Geographic Information
Systems (GIS)
The Bluegrass Area Development District’s GIS Department offers a technical background in Geographic information systems. They serve as a resource and a data repository for local communities and utilities, providing data and insight to these communities for the purposes of decision-making, emergency management, and planning.
The capabilities of the GIS Staff are emphasized by their combined knowledge and experience, specialized tools and equipment, and the manpower it takes to provide a variety of services throughout the Bluegrass Region. Services include E911 data collection to, planning and zoning, assistance with KYTC road updates, and general technical assistance. The GIS Department provides services to 16 of the 17 counties in the Bluegrass region, and works closely with KYTC and KIA to maintain accurate data at the state level.
The GIS Department has been using ESRI-based products, such as ArcMap and ArcServer, for many years, but have recently made the transition to using ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Survey123, and FieldMaps.
More About GIS
Annexation Maintenance
The GIS staff will be happy to assist cities in determining where their current city boundaries are located in preparation for new annexations. Please note that Bluegrass ADD’s GIS Department Staff are not licensed surveyors.
E911 Data Collection, Updates, and Maintenance
The GIS team does fieldwork to collect GPS locations for any new structures that are built and addressed and uses GPS to map newly built or rerouted roads. The team has the capability to provide data in formats that are required by the various CAD systems, create indexed wall maps, create indexed map books, and create addresses using an Automatic Location Identifier (ALI) and Master Street Address Guide (MSAG). Maps can be created and manipulated to create routing options and determine response areas.
E911 Audits
Audits can be conducted by the GIS team to ensure the accuracy of data that is maintained by a different agency. This primarily involves doing fieldwork to verify address locations.
Land Use Mapping
GIS will use all data available from parcels, structure points, aerial photography, and field visits to create the most accurate land use maps possible, based on scope of work and comprehensive plan requirements. These can also be made available for internet use as either secured or non-secured websites. In addition, GIS has the capability to also provide digital data as an end product for local maintenance and updating.
Local Road Updates
The GIS staff works with local agencies to provide updated road data for KYTC.
Planning and Zoning Mapping
Working with the land planners at BGADD or from the communities themselves, create and edit planning and zoning data. This can be delivered as geographic data (shapefiles, kmz, etc), paper maps, and interactive web maps.
Utility Mapping and Collection
This service can include the collection of valve locations, manholes, water tanks, meters, hydrants, wastewater treatment plants, water treatment plants, a wall map of systems, and a map book of systems. This information can be provided in a format that is easily incorporated into commonly used modeling software. All mapping can be made available on the internet as either a secured or non-secured website.
Utility Mapping and Collection
This service can include the collection of valve locations, manholes, water tanks, meters, hydrants, wastewater treatment plants, water treatment plants, a wall map of systems, and a map book of systems. This information can be provided in a format that is easily incorporated into commonly used modeling software. All mapping can be made available on the internet as either a secured or non-secured website.
Utility Updates and Maintenance
This service can include updating the locations of valves, manholes, water tanks, meters, and hydrants as they are constructed and added to the system. This data is delivered to the utility and uploaded into the Water Resource Information System (WRIS) for public use. Utility updates also include the revision of wall maps and map books as needed or based on the scope of work.
Web Mapping
All mapping can be made available on the internet as either secured or non-secured websites. All websites are made through ArcGIS Online.
Here are links to examples of our web mapping services:
Awards:
The Bluegrass Area Development District’s (Bluegrass ADD) GIS Staff have been recognized by the Kentucky Chapter of the Kentucky Emergency Number Association for their dedication to improve 9-1-1 services in the state of Kentucky.