The Insights and Analyses from Mapping Data
Posted on November 16, 2016
Geographic information systems (GIS) are powerful tools that display spatial information (such as locations on a map) in order to help us understand patterns and relationships about our world.
So, with National GIS Day on November 16th, the WatchBlog is looking at how this technology helps us communicate clearly and answer complex questions about loan programs, Amtrak service, and more.
Using GIS to identify…
When we wrote a report on the safety and health conditions of 185 Bureau of Indian Education elementary and secondary schools at 180 locations around the United States, we wanted to show our readers where, exactly, the schools in question were located.
The GIS map we created for the report gives readers a sense that the schools are located primarily in rural areas and small towns. The map also sets the stage for our finding that 15 BIE schools with dormitories are located in remote areas where the nearest fire station is an average of 35 miles away.
The information in this map helps convey the urgency of addressing the poor safety conditions we found:
(Excerpted from GAO-16-313)
(Excerpted from GAO-16-801)
You can see this in our interactive graphic of one of Amtrak’s long-distance routes. It shows which Amtrak stations offer limited, late-night arrival and departure times and if they are close to other travel options, such as intercity buses. To use the interactive features of the graphic, download the report PDF, go to p.65, and roll your mouse over stations on the map.
(Excerpted from GAO-16-67)
- Questions on the content of this post? Contact Vijay D’Souza at dsouzav@gao.gov.
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