Blog Post 6

For the past two week I have been working on and finishing my maps.  Since my last post I have entered all the GPS points and then used the edit and draw tools in ArcMap to create the trail.
Using DEM files from USGS I converted them to rasters and displayed the elevation in feet using the values from the data.  The maps are shown below.  I also wanted to include an 8.5x11" version which can be printed out and taken with a rider if they choose to.

Fig 1. Final completed map

 Fig 2.  8.5x11" version

Fig 3. Digital Elevation Model with legend

Fig. 4 Final Poster

Conclusions
Doing this project made me experience firsthand the variables that may affect conducting field work, such as the weather, but still prioritizing tasks in order to reach a deadline.  I was also able to start a map from scratch and figure out on my own what I need to do in order to produce what I had promised to.  This will be extremely useful for not only GIS work, but all future projects, as I will need to use what resources I have available to accomplish a task, without having step-by-step instructions on how to complete it.

Blog Post 5

This past weekend I got a chance to ride the bike trail and collect GPS points.  In the coming week I will insert the GPS points into ArcGIS and see how well the data looks.  If I feel I should redo collecting more points I will do so this weekend.  I will also continue to clean up the map since once the GPS points are in the only thing that remains is to make the map aesthetically pleasing and also able to show what I am trying to present as clearly as possible.  

Blog Post 4

Today I brought in some of the layers I will use including lakes, streets, counties, and town lines.  I will continue to neaten the map up and place the labels more appropriately.  I will also define the road types and label the important ones and the ones the trail will pass by.  I no longer think a second map with an aerial basemap is necessary, this seems like it will get the point across enough.  I will hope to map the trail within the next week or two while continuing to clean up the draft.

Blog Post 3

This week I followed the trail using Google maps and marked all the available parking areas along the way.  I attempted to add some base maps but every time I added the imagery base map ArcMap would close.  The streets basemap however worked so I will continue to work on that map and hopefully find a work around for the aerial basemap.  I will also finish collecting the layers listed in the project proposal so once I collect the GPS points, the map will be ready for the data.

Blog Post 2

Today I worked on preparing my map for data input.  I have added a base layer of New York State, zoomed into the section where the bikeway is located.  I also added nearby hydrology, such as streams and lakes, and streets.  In the coming weeks hopefully i can access the bikeway so i can start mapping.  If not i can begin mapping the parking lots, which is something i want to include in my map.

Project Proposal

Mapping of Warren County Bikeway

Michael Loschiavo

Siena College 

February 23,2014

Introduction
The Warren County Bikeway Extends from the southernmost point of Lake George, by the Million Dollar Beach, and ends in Glens Falls, where it connects to the Feeder Canal Park Heritage Trail. The trail experiences much elevation change along with varying road types and surface types, as well as multiple possible routes. 

Objectives
• Using GPS Points, generate an accurate map of the bike trail and surrounding features, showing major roads and elevation changed
• Parking lots with access to the trail will be mapped
• Mile markers will be shown

Methodology
Since the snow will have to melt in order to fully complete this project first I will map out parking lot locations for bikers. Once the trails become rideable I will go on the bike trail, taking GPS points. I will note which points are mile markers and also when road type and surface type changes so I can mark them on the map. This may take multiple days on the trail to complete to get every route and ensure accuracy.  After all the data is collected it will be entered into an excel table and imported into ArcMap in order to create a map using the attributes within the table.  To show elevation change I will also use the profile tool with a Digital Elevation Model.
  
Data Sources 
Streets Basemap
Digital Elevation Model
New York state water body shapefile
Streets shapefile
Table of all necessary GPS Points taken
Town and County Line shapefiles

Deliverables
• A map showing the trail over a streets base map with roads, along with points showing parking, waterbodies, and mile markers.  This will be 8.5x11 in. so they can be printed and carried easily.   
• A second map will be available showing elevation change which will also be 8.5x11

Weekly Work Plan
March 15-22- Begin plugging in data sources into map to prepare for when GPS data points are ready to be entered.  

March 22-29- Begin taking points of parking lot locations

March 29-April 5- Put points of parking lots into maps, also if snow is melted, begin taking 
points on trail.

April 5-19- Continue riding trail, collecting necessary data.

April 19-May 3- Make table of data and import into ArcMap.  Create Draft Map for revision. Add all required layers and export interactive map to ArcGIS online.

May 3-10- Extra time if necessary if snow pushed mapping back,

Project Proposal Draft

Mapping of Warren County Bikeway

Michael Loschiavo

Siena College

February 23,2014

Introduction
The Warren County Bikeway Extends from the southernmost point of Lake George, by the Million Dollar Beach, and ends in Glens Falls, where it connects to the Feeder Canal Park Heritage Trail. The trail experiences much elevation change along with varying road types and surface types, as well as multiple possible routes.

Objectives
• Using GPS Points, generate an accurate map of the bike trail, showing road type and surface
• Parking lots will also be mapped
• Mile markers will be shown for each mile

Methodology
Since the snow will have to melt in order to fully complete this project first I will map out parking lot locations for bikers. Once the trails become rideable I will go on the bike trail, taking GPS points. I will note which points are mile markers and also when road type and surface type changes so I can mark them on the map. This may take multiple days on the trail to complete to get every route and ensure accuracy. I may also take pictures at certain landmarks or views so they can be viewable in an interactive map.  After all the data is collected it will be entered into an excel table and imported into ArcMap in order to create a map using the attributes within the table.  To show elevation change I will also use a Digital Elevation Model.
 
Data Sources 

• Streets basemap
• Aerial Imaging Basemap
• Digital Elevation Model
• New York state water body shapefile
• Streets shapefile

Deliverables
• A map showing the trail over a streets base map with road type and surface, along with points showing parking, landmarks, and mile markers. This may call for two maps showing each value separately so it can be viewed more easily.
• An interactive map will also be available with a satellite base map so people can zoom
into the trail as well as switch between layers.

Weekly Work Plan
March 22-29- Begin taking points of parking lot locations

March 29-April 5- Put points of parking lots into maps, also if snow is melted, begin taking
points on trail.

April 5-19- Continue riding trail, collecting necessary data.

April 19-May 3- Make table of data and import into ArcMap.  Create Draft Map for revision. Add all required layers and export
interactive map to ArcGIS online.

May 3-10- Extra time if necessary if snow pushed mapping back,