Fairfax County GIS Excellence Awards December 16, 2020
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GIS excellence awards for 2020 were presented by Michael Liddle, Director Geospatial Services Division, Department of Information Technology, Fairfax County, VA.
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Fairfax County GIS Excellence Awards December 16, 2020
- 7. (alphabetically by title) 2019 - 2020 South County Site-Specific Plan Amendment Process – COVID-19 Vulnerability Index – Development of a Point Layer of Stream Roadway Crossings to Support Floodplain Mapping – Election Day 2020 – Polling Location Awareness – Eviction Prevention Dashboard – Fairfax County Animal Shelter – Expanding Community Outreach – Fairfax County Congressional Districts and Supervisor Districts – Fairfax County Food Resources Map – Fairfax County Houses of Worship – Fairfax County Park Authority Data Contribution – Fairfax County Senate Districts and Supervisor Districts – Fairfax County ZIP Codes and Post Offices – Fairfax County’s Department of Public Safety Communications NextGen 9-1- 1 Efforts – FCDOT – Existing Bicycle & Pedestrian Network Dataset – Fire Box Web Swipe App – Fire Data Changes in 2020 – Fires from Improperly Disposed of Smoking Materials – FY2019 RECenter Scholarships with Vulnerability Index – Health and Human Services Needs Assessment (2019) –
- 8. (continued) Historical Gypsy Moth Egg Mass Distribution and Abundance in Fairfax County – Know the Score: Restaurant Inspection Reporting – Laurel Hill – Detangling the Knot – Mapping Laurel Hill’s Lorton Prison Complex/GSA Transfer Proffers – Support for Highest Use Negotiations – Mosaic District Cyberpunk Map – Police Data Transparency Initiative – Potomac River 1945 USGS Map with 2018 Digital Elevation Model Overlay – Reston Data Visualization Implementation Hub Site – RISE Grant Program Awards – Site Records Viewer – Utilizing GIS and OpenText to Map Site Records – Supporting Return to School – The Fairfax County LiDAR Resources Hub Site – Tree Canopy and Impervious Surface Estimator Application – Web Based Drainage Area Delineation Using LiDAR – Where Can I Picnic in Fairfax County, You Ask? Let Us Show You! – Where Should We Plant Trees? – Ye Olde Map(e) of Fairfax(e) –
- 9. • Best GIS Cartographic Product/Presentation • Best Use of GIS for Analysis • Best Web Application • Best Use of GIS for Public Outreach • Most Significant Data Contributor • Best GIS Integration
- 10. This award is intended to showcase the power of GIS tools in creating accurate, instructive, and visually pleasing printed maps. The map must have been or planned to be used for Fairfax County business, and an original design is required (i.e. the map must not be based on any commonly used templates). Criteria used to evaluate the entries include: • clarity of purpose and intent • the use of GIS tools, methods, and operations to go beyond basic cartography • visual balance and appeal • inclusion of necessary map elements and conventions • quality control for typos or other errors
- 11. Best GIS Cartographic Product/Presentation Daniel Cabrera Department of Information Technology
- 12. Best GIS Cartographic Product/Presentation Fariss Agatone, Joshua Colman Park Authority
- 13. Best GIS Cartographic Product/Presentation Daniel Cabrera Department of Information Technology
- 14. This award is intended to showcase the power of GIS tools in undertaking sophisticated spatial analyses that aid County operations and answer significant questions. Criteria used to evaluate the entries include: • complexity of analysis; use of tools, scripting, model builder, etc. • ingenuity/creativity/originality of GIS methods used • project benefits to a team or department • effective demonstration of the information and insight gained (e.g., diagrams, maps, presentations, report, text)
- 15. Best Use of GIS for Analysis Dipmani Kumar, Elfatih Salim, Chip Galloway Stormwater Management
- 16. Best Use of GIS for Analysis Katherine Miga, Robin Wilson Office of the County Executive
- 17. Best Use of GIS for Analysis Susan Shaw, Alexandra Krafchek, Michelle Gregory (DMB), Sophia Dutton (DMB) Office of Strategy Management
- 18. This award is intended to showcase the ever-increasing presence of GIS web applications. These applications are a significant foundation for bringing maps, geospatial data, and analysis/data collection tools to a varied audience of county staff and residents. Criteria used to evaluate the entries include: • effectiveness of the web application in meeting stated purpose • benefit to the public and/or agency • incorporation of application into business practices • aesthetics and ease of use • use of well-thought-out cartography • inclusion of innovative and unique tools
