GIS & Data Interest Group

RESOURCES & RESEARCH MEETINGS & WEBINARS

Mission

The GIS & Data Interest Group merges two previously separate groups, one focused on GIS & Data Visualization, the other focused on Data. This merged Interest Group focuses on all things related to how MPOs are using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data and other data types, including data governance, advanced analytical tools, and maintaining sufficient staff structure and capacity.

Goals

A hands-on interest group focused on creating and sharing content to support staff in the MPO community who are using GIS and other data platforms. Topics include:

Advancing the state of practice as it relates to data, map, and application development
Integrating data and GIS capabilities into the metropolitan planning process
Developing strategies, techniques, and methods to meet the diverse needs of MPO stakeholders, projects, programs, and activities
Identifying opportunities, challenges, needs, and emerging issues as they relate to GIS, data, mapping, and application development
Communicating and sharing best practices, guidance, and resources

GIS & Data Interest Group Discussion Forum

AMPO members can join the GIS & Data Interest Group leadership team and its members on the discussion forum. To gain access to the Interest Group forums, visit this page and use the toggle buttons along the right side to subscribe to one or more Interest Groups.

Leadership Team

Stuart Kearns, Lexington MPO

GIS & Data Interest Group leadership

Stuart worked for the Lexington Area MPO from 1991-2001 as a transportation planner, then returned to the Lexington Area MPO as a senior transportation planner after a stint in consulting and working for the University of Kentucky. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a B.A. in Geography in 1990 and an MPA in 1997.

Matthew Masa, Palm Beach TPA

GIS & Data Interest Group leadership

Matthew is a Planner II with the Palm Beach TPA, where he was worked since 2022, first as an summer intern before returning after graduating with a master’s in planning from FSU in 2023. He focuses on GIS data management, travel demand modeling, and socioeconomic analysis while supporting other planning staff.

Joe Gordon, Metro

GIS & Data Interest Group leadership

Joe is a Senior GIS Specialist at Metro (Portland, OR) specializing in demographic and remote sensing analysis. He has done work on equity and environmental justice analyses, including indicator development, social vulnerability indices, environmental vulnerabilities (e.g., flood, urban heat), and hazard preparedness.

James McLane, NCTCOG

GIS & Data Interest Group leadership

James is a Transportation Information Systems Manager at the North Central Texas COG, where he leads efforts to maintain and expand the MPO’s data and GIS resources while applying those resources to the agency’s transportation planning efforts. He has over 10 years of GIS and data management experience including positions at two MPOs, an electric utility, and a county appraisal district.

Committee Liaison

TBD

FHWA Liaison

Joseph Hausman

FHWA Office of Planning, Environment, & Realty

AMPO Contact

Ellen Zavisca, ezavisca@ampo.org

Mark Sarmiento

FHWA Office of Planning

Resources & Research

FHWA and AMPO Peer Exchange on GIS & Equity

The Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) requested a peer exchange from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Transportation Planning Capacity Building (TPCB) Program to provide AMPO members with an opportunity to exchange noteworthy practices and discuss ways to build MPO capacity for using GIS to advance equity goals.

AMPO also sought to use key takeaways from this peer exchange to inform its future GIS Working Group research and activities.

The peer exchange planning team designed the event as a two-day interactive, virtual dialogue between representatives from Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs). The peer exchange consisted of three peer panels with breakout group discussions, a session on current and upcoming FHWA resources for equity planning, and a brainstorming session on current needs and future activities.

AMPO GIS Planning Peer Exchange Public Agenda

AMPO TPCB PEX Slides 06182021

AMPO GIS and Equity Peer Exchange_Speaker Bios

AMPO GIS and Equity Peer Exchange_Defining Equity Panel_Project Briefings

AMPO GIS and Equity Peer Exchange_Data Informed Decisionmaking_Project Briefings

AMPO GIS and Equity Peer Exchange_Telling the Story_Project Briefings

Meetings & Webinars

2025 MEETINGS of GIS & Data Interest Group

Quarter 1 Meeting
March 3 at 3:00 PM ET
Topic: Tools to Keep Us Cool
Register here.

