GEOMATICS / ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

P.W. Geomatics / Engineering Department has three full time staff. Under the direction of the P.W. Manager, their primary responsibility is to make recommendations on required drainage and construction projects within the R.M. and to provide Geomatics / Engineering services in the areas of new technology implementation, program development, assessment, survey, design and construction management, and G.I.S. Management.

A Definition of Geomatics.

Geomatics is many things to many people, but it is generally considered as the science and technology of acquiring and managing information about our world and its environment. The term represents the rapidly changing and expanding world of land information management, which consists of measuring, mapping, geodesy, satellite positioning, photogrammetry, computer systems, remote sensing, information systems, environmental visualization and computer graphics. Land information management also includes the various stages of data acquisition, manipulation, display and management.

So what is surveying?

'Land surveying' has been defined as the art and science of determining the position of natural and artificial features on, above or below the earth's surface; and representing this information on paper plans, as figures in report tables or on computer based maps. Today, the definition of surveying is changing, to reflect the applications of surveying techniques and the impact that the introduction of computer technology has had on the more traditional aspects of surveying.
 
Surveying science has a very long and distinguished history. Today 'surveyors' use Global Positioning System (G.P.S.) survey equipment, which use satellites to image the earth's environment, for navigation and precise position fixing, use computer visualization techniques for mapping, micro-computer controlled equipment for measuring the earth's surface and information systems to present and analyze data about land and land usage. But, the underlying core of knowledge for all of this sophistication is the mathematics of geometry.

Recent Technologies Implemented

In the summer of 2003, the P.W.D. entered the ‘new age’ of surveying with the purchase of Global Position System (G.P.S.) survey equipment (see definition on Surveying for explanation on how G.P.S. functions). This equipment has centimeter (<1 in.) accuracy. It has been an invaluable tool, allowing surveys to be completed in less time. This provides additional time for staff to conduct additional surveys, more time to draft surveys, and to setup and oversee drainage construction projects. P.W. also uses Total Station (electronic survey equipment) for smaller scale surveys.

This department is currently working on implementing a Geographical Information System (G.I.S.). The goal of the G.I.S. is to benefit all Departments within the R.M. of Springfield by providing a means to share data and a method of visualizing geographic related problems and their solutions. The R.M. of Springfield, provides a wide variety of services related to the provision of basic services (sewer, water, waste disposal, streets, etc.), safety (fire, crime, health), recreation (parks), and so on. In support of these services a municipality collects taxes, maintains facilities, processes permits, performs inspections, etc., and must maintain a large variety of records. The vast majority of these services and administrative functions relate to a specific location. Past studies have shown that the great majority of all municipal information handling is land related. 

This variety of services and activities can be broken down and categorized into a number of broad areas, not necessarily totally exclusive of each other. These include: 

Emergency Planning and Response 
         
          Application/use of GIS technology for disaster and emergency response; notification -- toxic gas leaks, flooding;
          etc.  

Land Records/Property Management

          Applications to assist in the administration of property boundaries, ownership, assessment, taxation, etc. 

Permits and Inspections

          Applications to track and manage permit and inspection activities for a given properties. Reports (for development)
          and statistics can be produced. 

Planning

GIS technology used to facilitate planning functions. This can include: the subdivision process; design and enforcement of bylaws; land use planning. 

Transportation Planning and Research

GIS can be used to maintain road and street improvement records for maintenance scheduling. In conjunction with a land records database, a GIS can facilitate: production of street improvement maps; schedule road improvements with other activities; provide notification to residents of the interruption of services and road closures; determine what land uses and facilities are adjacent to a given street segment; provide a base for research and setting of transportation priorities. 

Utilities and Facilities Management

Applications can include monitoring and planning the layout of pipelines, cable networks, the location of facilities, transmission lines, also inventory pertaining to utilities and facilities; maintenance records. 

Mapping and Drafting

The basic application to provide visual products. This includes: municipal maps, drainage study maps, report maps and sketches, subdivision plans, business graphics and graphic arts for reports and presentation material. This is GIS technology and allows for the map production and map maintenance process to be automated.

Within the context of the various overall applications, a number of specific land related tasks can be performed or assisted with the use of GIS technology. Examples of these are:

• acquire and dispose of property
• administer bylaws
• data exchange with other agencies / levels of Government 
• dispatch emergency vehicles - fire, maintenance, etc. 
• drafting - computer assisted
• engineering studies - assist
• facilities planning - location, design, maintenance
• inspections - planning, tracking
• inventory of utilities and facilities 
• land use and facilities determination.  
• licenses - issuing
• maintenance records - the maintaining of
• mapping - computer assisted
• notification to residents (improvements/closures).
• permits - issuing and tracking 
• reporting and information dissemination in general roads - repairs, pavement management
• site plans - review, approve
• street fixtures - repairs, etc.
• street improvements - scheduling, coordinating, maps
• street naming and addressing
• subdivision planning
• work orders - issuing
• zoning bylaws - determination and administration

In the end, better information leads to better decisions, and subsequently, better customer service.