Dalton Inman

In this lab, we assessed and modeled coastal flooding risk using LiDAR and DEM data provided to us. The assignment focused on understanding elevation driven flooding, specifically to major events like Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey and an assumed 1 meter storm surge in Collier County, Florida . We started of with using pre and post Sandy LiDAR datasets of Mantoloking, NJ. After converting .laz files to LAS, I generated TINs and raster DEMs to visualize elevation change and subtracted the storm DEM from the post storm DEM. This revealed where land was lost to erosion and where sand or debris had been deposited.  Using a provided DEM, I could reclassify the raster to isolate areas at or below 2 meters in elevation, representing areas that has potentially flooded from Hurricane Sandy. After masking the data to the state boundary, I calculated the percent of Cape May County that was impacted and came up with this map below: Shifting to Florida , I compared two DEMs (LiDAR vs. USGS ...

For this weeks module, We completed four Esri training courses specifically on 3D visualization and visibility analysis. The four modules were: Introduction to 3D Visualization, Performing Line of Sight Analysis, Performing Viewshed Analysis in ArcGIS Pro, and Sharing 3D Content Using Scene Layer Packages. In Intro to 3D Vis. course, I learned how to build 3D scenes in ArcGIS Pro. The key takeaway was understanding the difference between global and local scenes, and how to use elevation surfaces to create realistic terrain models. What I thought was really interesting from the course was learning to use 3D symbology which could possibly come in handy if I need to use it in my GIS Internship. In the Line of Sight exercise, we were taught how to use the Line of Sight tool to determine visibility between observer and target points. It felt really helpful to learn how to identify obstructions, adjust observer and target heights, and interpret sight lines in a 3D context since it would ...

For this class, we were asked to do anything we want for GIS Day, so I decided to host my own little information session with my family at home. I realized that even though I tell my family the gist of what I do and want to do in the future, they didn't actually understand the extent. From their words "I make maps about the ocean" which I thought was extremely funny. I thought it might be meaningful to share some of the GIS work I’ve been doing in my courses and Internship so I can really show with them what I really want to do in the future (and also to have a nice little dinner out of it).  The event was all informal with using my laptop connected to the TV showing ArcPro software and my blogposts. I made part of the event to my sister who is a police officer, by showing the crime analysis work I recently completed for my GIS4048 class and how these techniques could help police departments identify patterns and predict areas of high crime risk which she thought was genu...

As I continue my GIS internship at the Escambia County Marine Resource Division, I’ve had the opportunity to expand my skills in geospatial data pertaining to marine and environmental management. Early in my internship, I was tasked on creating over 15 GIS maps based on boating data that identified accident sites, citations, and warnings. Here is an example of one of the maps I created:  More recently, I’ve moved to my other projects which were SAAD involves mapping SAAD (Suspected Abandoned and Derelict) Vessels in Bayou Chico. This is one of the more data heavy assignments I’ve taken on since it not only involves using data from years of collection, but also organizing the vessels that may have incorrect input data (Like Vessel name or registration). There are also pictures of most of the vessels that I can use to reference between vehicles. The reason why I'm working on this is these vessels pose environmental hazards and also complicate navigation for other boaters, so org...

In this module, we explored the use of LiDAR data for forestry analysis, focusing on the Big Meadows area of Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. We were taught how to decompress .las files, create Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and Digital Surface Models (DSM), and calculate tree height, canopy density, and biomass estimations from LiDAR data.  The first map I created displays tree heights across Big Meadows, with a color ramp transitioning from blue to yellow to show increasing height.    Tree Height Map w/ Histogram   This map mostly helps with visualizing the spatial variability of the forest structure. The map also has a histogram that shows the distribution of tree heights, with a mean height of approximately 54.4 feet, a median of 56 feet, and a standard deviation of about 20.5 feet. Most trees in the study area ranged between 30 to 70 feet in height, with very few exceeding 150 feet. This would seem to be the trend with what we would be expected from a mature,...

For this lab, we explored 3 different techniques to map and analyze crime hotspots in Chicago using 2017 homicide data. The main objective was to assess how the three different spatial analysis methods: Grid Overlay, Kernel Density Estimation, and Local Moran’s I clustering can be used to highlight areas of high crime concentration and could even be an accurate measure to predict where homicides occurred in 2018.  Each technique approached the concept of a "hotspot" differently. The Grid Overlay method simply counted how many homicides occurred within evenly sized ½-mile grid cells across the city. After ranking the grid cells by homicide count, I selected the top 20% with the most homicides and dissolved them into a single hotspot zone. This technique provided a very targeted result, covering a small area with the highest density of crimes per square mile as compared to the other hotspot maps. Grid Overlay Next, we practiced using Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) to create a ...

Hi everyone! My name is Dalton Inman, I'm a full time marine bio undergraduate at UWF, and just switched from the minor to the certificate in GIS and will be graduating this December! I really enjoyed the introductory classes and wanted to dive deeper into understanding and using GIS for marine conservation and rehabilitation. My aim in taking these GIS Courses for my certificate is to add to my current GIS skill set. I noticed some LiDAR labs later in this course which makes me excited since I've been interested in learning about it. I am currently an intern at the Escambia County Marine Resource Division where I help organize data in Excel and create maps from Boat Data and deployed artificial reef condition data. When I'm not spending time outdoors flying drones or snorkeling in the ocean, I typically spend it inside with my now fiancé!! and my three cats: Kiwi, Pumpkin, and Mango. I hope to learn a bunch from this course and from everyone I meet in GIS!  If you want to ...