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| Sep 19, 2007 |
| GPS World |
The White House acknowledged that this was following on the decision in 2000 to turn Selective Availability off. "Although the United States stopped the intentional degradation of GPS satellite signals in May 2000, this new action will result in the removal of SA capabilities, thereby eliminating a source of uncertainty in GPS performance that has been of concern to civil GPS users worldwide," the statement said.
In simple terms, GPS satellites currently issue two different sets of signals used for determining location: one for the U.S. military and its allies, dubbed the Precise Positioning Service, or PPS, and one for civilian use, dubbed Standard Positioning Service, or SPS. PPS actually comprises two signals and is encrypted, whereas SPS only uses one and is unencrypted; it was designed from the start to be less accurate than PPS. When GPS came about, the military — the GPS satellite fleet is maintained through the U.S. Air Force — didn't want its own technology being used against it in a conflict, so it intended to make the civilian signal less accurate.
Early on, however, SPS proved more accurate than was comfortable for the military, so it introduced Selective Availability (SA). SA degraded the accuracy of the civilian signal on a global basis by introducing intentional timing errors into the civilian signal.
Back in 2000, the U.S. government decided to turn off SA indefinitely, which is one of the factors in the growing adoption of GPS technology in consumer electronics today. This latest pronouncement from Washington D.C. effectively makes the policy change with regard to SA a permanent one.
The U.S. military says SA is no longer necessary, as it has a range of capabilities and technology to implement regional denial of service of civilian GPS signals when needed in the area of conflict — which is why it originally recommended doing away with SA back in 2000. Furthermore, since the advent of GPS, a range of technologies including supplemental satellite and ground-based navigation systems (such as DGPS, WAAS and EGNOS) have grown up to improve the accuracy of civilian GPS, essentially rendering SA moot.
Furthermore, the U.S. Air Force has acknowledged that a recent upgrade to the GPS ground control system will in the future provide a new "security architecture" for supporting troops in combat.
2008 Indiana GIS Conference
February 19-20, 2008
Hyatt Regency
Downtown Indianapolis
Mark your calendars for the 2008 Indiana GIS Conference. Professional development opportunities abound, with exciting sessions, technology discussions, forums, student poster competitions and more!
Call for Abstracts
Have you been working hard all year on a really great project? Have you found a technical solution to a difficult question? Have you learned something from your community of users? Come share your experience at the Indiana 2008 Annual GIS Conference!!!
This is your conference - attendees like you want to hear from users like you! It is Indiana’s best opportunity to learn, share, and network with other Indiana GIS professionals! Learn more...
Be a part of something great! IGIC is accepting nominations for the 2008 Board of Directors.
It is our Vision that all Indiana communities will be safer, healthier, wealthier and wiser because they are part of a robust statewide GIS infrastructure. Seats representing the sectors below will be open this year.
Board Member Responsibilities
The three-year term will begin at the IGIC Annual Business Meeting, February 18, 2008. IGIC Board Members are responsible for attending Board meetings (six per year), serving on at least one committee per year, and acting as a primary point of contact for GIS coordination issues to their representative sector. Board members also perform GIS outreach, and act as moderators at the Annual GIS Conference.
Nominees will be contacted to confirm they will accept the nomination. IGIC members will vote on nominees November 12 - December 7, 2007.
Self-nominations are welcome. Go to IGIC's Board Nomination Page to submit a nomination.
November 7, 2007 10:00am - 3:00pm Indiana State Library, History Reference Room Indianapolis, IN 46204
The Indiana Geographic Information Council invites you to attend the first Local Government GIS Coordinator Forum.
Interact with your peers
Talk to other coordinators from around the state about everything from best practices to regional user groups.
Coordinate regionally
Network with other coordinators from your area of the state, discuss common issues and form a basis for ongoing collaboration.
Learn about statewide initiatives
Get information about statewide initiatives that impact local government, like the recently passed IndianaMap legislation, and how local communities can both support and benefit from what lies ahead.
Who Should Attend?
This event is for ALL local government GIS coordinators. It offers a means for the newest members of the Indiana GIS community to become involved, and the more experienced to improve and expand regional coordination efforts.
This will be an open discussion where professional can ask questions and provide feedback on topics like GIS policy, and learn about resources available to local government. Only local government (city, town, county, regional) will be invited to attend.
