It’s the time of year, end of one – beginning of another, to gain some inspiration by reviewing the top success stories of Public Works GIS in 2021. As challenging as 2021 was for all of us, the innovative uses of the geographic approach and GIS to help organizations do more with less, increase efficiencies, digitally transform, and replace manual paper-based workflows, are amazing. As we move into 2022, let’s emulate these innovations and see how we can all raise the bar in our work with GIS in Public Works. Here are the top Public Works GIS success stories of 2021. Click on the links below to read the entire story.
- The Secret to Keeping a Town Clean: The GIS Effect – From late spring to early fall each year the population of Emerald Isle, NC surges by 1,150% from less than 4,000 to 50,000. Tourism is the main industry for this beach town, but this immense increase in demand for services is a challenge. They used ArcGIS to create a complete real-time system to track, analyze, and monitor their yard waste pickup program, while also providing transparency to the public.
- Facing Sea Level Rise, Miami Beach Uses GIS to Prioritize Mitigation Projects – Miami Beach, FL is one of the most vulnerable areas for sea level rise in the U.S. The city is using ArcGIS to find out where its biggest flooding concerns are and determine how to consolidate public works projects to better prepare for sea level rise while minimizing disruptions to residents.
- How Austin’s Map of Trees Helped City Leaders See and Tackle Social Inequities – In Austin, TX, like many places, the numbers of trees in neighborhoods mark a divide of race and income. The city is using ArcGIS to spread the benefits of trees to Austin residents widely and equitably. This project involves collaborations with the US Forest Service and the Youth Forest Council.
- Improving Trash Monitoring with Drone Imagery, Artificial Intelligence, Mapping – One of California’s premier aquatic and ecosystem science institutes, the San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI), worked with partners in the state to develop an automated workflow for validating current trash monitoring methods used by California cities and municipalities. SFEI is using ArcGIS with drone imagery and artificial intelligence to map and monitor trash along waterways resulting in a new approach that allows them to do more with less.
- How Dubuque Is Using GIS to Make the Case for Broadband Funding – Giving every US resident opportunities for economic mobility, jobs, education, services, and more, requires equitable access to broadband. Internet connectivity needs to be as common a utility as water, electricity, and gas. Dubuque, IA is using ArcGIS and location intelligence to support residents’ efforts to partner with providers, secure funding, and fast-track local broadband investment.
- Machine Learning Streamlines Graffiti Removal in Tempe – The cost of monitoring, detecting, removing, and repairing graffiti damage in the United States is estimated to be between $15 and $18 billion per year. And the problem is ubiquitous. The Graffiti Abatement Team in Tempe, AZ is using ArcGIS to power their Graffiti Abatement Service Platform and are realizing increased efficiencies and success.
2021 was a challenging year for many reasons, but it created increased opportunities to implement data-driven decision making powered by ArcGIS and the geographic approach to create more smart communities. These examples from municipalities large and small show the accessibility to advanced technology like drones, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are here to stay and help produce real business value to public works organizations. For more information on how you can use these inspiring ArcGIS success stories to transform your Public Works organization, please visit: https://www.esri.com/en-us/industries/public-works/overview.
These are only a few examples of exciting and innovative stories from our users this past year. The stories that appear on our industry webpages, in our industry digital and print newsletters, and in our other industry-focused content are contributed by Esri software users, partners, and others. These stories are meant to help you raise the profile of GIS both inside and outside your organization, showcase innovative approaches to solving challenges with GIS, and above all inspire others to replicate your success. If you have a story to tell, we welcome you to submit your recent success with us at go.esri.com/sharestory.
