Leaders from local and State government provide examples of how the geospatial and location-based services are improving local government services including improved accountability for revenue generation and expenditure, public safety and other community service provision. Presenters also discuss the importance / value of local geospatial data generation and maintenance in maintaining quality NSDI coverages. The growing integration of sensors / IoT will also be discussed as an underpinning aspect of community geospatial infrastructure.
This session focuses on local to Federal government and commercial applications of geospatial tools designed for non-expert and non-technical users with little to no familiarity or experience in GIS and geospatial data. Examples / demonstrations include applications for persons with disabilities, understanding climate resilience and extreme weather warnings, social, environmental and economic justice, and other applications. Emphasis is placed on the value/impact of tools, and the opportunities for sharing of best practices across communities.
There is great truth in the adage “issues don’t respect borders”. The value of National Geospatial Infrastructures like the U.S. NSDI are incredibly significant in enabling cooperative partnerships across national boundaries on a range of challenges. Panellists will provide insight into multi-national programs that lend their success to the availability of and access to national geospatial infrastructures.
Recent research illustrates that spending $1 in mitigation saves from $6 to $12 in disaster response costs. With the growing unpredictability of patterns related to emergency and disaster events, communities now more than ever must consider the impacts to current and future infrastructure. Experts from across the public and private sectors discuss tools and workflows being advanced to better safeguard current and future physical infrastructure, and to provide insight into the vulnerability of infrastructure to various events.
An autonomous future for transportation is a widely shared vision, with the goal of improving efficiencies in travel, to reducing energy consumption, and more importantly – to move toward “net zero” for accidents / injuries / fatalities related to transportation. Leaders from government, industry and academia/research come together to discuss advancements and challenges and the role of a national geospatial infrastructure in achieving this future vision.
Space-based, aerial, and in-situ remote sensing is increasingly becoming commonplace in our society – to automate a range of workflows and processes, including weather forecasting, automated mapping of infrastructure, minimizing risk in logistics and transport, identifying and controlling sources of pollution, and assessing and responding to the damaging effects of disasters.
One of the key deliverables of the NSDI to date has been the nationwide geospatial data coverages produced and made openly available by the Federal Government in concert with local, State and Tribal governments. Unfortunately, this data is not universally available in all areas of the country and are not necessarily consistent with respect to accuracy and currency due to the diversity of contributing organizations and the cost and time needed to integrate, aggregate and manage such data for access nationally. This observation is reinforced through a Geospatial Maturity Assessment developed by the National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) and the Council of Geospatial Organizations (COGO) Report Card. This session features representatives from State, Tribal and local government which are increasingly calling for an evaluation of these data coverages – National Geospatial Data Assets (NGDAs) to determine their adequacy and utility for applications within the community.
Headlines of late include a growing number of warnings regarding food borne illness – everything from romaine lettuce, to tomatoes, to beef. Food supply interruptions are also occurring due to extreme weather, climate change, and supply chain interruptions. The ability to address these and other issues such as food insecurity is tied explicitly to geography, traceability, and cooperation between oversight organizations across the agriculture, health and food safety domains. This session will emphasize the tools and workflows in place and in development that are working to mitigate food security / supply issues.
The demand for energy is stressing existing distribution infrastructure beyond capacity, and conventional hydrocarbon generation facilities add to the global warming crisis. Experts from across the industry discuss the use of geospatial, AEC, and related data and innovative technologies to enforce / improve energy policy, optimize placement of alternative energy generation capabilities, promote energy conservation, curb emissions, and improve safety and resiliency of energy distribution systems.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to dominate strategic and technical discussions across the geospatial community. The past year has seen significant advancements in Federal policy and government implementations are becoming more commonplace and expected. AI applications are becoming more mainstream, and the demand for improved access, training, and tools from geospatial practitioners underscores the importance of capturing AI requirements within the National Spatial Infrastructure Strategy. This panel will discuss emerging best practices of value to government, current Federal policy and guidance, and challenges to adoption across the geospatial community.
This session will build on the recommendations from the 2023 GeoGov Summit regarding avenues to address improving workforce readiness for those currently in the tradecraft and those who are seeking involvement in a geospatial-oriented career. Existing opportunities for workforce learning will be discussed, including certificate programs, university degree programs, internships and mentoring programs. Additional focus will be placed on boosting K-12 education. Ideas on national coordination of workforce development will also be explored.