There is no fee for participants, though registration is required. Lunch will be provided.
Supported by our Corporate Members:
IGIC works with GIS software companies to provide discounted rates to our membership.
Trimble Products, Training and Support
To IGIC members, Seiler Instrument offers a 5% discount on Trimble mapping-grade hardware, software, and extended warranties. Also, Seiler will offer to IGIC members a 10% discount on training and technical support agreements.
Contact Britt Gill: bgill@seilerinst.com or 317.545.7090 x35
MAP2PDF
MAP2PDF works with your GIS software to create layered, georegistered maps that can be read by anyone using Adobe Reader - just like a PDF. See more details on what MAP2PDF can do.
Members are eligible for a 15% discount on licensing. Contact the IGIC offices to take advantage of this offer from TerraGo Technologies.
ESRI Products
Through an agreement with ESRI, IGIC members are able to pool their orders to take advantage of quantity discounts on selected products. IGIC collects member orders, and submits them to ESRI twice a year - in late April and October. If you are interested in ordering, or would like more details, please contact Jennifer Dubeansky at the IGIC offices 317.234.2924 info@igic.org.
Deadline for the next order is October 31, 2007.
Tipton -- Police investigators used a GPS tracking device to find stolen equipment being stored inside a Tipton County barn.
Police say thieves took trucks, trailers, earth-moving equipment and small items with an estimated total value of about $200,000.
In Tipton County, about 30 miles north of Indianapolis, Sheriff's Deputy Denny Pearson says a Plainfield resident had put GPS trackers on several pieces of equipment because of recent thefts.
No arrests had been made in the thefts.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/LOCAL/709280709/1196/LOCAL
This is a program sponsored by the National Geodetic Survey in conjunction with a lead state agency whereby various technologies are applied to the problem of estimating elevations. In our case, the Indiana Department of Transportation has stepped forward to be Indiana's lead state agency and work with the federal government. But they need help.
What: Come rollup your sleeves and be involved in:
- Learning about height modernization and what’s going on around the country
- Learning about the economic benefits of height modernization
- Learning about what INDOT is doing with their Continuously
- Operating Reference Stations (CORS) and what it means to Hoosiers
- Developing a plan to address the needs of Height Modernization for the State of Indiana
- Forming a team of folks who can move this effort forward*
When: Thursday, October 25, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: Indiana Department of Transportation
Materials and Tests Division
120 South Shortridge Road
Indianapolis, IN 4 6219
RSVP: William A. Schmidt, PE, LS, Head, Aerial Engineering,
Bill.schmidt@indot.in.gov
*If interested but can not attend this meeting please let Bill know
Agenda: 8:00 Tour of the Materials and Test Division office,
including some of the INDOT CORS station equipment.
AGENDA
9:00 Welcome and Introductions
9:15 Height Modernization Program Overview (Renee Shields, NGS)
9:35 Indiana Height Modernization, Phase VI of geodetic infrastructure
modernization in Indiana (BHW van Gelder, Purdue)
10:15 Break
10:30 INDOT Continuously Operating Reference Stations (Bill Schmidt)
10:50 Implementation of Height Modernization (Renee Shields, NGS)
11:30 LUNCH (Box lunches provided courtesy of ISPLS)
12:30 GPS Derived Heights – A Height Modernization Primer (Renee
Shields, NGS)
1:30 Illinois’ Height Modernization Plan (Christopher Pearson, NGS)
2:15 Break
2:30 Local Perspectives Discussion
- William A. Schmidt
- BHW van Gelder
- Thomas A. Mahon
4:00 Adjourn
(IGIC Elevation and Geodetic Control Workgroup is a joint workgroup with IGIC, the ISPLS, and County Surveyor's Association.)
Computer Server Upgrade
The computers that serve the Indiana GIS Atlas were recently upgraded. This upgrade was implemented to improve the speed and performance of the GIS Atlas. Please let us know if you have recently noticed any improvement in performance by clicking here http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=k1cWss56F3iqQWD1KB_2bEMQ_3d_3d .
Corrected Tools
On September 19, a problem was discovered with the ratio scale on some printed maps that had been created by using the tool named "Generate Layout for Printing." The problem only occurred when using the preserve-scale option on large-format maps (22" x 34"). This problem has now been corrected. However, you may wish to cross-check calculations of distance and/or area by using the "Measure Distance" and/or "Measure Area" tools on the interactive map.
