We’re back…at the TUGIS Conference! Come see us at this year’s conference which will be held at Towson University’s University Union on August 7-8, 2024. We’re bringing an electrifying lineup of presentations and an exhibit that you won’t want to miss. Visit the booth to learn from our subject matter experts and journey through time and space!

Come check out our presentations:

Advancements and Insights: Maryland Department of Transportation's Enterprise GIS

Gabe Borroni, JMT Technology Group, Deputy Solution Director, Wednesday, August 7, at 2:20 pm

Join us for an illuminating panel discussion featuring representatives from each business unit within the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), who act as GIS administrators overseeing the day-to-day operations of their respective enterprise GIS platforms. This panel aims to introduce the Maryland GIS user base to the administrators, providing a platform for dialogue, insight sharing, and collaboration.

Throughout the discussion, panelists will delve into the ongoing initiatives driving innovation within their departments, as well as upcoming changes or updates slated for their enterprise GIS platforms. From transportation planning to infrastructure management and beyond, attendees will gain valuable insights into the diverse applications of GIS technology within MDOT.

The moderator will facilitate an engaging dialogue by posing questions to the panelists, while also inviting questions from the audience. This interactive format ensures that attendees have the opportunity to delve deeper into topics of interest, exchange ideas, and foster connections within the Maryland GIS community.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the GIS administrators at the forefront of Maryland's transportation initiatives, as we explore the advancements and future directions of MDOT's enterprise GIS platforms.

Powering Up the West Point Survey123 Workflow with Power Automate

Nour Salam and Anna Pultro, JMT Technology Group, Wednesday, August 7, at 3:50 pm

Creating a Survey123 form can easily streamline field data collection efforts. However, when preparing a high volume of data deliverables, it is often challenging to perform quality control on submitted records at the end of the project. When JMT was hired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to perform a retention wall condition assessment at the West Point Military Academy, JMT engineers partnered with the JMT Technology Group to configure a solution using ESRI’s Survey123 app, with the added value of an automated data review communication system. To accomplish this goal, PowerAutomate was leveraged as a custom connector for Survey123 in ArcGIS Enterprise. JMT engineers were notified of new inspections, then visualized auto-generated final report deliverables stored in SharePoint, and finally sent reports back with comments to the inspectors using Survey123. At the end of the project, this integration between Survey123 and Power Automate for report approval solved communication challenges, produced consistent deliverables, and reduced the total time needed to perform and deliver the retention wall condition assessment by 50%. 

Building a Dream Team with Virtual and Augmented Reality Tools

Nick DiPaolo and Mark Butterfield, JMT Technology Group, Wednesday, August 7, at 3:50 pm

Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and extended reality (XR) tools are quickly evolving, and they are becoming integrated into AEC workflows. Engineering designs, as-builts, and building information models can be visualized at a project site at a 1:1 scale, putting new and exciting visualization and analysis capabilities into the hands of end users. 

JMT has explored the use of VR and AR tools including iTwins.js, vGIS, and GeoBIM and identifying how they can add value to AEC projects. For instance, vGIS is a leading AR/MR solution and was a 2023 Esri Partner Conference award recipient for innovation. These tools aggregate and transform spatial data (BIM, GIS, and Lidar) onto a view frame on your mobile device. Through integration with high resolution GPS, this data is accurately juxtaposed onto your screen simply by pointing your device at the project area.

Join JMT in exploring AR and VR tools and learn about the benefits that these tools offer. We will discuss various use cases including utility conflict detection, digital as-built development / confirmation, clash detection, and project field documentation with key learnings from our experiences. Attendees will walk away with ideas for how they can leverage AR and VR tools and best practices to follow.

Efficient Environmental Monitoring: MDTA’s Rapid Assessment Solutions

Chelsea Connor, JMT Technology Group, Thursday, August 8, at 10:00 am

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has pioneered an efficient rapid assessment survey system using Esri’s ArcGIS Survey 123 and ArcGIS Dashboards, integrating real-time monitoring seamlessly with GIS. These surveys offer immediate insights and detailed reports for environmental mitigation projects and serve as proactive tools, alerting management to potential issues before they escalate.

Designed for more frequent site visits between official monitoring years, these simplified surveys ensure rapid evaluations, facilitating compliance with varying project requirements. The rapid assessment surveys consist of three forms tailored for inspections related to major natural resources: streams, wetlands, and vegetation. 

The rapid stream assessment survey is based on the Stream Corridor Assessment (SCA) protocol by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and comprehensively evaluates stream health. Surveyors assess factors like macroinvertebrate substrata, aquatic habitat, sediment deposition, and riparian buffer vegetation. Problematic areas are identified, and severity levels are assigned with recommended priorities along with photo documentation.

The rapid wetland assessment survey, adapted from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Determination Data Form, evaluates wetland development based on hydrology, vegetation, and soil quality. Each wetland’s size is proportionally weighted for accurate scoring regardless of scale.

The rapid vegetation assessment survey focuses on richness and cover, invasive species, and tree survivability, which is crucial for compliance. Data collected within plots assess richness and cover, while invasive species are documented by type, density, and potential impact. Tree survivability is calculated based on tree status from the latest inspection results.

These assessments are integrated to generate an overall letter grade for the site, presented in an intuitive ArcGIS Dashboard. This dashboard provides historical data for site progress tracking and offers immediate feedback on project progress. This integrated approach, facilitating efficient environmental project management and ensuring successful mitigation efforts, is instrumental in adhering to regulatory standards.

Remodeling the Utility Network

Ann Pultro, JMT Technology Group, Thursday, August 8, 10:30 am

Esri’s Utility Network model provides a lot of benefits, but you may need to modify the model to fit your needs. This presentation will cover how JMT reconfigured the utility network model to improve asset management for a sewer system and provided value beyond what the utility network promises. Attendees will learn about Arcade expressions, editing real-time data, and additional automated workflows that significantly decrease the time spent on post-processing field collected data.

The Case for Professional Certification in GIS

Shannon Doyle, JMT Technology Group, Thursday, August 8, at 11:30 am

This session will provide an overview of several aspects of the GISP for professionals who are looking to acquire the certification, as well as those who already have it. Topics include:

1. GISP Certification overview
2. Portfolio review
3. Exam review
4. GISCI Board activities and accreditation
5. GISCI committees/volunteer opportunities
6. GISCI Endorsing Employer
7. Open discussion/panel (to discuss benefits of certification, tips and tricks for exam, etc.)

If you are thinking about getting your GISP, looking for ways to contribute to the profession, or just want to learn more about the certification and GISCI, join us!

Georeferencing and Alignment Issues Using AutoCAD Data in ArcGIS Pro

Will Garmer, JMT Technology Group, Thursday, August 8, 1:45 pm

Have you ever had an AutoCAD file appear in your GIS map in the middle of nowhere? Have you ever had an AutoCAD file that seemed way too large or way too small? Have you ever wanted to scream in frustration and throw your computer out the window, preferably into an active volcano, because no matter what you did, the AutoCAD file wouldn't line up properly with the rest of your project data or basemaps?

With a little knowledge and a few simple tricks, your frustration can be transformed into triumph. In this presentation, we will examine the basics of aligning an AutoCAD file with GIS data for use in maps or for import into GIS datasets. The presentation will cover georeferencing, units compatibility, and common drawing practices for both civil and architectural drawings, and explore simple options for getting those pesky AutoCAD files to line up with base maps and project data in ArcGIS Pro.

 

See you there!