware, Railroad Commission of Texas

Jared Ware is the Director of the Critical Infrastructure Division at the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC). He leads a division of one hundred dedicated public servants focused on the weatherization of natural gas critical facilities that enable the electrical grid throughout Texas. Jared previously served at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) leading the Program Support and Environmental Assistance Division (PSEAD). Prior to TCEQ he was the senior facilities engineer in Army Futures Command G4/9 Directorate responsible for the program management of the command’s research and development sites. He previously worked at RRC as the Well Mapping Department and GIS Manager in the Oil and Gas Division (Administrative Compliance). Jared also served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). His academic assignments included leading a training division at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and as an assistant professor and course director in the Geospatial Information Science program at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. Jared has earned a BS in Geography, an MS in Engineering Management, and an MS in Geographic Information Science. He is a geographic information systems professional (GISP) and a certified energy manager (CEM).

Overview:

The FCC estimates that if we can reduce response times by 1 minute, that we can save 10,000 lives per year. This session will discuss how ECCs can help to achieve this goal by leveraging the z-axis information from wireless carriers, along with indoor maps, to identify a true dispatchable location. Many ECCs are receiving z-axis information from wireless carriers today in a Height Above Ellipsoid (HAE) format which is unusable. Solutions are available today for ECCs to translate HAE to a true dispatchable location including the building name, street address, and floor, and when combined with indoor maps, the room where a wireless caller is located.

Learning Objectives:

In this session, attendees will learn how they can leverage the z-axis information being delivered by the wireless carriers, along with GIS derived indoor maps, to locate wireless 9-1-1 callers more quickly.

About the Speaker:

Tim Wille, GeoComm

Tim Welle, a Product Manager for GeoComm’s Safety and Security business unit, is an experienced product leader with over ten years of experience bring GIS solutions to the market. Tim is currently working on products that uses indoor mapping technology to help keep schools safe, along with technology that turns raw z-axis location measurements into actionable information for dispatchers. Ultimately, Tim is focused on using technology to support GeoComm’s mission of helping to save lives and protect property.

Overview:

The Projections and Socioeconomic Analysis (PSA) team of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is responsible for developing annual and projected population estimates for Utility Water User Groups (WUG) in support of the Texas State Water Plan. The majority of WUGs are comprised of one or more Public Water Systems (PWS ). Following each decennial Census, PSA staff evaluate the relationship between Census block-level total population, group quarter population, and housing unit counts with current PWS boundaries, using GIS to calculate Census-based estimates for each PWS. Additionally, quality control measures are taken to address overcounts caused by areas where PWS boundaries overlap, and to account for rounding errors caused by obscure relationships between the census block and PWS boundary, or potentially incorrect boundaries . The presentation will cover how final estimates for each system are chosen based on a best fit model which incorporates the geographical minimum and maximum population, historical data, Census place data, and the Census-based estimate and how the final PWS estimates are aggregated by WUG and split by Regional Water Planning Area, County, and Major River Basin for further planning and analysis . Lastly, the presentation will also discuss assumptions and limitations of the methodology, and challenges of estimating population for each PWS.

Learning Objectives:

The audience will learn how to estimate the population of a specific area using Census Block data and population density. They will see how Census Blocks and PWS boundaries were overlayed and joined via Union in GIS, and how population was distributed to areas where PWS boundaries overlapped. They will receive an overview of Water Supply Planning programs. They will also learn how the Census-based population informs our WUG population, Gallon Per Capita Daily (GPCD), and municipal demand projections, which are a major component of the Texas State Water Plan.

About the Speaker:

Amanda Covington, Texas Water Development Board

Amanda Covington joined the TWDB as a Planner with the Projections and Socioeconomic Analysis team in September 2019. She works primarily in developing annual population and water demand estimates and assists in the development of population and demand projections, the socioeconomic impact analysis, and database management with specialized work in the geographical distribution of various datasets. Prior to joining the TWDB she graduated with a B.S. from Southwestern University and received her GIS Certification from Austin Community College.

