Geographic Information Systems
Planning
Geographic Information Systems
What is GIS?
Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, is a computer process for mapping out data spatially. It is mapmaking, in essence, which helps us understand spatial patterns and relationships between seemingly unrelated data. GIS can use any information that includes location. The location can be expressed in many different ways, such as latitude and longitude, address, or ZIP code, and many different types of information can be compared and contrasted using GIS.
GIS is valuable to a wide range of public and private enterprises for explaining events, predicting outcomes, and planning strategies. RVRC uses GIS for in a number of ways to help communities in the region. Click the items below to learn more.
GIS in the
River Valley Region
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- Faster, better land use decision making.
- Faster, better information for economic development.
- GASB 34 requirements that require all infrastructure to be incorporated as assets or liabilities.
- More efficient routing for sanitation and school buses.
- More efficient coverage for public safety (fire districts, police beats, etc.).
- Better public safety response times.
- More efficient school bus route development and a more accurate count of students.
- Faster response to infrastructure needs (repairs, system expansions, improvements, maintenance).
- Lower ISO rating.
- More efficient and accurate tax reassessments.
- Monitor growth via construction permit tracking.
- Better park, school and public safety building location decisions.
Data Layers are the location information that make up the maps RVRC creates. GIS planners can make maps from just about any of the following categories:
- Utilities: Water, sewer, natural gas and electric systems
- Tax Assessor: Parcels and all associated data.
- Public Safety: Road centerlines, addressing, various districts/beats, locations of stations, hydrant locations, crime mapping, CAD and E911.
- Public Works: Roads: width, name, maintenance rotation schedule and LOS.
- Planning: Land use (current and future), zoning, historic resources, wetlands, streams, soils, groundwater recharge areas and river protection corridors.
RVRC uses GIS in the following ways. If you need access for GIS information, please reach out to the GIS Director, Mariyana Kostov at mkostov@rivervalleyrc.org.
- Develops and maintains a geographic information database, in partnership with the GA Department of Community Affairs, as part of the overall Georgia Information System.
- Creates and compiles geographic information system (GIS) databases using a global positioning system (GPS) and other technologies.
- Maintains the region’s transportation network in the state’s digital road inventory.
- Collects Global Positioning System data of community facilities such as fire and police departments, schools, city/county government buildings, hospitals and other medical facilities, rural fire stations, etc. throughout the 16 county regions.
- Produces fire hydrant maps and five-mile road distance maps for use by local fire departments in obtaining reductions in fire insurance premiums for residents.
- Collects GPS data for elements of both county water systems and city water/sewer systems.
- Creates base maps for commissioners, voting, educational and fire districts.
- Develops geo-referenced road index maps for cities and counties.
- Maintains parcel data on digital county tax maps.
- Collects and maps GPS data for county disaster mitigation plans.
- Assists the Georgia Department of Transportation with mapping initiatives as needed.
The RVRC as an organization identified by Section 50-18-70 of the Georgia Code adheres to the proper release and disclosure of public information to the public. Please refer to the Georgia Open Records Act for more information regarding the procedures followed by the RVRC to release public information.