Mini Project 3

With the result from mini projects 1 and 2, York University decided to avoid repeating the process for other site selection problems and wants to create an automated process using Model builder, so that by changing the input parameters and data in model, it is convenient to opt the optimized decision for opening new test center or other facilities at Campus. Also, considering of accessibility of campus environment especially for people with limited physical abilities to move around, we not only need to locate a new testing center with easy access and acceptable grade (slope), but also need to demonstrate the accessible paths from pedestrian network to new testing center for wheelchair users.

*In order to show every thinking process of "Model Builder", I would first show how each steps works, and I would then put the "Model Builder" at the very end of the steps.

After importing the previous map, we have the pedestrian network layer and the proposed test center location. Now we download the DEM (Digital Elevation Model) dataset of GTA from Eclass. To make the result more readable, we remove unnecessary layers such as keele.tif, as well as locations of vaccination and test center.

Then we use the "Slope" tool in Geoprocessing so that we can transfer the DEM data into editable and usable output measurement of "Degree".

However, before applying the slope, we need to know the acceptable slope for wheelchair users as well as other people with disabilities moving.

According to a website of "Accessibilities for All", we know the ramp design should have a reasonable slope of 1:16 or 1:20.

As a consideration, we can now apply slope tool and select the accessible slope for wheelchair users.

In order to only deal with the area that we concern and help the map react faster, we only clip a certain area of the whole GTA slope layer.

After we have validating and clipping the slope data, we now need to regulate the value of the layer with our analysis of reasonable ramp design for accessible pathway. Based on the ratio we get from website, 1:20 would be best for wheelchair users and 1:15, 1:12 would be unideal. Thus, we have three regulation points for wheelchair users with most preferred, somewhat preferred to least preferred and unusable.

With "Most Preferred" value of 5 and "Least Preferred" value of 1 and "Unusable" value of 0.

We then us the tool of "Extract by Attributes" to get rid of the values we don't want to consider. Such as the "Unusable" value of 0, we don't want it in our selection option.

Where we set the value "is greater than or equal to" 1 is that we only want values that are suitable for accessible pathway design.

Notice that we now only have three values of 1, 3, 5 which are suitable for accessible pathway design.

After we get the ideal slope we want, we want to see which part of the walkway would be accessible for wheelchair users. Here we use the tool "Raster to Polygon" to deal with the data analyzed by "slope" so that we can transfer the raster data to vector data. In this way we can see which part of the walkway's slope is good for disabilities.

We then apply the Select by Attributes tool so that in the vector data we just "filtered", we can only select the ones "Most Preferred"(classify = 5 = Most Preferred).

Then we apply the Clip tool one more time to cut the pedestrian walkway net data with the data we just "filtered" by Select by Attributes. In this way we can cut the data with dangerous slope and keep the preferred slope for walkways.

We operate all these steps and tools using the Model Builder in ArcGIS. In such way we can fast locate where we want to set up a certain location. Here are all the tools ,variables and parameters used for this process.

This map shows the result of this Mini Project where we select the preferred test center for all people especially for wheelchair users. The transparent area with no color is the most preferred area with safe and comfortable slope for wheelchair users. The light blue is somewhat preferred and dark blue is the least preferred. My original test center lies in the wavey area because I didn't take slope into consideration, and it has bad walkway conditions for wheelchair users. As a result, I put my new test center in the right plane area of campus. This new spot has great walkway conditions with easy slopes around and it is very convenient for wheelchair users to go. Also, it is close to public transportation. This whole area is also falt with few slope changes.

There are mainly 5 advantages of the Model Builder:

1. Automation of Geoprocessing Workflows: The Model Builder automates complex geoprocessing tasks, ensuring efficient and error-free execution. It organizes tasks in a logical sequence, enhancing process efficiency.
2. Visual Workflow Representation: It offers a clear, visual layout of the geoprocessing steps, aiding in understanding and managing complex processes.
3. User-friendly, Code-free Environment: The Model Builder is designed for users who may not have coding skills. All tools within it are pre-integrated in ArcGIS, making it accessible for a wider range of users.
4. Flexibility and Customization: Users can modify and adjust workflows easily, allowing for iterative development and customization according to project needs.
5. Ease of Sharing and Documentation: The Model Builder facilitates the sharing of models with colleagues or educators and supports exporting workflows as graphics, which is useful for documentation and reporting.

There are mainly 3 difference between this project and Mini Project 2:

1. Method of Map Construction: The key difference lies in the methodology. In the current project, the map was entirely constructed using the Model Builder, which contrasts with the manual application of tools in Mini Project 2. This shift to Model Builder signifies a more automated, streamlined approach.
2. Inclusion of the Slope Tool and Analysis: The current project incorporates the slope tool along with suitability analysis, which were not present in Mini Project 2. This addition likely brings a new dimension to the analysis, allowing for more nuanced interpretations of terrain and land suitability.
3. Advanced Geospatial Analysis: The use of suitability tables and analysis in the current project indicates a more advanced level of geospatial analysis, contributing to a more detailed and comprehensive understanding of the study area.

1. Slope Tool: This tool is used to calculate the slope of each cell in a raster. The slope is the steepness or degree of incline of the terrain. The tool is crucial for terrain analysis, as slope is a key factor in numerous geospatial studies like land use planning, erosion risk assessment, and suitability analysis.
2. Clip Raster Tool: The Clip Raster tool is used to trim a raster dataset to a specified boundary. It's an essential tool for focusing analysis on a particular area of interest, removing unnecessary data outside this boundary, and thus improving processing efficiency and clarity of the results.
3. Reclassify Tool: This tool is employed to reclassify or change the values of cells in a raster dataset based on specified criteria. It's particularly useful in land suitability analyses, environmental studies, and other applications where categorizing data into different classes or groups is necessary.
4. Extract by Attributes Tool: The Extract by Attributes tool allows you to specify certain criteria or conditions to extract cells from a raster dataset. It's an effective tool for isolating specific data points based on attributes, such as extracting areas of a certain elevation, land cover type, or other criteria relevant to your study.
5. Raster to Polygon Tool: This tool is used to convert raster data into a vector polygon format. It's particularly useful when you need to work with vector-based analysis or when integrating raster data with other vector datasets. For example, areas classified in a land cover raster can be converted into polygons for further analysis or for integration with other vector datasets like road networks or administrative boundaries.
6. Select by Attributes Tool: The "Select by Attributes" tool allows you to select features in a layer based on attribute criteria. This tool is essential for querying and isolating specific data within a layer, based on one or more criteria set in the attribute data. For instance, you might use this tool to select all areas within a land use dataset that are classified as 'urban' or 'agricultural'.

Providing accessibilities to various groups of people when they want to access somewhere is the key step when designing routes as GIS students.

Apply inclusive design principles to ensure spaces are accessible to people with disabilities, including those with mobility, visual, auditory, and cognitive impairments. This could involve features like ramps, tactile paving, and auditory signals.

Also, we need to conduct surveys or gather feedback from a diverse group of potential users to understand varying needs and preferences. This data can help in designing spaces that cater to a wide range of users, including families with young children, elderly individuals, and people with specific cultural or recreational interests.

Last but not least, we can consider to put the test center close to public transportation or parking lot so that people with difficulties accessing can save a lot of time and effort to go and test Covid-19.

 Navigating Inclusion: Essential Considerations for Ramp Design - Arch2O.com