Port Awarded Grant for GIS Project

The Department of Homeland Security has awarded the Port a $542,490 grant to fund a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Tactical Survey Information System, which will create a digital mapping and data collection system of the Port’s facilities and infrastructure.

The GIS and Tactical Survey project has two parts that integrate with one another and requires the services of two separate contractors.

GIS is a digital mapping system that identifies utilities, roads, train tracks, and land use designations in a series of visual layers. The Tactical Survey will provide advanced visualization and target-folder information to port personnel and local first responders by integrating with a variety of other Port applications including security, executive management, and operations management.

The City of Redwood City completed a GIS project inclusive of multiple data layers for internal City employee use, but also released a version for public use. Currently, the Port Area in the City’s GIS program lacks much detail and the Port is interested in further build out of the Port Area in the City’s GIS system in lieu of creating a new, stand alone program that would be limited to just the Port Area.

To achieve this, the Port commission approved an $84,000 contract with Redwood City's GIS/IT services to add utility and non-utility structures to the existing GIS system to include Port areas. Upon completion, Port staff will have entry into the city's intranet to view all layers of the data.

The Commission also approved a $445,405 agreement with Tactical Survey Group, Inc. (TSG) to work both with the Port and the City in order to add more detailed information to the GIS mapping system. The GIS System locates and identifies structures and the Tactical Survey provides 360° imaging of the interior and exterior of structures. It identifies exits, entrances, fire ratings of doors and their locations and inventory of staff. Coupled with the CCTV system, the end product will produce a catalog of inventoried data and real time information for security and emergency response. It will create a “virtual Port” and will be made available to response agencies.

The Homeland Security grant is paying for both contracts. The grant was made to the Port through the San Francisco Bay Marine Exchange.