The Quality Control of Geographic Information System QC Process - Research Proposal Example

Other (s) GIS QC process ment of the problem The American Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) together with the department of homeland security emergency preparedness have jointly developed a new National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) known as the Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) .According to many analysts, the newly developed DFIRM database is generally a digitalized version of the previous flood insurance rate map that was initially being used by FEMA. In this regard, the DFIRM can help in the assessment of flood risks which are generally considered to be recurring phenomena in many states. This consequently enables the government agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to accurately determine the flood zones, floodways status as well as the base flood elevation of particular places regions(Baumann, 17).The modernization of these databases will also help in raising public awareness of the flood hazards. One of the main challenges of using the digital flood insurance rate maps in the identification of flood hazard risks areas is however the fact that flood hazard conditions are usually dynamic and this demands continual update of the DFIRM data to keep the flood maps current. According to USGS (4), the functionality of the new digital version can significantly be enhanced when it is used together with some digital mapping and analysis applications particularly the Geographic Information System(GIS) software. This project seeks to use of an integrated GIS database in the quality control (QC) of the Digital Flood Rate Map (DFRM) to help in the validation of various cartographic data regarding flood hazard risks in the states of California and Nevada. Rationale of the project Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offers a wide range of mapping and database analysis capabilities which can be used to ensure quality control (QC) of the DFIRM data regarding the flood hazard risks in the two states of California and Nevada (Foresman, 416). This will present enormous contributions particularly for the schools, students as well as the communities living in areas of flood hazard risks. One of the key benefits of using GIS in the quality control of flood hazard risk data is that it will allow all the stakeholders such as researchers, schools, students as well as various government agencies to develop high quality and most current information regarding the flood risk regions in the two states. According to Chang (181), GIS can also be effectively used to update the flood hazard maps to keep up with the dynamic flood hazard conditions. This will not only help fix the poor quality data but will also improve the decision making process of the government agencies such as FEMA. Another important contribution of this project is that GIS will allow the users to efficiently integrate the information on the flood hazard maps with the other information of the affected regions and the communities living in those areas. This integration will not only improves the accuracy of the data but will also help in determining the potential emergency management strategies to be employed in the concerned regions.GIS software allows users to view access and analyze various mapping information on the DFIRM database. The information obtained can then be in the validation of the geometry of the existing reservoirs against other similar sources of data (Davis, 67). Lastly, quality control (QC) of the digital Flood Insurance Rate Map data using GIS that ensure quality and detailed information is achieved using various map scales. For example GIS can be used to identify key flood risk indicators in the two states of California and Nevada. Preliminary review of literature According to Morian and Baros (24), Geographic Information system is a new technology that can be effectively used in the quality control of digital Flood Insurance Rate Map data particularly with regard to the ability of GIS to merge cartography, database management and statistical analysis. Allowing users of DFIRM to store, analyze, edit share and update the information regarding the flood hazard risks can significantly enhance the decision making process during the development of mitigation and coping strategies in the event of such hazards. On the other hand, Chrisman (103) argues that GIS can be effectively be used in the quality control of DFIRM of various regions is largely because GIS can enable cartographic images of flood hazard areas to be compared with information from other data sources using the particular regions as the main variable. During a series of interviews and discussions with my fellow students, most of my colleagues concurred on the fact that integrating GIS in the DFIRM databases will substantially enhance the validation, sharing as well as the correction of poor quality DFIRM data. Although these data can be collected in particular regions like the States of California and Nevada, the information is equally important for many other regions and States that are prone to flood hazard risks. Many of my colleagues who participated in the interviews also suggested that quality controlled DFIRM data can also be used in other projects such as agricultural and food security initiatives in various parts of the world. Procedure The project will begin with a series of classroom experiments in which the participating students will be required to install GIS software known as ArcGIS Data Reviewer into their computers. The Students