Integrated Geospatial Tools for Wilderness Search and Rescue IGT4SAR

Transcription

1 Integrated Geospatial Tools for Wilderness Search and Rescue IGT4SAR Electronic Mapping for Search and Rescue Operations Don Ferguson, PhD A member of

2 What is this class all about? Application of modern tools for SAR planning and operations. Access up-to-date information for enhanced situational awareness Decision making and addressing uncertainty (Critical Thinking) Automating operational, analytical and administrative processes. Communicating information to others Provide a better understanding of the role of geospatial information for SAR How does geography influence the missing subject. How does geography influence the way we search and conduct rescues? How does geography influence the assumptions we make about the missing subject and searching.

3 Introductions (MARG) and the Appalachian Search and Rescue (ASRC) Non-paid professional (volunteer) search and rescue organization Wilderness search for lost persons and rescue of the injured from hiking, hunting, or other outdoor accidents. Assist with other outdoor rescues including cave rescues and technical evacuations of the injured. Provides search management and specialized field teams. Instructor Combustion scientist w/ US Dept of Energy PhD in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering Involved in SAR since 1999, before NSP and Eagle Scout. Avid outdoorsman. Working with GIS for SAR since 2006

4 Basis for this course Strives to be NIMS compliant Consistent with the National SAR Supplement (NSS) Draws for a nationally recognized standards and courses National SAR School Inland SAR Planning Course Managing Lost Person Incidents Managing Search Operations Land SAR Addendum Etc Material has been peer reviewed by multiple subject matters experts. Also throw in some personal experience

5 Course Outline Day 1 Getting Started with IGT4SAR and ArcGIS Desktop Introduction Installation Create a new incident Overview of the template Initial Response and Reflex Tasking Editing critical feature data and Attributes fields Initial Response Weather reports Use GIS for Logistical Support Identify Staging and locations for critical infrastructure Communications Helicopter Landing Zones Missing Person Behavior Modeling LPB ISRID database Terrain Analysis Identifying relevant terrain features Cell Phone Forensics and Analysis Exigent circumstances Estimate coverage Day 2 Day 1 review Critical Thinking and the Search Scenario Analysis Bias Analysis of Competing Hypotheses Probability Regions / Search Segments Defining POA Cumulative POA Resource Estimates, GPS and Debriefing Theoretical POD

6 Search is an Emergency! Search for a missing subject could be considered the proverbial needle in a haystack Time is limited subject health, clue longevity, search safety and availability. Goal of search management is to maximize the probability of success at the greatest rate possible (PSR) Search is an inherently spatial problem Subject is influenced by their environment and geography plays a key role in dictating strategy and tactics. Emphasizes the need for better Situational Awareness and Analysis. Utilize geospatial analyses to maximize PSR.

7 Classical Approach to SAR Management Maps are an integral part of SAR Subject movement / Terrain Analysis Probable Regions Search Tactics Search Segments / Assignments Clues Layered transparencies placed over map (Onion Skin) Each layer represents planning or operational period At the end of each operational period overlay are removed and new one added

8 Classical Approach to SAR Management Layered transparencies placed over map (Onion Skin) Manual process prone to data loss At the end of each operational period overlay are removed and new one added. Difficult to recreate or use information for analysis (POS = POA x POD) Impaired Situation Awareness Maps are static / out-dated Limited information (Topo Map) Impaired Analysis Only visual analysis Forms data stored separately from spatial information Difficult to identify relationships and draw conclusions Difficult to communicate information to others

9 Geographical Information System (GIS) An information system that permits the capture, storing, manipulation, analysis, management and presentation of geographically referenced data. A spatial data-management tool made up of intelligent and dynamic computer maps linked to databases that describe map features. Data need not be spatial in nature Address (Spatial) Structure Type (Non-Spatial) 715 Wiley St 2 Story, Wood Frame

10 Mapping Software vs GIS Geodatabase Mapping software does not incorporate a database Attribute Queries e.g. How many counties in the US are named Hardy? Sort / Color code the search segments by descending Pden Spatial Query How many streams are located within 500 m of the Last Known Point? What is the shortest distance between the Find location and a linear feature? Geospatial Analysis Interacting with data layers

11 GIS is More Than Just the Map

12 Relational (Geo)Database Relates different types of information in terms of their spatial and non-spatial relationships.

