Arc Collecter

Introduction: 

ArcCollector is a mobile data collection app that allows users to use the advanced GPS capabilities of their mobile device (either Andriod or Apple devices) to collect G.I.S data. This is advantageous because it allows users to collect the data as a GPS unit without requiring receivers or additional equipment. Users can enter data for a variety of attributes in the form of a survey, which can than be exported into a map. Being an Esri product, ArcCollector can export data into other Esri software such as ArcMap

Study Area:

The study area for this assignment was the UW-Eau Claire campus. The class was broken into groups, with each group being assigned a different zone on campus due to time constraints. This report focuses on data collected in zone 7, which consisted of the majority of lower campus including the campus mall and the field behind the Putnam Hall dormitory.

Figure 1
Map of Zones with zone 7 highlighted in yellow

Methods: 

The purpose of this assignment was to use the ArcCollector application to collect microclimate data on the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus. To begin, the ArcCollector app was installed on the students mobile devices. Then ArcCollector was connected to a geodatabase to establish domains. An attribute domain is a sort of rule that determines the type of data that can be assigned to an attribute. For example, for the wind speed attribute, a domain was set so that only numbers between 0-360 may be entered, corresponding with the degrees of a circle. This exercise consisted of 8 attributes, each with an assigned domain. Next, a map was selected from the students ArcGIS online account for data points to be added to.

The next part of the assignment focused on the actual data collection. This was done primarily with a Kestrel 3000, a device that can collect a variety of weather information such as temperature, dew point, heat index and wind speed. A compass was used to determine wind direction. 20 g.p.s points were collected and micro-climate data was recorded for each point. Because the ArcCollector app is connected to an online map, the points appear on the map in real time as they are recorded. The data in the online map could than be exported into ArcMap for a variety of cartographic purposes.

Results: 

 In ArcGIS online, each of the attributes could be mapped to examine patterns across the UWEC campus. Some examples may be seen below.

Figure 2
ArcGIS online map of surface temperatures

One of the attributes mapped was surface temperature across campus. A spatial pattern that the data indicates is that blacktop and concrete surfaces have a higher surface temperature than grass or bare ground surfaces. This is made clear on the map with locations such as parking lots and the campus footbridge. This data was obtained on a sunny day, and seeing that blacktop gets very warm in sunlight, this seems accurate.

Figure 3
ArcGIS online map of Wind Speed

A second attribute mapped was wind speed. A pattern that may be observed on this map is higher wind speeds in open areas. These include areas such as the campus footbridge and outside of towers hall. Some of the lowest wind speeds may be observed in the campus mall. The reasoning behind this is the presence of buildings. Large buildings block the wind and reduce the overall wind speed. The footbridge, an area that exhibits consistently high wind speeds, has no buildings around to block the wind. The campus mall is surround by academic buildings that would block the wind and reduce the overall wind speed.

Conclusion:

ArcCollector is a powerful and useful mapping application that allows users to collect field data which can be uploaded to an online map in real time. This could be very useful in a field such as transportation planning. ArcCollector may be used to record areas of roads that are in disrepair. For example, attributes may include road location, surface type, extend of damage (crack, pothole, ect.). This could then be exported into an ArcMap document to illustrate which roads are in the greatest need of repair, allowing city government to prioritize their projects. Overall, ArcMap is a very useful and accessible tool with a wide variety of geospatial applications.