will then use the GIS application to automate and simplify the quality control (QC) process of a given DFIRM data. It is expected that using the GIS Data Reviewer will significantly simplify the management of error quality control process by allowing the users to detect, correct and verify any potential errors in the Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map being validated. Consequently this will also help improve the integrity of the DFIRM data particularly with regard to its spatial attributes, connectivity, topology as well as their validity. Students will also be required to configure the ArcGIS Data Reviewer to enable them streamline the workflow of error correction of the maps by other users and create a consistent and updated DFIRM data. In this regard, the participants in this project will be expected to effectively highlight some of the attribute errors as well as revise the mapping information used in the experiment to make it more accurate (Longley and Maguire, 23). Lastly, the students participating in the project will also be requested to carry out a number of data collection activities regarding GIS quality control processes and validation of flood hazard databases. For example the class will be divided into two groups whereby one group will be expected to review various journals, websites, publications and books on the research topic while the other group will carry out a small survey using a set of structure questionnaire. Research Methods The project will use both quantitative and qualitative research methods throughout the study. To assess the effectiveness of integrating the use of GIS in the quality control (QC) processes of DFIRM data, the study will employ a research methodology that will include conducting experiments, literature review, informant interviews, use of survey questionnaires and finally the analysis of the collected information. A series of experiments will be carried out at the classroom level and the participants will be required to install GIS software known as ArcGIS Data Reviewer into their computers. The Students will then use the GIS application to automate and simplify the quality control (QC) process of a given DFIRM data. With regard to literature review, the participants in the project will be required to review a number of journals, websites, publications and books on the potential use of GIS quality control during the validation of flood hazard maps. The findings from the literature consulted will then related to the thesis of the project. A survey will also be conducted using short detailed questionnaire which will be sent to 10 government agencies and organizations dealing with the mapping of natural hazard areas and disaster preparedness. The survey will sought to determine whether these agencies are using GIS quality control (QC) technology in their programs and projects. Finally informant interviews will be carried out using 6 selected participants. Conclusion In conclusion GIS quality control of DFIRM databases allow users to validate, revise and update the mapping information and this significantly enhance the decision making process during the development of mitigation and coping strategies in the event of such hazards. The findings from this project will be analyzed and then used to validate the concepts gained from the experiments and literature reviews. Finally the results will be documented and presented in form of charts, photos and videos will can be sued as reference materials for future researches on GIS quality control(QC) processes. Project timeline The project will be carried out within a time span of 9 Weeks. Item Description of activity Proposed duration 1 Conducting classroom experiments using ArcGIS Data Reviewer in the automation and quality control (QC) process of DFIRM data. 1st and 2nd Week 2 Carrying out literature review on selected journals, websites, publications and books that provides the concepts of using GIS quality control (QC) during the validation of flood hazard maps. 3rd -4th Week 3 Conducting Surveys and informant interviews. During this period, the students will also be expected to participate in discussions regarding the topic of the study. 4th-6th Week 4 Analysis of the project findings 7th -8th Week 5 Presentation of the findings 9th Week Works Cited Baumann, P., Frederick. Flood Analysis, February 1999. Web.10 July.2012. Burrough, A. Patrick. Principles of Geographical Information Systems for Land Resources Assessment. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1986. Print. Chang, K. Tsung. Introduction to Geographical Information Systems. New York: McGraw Hill, 2008. Print. Chrisman, N. Robert. “The role of quality information in the longterm functioning of a geographic information system”. Cartographica, 21(1983 ): 79-87. Print. Davis, Robert R. Geographic Information Systems: A Primer for USAID Managers. Washington, DC: Agency for International Development, 1995. Print. Foresman, Tim. The History of GIS (Geographic Information Systems): Perspectives from the Pioneers. New York: Prentice Hall. Morian, Stan and Baros, S. Lopez. Raster Imagery in Geographic Information Systems. New Mexico: Onward Press, 1996. Print. Lillisand, Thomas M. and Kiefer, Ralph W. Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation 4th Edition. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2000.Print. Longley P., Goodchild and Maguire, D. Rhind. Geographical Information Systems and Science. New York: Wiley and Sons. Inc., 2001. Print. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). National Hydrography Dataset. Web.10 July.2012. Read More