Emma Jones, Texas Water Development Board

Emma Jones has been working at the Texas Water Development Board for over two years with the Projections and Socioeconomic Analysis team. She is responsible for overseeing annual estimates of population and water demands as well as assisting with the development of water demand projections and the socioeconomic impact analysis. Emma has a B.A in Environmental Studies from Rollins College, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in GIS from Penn State University, and a Masters of Natural Resources Development from Texas A&M University.

Overview:

This two-part presentation will focus on the City of Austin’s implementation and use of ESRI's comprehensive routing solution StreetMap Premium. In the first part of the presentation, we will cover both the business requirements and systems design aspects of GIS routing at the city. The second part will explore using the popular AI tool ChatGPT to assist in developing a python-based routing analysis. Many departments at the City of Austin such as the Austin Fire Department, Austin Resource Recovery, and others have a need to analyze routing problems at a large scale. Historically GIS users at the city have maintained and built their own network datasets for solving routing problems, but there has long been a desire to consolidate these efforts into a centralized enterprise solution. ESRI's routing product StreetMap Premium was chosen as a comprehensive solution to give our customers access to this expensive and often hard to acquire data. This presentation will walk through how the City of Austin implemented a routing solution for our customers while overcoming technical and organizational hurdles. In addition, we'll highlight the use of ChatGPT as a learning tool for GIS python development in order to support automation efforts.

Learning Objectives:

1) Overview of GIS routing and its real-world use cases

2) Introduction to GIS systems design

3) Introduction to using ChatGPT as a learning tool for GIS python development)

About the Speaker:

Thomas Montgomery, City of Austin

Thomas is a GIS systems consultant with the City of Austin IT department. In this position he works across the city’s organization to assist users in all departments with their GIS needs. Before working for the City of Austin Thomas did GIS work for the City of San Antonio and Apple. Thomas attended Texas State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Thomas lives in San Marcos and his hobbies are learning Spanish, mushroom hunting, and cooking.

Christopher Clary, City of Austin

Christopher Clary, Systems Consultant for the City of Austin, works in the Communications and Technology Management Department’s Geospatial Technology Management group where he administers and supports geospatial applications and systems used throughout city. He attended Texas A&M Corpus Christi and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science. Christopher enjoys solving problems and exploring new opportunities to improve geospatial workflows and processes.

Overview:

Are you looking to develop a top-notch GIS training program that will empower your team and propel your organization to new heights? Look no further! In this engaging presentation, we will delve into the key elements and strategies for building a comprehensive GIS training program that captivates learners and fosters skill development. Join us as we explore the critical considerations involved in designing a successful GIS training program. We'll discuss the importance of assessing training needs, defining clear learning objectives, and tailoring content to meet the diverse skill levels and interests of your trainees. Whether you're an experienced GIS professional or new to training development, this presentation is designed to equip you with practical insights and actionable strategies for building an impactful GIS training program. Unlock the potential of your team and elevate your organization's geospatial capabilities. Join us and embark on a journey toward mapping your way to success!

Learning Objectives:

1) Identifying Training Needs

2) Developing a Training Plan, including selecting training methods and resources, and creating training materials

3) Best Practices for Delivering Training Sessions

4) Sustaining the Training Program

- Common roadblocks, and how to proceed

- Tips and Tricks

- Engagement

About the Speaker:

Catherine Hodde-Pierce, Texas Department of Transportation

Catherine Hodde-Pierce earned her Bachelors in GIS from Texas State University. She has worked for the State for over five years and is currently a GIS Training Coordinator at TxDOT. Catherine has participated in all sides of GIS: infrastructure and backend, geodatabase administration, project management, customer support, cartography, management, and more, so training was a natural fit for her. She is passionate about empowering users to create tools to meet their needs by providing high quality training tailored to serving their job functions.

Ashley Schutt, Texas Department of Transportation

Ashley Schutt attended Stephen F. Austin State University where she graduated with a BS in Environmental Science. Before coming to TxDOT Ashley served as a GIS Technical Specialist at the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, where she leveraged GIS technology for emergency response and decision-making, earning awards for her innovative applications. Currently serving as a GIS Training Coordinator for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Statewide GIS department, Ashley designs and executes tailored training programs, orchestrates sessions for sizable audiences, and offers support and guidance to TxDOT users, ensuring all training needs are met. Ashley combines her education and extensive professional experience to deliver impactful GIS solutions and training programs.

