HEPGIS is a web-based interactive geographic map server that allows users to navigate and view geo-spatial data, print maps, and obtain data on specific features using only a web browser. It includes geo-spatial data used for transportation planning. HEPGIS previously received ARRA funding for development of Economically distressed Area maps. It is also being used to demonstrate emerging trends to address MPO and statewide planning regulations/requirements , enhanced National Highway System, Primary Freight Networks, commodity flows and safety data . HEPGIS has been used to help implement MAP-21 regulations and will help implement the Grow America Act, particularly related to Ladder of Opportunities and MPO reforms.

Geographic Information System (GIS) Tools Market Outlook

The global Geographic Information System (GIS) tools market size was valued at approximately USD 10.8 billion in 2023, and it is projected to reach USD 21.5 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9% from 2024 to 2032. The increasing demand for spatial data analytics and the rising adoption of GIS tools across various industries are significant growth factors propelling the market forward.

One of the primary growth factors for the GIS tools market is the surging demand for spatial data analytics. Spatial data plays a critical role in numerous sectors, including urban planning, environmental monitoring, disaster management, and natural resource exploration. The ability to visualize and analyze spatial data provides organizations with valuable insights, enabling them to make informed decisions. Advances in technology, such as the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) with GIS, are enhancing the capabilities of these tools, further driving market growth.

Moreover, the increasing adoption of GIS tools in the construction and agriculture sectors is fueling market expansion. In construction, GIS tools are used for site selection, route planning, and resource management, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs. Similarly, in agriculture, GIS tools aid in precision farming, crop monitoring, and soil analysis, leading to improved crop yields and sustainable farming practices. The ability of GIS tools to provide real-time data and analytics is particularly beneficial in these industries, contributing to their widespread adoption.

The growing importance of location-based services (LBS) in various applications is another key driver for the GIS tools market. LBS are extensively used in navigation, logistics, and transportation, providing real-time location information and route optimization. The proliferation of smartphones and the development of advanced GPS technologies have significantly increased the demand for LBS, thereby boosting the GIS tools market. Additionally, the integration of GIS with other technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data, is creating new opportunities for market growth.

Regionally, North America holds a significant share of the GIS tools market, driven by the high adoption of advanced technologies and the presence of major market players. The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period, owing to increasing investments in infrastructure development, smart city projects, and the growing use of GIS tools in emerging economies such as China and India. Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa are also expected to contribute to market growth, driven by various government initiatives and increasing awareness of the benefits of GIS tools.

Component Analysis

The GIS tools market can be segmented by component into software, hardware, and services. The software segment is anticipated to dominate the market due to the increasing demand for advanced GIS software solutions that offer enhanced data visualization, spatial analysis, and decision-making capabilities. GIS software encompasses a wide range of applications, including mapping, spatial data analysis, and geospatial data management, making it indispensable for various industries. The continuous development of user-friendly and feature-rich software solutions is expected to drive the growth of this segment.

Hardware components in the GIS tools market include devices such as GPS units, remote sensing devices, and plotting and digitizing tools. The hardware segment is also expected to witness substantial growth, driven by the increasing use of advanced hardware devices that provide accurate and real-time spatial data. The advancements in GPS technology and the development of sophisticated remote sensing devices are key factors contributing to the growth of the hardware segment. Additionally, the integration of hardware with IoT and AI technologies is enhancing the capabilities of GIS tools, further propelling market expansion.

The services segment includes consulting, integration, maintenance, and support services related to GIS tools. This segment is expected to grow significantly, driven by the increasing demand for specialized services that help organizations effectively implement and manage GIS solutions. Consulting services assist organizations in selecting the right GIS tools and optimizing their use, while integration services ensure seamless integr

GIS Data Collector Market Outlook

The global GIS Data Collector market size is anticipated to grow from USD 4.5 billion in 2023 to approximately USD 12.3 billion by 2032, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6%. The growth of this market is largely driven by the increasing adoption of GIS technology across various industries, advances in technology, and the need for effective spatial data management.

An important factor contributing to the growth of the GIS Data Collector market is the rising demand for geospatial information across different sectors such as agriculture, construction, and transportation. The integration of advanced technologies like IoT and AI with GIS systems enables the collection and analysis of real-time data, which is crucial for effective decision-making. The increasing awareness about the benefits of GIS technology and the growing need for efficient land management are also fuelling market growth.

The government sector plays a significant role in the expansion of the GIS Data Collector market. Governments worldwide are investing heavily in GIS technology for urban planning, disaster management, and environmental monitoring. These investments are driven by the need for accurate and timely spatial data to address critical issues such as climate change, urbanization, and resource management. Moreover, regulatory policies mandating the use of GIS technology for infrastructure development and environmental conservation are further propelling market growth.

Another major growth factor in the GIS Data Collector market is the continuous technological advancements in GIS software and hardware. The development of user-friendly and cost-effective GIS solutions has made it easier for organizations to adopt and integrate GIS technology into their operations. Additionally, the proliferation of mobile GIS applications has enabled field data collection in remote areas, thus expanding the scope of GIS technology. The advent of cloud computing has further revolutionized the GIS market by offering scalable and flexible solutions for spatial data management.

Regionally, North America holds the largest share of the GIS Data Collector market, driven by the presence of key market players, advanced technological infrastructure, and high adoption rates of GIS technology across various industries. However, the Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period, primarily due to rapid urbanization, government initiatives promoting GIS adoption, and increasing investments in smart city projects. Other regions such as Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa are also experiencing significant growth in the GIS Data Collector market, thanks to increasing awareness and adoption of GIS technology.

The role of a GPS Field Controller is becoming increasingly pivotal in the GIS Data Collector market. These devices are essential for ensuring that data collected in the field is accurate and reliable. By providing real-time positioning data, GPS Field Controllers enable precise mapping and spatial analysis, which are critical for applications such as urban planning, agriculture, and transportation. The integration of GPS technology with GIS systems allows for seamless data synchronization and enhances the efficiency of data collection processes. As the demand for real-time spatial data continues to grow, the importance of GPS Field Controllers in the GIS ecosystem is expected to rise, driving further innovations and advancements in this segment.

