Top Applications for Statewide GIS Data

Geospatial data is a powerful tool to help states make informed decisions. From supporting safer transportation networks and enhancing broadband connectivity to powering flood modeling and wildfire threat analysis, this blog will explore the role of Ecopia AI (Ecopia)'s high-precision geospatial data in preparing for and responding to significant challenges facing states today.

The challenge of keeping data accurate and up-to-date 

States rely on mapping data for a wide range of decision-making processes. For decisions to be well-informed and effective, the data they are relying on must be comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date. However, acquiring this high-precision data is often challenging. Communities change rapidly, causing statewide databases to become outdated quickly, and updating them is no easy task. Manually digitizing features into classified vector layers from geospatial imagery is not only time-consuming but also costly. For example, the GIS team in Collier County, Florida, spent nearly four years digitizing driveways across the county. Now, imagine extending that effort across an entire state. By the time the data is processed, it may already be outdated, failing to reflect current real-world conditions. Additionally, openly available data can be unreliable, as there is no guarantee of their freshness or completeness.

Overcoming challenges in data acquisition with Ecopia

Fortunately, states no longer need to compromise on accuracy or freshness. Ecopia’s AI-based mapping systems can extract high-precision vector data from imagery for an entire state within weeks. Our AI-driven mapping systems efficiently detect and extract both natural and manmade features from imagery, classifying them into distinct layers that represent critical landscape elements and infrastructure. 

By leveraging high-resolution imagery from our global partner network, Ecopia’s AI systems rapidly extract the real-world data needed for large-scale strategic decision-making. What previously required months, or even years of manual effort from trained GIS professionals can now be completed in a fraction of the time, allowing experts to focus on analysis and planning.

Top applications for statewide GIS data

In 2023, 40,990 people tragically lost their lives on roadways across the US. Geospatial data is a powerful tool in addressing safety issues associated with transportation networks, offering critical insights for transportation planning. By leveraging high-precision mapping, departments of transportation (DOTs) and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) operating within states can gain a deeper understanding of traffic safety issues and design and implement targeted, strategic interventions to reduce accidents and save lives. Geospatial data is not just a tool—it's a vital resource in the mission to make our roads safer. 

Enhancing crash-based analysis to support traffic safety 

To better understand how crashes relate to existing infrastructure, DOTs are digitizing transportation features into vector data, updating their databases with comprehensive intersections, control types, width-attributed sidewalks, individual traffic lanes, bike lanes, shoulders, crosswalk types, and more across their entire state. This data can then be layered with historical crash and census data to dive deeper into where and why crashes are most likely to occur. 

Understanding existing road and road adjacent infrastructure design is instrumental for efficiently and accurately selecting safety countermeasures, which bring DOTs closer to their Vision Zero goals. Moreover, many states are leveraging Ecopia's AI-based geospatial data solutions to automate the collection and maintenance of the Model Inventory of Roadway Elements (MIRE). By using AI to map transportation features, states can efficiently create comprehensive MIRE 2.0 databases, supporting more detailed safety analyses and enhancing transportation safety efforts. 

A recent analysis by Ecopia, which analyzed 2023 Chicago crash data alongside US Census Bureau demographics and Ecopia AI's Advanced Transportation Feature data offers an in-depth look at the safety analytics potential unlocked by high-precision transportation vector layers. You can explore the full analysis here.

Supporting statewide transportation planning initiatives 

With growing emphasis on creating safer, more accessible streets, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) selected Ecopia to create a comprehensive map of transportation features in Illinois. Using our AI-powered systems, Ecopia produced a comprehensive pedestrian infrastructure network map for the 12,000 square mile area requested by IDOT, delivering both efficiency and precision. The dataset featured critical transportation elements to provide an in-depth view of transportation infrastructure. These features included sidewalk centerlines and edges with width attribution to pinpoint gaps in the pedestrian network, truncated domes, medians, bike lanes, crosswalks, and more. This data, which can be accessed by every MPO across the state, is playing a key role in supporting ADA compliance, advancing Vision Zero initiatives, and enhancing pedestrian safety and transportation accessibility within the state.

Strengthening flood and hydrological modeling

Ecopia recently examined coastal flood risk across the US and uncovered staggering findings: over 41 million Americans live in areas at risk of coastal flooding, and there is more than $7 trillion in exposed building value and over $19 billion in exposed agricultural assets. But the threat doesn’t stop at the coast—many states are also facing significant inland flooding risks.

To address these challenges, states are increasingly relying on Ecopia’s high-precision land cover data for stormwater mapping and flood modeling. By leveraging detailed information on impervious and pervious surfaces, natural vegetation, and elevation, states can accurately assess flood risks and take proactive steps toward flood mitigation and climate resilience. Ultimately, with Ecopia's data, states can develop targeted strategies to protect communities and infrastructure from the growing threat of both inland and coastal flooding.

The State of Washington, like many others, experienced challenges sourcing and creating a cost-effective source of truth for land cover data, grappling with inconsistent and outdated data from various sources. Seeking an efficient solution, Washington turned to Ecopia to extract high-quality vector data with speed and precision.