Overview:

This session explores how to use GIS and data analytics with TIER II Chemical Data to reduce the risk and impact of chemical incidents and improve response time. TIER II Chemical Data provides critical information about hazardous chemical storage and use, which is essential for planning and emergency response. Attendees will learn how GIS validates data, prioritizes facilities for inspection, and aids in emergency response planning.

Learning Objectives:

Emphasize the critical role of TIER II Chemical Data in fostering safer and more resilient communities. Demonstrate the capabilities of analytical tools in effectively processing and interpreting TIER II Chemical Data. Illustrate the significant value of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in visualizing TIER II Chemical Data, enhancing situational awareness, and generating critical geospatial insights. Show how the convergence of Analytics and GIS can successfully address the shortcomings of traditional methods, such as the CAMEO suite when dealing with TIER II Chemical Data.

About the Speaker:

Bernardo Salazar, UrbanDataLabs, LLC

Bernardo Salazar, Urban Data Scientist at UrbanDataLabs, LLC, is a seasoned professional holding prestigious AICP and GISP certifications. His diverse experience in Public Policy, Urban Planning, and GIS, coupled with a strong foundation in data analytics, empowers him to transform data into meaningful, action-driven strategies. His specialized experience in Hazmat Planning further testifies to his ability to manage complex data in safety-critical scenarios. Bernardo's multifaceted skill set, combined with his commitment to leveraging data for the public good, uniquely positions him to navigate the complex challenges of urban environments. His deep understanding of urban issues and policy, backed by his data science expertise, enables him to deliver solutions that drive change and foster resilience in urban communities. Bernardo's passion and expertise play a pivotal role in helping clients solve their toughest urban challenges.

Overview:

With the publication of the NENA Requirements for 3D GIS for Enhanced 9-1-1 (today's systems) and Next Generation 9-1-1 (future systems), new concepts and considerations regarding vertical caller location now need to be understood and leveraged by Emergency Services providers across the State and GIS data developers/managers for them. This session will review key concepts concerning 9-1-1’s use of altitude, height and elevation, what this information means and how it can and will be applied to 9-1-1 operations.

Learning Objectives:

- What the terms Z, Altitude, Height, and Elevation each mean and how they are different.

- What should be considered in utilizing vertical location information in 9-1-1 centers.

- How vertical location information impacts current and future GIS technologies other standards and guidance documents.

About the Speaker:

Ashley Jenkins, Motorola Solutions Inc

Ashley Jenkins is a Senior GIS Analyst & Training Specialist at Motorola Solutions. After graduating with her Master of Science in Geography from Texas State University, she joined Apple Inc.'s Indoor Mapping program as a GIS-CAD Specialist and served as an Adjunct Professor at Austin Community College. Since then, Ashley has been working in Emergency Management Information Technology the past six years, helping cities & counties across the US ready their GIS data for Next Generation 9-1-1 and geospatial routing.

Overview:

Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) technology has gained significant attention in recent years due to its ability to generate high-resolution and accurate 3D data. However, the true value of lidar lies not only in the raw point cloud data but also in the derived products and the democratization of this data. This presentation explores the various derivatives that can be obtained from lidar data, including digital elevation models, vegetation indices, building footprints, and more. These derivatives provide critical information for applications in disaster management, urban planning, infrastructure monitoring, and environmental conservation. Moreover, the importance of data democratization, ensuring the accessibility and usability of lidar data, is highlighted. By making lidar data widely available to researchers, policymakers, and the public, data democratization fosters innovation, facilitates evidence-based decision-making, and empowers local communities to actively participate in resilience-building efforts. This presentation examines the challenges and benefits of data democratization and emphasizes the need for collaboration between data providers, governments, and stakeholders to create frameworks that promote open data access while addressing privacy and security concerns. Ultimately, the combination of Lidar derivatives and data democratization has the potential to revolutionize various fields, enabling more sustainable and resilient development.

Learning Objectives:

Examples of derivative products from lidar, how they benefit various use cases, and how they can be easily widely distributed/accessed.