13 Role of GIS Support in SAR Provide field operable tasks maps Track field operations: Planned, In-Progress and Completed Provide logistical support Locations for facilities and resources Communications planning, predict Helo LZ Define the search area utilizing analytical tools when available to assist Assist in optimization of effort allocation Provide customized mapping materials and reports Automation Enhanced Situational Awareness Analytic tools Communication of Information Yosemite SAR. Photo: Tom Patterson San Bernardino County Sheriff s Dept. Mobile Mapping Unit

14 Introducing ArcGIS ArcGIS is a comprehensive Geographical Information Systems software application Data management Spatial Analysis Mapping and Visualization We will only be using a small portion of its capabilities Unlike mapping applications such as My Topo - Terrain Navigator Pro, ArcGIS may not be intuitive to some. However, even with just an understanding of the basic the software is very powerful.

15 GIS Basics General Terminology Basemap - A map containing geographic features, used for locational reference. Vectors A coordinate-based spatial data structure commonly used to represent geographic features. For example, a linear feature is represented as an ordered list of x,y coordinates. Rasters - A cellular data structure composed of rows and columns. Groups of cells represent features. The value of each cell represents the value of the feature. Image data is stored using this structure. DRG Digital Raster Graphic DOQQ Digital Orthophoto Quarter Quadrangle DEM Digital Elevation Model Vector data showing Points, Lines and Polygons Tables and Attribute Information information that may or may not be associated with geographic features. Raster data showing elevation (hillshade) and land cover (cell size 3m,3m)

16 GIS Basics ArcGIS Terminology Shapefiles (shp) a set of files commonly used to store vector geometric data together with attribute data. May contain several files but 3 file types are mandatory (*.shp, *.shx, *.dbf) Metadata - Consists of information about the data (origin, quality, accuracy, etc.). Geodatabase (spatial database) A central data repository for spatial data storage and management. Store spatial data in a centralized location and integrate with other databases and tables Apply sophisticated rules and relationships Define geospatial relational models (topologies, networks) Maintain integrity of spatial data (e.g. projection rules) Feature Dataset Collection of related classes that share a common coordinate systems. Spatially or thematically integrate related feature classes Feature Class Homogeneous collection of vector features Share attribute table e.g. Clue points, Search Segments, etc. i

17 ArcCatalog Managing Geographic Data Open ArcToolbox (Projection tool) Open ArcToolbox File Manager Feature dataset Geodatabase Table Shapefiles Excel Spreadsheet

18 Exercise: Connecting to your data Open the TableTops folder in ArcCatalog If it is not listed in the TOC use Connect to Folder Open the SkyMead000 folder (Tabletops) Open SAR_Default.gdb This is the geodatabase that provides the data structure, relationships and domains that make up the IGT4SAR map template. Right Click on SAR_Default.gdb to explore Properties Domains Tab - Attribute domains are used to constrain the values allowed in any particular attribute for a table or feature class.

19 ArcCatalog Preview Content and Properties Right Mouse Click to open Properties

20 Scenario Cellular Coverage - Despondent At approximately 9:00 pm on Sept 04 the Park Ranger at Sky Meadows State Park (Fauquier County near Paris, VA) noticed a vehicle that appears to have been parked in the visitor parking overnight. This is unusual as the parked closed at 8:00pm the night before and there are multiple signs in the lot that state no overnight parking. A quick check of the license plate number indicated that the vehicle is owned by John Doe, a resident of Silver Spring, MD. A later review of park surveillance shows him parking his vehicle and entering the camp store at approximately 12:00 pm on Sept 4th. He returned to his vehicle at 12:30 pm the same day, grabbed a small backpack and quickly walked away.

21 Scenario Cellular Coverage - Despondent Interview of the store staff on the morning of Sept 5 th, concludes that the subject had purchased a trailmap and had inquired about good hiking trails in the area. The clerk identified a number of good trails both around the park store and throughout the park. Further investigation revealed that the subject had spoken with his ex-wife at approximately 2:15 pm via cellular phone on Sept 4th. They talked for about 15 minutes. He had mentioned he was hiking and he talked of suicide.

