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Geospatial Analysis for Optimization at Environmental Sites

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Overview
Fact Sheets
Fact Sheets Overview
Fact Sheet 1: Do You Need Geospatial Analysis?
Fact Sheet 2: Are Conditions Suitable for Geospatial Analysis?
Fact Sheet 3: How is Geospatial Analysis Applied?
Fact Sheet 4: What Software is Available to Help?
PM's Tool Box
PM's Tool Box Overview
Review Checklist
Choosing Methods
Common Misapplications
Optimization Questions
Geospatial Analysis Support for Optimization Questions in the Project Life Cycle
Data Requirements
General Considerations
Methods for Optimization
Geospatial Methods for Optimization Questions in the Project Life Cycle Stages
Release Detection
Site Characterization
Remediation
Monitoring
Closure
Documenting Results
Fundamental Concepts
Fundamental Concepts for Geospatial Analysis
Basic Data Concepts for Geospatial Analysis
Interpolation Methods and Model Prediction
Uncertainty in Geospatial Analyses
Characteristics of Interpolation Methods
Work Flow
Work Flow for Conducting Geospatial Analysis
Geospatial Analysis Work Flow Overview
Perform Exploratory Data Analysis
Select Geospatial Method
Build Geospatial Model
Evaluate Geospatial Method Accuracy
Generate Geospatial Analysis Results
Using Results
Using Analysis Results for Optimization
Plume Intensity and Extent
Trend Maps
Estimating Quantities
Hot Spot Detection
Sample Spacing
Estimating Concentrations Based on Proxy Data
Background Estimation
Quantifying Uncertainty
Remedial Action Optimization
Monitoring Program Optimization
Examples
Examples Overview
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Methods
Methods Overview
Simple Geospatial Methods
More Complex Geospatial Methods
Advanced Methods
Index of Methods
Software
Software Overview
Software Comparison Tables
Software Descriptions
Workshops and Short Courses
Case Studies
Case Studies Overview
Superfund Site Monitoring Optimization (MAROS)
PAH Contamination in Sediments—Uncertainty Analysis (Isatis)
Optimization of Long-Term Monitoring at Former Nebraska Ordnance Plant (GTS; Summit Envirosolutions)
Optimization of Lead-Contaminated Soil Remediation at a Former Lead Smelter (EVS/MVS)
Extent of Radiological Contamination in Soil at Four Sites near the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant, Japan (ArcGIS)
Optimization of Groundwater Monitoring at a Research Facility in New Jersey (GWSDAT)
Optimization of Sediment Sampling at a Tidally Influenced Site (ArcGIS)
Stringfellow Superfund Site Monitoring Optimization (MAROS)
Lead Contamination in Soil (ArcGIS)
Stakeholder Perspectives
Additional Information
Project Life Cycle Stages
History of Remedial Process Optimization
Additional Resources
Acronyms
Glossary
Index of Methods
Acknowledgments
Team Contacts
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Geospatial Analysis for Optimization at Environmental Sites
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Fact Sheet 4: What Software is Available to Help?

This fact sheet is the fourth of four fact sheets developed by ITRC to accompany its guidance titled Geospatial Analysis for Optimization at Environmental Sites  (GRO-1). This fact sheet introduces the value and use of geospatial analysis to support optimization activities to project managers, program or financial managers, and stakeholders. Specifically, this fact sheet summarizes software tools that can help you to perform geospatial analysis.

Various software packages use geospatial methods. In fact, you may have used geospatial methods already and been unaware that these methods were built into the software. For example, some software packages that produce contour maps use kriging as the default method. Unless users specifically change the interpolation method, they may be unaware that a geospatial method is used to generate contours, grid maps, or other types of surface maps.

The Software section provides detailed information about a number of widely used software packages that apply the geospatial methods to optimization as described in the guidance. For each software package included, this section includes a general description of the software, sources, cost, system requirements, difficulty, references, and training and resources. Tables 7, 8, and 9 in the Software Comparison Tables section provide information about the individual software packages for easier comparison. These tables are available as a downloadable Excel workbook.

  • Table 7 includes information about whether a software package can answer each of the questions identified for each project life cycle stage (also see the Geospatial Methods for Optimization Questions in the Project Life Cycle Stages section).
  • Table 8 includes information about the operating system, costs, data input, and data output.
  • Table 9 includes information about specific geospatial methods, which can be implemented with each software package.

A brief summary of these software packages is included in the table below; additional custom geospatial applications are also available. Note that not all of the packages are specifically designed for geospatial analysis of environmental data or specifically for environmental project optimization. Some are general statistical or geospatial packages that are intended for use in a variety of business or scientific applications, but are also helpful for geospatial analysis.

Summary of geospatial analysis software

Software Ease of Use Cost
ArcGIS Moderate $$
EVS/MVS Complex $$$
Global Mapper Moderate $
GMS Moderate $$-$$$
GRASS Complex Free
GS+ Moderate $
GTS Moderate Free
GWSDAT Easy Free
HydroGeoAnalyst Moderate $$$
Isatis Complex $$$
Kartotrak Moderate $$$
Leapfrog Hydro Moderate $$$
MAROS Easy Free
R (geoR, geoRgim) Complex Free
RockWorks Moderate $-$$
SADA Moderate Free
SAS Complex $$$
SGeMS Complex Free
Summit Envirosolutions Moderate $
Surfer Easy $
Voxler Easy $
VSP Easy Free
Note
This list is based on the collective experience of the ITRC team with the specific software shown. This list does not include all software available. The omission of a software package should not be interpreted as disapproval of that software.

Key
$ = < $1,000
$$ = $1,000 – $5,000
$$$ = > $5,000

Ease of Use
Easy – A new user can learn this software with minimal training. The software has an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) and data input/output interfaces easily with common file formats. Functionality of the software may be somewhat limited.
Moderate – This software is accessible enough for a new user to learn with some introductory training from tutorials or short courses but powerful enough to feature advanced capabilities for the expert user.
Complex – Considerable user skill and training are required to use this software. The software may not have a GUI and programming may be required to build or run a model.

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