Component Analysis

The GIS Data Collector market is segmented by component into hardware, software, and services. Each of these components plays a crucial role in the overall functionality and effectiveness of GIS systems. The hardware segment includes devices such as GPS units, laser rangefinders, and mobile GIS devices used for field data collection. The software segment encompasses various GIS applications and platforms used for data analysis, mapping, and visualization. The services segment includes consulting, training, maintenance, and support services provided by GIS vendors and solution providers.

In the hardware segment, the demand for advanced GPS units and mobile GIS devices is increasing, driven by the need for accurate and real-time spatial data collection. These devices are equipped with high-precision sensors and advanced features such as real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning, which enhance

The Digital Geologic-GIS Map of the Rhoda Quadrangle, Kentucky is composed of GIS data layers and GIS tables, and is available in the following GRI-supported GIS data formats: 1.) a 10.1 file geodatabase (rhod_geology.gdb), and a 2.) Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) geopackage. The file geodatabase format is supported with a 1.) ArcGIS Pro map file (.mapx) file (rhod_geology.mapx) and individual Pro layer (.lyrx) files (for each GIS data layer), as well as with a 2.) 10.1 ArcMap (.mxd) map document (rhod_geology.mxd) and individual 10.1 layer (.lyr) files (for each GIS data layer). Upon request, the GIS data is also available in ESRI 10.1 shapefile format. Contact Stephanie O'Meara (see contact information below) to acquire the GIS data in these GIS data formats. In addition to the GIS data and supporting GIS files, three additional files comprise a GRI digital geologic-GIS dataset or map: 1.) a readme file (maca_abli_geology_gis_readme.pdf), 2.) the GRI ancillary map information document (.pdf) file (maca_abli_geology.pdf) which contains geologic unit descriptions, as well as other ancillary map information and graphics from the source map(s) used by the GRI in the production of the GRI digital geologic-GIS data for the park, and 3.) a user-friendly FAQ PDF version of the metadata (rhod_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Please read the maca_abli_geology_gis_readme.pdf for information pertaining to the proper extraction of the GIS data and other map files. QGIS software is available for free at: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/. The data were completed as a component of the Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) program, a National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Division funded program that is administered by the NPS Geologic Resources Division (GRD). For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geologic-resources-inventory-products.htm. For more information about the Geologic Resources Inventory Program visit the GRI webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/gri,htm. At the bottom of that webpage is a "Contact Us" link if you need additional information. You may also directly contact the program coordinator, Jason Kenworthy (jason_kenworthy@nps.gov). Source geologic maps and data used to complete this GRI digital dataset were provided by the following: U.S. Geological Survey. Detailed information concerning the sources used and their contribution the GRI product are listed in the Source Citation section(s) of this metadata record (rhod_geology_metadata.txt or rhod_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Users of this data are cautioned about the locational accuracy of features within this dataset. Based on the source map scale of 1:24,000 and United States National Map Accuracy Standards features are within (horizontally) 12.2 meters or 40 feet of their actual location as presented by this dataset. Users of this data should thus not assume the location of features is exactly where they are portrayed in ArcGIS, QGIS or other software used to display this dataset. All GIS and ancillary tables were produced as per the NPS GRI Geology-GIS Geodatabase Data Model v. 2.3. (available at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/gri-geodatabase-model.htm).

The Digital Geologic-GIS Map of the Mammoth Cave Quadrangle, Kentucky is composed of GIS data layers and GIS tables, and is available in the following GRI-supported GIS data formats: 1.) a 10.1 file geodatabase (macv_geology.gdb), and a 2.) Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) geopackage. The file geodatabase format is supported with a 1.) ArcGIS Pro map file (.mapx) file (macv_geology.mapx) and individual Pro layer (.lyrx) files (for each GIS data layer), as well as with a 2.) 10.1 ArcMap (.mxd) map document (macv_geology.mxd) and individual 10.1 layer (.lyr) files (for each GIS data layer). Upon request, the GIS data is also available in ESRI 10.1 shapefile format. Contact Stephanie O'Meara (see contact information below) to acquire the GIS data in these GIS data formats. In addition to the GIS data and supporting GIS files, three additional files comprise a GRI digital geologic-GIS dataset or map: 1.) a readme file (maca_abli_geology_gis_readme.pdf), 2.) the GRI ancillary map information document (.pdf) file (maca_abli_geology.pdf) which contains geologic unit descriptions, as well as other ancillary map information and graphics from the source map(s) used by the GRI in the production of the GRI digital geologic-GIS data for the park, and 3.) a user-friendly FAQ PDF version of the metadata (macv_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Please read the maca_abli_geology_gis_readme.pdf for information pertaining to the proper extraction of the GIS data and other map files. QGIS software is available for free at: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/. The data were completed as a component of the Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) program, a National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Division funded program that is administered by the NPS Geologic Resources Division (GRD). For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geologic-resources-inventory-products.htm. For more information about the Geologic Resources Inventory Program visit the GRI webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/gri,htm. At the bottom of that webpage is a "Contact Us" link if you need additional information. You may also directly contact the program coordinator, Jason Kenworthy (jason_kenworthy@nps.gov). Source geologic maps and data used to complete this GRI digital dataset were provided by the following: U.S. Geological Survey. Detailed information concerning the sources used and their contribution the GRI product are listed in the Source Citation section(s) of this metadata record (macv_geology_metadata.txt or macv_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Users of this data are cautioned about the locational accuracy of features within this dataset. Based on the source map scale of 1:24,000 and United States National Map Accuracy Standards features are within (horizontally) 12.2 meters or 40 feet of their actual location as presented by this dataset. Users of this data should thus not assume the location of features is exactly where they are portrayed in ArcGIS, QGIS or other software used to display this dataset. All GIS and ancillary tables were produced as per the NPS GRI Geology-GIS Geodatabase Data Model v. 2.3. (available at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/gri-geodatabase-model.htm).