22 Scenario Cellular Coverage - Despondent Subject information Name: John Doe 34 yom Military veteran served two tours in Iraq Diagnosed and being treated for PTSD Divorced approximated 6 months prior to Sept 4th Subject is from Silver Spring, MD and is not familiar with the area (according to ex-wife). Physically healthy and fit Had previously talked about suicide and discussed it again with exwife during last phone call (2:15 pm, Sept 4 th ). Had access to a handgun

23 Missing Person Exercise IGT4SAR Intro Situation You are the GIS technician assigned to assist with Planning for the 2 nd Operation Period. Objective Familiarize yourself with the current status of the operation Obtain any additional spatial data that may assist in your planning and analysis Generate additional Hasty-type tasks Evaluate the proposed scenarios and search area prioritization Segment some of the high probability regions and create tasks for 2 nd Op Period Evaluate radio coverage for the search area

24 Data Entry The order of data entry is not strictly enforced however some data fields are linked to Domains that rely on data provided in a Feature Class. The order of data entry shown in the tutorial is focused on filling a Domain prior to editing a Feature Class that relies on information in that Domain. There may be situations where the user wants to plot data in a different order. For example If the user is interested in quickly printing maps for field teams at the start of the mission, the user should immediately plot the IPP (Planning Point). This will become more apparent later.

25 Exercise - Determine appropriate projection (optional) You are provided the following coordinates for the IPP Latitude: (DD MM.MM) Longitude: (DD MM.MM) Because we will want to make measurements such as length or area of a feature for assignments, we need to use the appropriate projected coordinate system. If known you could skip this step Open ArcMap Open C:\MapSAR_Ex\prepMap.mxd Go To XY tool (Tools Toolbar) Enter Lat/Long from above Use the Identify tool to click on the MGRS block that contains the marker created by Go To XY Tool.

26 Exercise - Open ArcMap to create a New Incident Along the Toolbar find IGT4SAR-Prep menu to access the Create New Incident tool OR ArcToolbox SAR_Toolbox10b - Utilities Create New Incident Target Folder Select location with folder new: SkyMead004 Target Coordinate system: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 18N Transformation: WGS_1984_(ITRF00)_To_NAD_1983 Subject Name: John Doe Incident Name: SkyMeadows-Doe Incident Number: VA Lead Agency: Fauquier County Sheriff ICS204 to Use: Default IPP Type: LKP IPP Coordinate Units: Degree Decimal Minutes IPP Coordinates: , OK

27 Opening ArcMap VA TableTop_Exercises\SkyMead001\ VA mxd (this is a different version of the incident you just created) Table of Contents Editor Toolbar ArcCatalog Window IGT4SAR Toolbar Table of Contents Data Frame

28 IGT4SAR Toolbar Specific Tools Most of the tools on the IGT4SAR toolbar are standard but there are a few custom tools IGT4SAR Tools three geoprocessing tools that update gdb domains and information on the map layout (layout view) GPX Importer Tool to import GPX files (from GPS) into one of the existing feature classes. Measure/Angle Tool provide an on-screen method to measure the True North bearing. An additional tool provided on your USB drive can be used to get the magnetic declination for your area (WMM Declination Calculation). Attribute Assistant (on/off) Attribute assistant helps by automatically filling in some details in the attribute tables of some features. This can be turn on or off. See DynamicValue and GenerateId tables.

29 IGT4SAR Toolbar In addition to ArcMap s many toolbars, IGT4SAR has numerous built-in scripts to improve automation and predefined analysis.

30 ArcGIS Add-Ins Extending ArcGIS The ArcGIS for Desktop add-in model provides a convenient way to customize and expand the capabilities of ArcGIS Add-ins are easily shared between users added to a system by simply copying them to a well-known folder and removed by deleting them from this folder. IGT4SAR (MapSAR_Ex) comes with three add-ins and one library Attribute Assistant calculate attribute data using two configuration tables that defines rules and values for specific feature attributes GPX Importer Edan Cain (ESRI) MapSAREX_Config turns on attribute dialog box when editing specified features Editor > Editing Options > Attributes C:\MapSAR_Ex\Tools\AttributeConfig_SAR.xml

