Development of a Web-Based GIS for Visualization, Retrieval, and Analysis of Special Population Data
or Dr. David Shen, (305) 348-1869, shenl@fiu.edu
The housing and population data from the Bureau of the Census offer a wealth of socioeconomic data on residents by age, language, income, vehicle ownership, transit mode use (to work), disability, employment, immigration, welfare, social security, etc. These data are available at different levels of geographic units, including county, urban area, traffic analysis zone (TAZ), tract, blockgroup, and block, etc., and provide a rich data source for analyzing special population needs geographically. This project will develop a web-based GIS system that will (1) integrate select census data attributes specific to analysis of transportation needs of special populations, and (2) provide customized tools for spatial analysis of special population data.
There are at least four major features that differentiate the proposed system from others. First, the system and its data will be nationwide in scope, rather than for a specific local jurisdiction, as with those systems developed as part of local efforts. Second, the system will be devoted specifically to analysis of special populations. Third, the system will be fully accessible to any agency looking to improve the safety and mobility of various special populations in its jurisdiction. Fourth, while system is nationwide in scope, it will also allow the users to create localized sub-database system that can be combined with local data uploads, such as transit routes and stops, for local applications. It is expected that the system will serve as a national resource for analysis of special populations and avoid duplication of development efforts by various agencies. Some sample applications of the system may include:
- Improve transit accessibility for special populations. Many special population groups depend on public transit to get to work, shopping, childcare, medical appointments, recreation, or other destinations. The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 requires that public transit systems be made fully accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. The system would allow transit planners to better identify clusters of transit-dependent residents and improve transit service to these residents.
- Improve emergency and disaster planning for special population groups. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita clearly show that some segments of our population were more vulnerable at all stages of hazard responses. Numerous factors have been identified as limiting a person’s ability to respond to emergencies, such as physical disabilities, poor health, poverty, minority status, language barriers, and illiteracy. A spatial information system will help to locate concentrations of these vulnerable populations, to estimate the resource needed to transport these populations during an evacuation, to estimate the time needed to mobilize and evacuate these groups of vulnerable people, etc.
- Improve transportation accessibility of welfare recipients (also see Project #2). In 1996, the Congress passed the welfare reform legislation that requires welfare recipients to work in order to receive public assistance. Welfare recipients are expected to find and retain a job, gradually gain financial independence, and leave the welfare system within a certain time limit. A spatial information system can help agencies to improve access to transportation systems by welfare recipients by providing better transportation links to job sites.