Snapshot img

North America Geographic Information System Market Size 2025-2029

The geographic information system market size in North America is forecast to increase by USD 11.4 billion at a CAGR of 23.7% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing adoption of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, satellite imagery, and sensors in various industries. In fleet management, GIS software is being used to optimize routes and improve operational efficiency. In the context of smart cities, GIS solutions are being utilized for content delivery, public safety, and building information modeling. The demand for miniaturization of technologies is also driving the market, allowing for the integration of GIS into smaller devices and applications. However, data security concerns remain a challenge, as the collection and storage of sensitive information requires robust security measures. The insurance industry is also leveraging GIS for telematics and risk assessment, while the construction sector uses GIS for server-based project management and planning. Overall, the GIS market is poised for continued growth as these trends and applications continue to evolve.

What will be the Size of the market During the Forecast Period?

Request Free Sample

The Geographic Information System (GIS) market encompasses a range of technologies and applications that enable the collection, management, analysis, and visualization of spatial data. Key industries driving market growth include transportation, infrastructure planning, urban planning, and environmental monitoring. Remote sensing technologies, such as satellite imaging and aerial photography, play a significant role in data collection. Artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) are increasingly integrated into GIS solutions for real-time location data processing and operational efficiency.
Applications span various sectors, including agriculture, natural resources, construction, and smart cities. GIS is essential for infrastructure analysis, disaster management, and land management. Geospatial technology enables spatial data integration, providing valuable insights for decision-making and optimization. Market size is substantial and growing, fueled by increasing demand for efficient urban planning, improved infrastructure, and environmental sustainability. Geospatial startups continue to emerge, innovating in areas such as telematics, natural disasters, and smart city development.

How is this market segmented and which is the largest segment?

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Component

  Software
  Data
  Services


Deployment

  On-premise
  Cloud


Geography

  North America

    Canada
    Mexico
    US

By Component Insights

The software segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The Geographic Information System (GIS) market encompasses desktop, mobile, cloud, and server software for managing and analyzing spatial data. In North America, industry-specific GIS software dominates, with some commercial entities providing open-source alternatives for limited functions like routing and geocoding. Despite this, counterfeit products pose a threat, making open-source software a viable option for smaller applications. Market trends indicate a shift towards cloud-based GIS solutions for enhanced operational efficiency and real-time location data. Spatial data applications span various sectors, including transportation infrastructure planning, urban planning, natural resources management, environmental monitoring, agriculture, and disaster management. Technological innovations, such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and satellite imagery, are revolutionizing GIS solutions.

Cloud-based GIS solutions, IoT integration, and augmented reality are emerging trends. Geospatial technology is essential for smart city projects, climate monitoring, intelligent transportation systems, and land management. Industry statistics indicate steady growth, with key players focusing on product innovation, infrastructure optimization, and geospatial utility solutions.

Get a glance at the market report of share of various segments Request Free Sample

Market Dynamics

Our North America Geographic Information System Market researchers analyzed the data with 2024 as the base year, along with the key drivers, trends, and challenges. A holistic analysis of drivers will help companies refine their marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage.

What are the key market drivers leading to the rise in the adoption of the North America Geographic Information System Market?

Rising applications of geographi

This dataset contains model-based county-level estimates for the PLACES 2022 release in GIS-friendly format. PLACES covers the entire United States—50 states and the District of Columbia (DC)—at county, place, census tract, and ZIP Code Tabulation Area levels. It provides information uniformly on this large scale for local areas at 4 geographic levels. Estimates were provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Population Health, Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch. Project was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in conjunction with the CDC Foundation. Data sources used to generate these model-based estimates include Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2020 or 2019 data, Census Bureau 2020 or 2019 county population estimates, and American Community Survey (ACS) 2016–2020 or 2015–2019 estimates. The 2022 release uses 2020 BRFSS data for 25 measures and 2019 BRFSS data for 4 measures (high blood pressure, taking high blood pressure medication, high cholesterol, and cholesterol screening) that the survey collects data on every other year. These data can be joined with the census 2020 county boundary file in a GIS system to produce maps for 29 measures at the county level. An ArcGIS Online feature service is also available for users to make maps online or to add data to desktop GIS software. https://cdcarcgis.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=3b7221d4e47740cab9235b839fa55cd7

