Geospatial Technology - Assignment Example

Hazardous Geographical Environments Question Lidar Lidar describes a technological application in remote sensing which is used to measure distances. The technology is designed to eliminate target objects with laser light and measuring the reflected light in distance analysis processes (Lee 294). Lidar technology is applied in geographical processes, such as designing maps. This technology has specifically proven effective in contour mapping processes. Lidar uses three forms of light. These are near infrared, visible light and ultraviolet. Through these lights, the technology is able to eliminate a wide range of objects and materials including, chemicals, non-metallic materials, clouds, rocks, molecules and rain. Surveying and mapping projects have extensively employed lidar technology for precise or accuracy in distance measurements (Lee 298). Lidar has a broad range of applications. Lidar is used in topographic mapping, through which land is categorized into various zones. Lidar yields highly accurate topographic data which has allowed researchers to analyze farm land and determine sun exposures and the contours or slopes of farmland. Through lidar, geologists have been able to extract accurate maps on areas that are covered by forest canopy. Through lidar generated digital elevation models, geologists have been able to create high resolution maps across various zones on the earth’s surface (Lee 302). The detection of obstacles has also been enhanced through the application of lidar technology. In return navigation across various environments has been made effective. In geology, lidar has been applied in the detection of various topographic features across the earth’s surface. For instance, detection of river banks, terraces and elevations on land surface have been made possible through the application of lidar technology. Lidar technology has specifically been applied in the delineation of hazard zones. For instance, lidar has been used by geologists to monitor the processes of costal evolution and analyze the various hazards that are associated with coastal regions (Lee 310). Through lidar technology, geologists have also been able to identify and measure changes in landforms within hazard zones with a lot of precision. Such measurements have been used to predict the implications that are associated with specific hazards. The discovery, mapping and measurement of natural hazards, such as mudslides, landslides and flooding debris have been made possible through the application of laser technology. It is through lidar that hazard zones can be seen through natural obstacles, such as trees (Lee 308). Risk maps are designed and made with precision when lidar technology is used in the mapping processes. Risk planners and lidar analysts play the leading role in modern risk analysis and development of risk maps. Lidar technology is described as a modern technology in mapping, which is used in development of highly accurate risk maps. The emission of laser pulses by lidar applications and the measurement of pulse reflection time are used in risk mapping (Lee 296). Question 3: Geospatial Technology Geospatial technology, which is also referred to as geomatics, has been used significantly in emergency response to various disasters. In disaster management, geospatial technology is applied within the paradigm of disaster informatics. Improvements in geospatial technology have resulted in the use of complex devices and software applications in the processing of disaster informatics (Kawasaki, Merrick, Lex and Wendy 202). As a result, management of emergencies and the roles of first responders have been made significantly complex. This is related to the fact that disaster informatics, such as the processing and communication of data within geographical databases, needs specific skills, knowledge and experience. Disparities in skills and knowledge among emergency managers and first respondents, across government agencies have complicated the processes of employing geospatial technology to mitigate emergencies or disasters. The software applications in geomatics, such as those associated with Geographical Information System (GIS) and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) are used in the application of geospatial technology in emergency managers. This mandates both the first respondents and the emergency managers from various jurisdictions to have knowledge and skills on the application of these software applications and systems. When emergency managers and first responders within one emergency unit are not able to use these applications, collaboration and communication with other units, through geospatial technologies, becomes highly complex and less efficient. The datasets, which are associated with geospatial technology within emergency management processes, include spatial statistics and geographical databases on geology, environment or ecology and natural resources (Kawasaki, Merrick, Lex and Wendy 207). The analysis of such data and its interpretation within emergency situations requires the expertise of geospatial analysts. This illustrates the application of geospatial technology in emergency management becomes complex because emergency managers within local jurisdictions and first responders may not have the skills of geospatial analysts. Inter-unit coordination in emergency situations, which use geospatial technology, requires managers and all first responders to communicate effectively using geospatial applications, such as mast positioning of mobile phones. The routing of communication networks within units and government agencies may result in network constraints, which complicate the emergency response or management processes (Kawasaki, Merrick, Lex and Wendy 218). Tabular datasets are used in geospatial mediated emergency responses. Challenges, which emergency managers, within emergency units and intergovernmental agencies, face in geo-visualization processes, such as manipulation of maps, 3D views, charts and images complicate