GeospatialMapping the

Coastal Communities

ofAlabama

History This project was theidea of Auburn University professors, Dr. Chetan Sankar, Dr. P.K. Raju and Barry Cumbie, an Auburnalumni.

In 2008, the project beganafter Auburn affiliates beganresearching methods on howto help Baldwin County,Ala. recover after a naturaldisaster strikes.

Contact Information:

Kati JonesPR Assistant for GIS Project

415 W. Magnolia Ave.

Auburn, AL 36849

jonekat@auburn.edu

(334)447-1759

Auburn University

A project designed to help the economy of Alabama after a

natural disaster strikes.

After a natural disaster hits Baldwin County, utility lines become covered in at least 10 inches of sand from the beaches.

Contractors were sent to fix the utility lines without any knowledge of where the lines were located. Lines were destroyed and new ones were built.

Auburn affiliates researched and found that by using Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), the original utility lines could be found and repaired for half the cost and time.

Fort Morgan, Alabama

Why Baldwin County?Baldwin County generates the most touristrevenue in the state of Alabama. After a natural disaster strikes, hotels and utility lines that run to hotels are destroyed. Therefore, tax dollars raised from tourists dramatically drop.

Using GIS, lines can be discovered and repaired in half the time and hotels can begin operating faster. The faster hotels recover from natural disasters, the faster tax dollars come back into the state thus strethening the economy of Alabama.

The project is scheduled to be completed in two years, and it would not be possible without the partnerships created between different agencies and individuals to assist Baldwin County.

.

Partnerships

Who is Involved?The Economic Development

Administration (EDA)

The Alabama Department of Homeland Security (AL DHS)

Utility Companies of Baldwin County

Baldwin County Officials

Contractors

Auburn University

The Auburn Technical Assistance Center (ATAC)

Benefits of the Project

Each PartnerHas Different Strengths

ATAC stays in contact with EDA, which provides funding for the project.

Members of ATAC and AU affiliates meet with everyone involved to sign Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) for project.

Once in agreement, Auburn University professors and students use GIS to collect data about utility lines in Baldwin County.

The AL DHS puts all information collected into the Web site, www.VirtualAlabama.gov.

The AL DHS secures all information and never disseminates information that does not belong to the certain agency or individual.

Utility companies, and city and state officials will be able to look at the information that belongs to them on this Web site.

The Web site will show utility companies, and city and state officials where the original utility lines were, so contractors can fix the problem faster and more effectively.

Clients can view information only for their company all in one place.

State and city officials can work closer with private and public agencies.

Contractors will know exactly where utility lines are, so it will be easier and faster to complete a job.

Utility companies can begin operating faster after a natural disaster, which will bring in more revenue to the companies.

Baldwin County residents will get to return to their jobs faster after a natural disaster, and they will not have to wait long hours for utilities to begin operating again.

Clients can help revive Alabama’s economy after a natural disaster.