New Layers
A layer named “Air Quality (NTAD)” shows the areas in Indiana designated as “non-attainment” for ozone and (or) PM-2.5, or “maintenance” for ozone, carbon monoxide, lead, sulfur dioxide, and (or) PM-10. A “non-attainment” area is an area that does not meet (or that contributes to ambient air quality in a nearby area that does not meet) the national primary or secondary ambient air quality standard (NAAQ) for the pollutant. “Maintenance” areas are areas which were previously “non-attainment” (did not meet NAAQ standards for the pollutant) but have now been designated “attainment” (now meeting the standards). The layer can be found in the folder named “ENVIRONMENT/BIOLOGY” and the subfolder named “Management Areas & Misc.” Link to metadata here http://129.79.145.7/arcims/statewide_mxd/metadata/Air_Quality_NTAD_IN.html.
A grid named “Land Cover 2001 (USGS)” is a subset of the 2001 National Land Cover Data (NLCD) set, Version 1 dated 09-01-2003, produced through a cooperative project conducted by the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) Consortium <http://www.mrlc.gov/index.asp> (USGS, EPA, NOAA, et al.). The land cover classification was achieved by using a combination of Landsat imagery and ancillary data. The layer can be found in the folder named “ENVIRONMENT/BIOLOGY” and the subfolder named “Agriculture & Land Cover.” Link to metadata here http://129.79.145.7/arcims/statewide_mxd/metadata/LC2001USGS_IN.html .
A grid named “Impervious Surfaces 2001 (USGS)” shows estimated percentages of impervious surfaces. This grid was produced in association with the 2001 National Land Cover Data (NLCD) set, Version 1 dated 09-01-2003, produced through a cooperative project conducted by the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) Consortium. The layer can be found in the folder named “ENVIRONMENT/BIOLOGY” and the subfolder named “Agriculture & Land Cover.” Link to metadata here http://129.79.145.7/arcims/statewide_mxd/metadata/IS2001USGS_IN.html.
A grid named “Tree Canopy 2001 (USGS)” shows estimated percentages of tree canopy. This grid was produced in association with the 2001 National Land Cover Data (NLCD) set, Version 1 dated 09-01-2003, produced through a cooperative project conducted by the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) Consortium. The layer can be found in the folder named “ENVIRONMENT/BIOLOGY” and the subfolder named “Agriculture & Land Cover.” Link to metadata here http://129.79.145.7/arcims/statewide_mxd/metadata/TC2001USGS_IN.html.
Maps of the Month
(The following links were created using the “hyperlink” tool on the Indiana GIS Atlas)
Map showing the Air Quality (NTAD) layer. http://129.79.145.7/arcims/statewide_mxd/viewer.htm?547863,4403200,2418493,1,52,91,101,105,121,148,209
Map showing the Land Cover 2001 (USGS) layer. http://129.79.145.7/arcims/statewide_mxd/viewer.htm?547863,4403200,2418493,1,52,91,101,105,148,211,209
Map showing the Impervious Surface 2001 (USGS) and Tree Canopy 2001 (USGS) layers. http://129.79.145.7/arcims/statewide_mxd/viewer.htm?547863,4403200,2418493,1,52,91,101,105,148,212,213,209
The GIS Atlas Support Team
_____________________________________________________________________________________
The GIS Atlas for Indiana is an interactive map and data repository that contains more than 200 layers of geographic, geologic, environmental, and other data for the state of Indiana. The GIS Atlas is produced and managed by the Indiana Geological Survey at Indiana University with financial support from the Indiana Department of Transportation.
The USGS National Elevation Dataset (NED) has been developed by merging the highest-resolution, best quality elevation data available across the United States into a seamless raster format. NED is the result of the maturation of the USGS effort to provide 1:24,000-scale Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data for the conterminous US and 1:63,360-scale DEM data for Alaska. The dataset provides seamless coverage of the United States, HI, AK, and the island territories. NED has a consistent projection (Geographic), resolution (1 arc second), and elevation units (meters). The horizontal datum is NAD83, except for AK, which is NAD27. The vertical datum is NAVD88, except for AK, which is NAVD29. NED is a living dataset that is updated bimonthly to incorporate the "best available" DEM data. As more 1/3 arc second (10m) data covers the US, then this will also be a seamless dataset.
