GIS 4930: Special Topics - Project 1: Network Analyst Results

In preparation for Hurricane Oscar, four products were created to help the community.  The target audience does not have a GIS background.  The first product communicates evacuation routes from Tampa General Hospital to two local hospitals, Memorial Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital.  An informative pamphlet was developed for distribution to patients and their families.  The pamphlet includes a plan showing two evacuation routes, evacuation timing, emergency contacts, as well as location details of each hospital.  The pamphlet is designed to inform patients and their families on the evacuation process.

Evacuation routes were created utilizing Network Analyst within ArcMap.  Data was retrieved from the University of West Florida, Florida Division of Emergency Management, and the Florida Geographic Data Library.  Directions for both destinations were extracted using the Network Analyst function within ArcMap. 

The pamphlet clearly depicts evacuation routes and other important information, however, it does not include local shelters near the destination hospitals.  It also doesn’t provide alternate routes for family members coming from major highways.  Regardless, this pamphlet would give me confidence that the hospital was taking good care of my loved one.

The second product communicates emergency supply routes to the delivery crew and emergency workers.  Grayscale maps were developed showing the distribution of emergency supplies by the U.S. Army National Guard to the three local storm shelters: Tampa Bay Blvd Elementary, Middleton High School, and Oak Park Elementary.  These three maps serve as an emergency supply route plan, with detailed directions for each location.  

Using Network Analysis, three separate maps were created to provide detailed information showing the routes from the U.S. National Guard Armory to the three local storm shelters.  The routes have been divided into several linear sections to provide drivers with a clear understanding.  Directions were extracted using the Network Analyst function within ArcMap.  An inset map provides an overview of the detailed routes. 

While the maps are affective in providing navigation details, they do not include contact data or timing on when supplies should be delivered.  The maps also don’t include addresses of the starting or destination points.  Regardless, they are adequate for their intended purpose. 

The third product displays multiple evacuation routes from downtown Tampa to the nearest local shelter, and is intended for distribution by television and newspapers.  Close up images of the routes are provided, as well as an inset map displaying the full route.  Text advises drivers on general precautions. 

Using Network Analysis and Adobe Illustrator, routes were created from 15 zones to the shelter. Color codes help the public determine the recommended route.  Streets and major roads along the routes are labeled accordingly and arrows provide directional information. 

While the map clearly depicts the evacuation routes for the downtown Tampa Bay area, it does not provide detailed driving directions, contact information, or the address of the shelter destination.  Nevertheless, local residents should be able to find the evacuation routes.  The map shown below displays the emergency supply route from the National Guard Armory to the Oak Park Elementary Shelter.

The fourth product, as shown below, depicts shelter locations and will be distributed to the general public by television and newspapers.  The area is divided into three zones, each with a designated shelter.  Informational text lists the shelter names, addresses, predictions on hurricane landfall, and safety precautions in the event of flooding. 

ArcMap was used to create the map showing the zones and shelter locations.  Major state roads and highways were labeled accordingly.  Illustrator was used to make it aesthetically pleasing and add textual information. 

The map serves its purpose in communicating the nearest shelter locations to the general public.  It would be helpful to provide contact information for the three shelter locations.  

Overall, I really enjoyed this first project and am pleased with how all of my maps turned out. However, the creation of the maps depicting the four different scenarios was extremely time consuming.  Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to creating more maps throughout the upcoming projects.