Agencies use GIS technology to map areas of Calif. fires
Topcon, along with the Redlands, Calif.-based Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), is supplying GMS-2s (geographical mapping systems), spare batteries and battery chargers for accurate fire-damage assessment in two major areas hit by the fires.
Additional units recently supplied to ESRI regional offices were directed to aid in the mapping and assessment project. The GMS-2 features an integrated digital camera, enabling field personnel to collect images automatically tied to GPS locations. The units were supplied with Topcon’s Field Tools for ArcPad, an extension that provides full-camera and GPS integration with ESRI’s mobile software.
Ideal assessment tool
More than 500,000 acres were burned in multiple fires that ravaged Southern California in October. Several reported deaths were attributed to the fires and almost 2,000 homes were razed. The Topcon GMS-2 instruments have been used to map burned acreage caused by the Canyon and Buckweed fires.
“Topcon is always looking for ways to employ our technology to assist people and agencies, especially in times of emergency such as this,” said Mike Weir, Topcon director of sales-GIS. “The handheld, powerful and rugged GMS-2 is the ideal instrument to assess damage caused by the fires, to document the location and extent of damage with a digital photograph linked to the geographic coordinates.
Data collected on site provides emergency response agencies with the vital information needed to rapidly respond to the current situation and is the basis for future study and evaluation.”
Faster field data collection
Topcon’s GMS-2 is a unique device that speeds up field data collection. Typically, damage assessments involve the use of paper maps, forms, a GPS receiver and a separate camera. With the GMS-2, all pertinent data can be recorded with one device. It eliminates the need to carry multiple items into the field, allowing emergency personnel to move about disaster scenes freely and easily.
“The Topcon units help streamline the collection process, which was traditionally done on paper,” said Patrick Dolan, technical industry leader with the ESRI. “Having one device to collect GPS position and take photographs and assessment information enabled the assessment teams to gather information and disseminate it back to headquarters for quick analysis.”
A leading-edge solution
Topcon engineers have combined dual-constellation satellite tracking and a digital camera into a compact, handheld form factor, making the GMS-2 a leading-edge solution for GIS field mapping.
Powered by Topcon’s TPSCORE GPS chip technology, the GMS-2 provides 50-channel tracking capability for both GPS+ Glonass satellite systems. The chip technology also provides dual-purpose signal tracking for either meter-level GIS mapping applications or single-frequency carrier tracking for high-accuracy static positioning. With an optional external L1 antenna, the GMS-2 can perform post-processed surveying applications for accuracies better than 1 cm.
GIS is a collection of computer hardware, software and geographic data for capturing, managing, analyzing and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information.
An integrated collection of computer software and data is used to view and manage information about geographic places, analyze spatial relationships and model spatial processes. A GIS provides a framework for gathering and organizing spatial data and related information so that it can be displayed and analyzed.
Topcon Positioning Systems provided this case history.