Representative Projects » GIS

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The following GIS projects are examples of the types of GIS services we offer. Please contact us to discuss your specific project needs.

Corporate GIS — Alaska Railroad Corporation

In 2003 ARRC asked RDI to complete a GIS needs analysis and plan for their organization. Based on the outcome of this analysis, and on other needs within ARRC, RDI was contracted to design and build the ARRC corporate GIS database, covering the extent of ARRC's assets.

This effort entailed assembling, processing, formatting, and loading basemap data layers including topographic, geologic, hydrologic, environmental, land ownership, wetlands, infrastructure, population, as well as numerous other physical, environmental, and cultural layers from federal sources and four different Boroughs (MOA, Mat-Su, Denali, and Fairbanks Northstar).

To achieve the goal of integrating all data across ARRC's area of interest, the database was supplemented by developing standard thematic cartographic views into the database as ArcGIS layer files and matching ArcIMS AXL symbology. Since its inception, the database has been continually maintained with RDI's assistance.

Geospatial Portal — Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility

The GeoSpatial Portal project is an innovative GIS implemented to provide AWWU staff with a single system for easy access to utility and municipal information throughout the organization. The portal includes mapping data as well as numerous links into other related databases, such as building permits, septic tank/wells, utility assessments, capital projects, and customer data. Mapping includes features such as lines, hydrants, pipes, valves, land ownership, topography, hydrography, and aerial photography.

The project represents conversion from the traditional ESRI coverage data model into the new Oracle-based Geodatabase model. The Portal utilizes ESRI Geodatabase, ASP and .NET technology to integrate GIS parcel and water-utility data with 14 external databases, many in other departments within the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA).

Lease Mapping Application — Oil Company

Lease data is one of the most frequently used data sets, and accurate and timely lease data is key to decision making. This project solved the problem of being unable to get lease data imported, processed, and mapped in a timely fashion.

Processing the lease data was consuming a large amount of time, and any change to the source data (which happened frequently) caused additional delays and extensive reprogramming. RDI led a team of six to analyze the workflow, data, and users needs and then created a Geodatabase application and process to solve the problem. ESRI technology was used to manage and process the spatial data.

Utility Enterprise-wide GIS — Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility

RDI has teamed with AWWU to implement an enterprise GIS to enhance productivity and information sharing at the utility. Projects have included the following:

  • Automation of all pipelines and related facilities for the corporate GIS
  • Development of Web-based GIS tools for access and potential editing of GIS data by users
  • Development of tools for integrating maintenance management system and GIS
  • Development of tools for collecting facility data with GPS and integrating GPS data into corporate database and GIS
  • Deployment of ruggedized laptop GPS/GIS tools for fieldwork

GIS Implementation — Unocal Corporation

RDI has been providing GIS implementation services to Unocal for the past three years. RDI has reprojected, georeferenced and created digital mosaics of many of the aerial photos Unocal uses. RDI has processed raw satellite data from LandSAT and Ikonos imagery and created basemaps from US Geological Survey Digital Line Graph (DLG) data sets. Furthermore, RDI created tract maps from legal descriptions, digitized seismic data, and designed a database application that maintains a relationship between the Kenai Peninsula Borough database and Unocal's land ownership database.

GIS Development and Support — Minerals Management Service

RDI is currently providing on-site GIS support for the Minerals Management Service (MMS). The MMS is responsible for management of oil and gas reserves on the outer continental shelf. RDI has been providing custom GIS programming for the MMS. These tools help MMS scientists keep track of diverse environmental and cultural phenomena ranging from bowhead whale population distribution to shipwreck locations.

Land Management GIS — NANA

This project involved the development of a comprehensive land management GIS for all NANA land holdings, using data compiled from public and private sources. The project included generation of base maps from USGS DLGs and DEMs. RDI created place names and NANA land ownership data sets and developed an ArcView extension for managing documents concerning land parcels.

GIS Implementation and Support — Teck Corporation

RDI created a GIS to facilitate environmental studies and impact assessments for a large, hard-rock mine in eastern Alaska. Numerous data sets were compiled, alternative transportation routes developed, and multiple reports made to assist in environmental analysis. The GIS helps satisfy mandatory reporting requirements to various state and federal agencies.