About the Speaker:

Matt Hiland, Sanborn Geospatial (AppGeo Division)

Matt is a seasoned geospatial information technology consultant who has worked for 30+ years with federal, state, and local government agencies to design, build, implement, and integrate enterprise systems. He also enjoys traveling with his wife, being outdoors, and spending time with his son, who is a junior in Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Bridget Marcotte, Sanborn Geospatial (AppGeo Division).

Bridget has more than 18 years of experience in the GIS/mapping industry, utilizing remote sensing and GIS technology to deliver innovative and quality land cover classifications and data analysis to clients. As a certified Project Management Professional, she oversees project timelines and budgets and works directly with clients to ensure project success. She has significant experience in managing all phases of oblique and orthoimagery, lidar, GIS, and remote sensing projects.  Ms. Marcotte has a Bachelor of Science in Geography-Cartography/Geographic Information Systems from Texas State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Texas in Arlington.

Overview:

TxDOT is committed to roadway safety in the State of Texas. The DriveTexas.org system publishes near-real-time roadway conditions and travel-related information to the Texas travelling public via an easy to use web interface, which is available on both mobile devices and desktop computers. DriveTexas supports over 3 million user sessions per year. With the increase in roadway flooding events across the state, the need to publish timely flood hazards is more important than ever. To answer this need, TxDOT, in partnership with the Texas Transportation Institiute (TTI), has incorporated a new "flooding likely" data layer into DriveTexas. This new layer pulls information from flood control districts around the state and disseminates that information to the public.

Learning Objectives:

In this presentation, we will describe this success story of different agencies working together to get critical information out to the public in an easy to understand manner.

About the Speaker:

Sarah Berryhill, Texas Department of Transportation

Sarah Berryhill has been with TxDOT’s Travel Information Division for 10 years and started working with the DriveTexas.org team just 2 short weeks before Hurricane Harvey struck the Texas coast in 2017 and has been an indispensable part of TxDOT’s day-to-day road conditions reporting and emergency response ever since. During her time working with DriveTexas she has assisted with numerous hurricanes and emergency events, including Winter Storm Uri that brought Texas to a standstill in 2021. Her capable oversight has helped build DriveTexas.org and HCRS into a robust, reliable resource Texas travelers use every day. Berryhill leads a dedicated team who brings together the work of more than 2,000 data input users all over the state.

Morgen Healy, Sanborn Geospatial (AppGeo Division)

Morgen is the Vice President of Services for the AppGeo Division of Sanborn Geospatial. She has over 20 years of experience as a GIS professional. She manages and leads a wide range of geospatial projects, including State and Federal transportation projects, State Broadband Planning projects, enterprise GIS architecture, and website design and development projects. Morgen has been collaborating with colleagues and customers for over 10 years to build innovative geospatial solutions for the State of Texas. She very much enjoys coming to the TX GIS Forum each year to connect with other GIS professionals, and to eat breakfast tacos!

Overview:

What would you do if you could time travel, go anywhere in the blink of an eye, or had X-ray vision? With remote sensing, you can have these superpowers. This talk will discuss how high-resolution satellite imagery enables us to monitor and manage the changing world, from vegetation and water resources to building and road change detection. We will introduce remote sensing and its evolution in recent decades, high-resolution data sources that are available, and what an imagery pipeline looks like from start to finish. Our goal is to provide greater awareness of the tools that complement GIS to better understand and help our changing world.

Learning Objectives:

To understand the evolution of remote sensing, imagery sources that are available, differences in resolution and data characteristics, change detection in various environments, imagery pipelines, and how GIS complements remote sensing for positive change.

About the Speaker:

Chippie Kislik, Planet

Chippie Kislik is a PreSales Engineer at Planet, a public benefit corporation based in San Francisco that launches its own satellites and takes images of the Earth every day. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in May of 2022 with a Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, and her previous research focused on water quality monitoring using satellite imagery and drones.

Overview:

The presenter will review advances in LiDAR technology and how those impact the availability of High-Definition data. High-Definition 3D-data serves as the foundation for accurate Digital Twins of cities, counties, or the entire state. The presenter will explore how these rich datasets fuel solutions to a multitude of problems across many Texas state agencies.

