ArcGIS: ArcMap Tutorial

                                                

            The main purpose of experimenting with the ArcMap tutorial is to gain knowledge and understanding of ArcGIS, while utilizing ArcMap skills and creativity to solve basic problems associated with specific counties and maps. The first step is to identify the issues involved. Residents are complaining about the noise affecting schools and houses near by and increased traffic along roads. A map is created displaying the locations of schools near the airport. The noise contour helps to see which schools are affected by the airport. The noise contour indicates areas that suffer from more than 65 decibels of noise, which is averaged over a 24 hour timeframe. this map allow the schools to prepare for future noise disruptions by building soundproof walls or other mitigation measures. The results prove that there is only one school, Northwestern Prep, that is within the noise contour. Geographic layers are clearly visible in the table of contents and the map display area includes map elements such as the title, legend, and scale bar, as well as the map itself. 

             ArcMap allows the practice of adding data to the map, editing geographic data, and exploring with data tables. Most fascinatingly, it allows the ability to display map features. The second map, which is the middle posting, describes the amount of each land use type within the noise contour. This map requires the selection of specific features and summarizing them on a graph. Unfortunately, the graph did not export in color for an odd reason and it had to be posted in black and white. Awkwardly, it is in color as shown on the ArcMap display screen. However, the color is set to Palette and the color scheme is Excel. The graph identifies the relationship between land use types and the number of parcels. ArcMap extracts data in a variety of formats and manipulates them into a uniform format. ArcGIS is an analytical tool that is extremely complex to master. 

             The third map presented is a map that displays population density for the county. This helps identify where people are concentrated. Population data is added for each census tract and population density is calculated. Calculating attribute values is a complicated process and therefore needs the power of the computer to achieve results. The population density is calculated by dividing the population by the area of each tract, which gives the number of people per square mile. Calculations are possible most effectively only with the editing functions. The map focuses on how many people are concentrated in relation to the airport and major roads. 

             Perhaps the most interesting part of the project is to create and name a road. The airport road is extended to create a new loop that connects to an existing arterial road. Also, it is important to note that an extent rectangle represents the extent of one data frame within another data frame. It is a general representation of where the noise contour is within the county. Since the Schools and Noise Contour map is a close up view, readers would get a clearer understanding as to where exactly the proposed airport expansion is in relation to the county boundary. ArcMap is a powerful visualization tool. It is difficult to interpret large sets of numbers but with ArcGIS, data is presented in an easier manner, making it much easier to comprehend. ArcGIS is a program capable of doing complex operations. Thus, ArcGIS is designed only for the professional, completely opposite from neogeography purposes.