Downloading GIS Data

Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives of this lab were to learn how to download data from the U.S. Census Bureau and map the data using ArcMap. We were to download 2010 Census data, specifically total population of Wisconsin counties, from the U.S. Census Bureau, and then we chose our own data set to download from the same census. The final product is a map displaying both variables separately.

Methods

Our first objective was to download 2010 Census Data from the U.S. Census Bureau website. We narrowed down our search by using Advanced Search, and selecting Population total through the Topics option. We then chose Wisconsin counties (County 050), through the Geographies option. By adding these options to my selection window, I was able to view all the data available for me to download. On the third page, I found the P1 variable for TOTAL POPULATION from the 2010 SF1 Dataset, and downloaded it. I saved the downloaded file to the Lab2 folder I created for this project. From windows explorer, I found the data I had just downloaded (Lab2 folder) and extracted all the files to my folder. I then opened the two CSV files in the Lab2 folder in MS Excel. One of the files displayed the metadata while the other file displayed the actual tabular data. I saved the latter of the two files (DEC_10_SF1_P1_with_ann.csv) as an MS Excel Workbook file.

The second objective was to download the shapefile for the WI census data. I returned to the U.S. Census Bureau website, and chose the Geographies option again. I then navigated to the Map tab, and double checked that Wisconsin Counties was highlighted on the map shown. I then downloaded the map as a shapefile.zip through the spatial data formats. I saved this file in my Lab2 folder. I extracted these files as I had previously done.

The third objective was to join the data I had downloaded together in a table. I opened up a blank map in ArcMap, added the shapefile to the map, and viewed it's attribute table. I then added the P1 table to the map (the Excel file I had saved in my Lab2 folder) and opened this table as well. In order to view both table at the same time, I arranged the tables in a new vertical tab group. In order to map the total population, I joined the two tables together through a Table Join through the 050_00 shapefile , using GEO#id as the common attribute. I reopened the attribute table for the shapefile to double check that the both data was shown in the one table. The D001 field contained the population data.

The fourth objective was to map the population data. I navigated through the Properties of the shape file, to the symbology tab, and chose a graduated colors map for the D001 value field with 6 classes that best represented the population of WI.

The fifth objective of the lab was to download and map a variable of my choice from the U.S. Census Bureau website. I chose SEX BY AGE as the variable I was going to map. I followed the same workflow as in objective one to download my data. I added a new data frame to my previous map, added the shapefile, and the table I had just downloaded and saved as a MS Excel file in my Lab2 folder. I joined the two tables together, as done in objective three, and chose one specific variable I was going to map. Since the SEX BY AGE data was not labeled appropriately in the attribute table, I viewed the table from the website to have a better idea of how the fields were grouped. I chose the variable Females age 21 (D033) to map and normalized the data to Percent of Population (D001). I chose to display my data in a graduated colors map and use percentage labels.

The sixth objective was to build a layout displaying both maps I created with the data I downloaded from the U.S. Census Bureau. I changed the data frame projection for both maps to NAD_1983_2011_Wisconsin_TM_US_Ft. and included the Title, Legend, North Arrow, Scale Bar, source, author, and date. Lastly I added a base map, and exported the map as PDF document.

Results

The map on the left displays the percent of females age 21 per Wisconsin county. Northern Wisconsin seems to have the least percent of females age 21 with the exception of a few counties. A band of Central Wisconsin shows a higher percentage of females age 21 as well as a band of Southern Wisconsin which shows the same pattern. The map on the right shows the total population of each county. South-east Wisconsin seems to have the highest density of population per county, whereas Northern and some Central-western counties have the least density of population per county. The two maps show some correlation in regards to population densities of counties, and population density of females age 21.

Sources:

http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/searchresults.xhtml?refresh=t
"U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census, Total Population and Sex by Age.

Collecting GPS Data on UW- Eau Claire Campus

Goals and Objective

The goals and objectives of this lab were to create our own geodatabase and prepare the geodatabase for deployment to the Trimble Juno GPS for field data collection using ArcPad Data Manager. Then loading the geodatabase onto the Trimble Juno and becoming familiar with the basics of the GPS unit and ArcPad through a demo. Actually going out onto the UW- Eau Claire campus to collect point, line, polygon feature data while using ArcPad on the Trimble Juno GPS, and finally, checking the collected data back into ArcGIS from the field.