Today, deep neural networks are widely used in many computer vision problems, also for geographic information systems (GIS) data. This type of data is commonly used for urban analyzes and spatial planning. We used orthophotographic images of two residential districts from Kielce, Poland for research including urban sprawl automatic analysis with Transformer-based neural network application.Orthophotomaps were obtained from Kielce GIS portal. Then, the map was manually masked into building and building surroundings classes. Finally, the ortophotomap and corresponding classification mask were simultaneously divided into small tiles. This approach is common in image data preprocessing for machine learning algorithms learning phase. Data contains two original orthophotomaps from Wietrznia and Pod Telegrafem residential districts with corresponding masks and also their tiled version, ready to provide as a training data for machine learning models.Transformed-based neural network has undergone a training process on the Wietrznia dataset, targeted for semantic segmentation of the tiles into buildings and surroundings classes. After that, inference of the models was used to test model's generalization ability on the Pod Telegrafem dataset. The efficiency of the model was satisfying, so it can be used in automatic semantic building segmentation. Then, the process of dividing the images can be reversed and complete classification mask retrieved. This mask can be used for area of the buildings calculations and urban sprawl monitoring, if the research would be repeated for GIS data from wider time horizon.Since the dataset was collected from Kielce GIS portal, as the part of the Polish Main Office of Geodesy and Cartography data resource, it may be used only for non-profit and non-commertial purposes, in private or scientific applications, under the law "Ustawa z dnia 4 lutego 1994 r. o prawie autorskim i prawach pokrewnych (Dz.U. z 2006 r. nr 90 poz 631 z późn. zm.)". There are no other legal or ethical considerations in reuse potential.Data information is presented below.wietrznia_2019.jpg - orthophotomap of Wietrznia districtmodel's - used for training, as an explanatory imagewietrznia_2019.png - classification mask of Wietrznia district - used for model's training, as a target imagewietrznia_2019_validation.jpg - one image from Wietrznia district - used for model's validation during training phasepod_telegrafem_2019.jpg - orthophotomap of Pod Telegrafem district - used for model's evaluation after training phasewietrznia_2019 - folder with wietrznia_2019.jpg (image) and wietrznia_2019.png (annotation) images, divided into 810 tiles (512 x 512 pixels each), tiles with no information were manually removed, so the training data would contain only informative tilestiles presented - used for the model during training (images and annotations for fitting the model to the data)wietrznia_2019_vaidation - folder with wietrznia_2019_validation.jpg image divided into 16 tiles (256 x 256 pixels each) - tiles were presented to the model during training (images for validation model's efficiency); it was not the part of the training datapod_telegrafem_2019 - folder with pod_telegrafem.jpg image divided into 196 tiles (256 x 265 pixels each) - tiles were presented to the model during inference (images for evaluation model's robustness)Dataset was created as described below.Firstly, the orthophotomaps were collected from Kielce Geoportal (https://gis.kielce.eu). Kielce Geoportal offers a .pst recent map from April 2019. It is an orthophotomap with a resolution of 5 x 5 pixels, constructed from a plane flight at 700 meters over ground height, taken with a camera for vertical photos. Downloading was done by WMS in open-source QGIS software (https://www.qgis.org), as a 1:500 scale map, then converted to a 1200 dpi PNG image.Secondly, the map from Wietrznia residential district was manually labelled, also in QGIS, in the same scope, as the orthophotomap. Annotation based on land cover map information was also obtained from Kielce Geoportal. There are two classes - residential building and surrounding. Second map, from Pod Telegrafem district was not annotated, since it was used in the testing phase and imitates situation, where there is no annotation for the new data presented to the model.Next, the images was converted to an RGB JPG images, and the annotation map was converted to 8-bit GRAY PNG image.Finally, Wietrznia data files were tiled to 512 x 512 pixels tiles, in Python PIL library. Tiles with no information or a relatively small amount of information (only white background or mostly white background) were manually removed. So, from the 29113 x 15938 pixels orthophotomap, only 810 tiles with corresponding annotations were left, ready to train the machine learning model for the semantic segmentation task. Pod Telegrafem orthophotomap was tiled with no manual removing, so from the 7168 x 7168 pixels ortophotomap were created 197 tiles with 256 x 256 pixels resolution. There was also image of one residential building, used for model's validation during training phase, it was not the part of the training data, but was a part of Wietrznia residential area. It was 2048 x 2048 pixel ortophotomap, tiled to 16 tiles 256 x 265 pixels each.

Geographic Information System (GIS) Software Market Outlook

The global Geographic Information System (GIS) software market size is projected to grow from USD 9.1 billion in 2023 to USD 18.5 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% over the forecast period. This growth is driven by the increasing application of GIS software across various sectors such as agriculture, construction, transportation, and utilities, along with the rising demand for location-based services and advanced mapping solutions.

One of the primary growth factors for the GIS software market is the widespread adoption of spatial data by various industries to enhance operational efficiency. In agriculture, for instance, GIS software plays a crucial role in precision farming by aiding in crop monitoring, soil analysis, and resource management, thereby optimizing yield and reducing costs. In the construction sector, GIS software is utilized for site selection, design and planning, and infrastructure management, making project execution more efficient and cost-effective.

Additionally, the integration of GIS with emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) is significantly enhancing the capabilities of GIS software. AI-driven data analytics and IoT-enabled sensors provide real-time data, which, when combined with spatial data, results in more accurate and actionable insights. This integration is particularly beneficial in fields like smart city planning, disaster management, and environmental monitoring, further propelling the market growth.

Another significant factor contributing to the market expansion is the increasing government initiatives and investments aimed at improving geospatial infrastructure. Governments worldwide are recognizing the importance of GIS in policy-making, urban planning, and public safety, leading to substantial investments in GIS technologies. For example, the U.S. governmentÂ’s Geospatial Data Act emphasizes the development of a cohesive national geospatial policy, which in turn is expected to create more opportunities for GIS software providers.

Geographic Information System Analytics is becoming increasingly pivotal in transforming raw geospatial data into actionable insights. By employing sophisticated analytical tools, GIS Analytics allows organizations to visualize complex spatial relationships and patterns, enhancing decision-making processes across various sectors. For instance, in urban planning, GIS Analytics can identify optimal locations for new infrastructure projects by analyzing population density, traffic patterns, and environmental constraints. Similarly, in the utility sector, it aids in asset management by predicting maintenance needs and optimizing resource allocation. The ability to integrate GIS Analytics with other data sources, such as demographic and economic data, further amplifies its utility, making it an indispensable tool for strategic planning and operational efficiency.

Regionally, North America holds the largest share of the GIS software market, driven by technological advancements and high adoption rates across various sectors. Europe follows closely, with significant growth attributed to the increasing use of GIS in environmental monitoring and urban planning. The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period, fueled by rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, and government initiatives in countries like China and India.

Component Analysis

The GIS software market is segmented into software and services, each playing a vital role in meeting the diverse needs of end-users. The software segment encompasses various types of GIS software, including desktop GIS, web GIS, and mobile GIS. Desktop GIS remains the most widely used, offering comprehensive tools for spatial analysis, data management, and visualization. Web GIS, on the other hand, is gaining traction due to its accessibility and ease of use, allowing users to access GIS capabilities through a web browser without the need for extensive software installations.

Mobile GIS is another crucial aspect of the software segment, providing field-based solutions for data collection, asset management, and real-time decision making. With the increasing use of smartphones and tablets, mobile GIS applications are becoming indispensable for sectors such as utilities, transportation, and

HEPGIS is a web-based interactive geographic map server that allows users to navigate and view geo-spatial data, print maps, and obtain data on specific features using only a web browser. It includes geo-spatial data used for transportation planning. HEPGIS previously received ARRA funding for development of Economically distressed Area maps. It is also being used to demonstrate emerging trends to address MPO and statewide planning regulations/requirements , enhanced National Highway System, Primary Freight Networks, commodity flows and safety data . HEPGIS has been used to help implement MAP-21 regulations and will help implement the Grow America Act, particularly related to Ladder of Opportunities and MPO reforms.

