A NEW GIS BASED METHOD FOR GATHERING GEOLOGICAL FIELD DATA

In 2011, the Florida Geological Survey’s STATEMAP program upgraded its collection methods for in situ data collection. Priority was placed on developing a mobile GIS platform that allowed for direct digitization of field data. The new system had to meet the following minimum requirements before being used in the field: 1) must be easy to use, 2) must be able to quickly record observations from a moving vehicle, 3) must utilize hardware or software already owned by the FGS and 4) software environment must be robust to prevent the accidental loss of data.

What emerged is an innovative GIS solution that is easy to use, reliable, low-cost, and highly customizable to a field team’s needs. A Windows XP laptop computer, full-sized monitor, and Garmin GPS unit form the core of the vehicle-based system. Data collection is primarily handled in ESRI’s ArcPad^©, which runs a customized collection of tools that bypass time-consuming digital forms. It automatically attributes the relevant fields when a new point is added to the map, latitude and longitude, date and time, the type and geologic classification of observation, and the geologist recording the observation. These custom tools are supplemented by a Logitech G13 advanced gameboard, a programmable keypad operated with the left hand. This allows the user to perform a variety of operations - toggle layers on and off; record a variety of point, line and polygon features of a specific type or class; and perform basic operations such as pan, zoom and switching the current ArcPad^© tool in use - by pressing a single key, rather than navigating multiple on-screen menus and forms.

This customized GIS platform has met or exceeded all of the original criteria. After 6 months of field testing, the field teams report that it is intuitive and easy to use and data collection has proved to be robust with no data lost to inadvertent errors. The system was developed on a budget of less than $300 for new software and equipment purchases by utilizing existing hardware.