- 19. Best GIS Web Application Scott Sizer, Ingrid Abernathy, Wendy Lemieux, Chase Suddith, Theresa Benincasa, Tanya Burrell (DOF), Stephanie Calderon (DIT), Elliott Stroud (DIT), Patricia McCay (OCA), Andrew Janos (DPMM), Donna Hurwitt (EDA), Dana Mariano (Community Business Partnership) Department of Economic Initiatives
- 20. Best GIS Web Application Gregory Bacon Department of Information Technology
- 21. Best GIS Web Application Brett Martin, Gregory Bacon (DIT) Land Development Services
- 22. Best GIS Web Application Fariss Agatone, Morgan Chapin Park Authority
- 23. This award is presented to the agency that best utilizes GIS to serve the public with map documents, customer service operations, press relations, or public events. A totality of an agency’s GIS public outreach efforts over the last 12 months will be evaluated rather than just one specific project. Criteria used to evaluate the entries include: • effectiveness of the GIS work to the outreach effort • degree to which a difficult message was clearly communicated • complexity of cartography, data analysis, customization and/or programming • adaptability to future expansion/modification • contribution of GIS as a planning tool for the outreach effort
- 24. Best Use of GIS for Public Outreach Caroline Rankin, Matthew Miller (DIT), Judy Lamey-Doldorf (DIT), Franz Arend (DIT), Melanna Forys (DIT), Diane Bentley (DIT), Kathy Ryan (FCPS) Department of Neighborhood and Community Services
- 25. Best Use of GIS for Public Outreach Jeffrey Gallagher, Carolyn Kinney, Kathy Pham, Amy Milliman, James Krause Police Department
- 26. This award is presented to the agency that has created or refined the most significant spatial data for the County. Criteria used to evaluate the entries include: • significance of the data for the county and/or agency • importance to agency’s long-term business processes • level of effort required to create/maintain the data • sophistication of process to create/maintain the data
- 27. Most Significant Data Contributor Andrew DeLuca, Justin Roberson, Fariss Agatone, Lynne Johnson Park Authority
- 28. Most Significant Data Contributor Thomas Wampler, Zachary Krohmal, Lindsay Marfurt, Nicole Wynands Department of Transportation
- 29. Most Significant Data Contributor Katherine Good Fire and Rescue Department
- 30. This award is presented to the agency that has integrated GIS into their operations to the greatest degree. Agencies that have a long history of GIS, as well as agencies that are in the beginning stages of GIS integration, will be evaluated separately. Criteria used to evaluate the entries include: • effectiveness of the integration in meeting its stated goal • increased use of GIS in the agency, either directly or through agency-generated GIS products • increased agency efficiency as a result of GIS • demonstration of significant effort to train staff in GIS • ingenuity/creativity/originality of GIS methods utilized • ability to gain insights into data/project/issue as a result of the integration • potential for further GIS-related growth
- 31. Best GIS Integration Melanie Leopold, Sandra Woiak (DIT) Department of Animal Sheltering
- 32. Best GIS Integration Brett Martin, Bill Edwards, Bushra Khan, Jose Baez, Pragnaya Katiki, Matthew Logie, Julia Ward, Radha Avala (DIT), Harish Reddy (DIT) Land Development Services
- 34. (alphabetically by last name) Sue Carlson - GIS Web Administrator, Loudoun County GIS – Tom Conry - GIS Manager, Fairfax County (retired) – Tim Ernest - GIS System Administrator, Arlington County GIS – Kathryn Kearanen - HS Program Coordinator, James Madison University – David Khoeler – IT Program Manager, DC Department of Public Works – Ken Lanfear - USGS (retired)– Greg Licamele - Public Information Officer, Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs –
- 35. (continued) Dawn Matasic - Account Manager, Esri – Anthony Myers - Solution Engineer, Esri– Dieter Pfoser - Professor, George Mason University – Michael Smith - Division Chief, IT Services Department, City of Alexandria – Jason Smolinski - Teacher, Fairfax High School – Ian Stack – Chief, GIS Services, Fairfax Water Authority – Rachel Weeden - Mid Atlantic Regional Manager, Esri – Daniel Wickens - Solution Engineer, Esri –
Editor's Notes
- View the GIS Excellence Awards Gallery: https://fairfaxcountygis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=67ddfc4acdff4955993ad00bab1fd56f
- This year we had 36 entries from a wide range of agencies and partners.