31 IGT4SAR Layers IGT4SAR currently contains 15 Layer Groups each containing specific information This is a bit confusing and is being changed Group 15 is in the Base Data Folder Each Layer Group is composed of one or more Layers. Many of the layers do not contain spatial data and will soon be converted to gdb tables (next release). Right click on Layer Group name Properties Description, Group composition and Display info Right click on individual Layer gives you access to all sort of information

32 ArcGIS Layers - Properties Lots of options for you to explore Lots of opportunity for expansion of capabilities Hyperlinks, for example We will explore Symbology Labels Joins & Relates

33 IGT4SAR Layers Incident Group Incident group consist of basic background information about the search incident. Most of the tables in this group are used to record non-spatial data. This means no features are placed on the map as a result on adding rows to these tables. The nonspatial data consists of: Subject Information, Incident Information, Scenarios, Reporting Party and Operation_Period. Two critical spatial features are also included in this layer: Planning point and Found/Suspension

34 EXERCISE: Incident Information Review information in the 1_Incident_Group Incident_Information attribute table. Edit Incident_Information table Change Incident_Type: Search Incident Summary: Despondent subject threatening suicide. Last seen with blue backpack exiting vehicle in Sky Meadows State Park store parking lot at 12:30pm (via CCTV) on Sept 04, Evaluate other attribute and note dropdown lists Fields in Yellow are available for user entry, White Fields are automatically modified USNG, UTMZone and Mag Dec are based on the IPP. Need to run Update Map Layout after the IPP is initially plotted and after any changed.

35 EXERCISE: Update Subject Information Edit Subject Information table Category: Despondent Category_MRA: DESPONDENT/SUICIDE Group Size: Solo Date Late Seen: 09/04/2015 Time Late Seen: 12:30 pm Age: 34, Gender: Male Experience: Good Fitness Level: Excellent Race: White, Height: 70 Weight:165, Build: Medium Complexion: Fair Hair: Brown, short, Eyes: Brown Other: Walks with a slight limp on his left leg. Shirt: Red t-shirt, Pants: Khaki Shorts Jacket:, Hat: Footwear: Tennis Shoes Info: Subject is suicidal and has access to a handgun. Cellphone: (714) Description: Subject was last seen on video exiting his vehicle in the Sky Meadows State Park parking area on Sept 04, 2012 at 12:30 pm. The subject may be carrying a blue backpack. Photo Available: Yes QRCode: erson+page Save Edits

36 EXERCISE: Update Initial Planning Point While completing the Subject Information you realize that the Initial Planning Point is the Point Last Seen and not the Last Known Point. While still in Edit Mode, right click on Planning Point and open the Attribute Table IPP Type: PLS (What happened to the feature symbol?) IPP Classification: Vehicle Description: Subject was last seen (via Guest Parking Surveillance Video) entering and immediately exiting his vehicle. Subject exiting vehicle with a blue backpack.

37 Lead Agency (Responsible Authority) The Lead_Agency is entered when the Incident is created if the optional information was provided. Additional attributes can be added by editing the attribute table. EXERCISE Complete the Lead Agency Attributes D Save and Stop Editing

38 EXERCISE: Missing Person Flyer SAR_Toolbox Operations > A. Missing Person Form This tool maps data fields from the subject information to an adobe digital form Select Documents as the Output Directory (required) The Include Additional Info will include text from the Subject Information Info attribute. If this is sensitive information you may not want to include it. The resultant file will have the subject Name.fdf. Double click on this to open in Adobe Acrobat (Reader).

39 EXERCISE: Missing Person Flyer The form can be further edited in Acrobat Reader as needed and a picture can be added. In Acrobat click on image field and load image from \SkyMead000\Photos\JohnDoe_Photo.jpg In Acrobat click on image field and load image from \SkyMead000\Documents\John Doe_QRcode.png This QR Code is automatically generated when the form is created based on the URL in Subject Information QRCode Save the file when complete. JohnDoe_MissingPersonForm.pdf

40 Reality Check Remember you do not need to enter all of the fields or all of the feature classes. All features and fields are shown here for demonstration purposes. The minimum requirement for printing a field map is Planning Point This is needed to get the correct UTM Region and USNG 100k Zone correct on the field map template. Incident Information Incident Name Incident Number (can be the same as above) Mag Declination

41 Questions? Contact information: Don Ferguson (304)