Leveraging high-resolution imagery, Ecopia’s AI-based mapping technology provided comprehensive land cover data across the state’s 70,000+ square mile area in just 4 weeks, with distinct layers for buildings, roads, bridges, bareland, grass, railways, tree canopy, driveways, forest, paved/unpaved sports grounds, parking lots, pavement, sidewalks, swimming pools, and water bodies. Supporting hydrological modeling and flood mapping, this data helped the state take proactive steps toward protecting communities and building long-term climate resilience.

Powering emergency response capabilities 

Geospatial data can also play a crucial role in emergency response capabilities following a flood scenario. For instance, without an up-to-date inventory of roads and bridges, effectively routing emergency vehicles during a flood can become challenging. Factors like elevation, rainfall, and water runoff often cause bridges to become submerged and impassable, complicating response efforts. 

In partnership with the Center for Water and Environment at the University of Texas and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDoT), Ecopia extracted 38,000 miles of detailed road features and bridge inventories to create a road elevation model that takes into account the height of bridges and roads to support emergency services. This enabled the state to identify which infrastructure is most at risk during a major natural disaster and understand which roads are safe during emergency scenarios. Ultimately, the road elevation model supports a better understanding of critical infrastructure and enables the creation of precise real-time flood inundation maps which help TxDoT to be proactive in its flood response, and provide better flood information for citizens and communities.

Supporting wildfire mapping and disaster management

Recent events in California highlight the devastating social, environmental, and economic impacts of wildfires, underscoring the urgent need for tools that support risk reduction and resilience. At Ecopia, we’ve seen a growing demand for our AI-powered land cover data to aid in wildfire mitigation and response efforts.

Ecopia’s land cover data, including detailed layers for buildings, roads, bridges, driveways, parking lots, sidewalks, swimming pools, sports fields, tree canopies, open water, and more, can help analyze the vulnerability of structures and communities. For example, critical information can be attributed to each building footprint, such as its distance to the nearest tree, water body, or neighboring building—all factors that influence how fires spread.

Ecopia’s high-precision land cover data can help states assess wildfire vulnerability and support fuel reduction initiatives to safeguard residential and commercial structures. Following a fire, this data can also play a key role in evaluating damage and guiding the prioritization of recovery efforts, helping communities rebuild more effectively and safely.

Securing federal funding for broadband expansion

In today’s digital age, affordable, high-speed internet is crucial for access to information, education, and job opportunities. However, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) reports that 20% of households in the United States lack internet access. 

To address this challenge, states are increasingly utilizing geospatial data to enhance connectivity. For instance, states like Arizona, Alaska, and Michigan have leveraged Ecopia’s geospatial data to support successful applications for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, which aims to improve broadband access in underserved areas. States applying for BEAD funding had the opportunity to submit broadband serviceable locations (BSLs) as part of the application process. Using Ecopia's detailed building footprint data, states were able to identify areas in need, and ensuring these locations were considered in funding decision-making. Ultimately, this data helped states secure billions in BEAD funding, facilitating broadband expansion and connecting more residents to reliable internet—an essential resource for accessing education, employment, and other vital services in today’s digital landscape. You can learn more about this project here.

Analyzing the effect of urban heat on communities 

As states continue to confront the growing impacts of climate change, there is an increasing need for data-driven solutions to enhance resilience and address the disproportionate effects of environmental challenges on vulnerable communities. Accurate, high-precision land cover data plays a crucial role in identifying areas of risk and understanding how various factors—such as income, infrastructure, and urban planning—interact to affect the resilience of neighborhoods. For example, states can leverage this type of data to create targeted strategies to reduce the risks of urban heat effects.

Ecopia did an analysis leveraging high-precision land cover data created in collaboration with the Texas Water Development Board and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to examine climate resilience in the Houston metropolitan area. Analyzing an area of approximately 12,000 square miles, our team used our high-precision land cover vector layers to understand the spatial relationship between income, tree equity, and impervious surfaces. Combining this data with publicly available census data, a direct correlation was found between income and impervious surfaces: households in the bottom 20th percentile of medium income had an average of 48% impervious land cover whereas the top 20th percentile had an average of 36.5%. This statistic gains significance when considering that impervious surfaces not only increase the likelihood of flooding during extreme precipitation but also have the most substantial impact on urban heat effect, which can elevate temperatures in cities, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses and mortality, especially for vulnerable populations. The result of this project is a targeted understanding of social and economic disparities in communities across Houston, serving as a valuable source of information to guide problem-solving initiatives. 

Planning for clean energy: the strategic placement of EV charging stations

High-precision geospatial data can play a key role in optimizing statewide energy planning and related initiatives. For instance, the State of Washington is leveraging Ecopia’s AI-powered land cover data to strategically locate electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. With detailed vector data on infrastructure and land cover, Washington can pinpoint the most ideal locations for these stations, ensuring they are accessible for drivers. 

Planning for tomorrow with Ecopia 

These are just a few examples of how states are leveraging Ecopia’s data. Our solutions support a wide range of initiatives aimed at enhancing state safety and strengthening climate resilience. With Ecopia, states can keep their databases current and comprehensive while ensuring the geometric accuracy GIS professionals depend on. 

To discover how our high-precision land cover and advanced transportation data can support your state’s initiatives, contact us today.