- The GIS Excellence Awards recognize individual county employees, teams, and departments who have demonstrated exceptional utilization of the County’s GIS in the last year. Winners will have used GIS to improve business processes, perform geographic analysis, visualize projects, improve efficiency, and communicate with the public. Awards are given in six categories.
- The first category is Best GIS Cartographic Product or Presentation. This award showcases clarity, visual appeal, and originality in the production of traditional static maps and presentations. There were nine entries in this category, and we have three winners.
- The first winner is Fairfax County Congressional Districts and Supervisor Districts, created by Daniel Cabrera with the Department of Information Technology. This map is representative of a new county wall map series and was praised by the judges for its “good use of visual hierarchy”, a “consistent and unique style”, and sound “choices for typography and iconography”.
- The next winner in the Cartographic category is the Fiscal Year 2019 RECenter Scholarships with Vulnerability Index, created by Fariss Agatone, and Joshua Colman with the Park Authority. This project compares The Fairfax County Vulnerability Index with the distribution of Park Authority RECenter Scholarships, which the judges found a “timely and interesting” comparison.” It also earned kudos for “clarity and readability”, and for “using ADA Section 508-compliant color choices”.
- The final winner for best Cartographic product is Mosaic District Cyberpunk Map, by Daniel Cabrera with the Department of Information Technology. This map was judged to have a “unique, high-contrast style”, and commended for the “consistent and appropriate use of color”.
- The next category of awards is for Best Use of GIS for Analysis. Winners in this category are chosen for their use of complex and creative tools and techniques to spatially analyze geographic data. The entries will have effectively demonstrated the process, outlined the results, and described the benefits gained by the team or department. This year we had seven entries and three winners in this category.
- The first winner in the Analysis category is the Development of a Point Layer of Stream Roadway Crossings to Support Floodplain Mapping By Dipmani Kumar, Elfatih Salim, and Chip Galloway in Stormwater Management The need to map regulated floodplains in the County led to the development of a countywide dataset of stream crossings. The process involved creating a 70-acre stream network, intersecting the network with roadway centerlines, and then running a series of geoprocessing functions. The final point layer contains 2,455 points and will be used to develop initial cost estimates for hydraulic modeling to support the mapping of regulated floodplains in the County. The judges found the entry “Educational” and “‘the analysis approach… interesting”. It was also noted that the step-by-step instructions ”were easy to read and follow.”
- The next winner in the Analysis category is the COVID-19 Vulnerability Index submitted by Katherine Miga & Robin Wilson with the Office of the County Executive The COVID-19 Vulnerability Index is based on the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index and shows which areas of the county are at higher risk for COVID-19 and its effects, and which areas need a continued focus as we move into recovery. It combines information about vulnerability, the health status of our community, our response efforts, and community need to support an equity-centered approach to identify and mitigate burdens. The index is currently being used in targeted planning and programming throughout the County, such as by the Neighborhood and Community Services for community engagement activities, by Public Works for targeted tree planting activities, and by the Health Department to help locate new community immunization clinics. The judges described the work as “comprehensive” and commented that “understanding socioeconomic factors and their impact on public health is … very topical … and valuable to many. “
- The final winner in the Analysis category is the Health and Human Services Needs Assessment for 2019, which was submitted by Susan Shaw & Alexandra Krafchek, with the Office of Strategy Management, and Michelle Gregory & Sophia Dutton with the Department of Management and Budget. The 2019 Needs Assessment is one of many initiative used to inform the countywide strategic planning efforts and will help create a shared agenda to influence and drive change. The Assessment uses data and trends to develop a deeper understanding of cross-cutting issues impacting the financial stability and social well-being of residents in our community. The narrative emphasizes the vital need to effectively plan and coordinate efforts and efficiently align programs and services that help maintain a thriving community for all residents. This project included the use of GIS mapping applications and analysis to visually see and geographically identify where inequities remain. The judges commented that “The explanation in each section does a nice job explaining the index and provides an excellent overview of the analysis workflow. It was also neat to see how this project influenced others”
- The next category is Best GIS Web Application. Winners in this category are effective and innovative examples of interactive mapping applications, story maps, dashboards and hub sites developed by county staff for use by their colleagues or the public. This year we had ten entries in this category and, due to a tie in the scoring, we are recognizing four winners.
