Arc Collector

Background: 

Week eleven and twelve of the fall semester we where tasked with the objective to use a new and most likely the next big trend in geospatial technologies Arc Collector. Which is a self generated online collecting applications that can be used through any smart phone or tablet. The technology is very similar to Arc Map but instead of having to collect you points and then import them into ArcMap you now can collect and generate your attribute table directly into the application. This new unique technology is making it easier for an organization or lone person to create feature classes and by overlaying a base map can use his own GPS on his or her smart phone or tablet and collect not only the spatial point or line or polygon, but can immediately enter all of the predetermined attributes including any determined domains or sub types. The cutting edge technology will pave the way to the future and because of this training in these weeks I can say I will be one laying down some tar for the road.

Methods:

Before we could go into the field and collect our points we first needed to become familiar with two things. First how to create our own feature class and attribute domains and sub types. Next we then needed to be shown how to upload our maps and how to use Arc Collector. 

First when generating our feature class we all needed to decided what kind of collection we wanted to do. I decided to collect point data looking into the types of trees related to the number of squirrel nest in them and if there was a squirrel present in the tree at the time. Now that the topic was determined we had to generate specific attributes I wanted to be included. I decided to included the type of tree in its basic form of (pine, oak, maple, birch, ash, and other), I also wanted to know the size of the tree ( less than 5 feet, 5<x<10 feet,10<x<15 feet, 15> feet), I also wanted to record how many nest where in the tree, if a squirrel was present, what kind of squirrel was in the tree (red, grey, black, chip, other) and how many squirrels where in the nest. Finally for each point I collected the date and time.

The collection was completed on November, 23 and I had successfully collected 15 points. 

This first collection was put in place as a practice collection and was to show us any kinks that we may need to work out in our design and utilization of Arc collector program.  

The second map I had decided to design would identify any concrete sidewalk pad within all of the streets between first and second ave in the student housing area near water street Eau Claire Wisconsin. For this collection I decided to over pay a street basemap with the attribute fields including one for dimensions of the pad, type of damage, if the damage needed immediate repair, and if the pad was level concave or convex. I was hoping to generate a hazardous map that could potentially be turned into a web app and allow public access for entire helping the town identify hazardous sidewalks that should be repaired to avoid lawsuit.  

Proper upload of either map was done in similar fashions. Once the feature class was created you then could upload your feature class to arc map online. This would allow you to create your arc collector app. First you needed to log into arc online. Once there you could share services and follow the wizard through the process two key points are however, that you need to change the features to feature access  in order to be allowed full access when entering data. Last when it asks where to upload the feature class to we where to select UW geography folder so we could locate the feature class online. Once the feature class is published if you make any changes to the field domains or sub-types you will have to re upload the new version of your feature class before it will be changed in arc collector. 

Last you then can add you feature class to arc collector by searching the UW geography folder for the name of your feature class. Add the feature class to the base map of your choice and share your map to the UW geography department where you will be able to access it from the Arc Collector app on your smart phone or tablet. 

Results: 

After the first arc collector I was unsuccessful to draw an conclusions as to what types of trees squirrels prefer for nesting. I was unsuccessful in finding significant data for a couple of reasons. One being my lack to accurately identify each tree species precisely. I was using a key given to through the biology department however, it was mainly used during spring using leaf identification but since all of the leaves where gone I was unable to identify for certain the tree species. Second I had numerous issues with my feature class attribute input. For example I did not successfully set up the domains for two of my fields and could not collect tree size or time. Both fields where altered and there for could not be used in the analysis. However, I was able to generate a preliminary map giving a general idea to the potential of this application if working at its optimal ability (Figure 1).

Figure 1: preliminary collection of tree type and both number of squirrel nest and squirrels present in each tree collected. The data used was to highlight any flaws made in the feature class and prepare to make final collector map for practical use in the field

 

Figure 2: collection of damaged cement pads through all streets
between first and second avenue within the water street district
of Eau Claire Wisconsin

The second collection was much more successful since I was able to correct some of my mistakes in our practice collection. However, I still could not fix the time field and after communicating with other peers I found this to be similar case with all students. 

Although the rest of the collection was very smooth and allowed me to identify potential hazardous areas where the sidewalks should be fixed. As one can see in figure 2
the two main areas that need immediate attention are on second avenue located on either side of Niagara street. The second location was most of Broadway street where a lot of the pads had sever cracks. 

Conclusion:

In the end I was able to obtain a better understanding for the implications Arc Collector could have on our future. It was very interesting to see technology becoming so advanced that we can now have very detailed spatially accurate collection from the one device that so many Americans already use everyday. I was a little disappointed in the fact that the application needed data at all times and would not be useful in situations where service was unavailable or slow service would make for inaccurate and slow collections. All together I can say I learned a lot about Arc collector and now know a little more about designing my own feature class and generating domains and sub types along with more knowledge on when is an appropriate time to create a sub type or make a new field. 

I am very glad I was introduced to Arc collector and can even say that I have been using it in my personal life as well by creating a fishing application that will help me to analyze the behavior of fish throughout my trips narrowing down on patterns and hopefully produce more fish fry for myself. 

Although this was just a scratch at the surface of what Arc Collector can do I hope this will not be the last time I have to use this application for a company project.