Geographical Information Systems

Tools for planning, executing, and controlling a remediation project for OEGIS call upon the scientific and geological industries. An information system based upon accurate maps is required to visualize ordinance remediation from a wider perspective. Coordinating survey teams with the maps available, has caused problems in the past. A grid of squares over the terrain is very different from a virtual grid of squares placed on a flat map. This difference is exaggerated when the detection systems collect data from a topographical relation with steep terrains and hills in a grid fashion. GPS is a great advantage in giving an xyz system of location. However the report deliverables are still flat maps. Again a three dimensional tool is needed.

Digital Elevation Maps (DEM's) are available from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). These are a start for rough overview, and intiatory planning. Legacy Technical Group, Inc. is working on a technique to modify these maps to higher resolution DEM's, updating the existing 7.5min maps that are available. Using GPS, RADAR, and Remote Piloted Vehicles (RPV) a terrain scanning system is developing. This real world model is viewed in three dimensions for operations, and can give two dimensional maps for steep terrain at requested angles. This is to solve the problem of remediating hills and cliffs which the military prefers as targets to reduce the impact area's fan of fire.

A great tool for viewing DEMS and integrating GPS, ordinance, etc. is Microdem. This feature rich program originally written, and maintained by Professor Peter Guth, who is now with the US Naval Academy, is highly recommended. Current versions are kept on this site for use, and download. However it is appreciated to visit the Naval Science site for detailed information at:

http://www.usna.edu/Users/oceano/pguth/website/microdem.htm

The USGS provides a great catalog of DEMS for download that can be used with Microdem. The ftp site for downloading these DEM's is:

http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/doc/edchome/ndcdb/ndcdb.html