- The first winner in the Web App category is the RISE Grant Program Awards Dashboard This is a cross-agency project, with the team led by Scott Sizer working with Ingrid Abernathy, Wendy Lemieux, Chase Suddith & Theresa Benincasa in the Department of Economic Initiatives; Tanya Burrell with the Department of Finance; Stephanie Calderon & Elliott Stroud with the Department of Information Technology; Patricia McCay, in the County Attorney’s Office; Andrew Janos in the Department of Procurement and Material Management; Donna Hurwitt with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority; and Dana Mariano, a Community Business Partner. In order to assist small businesses and non-profits impacted by COVID-19 and related operational restrictions, the Board of Supervisors created the Fairfax RISE Grant Program. “RISE” stands for “Relief Initiative to Support Employers”. The RISE Grant Awards Dashboard was created to provide transparency in information and automated summaries to elected officials and the public regarding the distribution of awards. The Dashboard provides a single point of information distribution and allows for standard queries to be performed by staff and residents. The judges noted that “This is a great example of government transparency. One can easily find nearby business benefitting from the program. “
- The next winner in the Web App category is The Fairfax County LiDAR Resources Hub Site created by Gregory Bacon with the Department of Information Technology Prior to the site’s release, both county GIS users and resident data consumers frequently had questions about what data the county had, what the different surfaces represented, and how they could use the data. By providing a gallery of applications and data layers, the hub site aggregates the information in an intuitive and accessible user experience for county GIS users and the public. As one judge noted: “Fairfax County and its Federal partners have spent a lot on LIDAR, and this website goes a long way towards making sure we see the benefit of this investment. I particularly liked the effort to show users how to connect via web services rather than ask to download a huge amount of data!”
- The next winner in the Web App category is titled Web Based Drainage Area Delineation Using LiDAR, submitted by Brett Martin, with Land Development Services, & Gregory Bacon, in the Department of Information Technology. The Drainage Area Delineation Tool gives county staff across multiple agencies the ability to easily delineate watersheds using the most accurate elevation surface available. Plan Review Engineers rely on the application to obtain the data they need to calculate the flow for a pipe or channel, to confirm that it is still adequately sized for its design year storm, and to check for potential drainage problems in unmapped floodplains. Overall, the tool has contributed to streamlining drainage area delineation in Fairfax County. The judges were impressed that “This app involves extensive geoprocessing and conditioning and leverages the value of the county's investment in LiDAR.”
- The final winner in the Web App category both asks and answers the age-old question: Where Can I Picnic in Fairfax County, You Ask? Let Us Show You! It was developed by Fariss Agatone & Morgan Chapin with the Park Authority A new version of one of the Park Authority’s most popular web applications makes it easier than ever to locate and reserve a picnic spot in a Fairfax County park. With the new application, picnickers can now make reservations online. Visitors to the web application can use the filters to find the rental facility that best meets their needs. The judges found this app to be a “Definite benefit to the public.” and felt that it “Should be promoted more!!!”
- The next category is Best Use of GIS for Public Outreach This award is given to agencies for utilizing GIS to serve the public. Judges consider the effectiveness, difficulty, complexity, and adaptability of the effort when making their choices. Four entries were received this year and two awards given.
- The first winner in the Public Outreach category is the Fairfax County Food Resources Map, which was created by a cross-agency team including Caroline Rankin with the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, Matthew Miller, Judy Doldorf, Franz Arend, Melanna Forys, and Diane Bentley, with the Department of Information Technology and Kathy Ryan with Fairfax County Public Schools. The Fairfax County Food Resources Map was created early in the COVID pandemic, and is still being widely used today, to provide families with the nearest meal distribution site from their home or place of work. Sites include Fairfax County Public Schools, neighborhood centers, community centers, and other non-profit providers. The app is device agnostic and available in a Spanish version. The judges remarked that “In a year when food resources were more critical than ever before, this use of GIS shows the power of easily finding critical resources near one's location. The number of options available shows the depth and breadth of the county's commitment to taking care of those most in need. “
- The next winner in the Public Outreach category is the Police Data Transparency Initiative, submitted by Jeff Gallagher, Carolyn Kinney, Kathy Pham, Amy Milliman, James Krause with the Police Department. Police GIS staff were tasked with providing Officer’s issued warnings, traffic stop citations, and arrest charge data in a user-friendly application open to the community. They were able to meet these needs with the use of an ArcGIS Online HUB site containing Dashboard and Web Experience applications, as well as using Arcade scripting and ArcGIS Pro. The judges noted that “With policing and data top of mind for many,…this new use of GIS provides a robust way to view trends… and tell the story of incidents in our community in a way a static …report cannot. The ability to filter, sort and visualize is noteworthy because it helps make the user experience that much easier for our residents. “
- The next category is Most Significant Data Contributor. This award is given to agencies for creating or updating important spatial data for the county. We received six entries in this category, and the three chosen as winners received identical scores from the judges.
