Field Activity #2.

Introduction:

• Provide background to the problem at hand. What are the problems and challenges facing Hadlyville cemetery?

The problem  at hand is that the Hadlyville Cemetery lost their data for their plots, therefore we started a community project to create an interactive map. The problems that become apparent is the erratically placed grave stones which do not follow a row/column parttern very well, hard to read grave stones, and non-marked gravespots.  Some of the challenges are to create the interactive map the class needs to attach photos and attributes to an accurate GPS point with the correct grave site.  

• Why is building a GIS of this project better than a simple map and/or spreadsheet?

It is a better project to build the GIS because it is something that can be edited easily to introduce new grave locations, add new symbols as needed, and make it easier to see what everything is based on the map.  Also building a GIS for this project is better because it gives the end user more options at the end for what they would like to show the most, for example, empty plots for sale.

• What equipment are you going to use to gather the data needed to construct the GIS; ie what is the overall approach?

The equipment being used is a survey grade GPS which can pinpoint the grave locations down to a centimeter.  We are also using a UAV to create a high-resolution image.  We will also be using GIS software and possibly an Excel file to record all of the notes we took out in the field to be made into an attribute table to be joined to a feature class.  

• What are the overall objectives of the method being employed to gather the data.

The overall objectives are to create an accurate interactive mapped using the survey grade GPS, connecting the correct pictures to the correct GPS point, and connecting all of this together with the attributes collected in our notes.  

Methods:

• What combination of geospatial tools did the class to use in order to conduct the survey? Why?

The tools that we used to conduct the survey included using a survey grade GPS, an UAV, and field notes.  We used these because we need to create our own map with locations based  on the map the UAV created.  

• What is the accuracy of the equipment you are intending to use? (Be sure to cover each piece of equipment)

UAV - accuracy - centimeter

GPS - Accuracy - centimeter

Field notes - Human Accuracy.

Camera-  Human Level Accuracy

• How was data recorded? List the different methods and state why a pure digital approach is not always best. What media types are being used for data collection? Formats?

The data was collect in two different ways: the first is by using the GPS and UAV.  The second was was by hand.  We drew maps in our field notes along with taking station numbers with each location/grave site.  The format was going by rows along the road to the back of the cemetery.  We as a class broke it up into different rows for each group.  

• How will you transfer the data you gather into a GIS

The data will be transferred into a GIS through a few different ways.  First off the field notes will be normalized and transferred into an Excel File.  Once the Excel file is completed it can be turned into an attribute table that will be joined to a feature class within the GIS  Next is matching the GPS points uploaded into the GIS to the attribute field associated with it.  

• What equipment failures occurred if any? What was done to remedy the situation?

The one big failure that was occurring was the speed at which taking GPS points with the Survey grade GPS was very slow.  This would have taken another whole class period to finish this.  To Remedy the situation we decided that we can create our own points on the high-res image from the UAV.  

• What might have been done to facilitate data collection in terms of equipment and refining the method?

We could have previously looked at a Google Image of the site and tried to give out rows to each team so we would not have had the 30 minutes of being unsure of what team was doing what.  Also having been taught how to use the survey grade GPS before using in the field may have saved a lot of time as well.  

Conclusion

• How did the methods transfer to the overall objectives of the project?

The methods used transferred to to overall objectives by solving most of the problems.  Taking notes create the attribute table, taking pictures turn it into an interactive map by being able to see what each grave stone looks like, and having a specific gps point helps to pin down each grave site location.  

• How did the mixed formats of data collection relate to the accuracy and expediency of the survey?

I feel that the mixed formats of data collection actually brought up the accuracy because it can show some people what they possibly missed or added more information. 

• Describe the overall success of the survey, and speculate on the outcome of the data.

I believe that the overall success of the survey is going to be very good.  I noticed as a class we got all of the gravestones written down along with pictures taken at each site.  The  only thing missing was about 70% of the grave sites do not have a GPS point, but the high-res image should be detailed enough for us to be able to pinpoint the sites and digitize it ourselves.   I believe this will be a success for the outcome of the data and look forward to the finished product.