HEPGIS is a web-based interactive geographic map server that allows users to navigate and view geo-spatial data, print maps, and obtain data on specific features using only a web browser. It includes geo-spatial data used for transportation planning. HEPGIS previously received ARRA funding for development of Economically distressed Area maps. It is also being used to demonstrate emerging trends to address MPO and statewide planning regulations/requirements , enhanced National Highway System, Primary Freight Networks, commodity flows and safety data . HEPGIS has been used to help implement MAP-21 regulations and will help implement the Grow America Act, particularly related to Ladder of Opportunities and MPO reforms.

This dataset combines the work of several different projects to create a seamless data set for the contiguous United States. Data from four regional Gap Analysis Projects and the LANDFIRE project were combined to make this dataset. In the northwestern United States (Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Washington and Wyoming) data in this map came from the Northwest Gap Analysis Project. In the southwestern United States (Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah) data used in this map came from the Southwest Gap Analysis Project. The data for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia came from the Southeast Gap Analysis Project and the California data was generated by the updated California Gap land cover project. The Hawaii Gap Analysis project provided the data for Hawaii. In areas of the county (central U.S., Northeast, Alaska) that have not yet been covered by a regional Gap Analysis Project, data from the Landfire project was used. Similarities in the methods used by these projects made possible the combining of the data they derived into one seamless coverage. They all used multi-season satellite imagery (Landsat ETM+) from 1999-2001 in conjunction with digital elevation model (DEM) derived datasets (e.g. elevation, landform) to model natural and semi-natural vegetation. Vegetation classes were drawn from NatureServe's Ecological System Classification (Comer et al. 2003) or classes developed by the Hawaii Gap project. Additionally, all of the projects included land use classes that were employed to describe areas where natural vegetation has been altered. In many areas of the country these classes were derived from the National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD). For the majority of classes and, in most areas of the country, a decision tree classifier was used to discriminate ecological system types. In some areas of the country, more manual techniques were used to discriminate small patch systems and systems not distinguishable through topography. The data contains multiple levels of thematic detail. At the most detailed level natural vegetation is represented by NatureServe's Ecological System classification (or in Hawaii the Hawaii GAP classification). These most detailed classifications have been crosswalked to the five highest levels of the National Vegetation Classification (NVC), Class, Subclass, Formation, Division and Macrogroup. This crosswalk allows users to display and analyze the data at different levels of thematic resolution. Developed areas, or areas dominated by introduced species, timber harvest, or water are represented by other classes, collectively refered to as land use classes; these land use classes occur at each of the thematic levels. Raster data in both ArcGIS Grid and ERDAS Imagine format is available for download at http://gis1.usgs.gov/csas/gap/viewer/land_cover/Map.aspx Six layer files are included in the download packages to assist the user in displaying the data at each of the Thematic levels in ArcGIS. In adition to the raster datasets the data is available in Web Mapping Services (WMS) format for each of the six NVC classification levels (Class, Subclass, Formation, Division, Macrogroup, Ecological System) at the following links. http://gis1.usgs.gov/arcgis/rest/services/gap/GAP_Land_Cover_NVC_Class_Landuse/MapServer http://gis1.usgs.gov/arcgis/rest/services/gap/GAP_Land_Cover_NVC_Subclass_Landuse/MapServer http://gis1.usgs.gov/arcgis/rest/services/gap/GAP_Land_Cover_NVC_Formation_Landuse/MapServer http://gis1.usgs.gov/arcgis/rest/services/gap/GAP_Land_Cover_NVC_Division_Landuse/MapServer http://gis1.usgs.gov/arcgis/rest/services/gap/GAP_Land_Cover_NVC_Macrogroup_Landuse/MapServer http://gis1.usgs.gov/arcgis/rest/services/gap/GAP_Land_Cover_Ecological_Systems_Landuse/MapServer

RTB Maps is a cloud-based electronic Atlas. We used ArGIS 10 for Desktop with Spatial Analysis Extension, ArcGIS 10 for Server on-premise, ArcGIS API for Javascript, IIS web services based on .NET, and ArcGIS Online combining data on the cloud with data and applications on our local server to develop an Atlas that brings together many of the map themes related to development of roots, tubers and banana crops. The Atlas is structured to allow our participating scientists to understand the distribution of the crops and observe the spatial distribution of many of the obstacles to production of these crops. The Atlas also includes an application to allow our partners to evaluate the importance of different factors when setting priorities for research and development. The application uses weighted overlay analysis within a multi-criteria decision analysis framework to rate the importance of factors when establishing geographic priorities for research and development.Datasets of crop distribution maps, agroecology maps, biotic and abiotic constraints to crop production, poverty maps and other demographic indicators are used as a key inputs to multi-objective criteria analysis.Further metadata/references can be found here: http://gisweb.ciat.cgiar.org/RTBmaps/DataAvailability_RTBMaps.htmlDISCLAIMER, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND PERMISSIONS:This service is provided by Roots, Tubers and Bananas CGIAR Research Program as a public service. Use of this service to retrieve information constitutes your awareness and agreement to the following conditions of use.This online resource displays GIS data and query tools subject to continuous updates and adjustments. The GIS data has been taken from various, mostly public, sources and is supplied in good faith.RTBMaps GIS Data Disclaimer• The data used to show the Base Maps is supplied by ESRI.• The data used to show the photos over the map is supplied by Flickr.• The data used to show the videos over the map is supplied by Youtube.• The population map is supplied to us by CIESIN, Columbia University and CIAT.• The Accessibility map is provided by Global Environment Monitoring Unit - Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. Accessibility maps are made for a specific purpose and they cannot be used as a generic dataset to represent "the accessibility" for a given study area.• Harvested area and yield for banana, cassava, potato, sweet potato and yam for the year 200, is provided by EarthSat (University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment-Global Landscapes initiative and McGill University’s Land Use and the Global Environment lab). Dataset from Monfreda C., Ramankutty N., and Foley J.A. 2008.• Agroecology dataset: global edapho-climatic zones for cassava based on mean growing season, temperature, number of dry season months, daily temperature range and seasonality. Dataset from CIAT (Carter et al. 1992)• Demography indicators: Total and Rural Population from Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) and CIAT 2004.• The FGGD prevalence of stunting map is a global raster datalayer with a resolution of 5 arc-minutes. The percentage of stunted children under five years old is reported according to the lowest available sub-national administrative units: all pixels within the unit boundaries will have the same value. Data have been compiled by FAO from different sources: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), UNICEF MICS, WHO Global Database on Child Growth and Malnutrition, and national surveys. Data provided by FAO – GIS Unit 2007.• Poverty dataset: Global poverty headcount and absolute number of poor. Number of people living on less than $1.25 or $2.00 per day. Dataset from IFPRI and CIATTHE RTBMAPS GROUP MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, OR CORRECTNESS OF THE DATA PORTRAYED IN THIS PRODUCT NOR ACCEPTS ANY LIABILITY, ARISING FROM ANY INCORRECT, INCOMPLETE OR MISLEADING INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN. ALL INFORMATION, DATA AND DATABASES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITH NO WARRANTY, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. By accessing this website and/or data contained within the databases, you hereby release the RTB group and CGCenters, its employees, agents, contractors, sponsors and suppliers from any and all responsibility and liability associated with its use. In no event shall the RTB Group or its officers or employees be liable for any damages arising in any way out of the use of the website, or use of the information contained in the databases herein including, but not limited to the RTBMaps online Atlas product.APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT:• Desktop and web development - Ernesto Giron E. (GeoSpatial Consultant) e.giron.e@gmail.com• GIS Analyst - Elizabeth Barona. (Independent Consultant) barona.elizabeth@gmail.comCollaborators:Glenn Hyman, Bernardo Creamer, Jesus David Hoyos, Diana Carolina Giraldo Soroush Parsa, Jagath Shanthalal, Herlin Rodolfo Espinosa, Carlos Navarro, Jorge Cardona and Beatriz Vanessa Herrera at CIAT, Tunrayo Alabi and Joseph Rusike from IITA, Guy Hareau, Reinhard Simon, Henry Juarez, Ulrich Kleinwechter, Greg Forbes, Adam Sparks from CIP, and David Brown and Charles Staver from Bioversity International.Please note these services may be unavailable at times due to maintenance work.Please feel free to contact us with any questions or problems you may be having with RTBMaps.