Methods

To begin the first objective of this lab, I created a geodatabase from a pre-defined folder in my directory labeled 'lab3', using ArcCatalog. From the geodatabase, I created several feature classes that I planned on adding to while out in the field. The feature types were points, polygons, and lines. I then imported a shapefile of the buildings on UWEC campus to my geodatabase from a Lab3 folder created by my professor. I then imported a raster of campus to the geodatabase by inputting the CampusImage raster found in the Lab3 folder. I then opened this geodatabase in ArcMap, making sure all of the feature classes were added. I then went through and changed the symbology of the features to bright colors that would visibly stand out on the GPS unit while I was out in the field.

The second objective of this lab began by opening the ArcPad Data manager toolbar. I then clicked the 'Get Data for ArcPad' button to open the wizard that walked me through getting the data ready for ArcPad. I used the Action Menu to choose 'Checkout all Geodatabase layers' and 'copyout all other layers' and proceeded. I then specified a name for the folder (fuglesmalab3) and changed the path of where the file is stored to my lab3 folder. I then clicked 'create the ArcPad data on this computer' and clicked finish. After a few minutes, the deployment was successful.

The third objective of this lab included using a USB cable to connect the Trimble Juno to my computer. The Juno appeared as a drive in my windows explorer's catalog tree, and I then cut my lab3 folder I had created out of the directory and into the Juno storage card under my professor's directory. I then verified that all components were checked out properly, including the map and all of the layers and features I had previously added.

The fourth objective of this lab was to become familiar with the basics of the Trimble Juno GPS and ArcPad through a demo led by my professor. It included a handout that labeled all of the features and their functions on the Juno. We also went out into the field and went through the different methods used to collect data for points, lines, and polygons.

The fifth objective was to go out in the field and collect point, line, and polygon features using ArcPad on the Trimble Juno GPS. I began by opening my map through the lab3 folder, and activating the GPS, both under the Main Toolbar. I then began editing under the Edit Toolbar by adding a GPS vertex for the "lines" feature at one end of the campus foot bridge. I then walked across the footbridge, and when I reached the end I clicked 'proceed to attribute' which automatically opens the attribute table, and I labeled the feature "Footbridge". I then proceeded to walk around campus collecting "point" data for 3 different trees and 3 different light posts. For each, I used the 'add GPS vertex' button, and labeled each point accordingly (tree; light post) in the attribute table. Finally, I used the 'Add GPS vertices continuously' button to create a "polygon" by walking completely around a grassy area on campus, and clicking 'proceed to attribute' to label the feature. I used this method for 3 different grassy areas. I also used the 'add GPS vertex' button to create a "polygon" around a grassy area by adding a vertex to each corner of the area as I made my way around, and labeling it accordingly in the attribute table. I used this method for 3 different grassy areas as well. All of the collected data appeared almost immediately on the GPS unit that displayed my map. I then made sure to save my map.

The sixth objective was to check the collected data back into ArcGIS from the field. I reconnected the Juno to my computer, and under windows explorer I copied the fuglesmalab3 folder from the Juno and pasted it back in the lab3 folder in my directory. I then opened the lab3.mxd into ArcGIS and used the ArcPad Data Manager toolbar to "get data from ArcPad tool". I then navigated to folder I had copied from the Juno which was an .axf file. In the feature class table, I checked the point, line, and polygon feature classes in, and double checked that the check in was successful. The data I collected then appeared in ArcMap. I then proceeded to build a cartographically pleasing map of my collected data which will be displayed below.

Results

The result of my map shows the different data I collected while out in the field (footbridge, point features, and grassy areas) while the Campus Building features were previously added to the geodatabase in objective one. While viewing the map, some components may seem confusing; such as why are grassy areas overlapping with the campus buildings. Well, this aerial photo was taken previous to our recent campus "face lift" which destroyed our old student center, and created an even greater one in a new location. Also, the old education building was destroyed in order to make room for an even larger education building in it's place. Construction of the UW- Eau Claire campus began in the Summer of 2012, so the aerial photo was taken sometime before this period. The trees are all located on grassy areas while the light posts are situated along the sidewalks on campus.

Sources:
GPS data collected by Marisa Fuglestad
Aerial photo is from the National Air Photography Program (NAIP 201X)
http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcpad/10.0/help/index.html#/Overview_of_ArcPad_toolbars/00s1000000wn000000/