- The first winner in the Data category is the Fairfax County Park Authority as submitted by Andrew DeLuca, Justin Roberson, Fariss Agatone, & Lynne Johnson. For the past 3 years the Fairfax County Park Authority has moved to within reach of using and maintaining enterprise level GIS data in all major business processes. All data created by the Fairfax County Park Authority goes through a rigorous, iterative process to develop an effective, accurate, and focused GIS layer. This process ensures the data will meet all business needs of the Park Authority while also creating effective data sourcing to ensure it stays temporally accurate. The judges commented that the “Park Authority demonstrates a well-designed and successful business process for park-related GIS data creation. The design process of sourcing, schema, review, and testing is exactly what solidifies high quality data standards.”
- The next winner in the Data category is the Department of Transportation with their Existing Bicycle & Pedestrian Network Dataset, submitted by Tom Wampler, Zachary Krohmal, Lindsay Marfurt & Nicole Wynands. DOT’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs aim to enhance the quality of life of county residents through enhanced safety and access on the road for all; increased awareness of the benefits of these modes of transportation for leisure and commuting; and improved connectivity through infrastructure improvements that accommodate biking and walking within Fairfax County. To help the variety of planning groups within the Department of Transportation coordinate efforts, a Bicycle & Pedestrian Network dataset was created to track existing conditions as they relate to bicycle and pedestrian on-and off-road features. The judges felt that “DOT impresses with their bicycle and pedestrian presentation by detailing the origins of the data creation and demonstrates an excellent example of how a network dataset can inform policy makers and visualize the presence, or lack of, walkable and bikeable communities.”
- The final winner in the Data category is the Fire and Rescue Department for their entry about Fire Data Changes in 2020, submitted by Katherine Good. When a new fire station opens, many county departments are involved with the GIS data: DIT GIS staff enter the station driveway and commonplace name, Land Development Services creates the address point, Public Safety enters the station definition and assigns emergency units to the station. Fire and Rescue GIS staff create the GIS data for the fire station, fire facility, fire box areas, and other data, as required. The judges felt that this was “Arguably the most complex data process of the six submissions. The presentation demonstrates data creation, geoprocessing, spatial analysis, editing, and a deliverable that guides agency procedures.” The judges further commented that “The use of Network Analyst tools allows for streamlining the complexities of the decision-making process”
- The last category is Best GIS Integration. This award goes to agencies that are incorporating GIS into their business processes, leading to improved efficiency and decision-making. Three submissions were received this year and two winners have been selected.
- The first winner in the Integration category is the Department of Animal Sheltering for their community outreach work that incorporates GIS. The submission was made by Melanie Leopold, with support from Sandra Woiak with the Department of Information Technology. Late in 2019 the Department of Animal Services reached out to the GIS Division to assist in visualizing the services provided to the community. The result was three interactive mapping applications focused on the location of residents utilizing shelter services. These apps have been hugely helpful in understanding the distribution of customers as well as in planning to better serve the community. The judges felt this entry displayed a “Good use of out-of-the box tools for a strong benefit of ease of data analytics” and appreciated “the use of location-allocation to determine the clinic locations.”. It was further commented that “exploring the data to understand where service exists and needs improvement is a great use of the technology.”
- The final winner in the Integration category is Land Development Services for their work on the Site Records Viewer. This was a collaborative contribution with Brett Martin, Bill Edwards, Bushra Khan, Jose Baez, Pragnaya Katiki, Matthew Logie and Julia Ward of LDS and Radha Avala & Harish Reddy with the Department of Information Technology. The Site Records Viewer provides public access to thousands of approved site records. Users can view or download PDFs of approved site-related plan records, such as infill lot grading plans, resource protection area studies, and site plans. Prior to this viewer, these records were only available to the public by submitting a request to Records and Information Management. The new workflow integrates GIS with the county’s document management system. Adding spatial reference to the documents making them searchable by address, parcel number or document name in an easy-to-use ArcGIS Online Web Application. The judges commented that it “Looks like this app saves …time and frustration on the user from hunting down all this information.” and appreciated that “a lot of time and thought went into putting this process together!” It was further lauded as “a great example of integration that will free up staff time for public record requests.”
- 15 judges were involved in the competition.