DescriptionThis dataset is available for download from: Parcelization (File Geodatabase)Parcelization, a measure of size and density of parcels in a localized area, is a development feasibility factor that is used in evaluating substations’ ability to support new utility-scale resources in long-term energy planning. A statewide dataset of parcel boundaries are used to develop this index. The parcels are converted into a 90-meter raster, containing values of a unique identifier reflective of Parcel APN. A focal statistics tool is used to count the number of unique parcels within a 0.5 mile radius of each parcel. This output is provided here and is an intermediate output to the final parcelization map. Users who wish to use this information to produce the final map should overlay parcel boundary data and extract the mean raster value within each parcel. The map is limited to the area considered with solar technical resource potential after a minimum set of land-use screens (referred to as the Base Exclusions) has been applied. More information on the methods developing this dataset as well as the main use of this dataset in state electric system planning processes can be found in a recent CEC staff report and workshops supporting the resource-to-busbar mapping methodology for the 2024-2025 Transmission Planning Process.

These data show sample locations for various abiotic data collected on Konza Prairie (rain gauges, soil moisture, and stream data). Included in these data are the locations for 12rain gauges (GIS300) on Konza Prairie. The Konza headquarters weather station formerly consisted of two gauges which were operated year-round. The Konza headquarters weather station currently consists of one Otto-Pluvio2 gauge which is operated year-round. The remaining Konza-operated gauges run from April 1 to November 1. These data are to be used in conjunction with the APT01 (precipitation) dataset. GIS305 defines the locations where measurements of soil moisture (%volume) are taken on Konza Prairie. These data are to be used in conjunction with the ASM01 (soil moisture) dataset. GIS310 defines the locations within watershed N4D where samples are taken for analyzing the belowground water chemistry of the watershed. These data are to be used in conjunction with the AGW01 dataset. GIS311 defines the locations of 14 wells at two sites along Kings Creek. Depth and nutrient content of groundwater is measured at these sites. These data are to be used in conjunction with the AGW02 dataset. GIS315 defines the locations of stream gauging stations (including one operated by the USGS*) within multiple Konza watersheds. These data are to be used in conjunction with the APT, NWC, ASS, and ASW datasets. (*http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/nwisman/?site_no=06879650) GIS320 defines the locations of the rainfall collectors used to collect the samples analyzed as a part of the National Atmospheric Deposition Program. These data are to be used in conjunction with the ANA01 dataset.