Learning Objectives:

- Demonstrate the value of high-definition LiDAR for a wide range of Texas State Agencies

About the Speaker:

Rick Eagle, VeriDaaS

Rick boasts over two decades of diverse leadership experience in bringing products to market, showcasing his prowess in multidisciplinary strategies. As an accomplished product strategist, he excels in recognizing market openings, devising competitive strategies, and effectively executing product plans. With a track record as an innovation specialist, Rick has consistently identified and rapidly assessed groundbreaking product prospects, translating them into successful endeavors that drive disruptive solutions.

Overview:

As AI technology races ahead, both public and private sectors are cautiously embracing the inevitable and imagining the impossible. Automated feature extraction from high resolution aerial imagery that was once imagined such as buildings, roads, land cover, trees and many others are now in sight and a reality. Government agencies and private sector need more accurate, up-to-date data, faster than ever before to advance numerous initiatives across State/County/City programs. In this presentation, Brian Garcia highlights the unprecedent transformation in the industry, provides an overview of Vexcel’s U.S. aerial imagery program—the largest of its kind—and how that program feeds AI-generated insights for public safety, property valuation and transportation. Examples will cover new approaches in road asset inventory and safety assessment, as well as year over year change detection in property appraisal and damage review in emergency management.

Learning Objectives:

The audience will learn about leading practices in the use of high-resolution aerial imagery and enhanced machine learning for delivering statewide insights for public safety, assessment and transportation. Examples will cover new approaches in road asset inventory and safety assessment, as well as new direct feed options for change detection assistance in property assessment and emergency management.

About the Speaker:

Brian Garcia, Vexcel

Brian Garcia has worked in geospatial and aerial data, serving the government sector for the past twenty years. He has a passion for transforming organizations using aerial imagery and AI and ML derived information. Over his career, he has worked with some of the largest aerial consortiums in the United States and has been a part of major projects using aerial data that have transformed industries such as GIS, Property Tax Assessment, Public Safety, Public Works and Transportation.

Overview:

Have you ever wondered if there's more to lidar than just a bunch of points? Or maybe you are buried in an avalanche of data too big to manage. We'll share how we tackled the problem of lidar and image processing at scale using the latest in cloud technology. Rapid turnaround data processing at massive scale enables higher-order analysis for data-driven management including 3D feature modeling, change detection, and predictive analytics.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the challenges, benefits, and current state of large-scale geo-data processing.

About the Speaker:

Shelby Coder, Fugro

Shelby Coder has 19 years of experience in applied geography. She started her career in GIS with local government, acted as a hydrography and elevation data steward at TNRIS, and went on to roles in sales, project management, product marketing, and product development while at Planet, Mapbox, and Fugro. At Fugro she is responsible for the ideation, creation, and commercialization of new spatial technology solutions for government, power utilities, and infrastructure management globally. Shelby holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geosciences from Texas A&M University and a Master of Science in Geography from Texas State University. She lives in Brisbane, Australia.

Glen Ross-Sampson, Fugro

Glen Ross-Sampson is an Innovation Manager at Fugro, based in Brisbane Australia. He is responsible for managing the software development teams building technology for power utilities, government, and infrastructure management globally. Glen has over 15 years of experience in enterprise software development in engineering, tech leadership, and management roles. His 10 years at Fugro have been focused on cloud processing of lidar, imagery, and other spatial data at the petabyte scale. Glen has a Bachelor of Mathematics and a Bachelor of Information Technology from Queensland University of Technology.