The Seamless Data Distribution System (SDDS) offers seamless data for a user-defined area, in a variety of formats, for online download or media delivery.
Great Lakes Regional Data Exchange 2007: Sharing Common Resources The Great Lakes Commission is collaborating with the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) and the Canadian Remote Sensing Society (CRSS) to provide you with this opportunity to learn and share information about technologies and methods study, monitor, map and manage the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River system.
The Great Lakes Regional Data Exchange 2007 conference will be held on October 29, 2007 at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa, Ontario.
For more information, go to http://rdx.glc.org/07/
We’ve finalized the plans for the Intro to ArcGIS 1 training class. It will be held on Oct. 18/19 (Thursday/Friday) at the computer lab in the library building at IUN. This class will be taught on version 9.2 (the latest ArcGIS version). There are not a lot of differences between this and 9.1 so if you’ve had our previous training it is not necessary to repeat this class. As usual, we ask that you have access to the software immediately after the class to begin honing your skills and not lose what you learn. It is also important that you have a basic understanding of the windows operating system but no previous GIS experience is assumed. You must commit to attending both days of training.
This class is offered free of charge (comparable training from ESRI or a vendor could cost as much as $800) and is taught by a certified ESRI instructor (me :) If you are interested please respond by email immediately. There are a limited number of slots available and they are allotted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
I am planning to teach a second round of classes (10-12 students) before the end of the year or shortly into 2008. I’ll announce this to the group and start taking registrations as soon as these plans are finalized.
http://www.iun.edu/~gisnw/
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Becky McKinley, GISP
Hammond Sanitary District
"Hoosier by birth, Boilermaker by the Grace of God"
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Are you interested in geography and imagery of the earth? Would you like to see your artwork exhibited in the Herron School of Art Library? Then Enter the GIS Day Earth as Art Contest http://www.indiana.edu/~gis/gisday/poster.html!
Purpose: The contest goal is to marry art and geography. Participants are invited to use the power of art to display a creative and interesting aspect of geography. Works can be based on satellite imagery, aerial photography, elevation data, infrared imagery, or map features from locations around the world. For examples, please see the USGS Earth as Art Gallery http://earthasart.gsfc.nasa.gov/index.htm website.
Eligibility: All staff, faculty, and students at Indiana University are eligible to apply.
To enter: Please send email to uitsgis@indiana.edu with the following information:
* Title of your art image * Your department affiliation or the school you are enrolled * Your contact information
Entries will be exhibited at the GIS Day Event http://www.indiana.edu/~gis/gisday at IU Bloomington Wednesday, November 14, where the winner will be announced. On November 15, entries will be transferred to the Herron School of Art http://www.herron.iupui.edu/ on the Indianapolis campus for a two week exhibit in the library
Release Date: September 10, 2007 For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary Contact: 202-282-8010
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released today the draft National Response Framework (NRF), successor to the National Response Plan, for a 30-day public comment period. The Framework, which focuses on response and short-term recovery, articulates the doctrine, principles and architecture by which our nation prepares for and responds to all-hazard disasters across all levels of government and all sectors of communities. The Framework is responsive to repeated federal, state and local requests for a streamlined document that is shorter, less bureaucratic and more user-friendly.
The Framework is intended for senior elected and appointed leaders, such as federal agency heads, state governors, mayors, tribal leaders and city managers. Simultaneously, it informs emergency management practitioners by explaining the operating structures and tools routinely used by first responders and emergency managers at all levels of government.
Indiana INTERNnet is an internship-matching program linking employers, students, high schools, colleges and universities by providing both high-tech and high-touch support. It is a powerful high-tech Web-based search, matching and reporting system coupled with “high touch” personal assistance, a toll-free hotline to answer questions and provide internship guidance, resource materials, creating or expanding high quality internship opportunities within the state.
ARLINGTON, VA. September 11, 2007 – The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) released the following statement commenting on last night’s decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requiring wireless carriers to meet FCC 9-1-1 location accuracy requirements within the jurisdictional areas of individual 9-1-1 public safety answering points (PSAPs).
