Final Project - GIS Leads the Placement of the Bobwhite-Manatee Transmission Line

For our Final Project, we analyze key factors that were taken into consideration for the route selection of the Bobwhite-Manatee Transmission Line Project from a geographical and spatial perspective.

Here's a little back story: back in 2006, Florida Power and Light (FPL), a major energy company in Florida, was tasked to find an achievable and acceptable route for a major transmission line crossing both Manatee and Sarasota counties. Various government agencies, federal agencies, contractors, and consulting firms were hired to assess possible routes.

After reviewing 1,275 alternative routes, FPL finally decided on one based on the justifications that the selected route was minimally invasive and minimally harmful to the surrounding communities and environment (as shown by the map on the left). The Florida Department of Environmental Protection approved the transmission line location, allowing FPL to gain right-of way access in 2008. The major project was completed in 2009.

Qualitative and quantitative data were provided to Florida DEP to support the location's proposal. Through this documentation however, it is never mentioned how this data was obtained. That's where we come in. Geographic information systems and science was used from beginning to end in this major project. And thus, it was the use of GIS that lead to the location of this transmission line. For our Final Project, the main key factors that we studied supporting this argument were that the transmission line had 1. relatively few homes in proximity, 2. it generally avoided school sites, 3. it avoided large areas of environmentally sensitive lands, and 4. could be built for a reasonable cost.

To meet my Final Project's deliverables, I used ArcGIS software, multiple geoprocessing tools, and data downloads (both vector and raster) to produce map outputs and obtain counts and totals for 4 required objectives. We were also required to create a PowerPoint Slide Show and an accompanying slide-by-slide transcript of our results and analysis process.

The geoprocessing tools I used included: Selection By Attributes, Selection By Location, Statistics, Clip, Calculate Geometry, Define Projection, Project, Buffer Wizard, Polygon to Line, Split, and Collapse Dual Lines to Centerline.

Our Final Project's 4 objectives were to:

1. Define and quantify environmentally sensitive lands imposed by the transmission line;
2. Quantify homes within proximity of the transmission line;
3. Define and quantify schools and day cares within proximity of the transmission line; and
4. Quantify the length of the transmission line.

My map outputs can all be viewed here in this blog as well as in the PowerPoint Slideshow which can be accessed below. I hope you enjoy it!

To view my PowerPoint Slide Show, click here.

To view the accompanying slide-by slide transcript to my PowerPoint Slide Show, click here.