Overview:

Digital Twins, software platforms, and integrated technology systems are buzzwords that are driving digital transformation in the AEC industry. This is being fueled by recent growth trends of cloud computing capabilities and providers, high-end data processing and visualization capabilities, and growth in wireless network capabilities which in-turn enable high volume and reliable real-time data collection. Infrastructure owner-operators are looking at this technology to help them manage and maintain their assets in a more cost-effective way. HDR is leading the way with technical and data solution experts, OT cyber security experts and digital thread/digital twin evangelists in articulating an approach that can advise and implement digital twin solutions. We invite you to join us to learn about our approach, hear our clients’ successes and discuss how digital twins are changing our world. Project highlights: Seattle City Light-Diablo Dam Inspection, Kirtland Air Force Base Digital Modeling, City of Kansas City, San Juan Water District- Granit Bay, Defense Logistics Agency-New Cumberland

Learning Objectives:

Digital maturity levels, common data environment, cybersecurity, digital design and intelligent content development, asset management

Overview:

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has launched an Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) program with a driving mission to support agency goals by increasing safety, efficiency and lowering costs. TxDOT is developing a UAS program to create and maintain accurate spatial data for the more than 80,000 miles of roadways under our jurisdiction. This presentation will discuss the creation of the agency's UAS program, training and certifying more than 60 Part 107 pilots, procurement, and turning static images into useful 3d models. The transportation industry’s future will involve digital twins and using drones to help capture the real-world data needed to create them. This presentation will cover TxDOT’s efforts to step into that future.

Learning Objectives:

- Discuss the challenges of setting up and managing a large-scale drone program that covers one of the largest states in the country.

- Learn about the techniques TxDOT is using to store, process, and manage the data collected from our flights.

- Discuss how we are utilizing the data collected from flights and where we want to go in the future.

About the Speaker:

Travis Scruggs, Texas Department of Transportation

Travis has worked with TxDOT in the Mapping Branch of the Transportation Planning Division since 2009 and has focused on using GIS to create and manage the spatial roadway data for the 80,000+ miles of roadway under TxDOT Jurisdiction. More recently, Travis has become a certified Part 107 Drone pilot through TxDOT training and is using these new skills in concert with his GIS background to assist TxDOT’s transition to a future with digital twins. Travis has a bachelors and Master of Science in GIS from the University of Texas at Dallas, and enjoys spending time with his family and some tabletop gaming with his friends.

Sergio Roman, Texas Department of Transportation

Sergio serves as TxDOT's UAS coordinator charged with developing and managing pilot training, aircraft procurement, and the integration of UAS into TxDOT’s daily operations. He has been flying drones and managing drone programs for 13 years cumulating over 6,000 flight hours for the US Army, major Defense contractors, and now TxDOT. His goal is to make the benefits of UAS attainable to TxDOT and its partners through collaboration, standardization, and the strategic application of UAS on TxDOT projects.

Overview:

Recently, a paper from Rosenberg et al. (2019) documented the loss of 3 billion birds in North America since the 1970s. Of those lost, 700 million are grassland birds, which includes species such as the Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus; hereafter shrike). The regional statistics from eBird estimate that the state of Texas supports 6% of North America’s breeding shrikes and 22% of wintering shrikes, and it is identified by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Thus, it is critical to understand what drives declines in the state; for example, in the Oaks and Prairies Bird Conservation Region, which includes Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, Loggerhead Shrikes have declined by 94% since 1970 (Partners in Flight 2020). Currently, little is understood about what is driving shrike declines, and a coordinated effort is needed to evaluate nesting and productivity in order to allow comparisons across studies. In a suburb of Austin, Texas, partners have found a population of shrikes that consistently inhabit and breed within a public park subject to intensive human use year-round. As such, this location is not only ideal for collecting information about productivity to help close this information gap, but also presents an opportunity to involve community scientists and develop a monitoring program that can be integrated into larger-scale coordinated community science efforts. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists and the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture worked together to develop a protocol for nest monitoring and companion data collection apps using Esri’s ArcGIS Survey123 and Field Maps for local community scientists to monitor shrike nests. The community scientists needed a straightforward, simple, and easy-to-understand data collection tool to track nest status (via a “live” nest tracking map), to collect data on new nests, to monitor existing nests, and to determine the fate of a nest. Additional ArcGIS Survey123 forms were developed to track color-banded shrike sightings (including a dashboard to track sightings of individual birds) to facilitate territory mapping and seasonality of shrikes. Data collection began in 2021 and is on-going in 2023. We will share methodology and lessons learned from the development of the protocol and survey forms to help promote development of other coordinated efforts to involve community scientists in data collection for priority species and to provide inspiration for innovative ways to collect and track wildlife data.