This product is part of the Landscape Change Monitoring System (LCMS) data suite. It shows LCMS change attribution classes for each year. See additional information about change in the Entity_and_Attribute_Information or Fields section below.LCMS is a remote sensing-based system for mapping and monitoring landscape change across the United States. Its objective is to develop a consistent approach using the latest technology and advancements in change detection to produce a "best available" map of landscape change. Because no algorithm performs best in all situations, LCMS uses an ensemble of models as predictors, which improves map accuracy across a range of ecosystems and change processes (Healey et al., 2018). The resulting suite of LCMS change, land cover, and land use maps offer a holistic depiction of landscape change across the United States over the past four decades.Predictor layers for the LCMS model include outputs from the LandTrendr and CCDC change detection algorithms and terrain information. These components are all accessed and processed using Google Earth Engine (Gorelick et al., 2017). To produce annual composites, the cFmask (Zhu and Woodcock, 2012), cloudScore, and TDOM (Chastain et al., 2019) cloud and cloud shadow masking methods are applied to Landsat Tier 1 and Sentinel 2a and 2b Level-1C top of atmosphere reflectance data. The annual medoid is then computed to summarize each year into a single composite. The composite time series is temporally segmented using LandTrendr (Kennedy et al., 2010; Kennedy et al., 2018; Cohen et al., 2018). All cloud and cloud shadow free values are also temporally segmented using the CCDC algorithm (Zhu and Woodcock, 2014). LandTrendr, CCDC and terrain predictors can be used as independent predictor variables in a Random Forest (Breiman, 2001) model. LandTrendr predictor variables include fitted values, pair-wise differences, segment duration, change magnitude, and slope. CCDC predictor variables include CCDC sine and cosine coefficients (first 3 harmonics), fitted values, and pairwise differences from the Julian Day of each pixel used in the annual composites and LandTrendr. Terrain predictor variables include elevation, slope, sine of aspect, cosine of aspect, and topographic position indices (Weiss, 2001) from the USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) (U.S. Geological Survey, 2019). Reference data are collected using TimeSync, a web-based tool that helps analysts visualize and interpret the Landsat data record from 1984-present (Cohen et al., 2010).Outputs fall into three categories: change, land cover, and land use. Change relates specifically to vegetation cover and includes slow loss (not included for PRUSVI), fast loss (which also includes hydrologic changes such as inundation or desiccation), and gain. These values are predicted for each year of the time series and serve as the foundational products for LCMS. References: Breiman, L. (2001). Random Forests. In Machine Learning (Vol. 45, pp. 5-32). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010933404324Chastain, R., Housman, I., Goldstein, J., Finco, M., and Tenneson, K. (2019). Empirical cross sensor comparison of Sentinel-2A and 2B MSI, Landsat-8 OLI, and Landsat-7 ETM top of atmosphere spectral characteristics over the conterminous United States. In Remote Sensing of Environment (Vol. 221, pp. 274-285). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2018.11.012Cohen, W. B., Yang, Z., and Kennedy, R. (2010). Detecting trends in forest disturbance and recovery using yearly Landsat time series: 2. TimeSync - Tools for calibration and validation. In Remote Sensing of Environment (Vol. 114, Issue 12, pp. 2911-2924). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2010.07.010Cohen, W. B., Yang, Z., Healey, S. P., Kennedy, R. E., and Gorelick, N. (2018). A LandTrendr multispectral ensemble for forest disturbance detection. In Remote Sensing of Environment (Vol. 205, pp. 131-140). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2017.11.015Foga, S., Scaramuzza, P.L., Guo, S., Zhu, Z., Dilley, R.D., Beckmann, T., Schmidt, G.L., Dwyer, J.L., Hughes, M.J., Laue, B. (2017). Cloud detection algorithm comparison and validation for operational Landsat data products. Remote Sensing of Environment, 194, 379-390. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2017.03.026Gorelick, N., Hancher, M., Dixon, M., Ilyushchenko, S., Thau, D., and Moore, R. (2017). Google Earth Engine: Planetary-scale geospatial analysis for everyone. In Remote Sensing of Environment (Vol. 202, pp. 18-27). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2017.06.031Healey, S. P., Cohen, W. B., Yang, Z., Kenneth Brewer, C., Brooks, E. B., Gorelick, N., Hernandez, A. J., Huang, C., Joseph Hughes, M., Kennedy, R. E., Loveland, T. R., Moisen, G. G., Schroeder, T. A., Stehman, S. V., Vogelmann, J. E., Woodcock, C. E., Yang, L., and Zhu, Z. (2018). Mapping forest change using stacked generalization: An ensemble approach. In Remote Sensing of Environment (Vol. 204, pp. 717-728). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2017.09.029Kennedy, R. E., Yang, Z., and Cohen, W. B. (2010). Detecting trends in forest disturbance and recovery using yearly Landsat time series: 1. LandTrendr - Temporal segmentation algorithms. In Remote Sensing of Environment (Vol. 114, Issue 12, pp. 2897-2910). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2010.07.008Kennedy, R., Yang, Z., Gorelick, N., Braaten, J., Cavalcante, L., Cohen, W., and Healey, S. (2018). Implementation of the LandTrendr Algorithm on Google Earth Engine. In Remote Sensing (Vol. 10, Issue 5, p. 691). https://doi.org/10.3390/rs10050691Olofsson, P., Foody, G. M., Herold, M., Stehman, S. V., Woodcock, C. E., and Wulder, M. A. (2014). Good practices for estimating area and assessing accuracy of land change. In Remote Sensing of Environment (Vol. 148, pp. 42-57). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2014.02.015Pedregosa, F., Varoquaux, G., Gramfort, A., Michel, V., Thirion, B., Grisel, O., Blondel, M., Prettenhofer, P., Weiss, R., Dubourg, V., Vanderplas, J., Passos, A., Cournapeau, D., Brucher, M., Perrot, M. and Duchesnay, E. (2011). Scikit-learn: Machine Learning in Python. In Journal of Machine Learning Research (Vol. 12, pp. 2825-2830).Pengra, B. W., Stehman, S. V., Horton, J. A., Dockter, D. J., Schroeder, T. A., Yang, Z., Cohen, W. B., Healey, S. P., and Loveland, T. R. (2020). Quality control and assessment of interpreter consistency of annual land cover reference data in an operational national monitoring program. In Remote Sensing of Environment (Vol. 238, p. 111261). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2019.111261U.S. Geological Survey. (2019). USGS 3D Elevation Program Digital Elevation Model, accessed August 2022 at https://developers.google.com/earth-engine/datasets/catalog/USGS_3DEP_10mWeiss, A.D. (2001). Topographic position and landforms analysis Poster Presentation, ESRI Users Conference, San Diego, CAZhu, Z., and Woodcock, C. E. (2012). Object-based cloud and cloud shadow detection in Landsat imagery. In Remote Sensing of Environment (Vol. 118, pp. 83-94). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2011.10.028Zhu, Z., and Woodcock, C. E. (2014). Continuous change detection and classification of land cover using all available Landsat data. In Remote Sensing of Environment (Vol. 144, pp. 152-171). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2014.01.011This record was taken from the USDA Enterprise Data Inventory that feeds into the https://data.gov catalog. Data for this record includes the following resources: ISO-19139 metadata ArcGIS Hub Dataset ArcGIS GeoService For complete information, please visit https://data.gov.