the emergency response processes even further. The training of emergency response personnel within state and federal levels on the use of emergency response technologies has several disparities. This means that the management and coordination of emergency respondents within state and federal agency levels is less efficient and complex. Question 4: Evacuation Planning An evacuation plan involves the procedures and strategies through which members of the public are completely or partially evacuated from a facility or location of an emergency or disaster. In the design and implementation of an evacuation plan, a wide range of specific and broad factors must be put into consideration so that a comprehensive plan is used in the management of emergencies. The scale of disasters, associated risks, legal and policy issues, participants and resources are the main factors to consider in planning comprehensive evacuation plans (Tamima and Luc 223). The scale of the evacuation is the most significant consideration in the design, development and implementation of comprehensive evacuation plans. The scale of evacuation is measured by the geographical coverage of the hazard and the number of people who are at the risk of the negative implications of the hazard. Hazards that pose threats to a small scale area, such as a single building are planned differently from those which involve a wide geographical location or zone. This is due to the fact that the resources, strategies and personnel that are involved in evacuation processes vary depending on the scale of the hazard and risk (Tamima and Luc 228). The kind of disaster or risk being planned is an important factor to consider in the design of comprehensive evacuation plans. Disasters and emergency risks may be natural, industrial, military attacks or disease outbreaks. Each of these categories of disasters requires specific strategies, processes and resources for effective evacuation. Therefore in the process of planning the evacuation plan, the specific requirements which are required for different disasters and risks must be put into consideration. The kind of disaster and risk associated with an evacuation plan must be considered because there are specific legal and policy issues, which define the evacuation processes of specific disasters (Tamima and Luc 230). For instance, the law defines the government agencies and private organizations that are responsible in evacuation related to terror attacks and natural disasters, such as tsunamis, hurricanes, floods and cyclones. Therefore the planning processes for the evacuation strategy must consider the type of disaster and the associated legal and policy issues. Question 5: Risk Communication and Risk Maps Risk communication refers to interactive processes of exchanging data and information among organizations, agencies, groups and individuals, who are involved in risk management or disaster mitigation. During risk communication, data and information on the location of the risk, its type, zoning, ecological characteristics and strategies of managing risk is exchanged among responders and managers or such risks. Maps play an important role in risk communication because they provide adequate geographical information, which is used in the management and mitigation of hazards, risks or emergencies (Dransch, Henry and Kathrin 294). The design of risk maps, during the risk mapping process is purposed at designing maps which provide accurate and high quality data to be used in the mitigation of risks or hazards. The type of risk communication processes that are used in risk management influences risk mapping (Dransch, Henry and Kathrin 298). For instance, if communication technologies are used in risk communication, the development of risk maps must be based on the design of compatible technology platforms, which will enhance the exchange of data and information about the risk among the responders and managers. Through an enhanced digital communication platform, digital maps enable emergency managers to effectively manage and communicate risk management and evacuation information to respondents within various units, organizations, agencies and state and federal departments. The procedures and protocols of risk communication and the associated bureaucracies must also be incorporated into the design of risk maps (Dransch, Henry and Kathrin 295). Issues in the design of risk maps such as alignment and synergies of the maps are acute and critical to risk communication processes. The design of risk maps must be aligned with risk analysis programs. More importantly, the design of risk maps must be in synergy with decision making processes. It is through this that the communication of risks and the decisions of emergency managers would be based on accurate risk data and information within risk maps. The presentation of hazard mitigation plans within risk maps in their design processes is another acute issue, which affects risk communication. The risk maps must be designed to illustrate the geographical locations, such as states, regions, communities and tribes that are associated with the risk. This is an important issue because it defines the effectiveness in risk communication among states, communities, tribes and risk management organizations or agencies from various jurisdictions. Works Cited Dransch, Doris, Henry, Rotzoll, and Kathrin, Poser. "The Contribution of Maps to the Challenges of Risk Communication to the Public." International Journal of Digital Earth 3.3 (2010): 292-311 Kawasaki, Akiyuki, Merrick, Lex, Berman, and Wendy, Guan. "The Growing Role Of Web-Based Geospatial Technology In Disaster Response And Support." Disasters 37.2 (2013): 201-221 Lee, Jun-Hak. "An Improved Topographic Mapping Technique From Airborne Lidar: Application In A Forested Hillside." International Journal Of Remote Sensing 34.20 (2013): 293-311. Tamima, Umma, and Luc, Chouinard. "Framework For Earthquake Evacuation Planning: Case Study For Montreal, Canada." Leadership & Management In Engineering 12.4 (2012): 222-230 Read More