Learning Objectives:

Community science can amplify the efforts of biologists, allowing for increased and consistent data collection. The audience will hear from the biologists on the importance of utilizing community scientists and mobile GIS applications (ESRI’s ArcGIS Survey123, ArcGIS Field Maps, and ArcGIS Dashboards) for wildlife data collection. We will also share about lessons learned in the development of the protocols and data collection process to assist those who may be considering similar efforts.

About the Speaker:

Anna Matthews, American Bird Conservancy

Anna Matthews is the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture Science Coordinator with American Bird Conservancy. In this position, Anna works with partners in Oklahoma and Texas to identify science priorities and coordinate monitoring and research projects that support bird conservation. This work ranges from biological planning for priority bird species, protocol development to assess effectiveness of habitat treatments on private lands, support for community science data collection efforts, management of bird and vegetation monitoring in the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture geography, and much more. Anna obtained a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a M.S. in Wildlife Ecology from Texas State University, where she worked on developing detection and density models for several priority grassland bird species in Texas using data collected by the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture and American Bird Conservancy. She currently lives in central Texas, and she has a passion for fun bird facts and teaching the public and young biologists about bird identification.

Tania Homayoun, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Dr. Tania Homayoun is the statewide ornithologist with the Nongame and Rare Species Program at Texas Parks and Wildlife. Through this position, she works to implement conservation measures, conduct status assessments, direct statewide bird research efforts, and address threats to non-game birds identified as Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Tania spent several years with TPWD’s Texas Nature Trackers program, engaging naturalists of all interests and ability levels in collecting citizen and community science data on Texas’ unique plants and animals. Previously, Tania worked for Audubon Texas, with the Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center and later the Conservation Science Team as its Urban Conservation Program Manager where she worked to develop and deliver conservation plans, educational programs/trainings, and activities supporting biodiversity and sustainable communities. Tania holds a BS in Ecology/Evolution/Conservation Biology and a BA in Anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin and a PhD in Conservation Biology from the University of Minnesota, where she studied the impacts of urbanization on landbird communities. She is an avid birder and always has room for one more native plant in her patio garden.

Overview:

This presentation will outline the development of the Texas Electric Vehicle Infrastrucutre Plan, the implementation plan, and future EV charing developments in Texas.

Learning Objectives:

EV charging in Texas; where, when, and how much?

About the Speaker:

Michael Chamberlain, Texas Department of Transportation

Michael Chamberlain is the Director of Data Management within TxDOT's Transportation Planning and Programming Division and has been with TxDOT for 23 years. His experience includes the creation of numerous GIS productivity tools, statewide datasets, and applications including the Statewide Planning Map, Project Tracker, and the Geospatial Roadway Inventory Database (GRID). Current projects include developing the Alternative Fuel Corridors, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan and managing the statewide rollout of EV charging.

Overview:

A comparison of technologies- what to use when? What are you getting out of each method? There are so many cool technologies out there, but sometimes it's hard to pinpoint what you can use them for. Is one method really better than all the others? Can one replace another? Drone vs 360's, 360's vs still image for construction, CAD vs GIS, Revit model in GIS vs Drone Deploy 3D model in GIS.

Learning Objectives:

This presentation will compare some of the tools and technologies we have used and share what we've learned so far.

About the Speaker:

Deborah Massaro, Austin Community College

Deborah received a Bachelor’s of Science in Architecture at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA and then spent some time at a residential architecture firm measuring and drafting as built conditions. She started at MIT in 2015 as the CAD/Signage Assistant and then moved to Austin and joined ACC’s Facilities and Construction department as the CAD Coordinator. She started there working on signage, space management and document management as the sole member of what now is the FIS team. She has grown this team to include full time and intern positions for GIS, BIM and archiving, and is now the GIS/Digital Information Manager. Deborah is in charge of maintaining all space data, managing access to Facilities data, and growing the college's GIS implementation.

Sean Moran, Austin Community College

Mr. Moran is an ACC GIS Professor. He has over 20 years of professional planning, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) experience. He has extensive experience utilizing information technology to facilitate planning, engineering, and environmental projects. Prior to coming to Austin Community College (ACC) in 2009, Mr. Moran taught applied GIS to graduate-level planning students in the School of Architecture at the University of Texas. He has a BS in Urban Forestry from Texas A&M University and an MS in Urban Planning from the University of Texas.