Last Update: 09/10/2025The statewide roads dataset is a multi-purpose statewide roads dataset for cartography and range based-address location. This dataset is also used as the base geometry for deriving the GIS-representation of UDOT's highway linear referencing system (LRS). A network analysis dataset for route-finding can also be derived from this dataset.This dataset utilizes a data model based on Next-Generation 911 standards and the Federal Highway Administration's All Roads Network Of Linear-referenced Data (ARNOLD) reporting requirements for state DOTs. UGRC adopted this data model on September 13th, 2017.The statewide roads dataset is maintained by UGRC in partnership with local governments, the Utah 911 Committee, and UDOT. This dataset is updated monthly with Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, Washington and Weber represented every month, along with additional counties based on an annual update schedule. UGRC obtains the data from the authoritative data source (typically county agencies), projects the data and attributes into the current data model, spatially assigns polygon-based fields based on the appropriate SGID boundary, and then standardizes the attribute values to ensure statewide consistency. UGRC also generates a UNIQUE_ID field based on the segment's location in the US National Grid, with the street name then tacked on. The UNIQUE_ID field is static and is UGRC's current, ad hoc solution to a persistent global id. More information about the data model can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jQ_JuRIEtzxj60F0FAGmdu5JrFpfYBbSt3YzzCjxpfI/edit#gid=811360546 More information about the data model transition can be found here: https://gis.utah.gov/major-updates-coming-to-roads-data-model/We are currently working with US Forest Service to improve the Forest Service roads in this dataset, however, for the most up-to-date and complete set of USFS roads, please visit their data portal where you can download the "National Forest System Roads" dataset.More information can be found on the UGRC data page for this layer:https://gis.utah.gov/data/transportation/roads-system/

OVERVIEWThis site is dedicated to raising the level of spatial and data literacy used in public policy. We invite you to explore curated content, training, best practices, and datasets that can provide a baseline for your research, analysis, and policy recommendations. Learn about emerging policy questions and how GIS can be used to help come up with solutions to those questions.EXPLOREGo to your area of interest and explore hundreds of maps about various topics such as social equity, economic opportunity, public safety, and more. Browse and view the maps, or collect them and share via a simple URL. Sharing a collection of maps is an easy way to use maps as a tool for understanding. Help policymakers and stakeholders use data as a driving factor for policy decisions in your area.ISSUESBrowse different categories to find data layers, maps, and tools. Use this set of content as a driving force for your GIS workflows related to policy. RESOURCESTo maximize your experience with the Policy Maps, we’ve assembled education, training, best practices, and industry perspectives that help raise your data literacy, provide you with models, and connect you with the work of your peers.

This dataset contains model-based county-level estimates for the PLACES project 2020 release in GIS-friendly format. The PLACES project is the expansion of the original 500 Cities project and covers the entire United States—50 states and the District of Columbia (DC)—at county, place, census tract, and ZIP Code tabulation Areas (ZCTA) levels. It represents a first-of-its kind effort to release information uniformly on this large scale for local areas at 4 geographic levels. Estimates were provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Population Health, Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch. The project was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) in conjunction with the CDC Foundation. Data sources used to generate these model-based estimates include Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2018 or 2017 data, Census Bureau 2018 or 2017 county population estimates, and American Community Survey (ACS) 2014-2018 or 2013-2017 estimates. The 2020 release uses 2018 BRFSS data for 23 measures and 2017 BRFSS data for 4 measures (high blood pressure, taking high blood pressure medication, high cholesterol, and cholesterol screening). Four measures are based on the 2017 BRFSS data because the relevant questions are only asked every other year in the BRFSS. These data can be joined with the census 2015 county boundary file in a GIS system to produce maps for 27 measures at the county level. An ArcGIS Online feature service is also available at https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=8eca985039464f4d83467b8f6aeb1320 for users to make maps online or to add data to desktop GIS software.

High resolution land cover dataset for City of Boston, MA. Seven land cover classes were mapped: (1) tree canopy, (2) grass/shrub, (3) bare earth, (4) water, (5) buildings, (6) roads, and (7) other paved surfaces. The primary sources used to derive this land cover layer were 2013 LiDAR data, 2014 Orthoimagery, and 2016 NAIP imagery. Ancillary data sources included GIS data provided by City of Boston, MA or created by the UVM Spatial Analysis Laboratory. Object-based image analysis techniques (OBIA) were employed to extract land cover information using the best available remotely sensed and vector GIS datasets. OBIA systems work by grouping pixels into meaningful objects based on their spectral and spatial properties, while taking into account boundaries imposed by existing vector datasets. Within the OBIA environment a rule-based expert system was designed to effectively mimic the process of manual image analysis by incorporating the elements of image interpretation (color/tone, texture, pattern, location, size, and shape) into the classification process. A series of morphological procedures were employed to insure that the end product is both accurate and cartographically pleasing. Following the automated OBIA mapping a detailed manual review of the dataset was carried out at a scale of 1:2500 and all observable errors were corrected.

High resolution land cover dataset for City of Boston, MA. Seven land cover classes were mapped: (1) tree canopy, (2) grass/shrub, (3) bare earth, (4) water, (5) buildings, (6) roads, and (7) other paved surfaces. The primary sources used to derive this land cover layer were 2013 LiDAR data, 2014 Orthoimagery, and 2016 NAIP imagery. Ancillary data sources included GIS data provided by City of Boston, MA or created by the UVM Spatial Analysis Laboratory. Object-based image analysis techniques (OBIA) were employed to extract land cover information using the best available remotely sensed and vector GIS datasets. OBIA systems work by grouping pixels into meaningful objects based on their spectral and spatial properties, while taking into account boundaries imposed by existing vector datasets. Within the OBIA environment a rule-based expert system was designed to effectively mimic the process of manual image analysis by incorporating the elements of image interpretation (color/tone, texture, pattern, location, size, and shape) into the classification process. A series of morphological procedures were employed to insure that the end product is both accurate and cartographically pleasing. Following the automated OBIA mapping a detailed manual review of the dataset was carried out at a scale of 1:2500 and all observable errors were corrected.

Credits: University of Vermont Spatial Analysis Laboratory in collaboration with the City of Boston, Trust for Public Lands, and City of Cambridge.