NENA President, Jason Barbour ENP, 9-1-1 Director for Johnston County, North Carolina, said:
“We live in a world of rapidly changing communications in which consumers increasingly rely on their wireless device. In fact, according to the wireless industry, approximately thirteen percent of households do not have a wire line phone. Cell phones can certainly be a life saving tool with nearly 100 million wireless 9-1-1 calls being made annually, more than half of all 9-1-1 calls in some areas. However, when a caller is unable to describe their location during an emergency, the ability of a 9-1-1 call taker to provide help is often only as good as the location information provided with the call. It is therefore essential that steps be taken to improve the accuracy of wireless 9-1-1 calls.”
“Last night’s decision by the FCC is a very important step in the right direction. The rules adopted set a reasonable compliance deadline with meaningful benchmarks along the way to ensure measurable progress is made on the path toward full compliance. NENA appreciates the complexity of this issue and the challenges that carriers will face in meeting a PSAP level requirement, but
NENA believes by working together the FCC’s benchmarks and deadline are achievable.”
Consistent with recommendations recently submitted by NENA and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International, the FCC’s order makes clear that wireless carriers are required to meet the Commission’s wireless E9-1-1 location accuracy requirements within each individual PSAP jurisdiction and not a larger carrier service area. Carriers must comply with the rules within a five year deadline but also must meet a set of benchmarks as they move toward full compliance.
Jeff Nedelman
Communications Director
National Emergency Number Association
The Voice of 9-1-1
jnedelman@nena.org
703. 812.4600
4350 North Fairfax Drive
Suite 750
Arlington, VA 22203-1695
www.nena.org
Twenty-seven states, including Indiana, have formally endorsed NSGIC's Imagery for the Nation (IFTN) proposal and more are rolling in daily. Indiana would benefit from the IFTN program by gaining an equitable cost-share in a sustainable statewide high-resolution imagery program similar to the 2005 Indiana Orthophotography Project. Please help us spread the word...
The Vision
The Nation will have a sustainable and flexible digital imagery program that meets the needs of local, state, regional, tribal and federal agencies.
Handout Materials
Get the latest brochure for an "official" explanation of the Imagery for the Nation initiative. A poster from the Spring 2006 edition of ArcNews helps to visually describe Imagery for the Nation. Our briefing sheet on the initiative will help you make the right points quickly when working with elected and appointed officials. You can use this slide presentation or its individual slides to give a presentation on the program to your constituent groups. The results of the National Survey are also available for your use in advocating for Imagery for the Nation. The following briefing sheet describes the Federal Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) study that is a critical step in the evolution of the Imagery for the Nation initiative.
Milestones
NSGIC is working with its member states, federal organizations and stakeholder associations to create a new nationwide aerial imagery program. The program will collect and disseminate standardized multi-resolution products on "set" schedules. A chronology of the milestones is available to help you understand the evolution of this program.
What you can do to help
Spread the word using the latest informational materials above. It is critical that local, state, regional, and tribal governments approach their respective Congressional delegations and voice support for this program. Organizations already helping NSGIC to lead or endorse the initiative include: Federal Geographic Data Committee; National Digital Orthophoto Program; Western Governor's Association; National Association of Counties; Urban/Regional Information Systems Association; and University Consortium for Geographic Information Sciences
Your support for the Imagery for the Nation program is vital. It's important for Local, Regional, State and Tribal governments to generate letters of support and resolutions for the program and to send electronic copies to NSGIC.
Friday, October 19th, 1:00-3:30pm Indiana State Library 140 N. Senate Ave, History Reference Room Indianapolis, IN 46204 IGIC Members: FREE Nonmembers: $20
GIS can be a powerful tool for engineering projects. Learn how to negotiate between GIS and CAD, integration tips, pitfalls to avoid, and real-world examples of projects using these techniques. Bill Kimbrell of Woolpert, and Scott Barbour and Larry Robbins of the Terre Haute Engineering Department share these and other insights into how you can make the most of GIS.
Tuesday, November 13th, 1:00-3:30pm Indiana State Library 140 N. Senate Ave, Room 401 Indianapolis, IN 46204 FREE
This seminar will include a review and exploration of the considerable resources that are available to Indiana GIS users through the Indiana Geographic Information Council. These resources include opportunities for networking, education for both new and experienced GIS users, guidelines that can help users more effectively develop projects within their communities, and much more. The seminar will also provide an opportunity for participants to share their thoughts and ideas regarding how IGIC can best support the needs of GIS across Indiana. The presenter for this seminar will be Jill Saligoe-Simmel, PhD.