Lab #4: ArcGIS

For this lab, I used ArcGIS to create the above map. The map gives details and spatial information on a proposed airport expansion. The airport would generate more than 65 decibels of noise averaged over a 24 period in the noise contour shown. This is relavent to the surrounding schools as some buildings may need soundproofing or noise insulation installed to migitate the effects of increased noise. ArcGIS is very helpful in this regard as it helps the parties involved with the airport expansion decide who will be affected. The data provided by this map gives many layers of information that could be used to make the most informed decision on the airport expansion.

I used a tutorial to complete this map along with the noise contour area and population information surrounding it. The tutorial first guided me through navigation techniques and user interface commands. ArcGIS seemed to be fairly intuitive when it came to displaying layers and altering datum information. Many features were helpful in making the map easier to read, such as changing the symbols and colors to your liking. Labels were also useful to highlight important parts of the map, like the school nearest to the noise contour. The tutorial went through steps on how to create new roads on the map. ArcGIS has a robust system for creating very accurate road segments at the exact angles you would like.

Next the tutorial went over layout mode in ArcGIS. This mode determines how the data frames will be viewed by others. In this way much of information-compiling work is done in data mode, while layout mode is used afterwords to assemble an easy to read map. Layout mode also helps to show only the parts of the map that are relevant to the topic being addressed. In this case I used layout mode to display three different maps of the noise contour all at varying scales. The land data was then used to create a table showing the relative land use in the noise contour area. This was helpful as it shows that a majority of the land in the contour was marked as residential or agricultural area. With this information, planners can predict how the public would react to the airport expansion and increased noise levels.

The bottom most map was created by mapping the population density levels to colors. Darker colors correspond to higher population levels. This information is also useful for predicting consequences of an airport expansion. All of these maps were pasted into the layout to share the same compass and work together to represent information on the airport expansion and its affects on the population. Some aspects of ArcGIS are still confusing to me, but this is likely due to my lack of knowledge on geographical data and how it can be represented effectively. In time I should be able to learn more advanced techniques on map representation and the most effective ways to present informative data for the viewer.

Lab #3: Neogeography

View Trip to the top of Mount Whitney in a larger map

For this lab I practiced neogeography using google maps to tell the story of my hiking trip to the top of Mount Whitney (the highest point in the continental United States). Neogeography helps amateur geographers use existing resources to create and share their own personal maps. Mash-ups like the one I made above provide extra content in the form of embedded links, photos, and videos to create a richer experience for the viewers. Neogeography really makes it easy to provide many different types of information and media to viewers in an informative map form.

Some of the pitfalls of neogeography include the possibility of misrepresentation of the environment and geographical information. Neogeography is mostly used by amateur geographers due to its volunteer and unpaid work environment. This is obvious in my map of the Whitney Portal trail. Google Maps reports the main trail as only six or so miles, when the actual walking distance of the trail should be close to 11 miles. I cited this discrepancy as a result of the inaccurate trail mapping on my part. It would take far too long to accurately map the trail using the tools Google Maps provides.

As a consequence of these inaccuracies , the mash-ups made using Google Maps are limited by the toolset and will not be precise in describing locations. However the main purpose for my mash-up was to describe (in an entertaining fashion) my experience hiking Mount Whitney. I believe Google Maps was able to do this well and provided enough tools to create a rich experience for the viewer. Since hiking is a very spatial activity, neogeography works well to help others visualize the distance and elevation gain of my great adventure.

Lab #2: USGS Topos

1. Beverly Hills, CA
2. From top to bottom, left to right (center omitted): Canoga Park, Van Nuys, Burbank, Topanga, Hollywood, Venice, Inglewood
3. 1966
4. North American Datum 1927 for the horizontal and National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929
   
5. 1:24,000
6. (a) (5 cm*24,000)/100 = 1,200 meters
   (b) (5 in*24,000)/63,360 = 1.89 miles
   (c) (1 mi/24,000)*63,360 = 2.64 inches
   (d) (3 km/24,000)*100,000 = 12.5 centimeters
7. contour interval = 20 feet
8. using ratios of (2.5' : 22 cm) longitude, (2.5' : 26.5 cm) latitude
   zoom of 125% on pdf
   (a) 118.4394 d = 118 d 26' 22" longitude, 34.0739 d = 34 d 04' 26" latitude
   (b) 118.4991 d = 118 d 29' 57" longitude, 34.0075 d = 34 d 00' 27" latitude
   (c) 118.4567 d = 118 d 27' 24" longitude, 34.1031 d = 34 d 06' 11" latitude
   
9. (a) 570 ft = 173.7 m
   (b) 140 ft = 42.7 m
   (c) 760 ft = 231.6 m
10. UTM zone 11
11. 361.5 km Easting, Zone 11
12. 1 square km
13. 
    
    
14. Magnetic Declination = 14 d
    Geographic Declination = -0 d 48'
15. Southward
16.