Project Title: Geo Surveillance System

Client: Washington Group International

Platform: ArcGIS Engine, ArcGIS 3D Analyst, ArcGIS Spatial Analyst, and VB .NET

Summary: Securing our borders and critical infrastructure, and monitoring change across large geographic areas presents significant homeland security challenges to government, regional, civil and military leaders. Integrated information systems are lacking to enable consequence managers and incident commanders to confidently assess and monitor their areas of responsibility. Geospatial information systems (GIS) are the means to integrate existing technologies and dispersed data sources in a manner that best serves our security programs.

In a proactive effort to assist in its mission to help protect our nation's borders, the U.S. Border Patrol is investing in surveillance and communications networks. The network consists of pole-mounted surveillance equipment/sensors (visual and infrared) and relay towers. The determination of the placement of these towers is carried out through the development and implementation of a GIS. GIS is a cornerstone to multi-disciplined, multi-echelon approaches to planning and decision making.

Washington Group International (Washington Group) and Integral GIS, Inc. have developed a GIS Application known as the Geo Surveillance System (GSS). The purpose of this GSS Application is to support the U.S. Border Patrol with their decision making process for communication tower placement. The GSS Application allows users to view datasets in 2D or 3D, which aids in a better understanding of the effects of Tower placement. In addition, the GSS Application integrates a multi-criteria decision model for tower placement, that includes:

. USBP Operational Considerations
. Operational Constraints of the Towers
. Location relative to existing Power Supplies
. Access
. Ownership of Land (where the Tower is to be placed)
. Environmental Factors

Result: The Geo Surveillance System will support the U.S. Border Patrol with their decision making process for communication tower placement by running a complex algorithm that creates a series of analysis based on a multi-criteria decision model. Thus, displaying most suitable communication tower and pole placement locations.