Quarter 2 Meeting
June 5 at 3:00 PM ET
Topic: Using GIS and Other Tools to Model Travel Demand Better
Register here.

Quarter 3 Meeting
September 2 at 3:00 PM ET
Topic: TBD
Register here.

Quarter 4 Meeting

December 4 at 3:00 PM ET
Topic: How MPOs are Using ArcGIS Experience Builder
Register here.

2024 MEETINGS of Data Interest Group

Quarter 1 Meeting
March 21st at 3:00 PM ET
Topic: Data Collection at Not-So-Big MPOs
View meeting materials here

Quarter 2 Meeting
June 20th at 3:00 PM ET
Topic: Performance Measurement Data Sources
View meeting materials here

Quarter 3 Meeting
September 5th at 3:00 PM ET
Topic: Cases for Big Data
View meeting materials here

Quarter 4 Meeting
December 6th at 2:00 PM ET
Topic: Focus on federal data sources
Register here

2024 MEETINGS of GIS & Data Visualization Interest Group

Quarter 1 Meeting
March 14th at 3:00 PM ET
Topic: Freight Data – Best Practices for Visualization
View meeting materials here

Quarter 2 Meeting
June 14th at 2:00 PM ET
Topic: Leveling Up – Expanding your GIS & Data Visualization Skill Set
View meeting materials here

Quarter 3 Meeting
August 21st at 2:00 PM ET
Topic: Bridging the Gap: Complex Analyses for Decision Making
View meeting materials here

Quarter 4 Meeting
November 13th at 2:00 PM ET
Topic: Data visualization in Philly
Podcast

2023 MEETINGS of Data Interest Group

Quarter 1 Meeting
February 27th at 2:00 PM ET
Topic: 2020 Census: What You Need to Know
View meeting materials here.

Quarter 2 Meeting
May 23rd at 2:00 PM ET
Topic: Bridging the Gap Between Broadband and Transportation
View meeting materials here.

Quarter 3 Meeting
August 24th at 2:00 PM ET
Topic: Big Data and Analytical Tools
View meeting materials here.

Quarter 4 Podcast
Traffic Safety Data with Seth LaJeunesse – listen here.

2023 MEETINGS of GIS & Data Visualization Interest Group

Quarter 1 Meeting
February 27th at 2:00 PM ET
Topic: 2020 Census Data: What You Need to Know
View meeting materials here.

Quarter 2 Meeting
April 24th at 2:00 PM ET
Topic: GHG/Regulatory
View meeting materials here.

Quarter 3 Meeting
July 27th at 2:00 PM ET
Topic: Data Visualization
View meeting materials here.

Quarter 4 Meeting – CANCELED

2022 MEETINGS of Data Interest Group

Quarter 2 Meeting
April 27th at 2:00 PM ET
Topic: Final Census Urban Area Criteria
Format: Coffee Chat

Quarter 3 Meeting
July 27th at 2:00 PM ET
Topic: Data Literacy
Format: Coffee Chat
View meeting materials here.

2022 MEETINGS of GIS & Data Visualization Interest Group

Quarter 1 Meeting
March 30th at 2:00 PM ET
Topic: GIS Infrastructure and Cloud Migration
Format: Coffee Chat
View meeting materials here.

Quarter 2 Meeting
June 29th at 2:00 PM ET
Topic: Census Demographics, Reliability and MOE
Format: Hybrid
View meeting materials here.

Quarter 3 Meeting
September 21st at 2:00 PM ET
Topic: Safe Streets
Format: Hybrid
View meeting materials here.

2021 MEETINGS of GIS & Data Visualization Interest Group

First Quarter Webinar

March 31st at 2:00PM ET

Topic: Communicating Data During COVID-19
View meeting materials here.

Find older Data Interest Group meeting materials here

Find older GIS & Data Visualization Interest Group meeting materials here