Andrew Peterson, Austin Community College

Andrew is currently a GIS intern with ACC Inc. His primary responsibility has been developing workflows to bring CAD floor plans into GIS and integrating them with the ArcGIS Indoors data model for a variety of applications. He completed his AAS in GIS last Spring at ACC, and is now pursuing a Bachelors of Applied Technology, also at ACC. Before discovering his interest in GIS, Andrew worked on the James Webb Space Telescope for Northrop Grumman, hand-building and installing the multi-layer insulation for the satellite.

Overview:

Though marine debris is a known danger to coastal ecosystems and wildlife, resolving the litter problem requires changing the attitude of the public and inspiring them to care for the environment. SPLASh (Stopping Plastic Pollution Along Shorelines- a litter cleanup group based in the Houston-Galveston region) is trying to connect people to wildlife via programming that specifically targets litter in bird habitats. Presenting scientific data in a friendly, engaging manner can be challenging, but the use of maps, landmarks and attention grabbing graphics help citizens recognize issues impacting their communities. SPLASh runs litter cleanups with the support of volunteers, collecting and documenting litter using a specific methodology (STOP), creating reliable and consistent data. This data is then added to the Texas Litter Database, a statewide repository of publicly available litter data; however, SPLASh required an online visual representation of their project progress, using metrics from their litter cleanups. We imported cleanup data to design a versatile and flexible solution that combined ArcGIS Storymaps and Dashboards for their project. These dashboards seamlessly import data directly from database downloads allowing the system to be easily used by non-GIS professionals, allowing SPLASh to maintain the system independently with little to no assistance. In the future, we hope to see the use of these dashboards in direct coordination with cleanups - especially to show children just how much they can accomplish.

Learning Objectives:

Building a public-facing dashboard that can be managed by non-professionals can be cost effective for businesses. For non-profits especially, it may be the only way a dashboard can be maintained long term. Building a dashboard that uses an existing database can be a challenge that requires flexibility, as well as frequent communication with the database manager.

About the Speaker:

Jess Lucas, Black Cat GIS and Biological

Jess Lucas has a background in wildlife biology, including a bachelors degree from Texas A&M University, and a hard earned Master's Degree from Clemson University, with research focused on defining the roosting habitat of Rafinesque's big-eared bat. She has over 15 years of experience in natural resources and GIS, including a diverse background in both education and wildlife, working on projects from Central Texas to the Eastern Seaboard. Most recently, she continued her education with a GIS certificate through Austin Community College, and is always looking to learn new skills and techniques. She currently works as a GIS Analyst for Black Cat GIS and Biological, based out of Houston, providing solutions for primarily non-profit and educational entities.

Overview:

As part of modernizing GIS at the City of Austin, the goal was to update customized legacy tools to modern out of the box functionalities. This came as a particular challenge for updating the City's Addressing applications as this data is crucial for 911 response, permitting & utilities and is integrated within each of the applications that manage these. Join us to learn how we leveraged Esri's Address Data Management Solution to meet our needs!

Learning Objectives:

How the City of Austin's Geospatial Data Services team

- Incorporated existing data in one of Esri's local government solutions.

- Researched out of the box capabilities and how to implement them in the City's GIS environment.

- Updated workflows in the solution that fit the City's Addressing needs.

- Created scripts that perform additional capabilities including domain population and address verification letters.

About the Speaker:

Salman Mohammed Siddiqui, City of Austin

Salman Mohammed Siddiqui is a Business Systems Analyst with the City of Austin for 3 years. He has worked in IT for more than 11 years and has a versatile background in building and supporting applications. He enjoys playing soccer, doing any outdoor activities and also enjoys trying new foods.

Jacqueline Hrncir, City of Austin

Jacquie Hrncir is the manager of the Geospatial Data Services team at the City of Austin. She has worked in the field of GIS for 22 years with 17 years at the City of Austin. In her free time she enjoys being in nature, traveling and trying new restaurants.