Vector Analysis
Intermediate GIS
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Competency 1
Competency 2
Vector
Analysis
Competency 3
Competency 4
Competency 2. Vector Analysis
Competency 2. Vector Analysis
Create, analyze, and present vector GIS data.
Begin this competency by expanding a Topic section to view its contents. For each topic, you will complete the following:
Learn about the topic by listening to and watching the lecture video.
Apply your knowledge and skills by completing the demos and project summary tasks.
Assess your comprehension by completing the quiz.
Scroll to the bottom of this page and expand the competency-level project to access the project statement of work (SOW) with summary tasks, tasks, and step-by-step instructions along with accompanying project videos.
Topic 2.1. Vector Proximity Analysis
Topic 2.1. Vector Proximity Analysis
Create accurate vector GIS data through proximity analysis.
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
2.1.1. Differentiate between geodesic and planar measurements
2.1.2. Measure feature geometry and classify by attribute
2.1.3. Describe different vector proximity spatial relationships
2.1.4. List and describe different vector proximity geoprocessing tools
2.1.5. Explain what the geoprocessing framework is
2.1.6. Use vector proximity tools to perform a site selection analysis
Watch the lecture, step through the demo, take the quiz, and complete the project task(s):
Watch the lecture, step through the demo, take the quiz, and complete the project task(s):
Lecture Videos: C2T1PC1, C2T1PC2, C2T1PC3, C2T1PC4, C2T1PC5, C2T1PC6
Project: Starbase Impact Assessment Summary Tasks 1-2
References
References
Barton Willmore. GIS Site Selection Video. 12 Feb. 2016.
Correction: North Korea's missiles. The Economist. 3 May. 2003.
Distance. Wikipedia. 11 Aug. 2024.
The Language of Spatial Analysis. ESRI. 2013.
An Overview of the Proximity Toolset. ArcGIS Pro Help. 9 Apr. 2024.
Introduction to Geoprocessing. ArcGIS Pro Help. 16 Apr. 2024.
Anatomy of a tool reference page. ArcGIS Pro Help. 7 Apr. 2024.
Site selection. Wikipedia. 15 Aug. 2024.
Topic 2.2. Vector Overlay Analysis
Topic 2.2. Vector Overlay Analysis
Create accurate vector GIS data through overlay analysis.
By the end of this topic you should be able to:
By the end of this topic you should be able to:
2.1.1. Differentiate between geodesic and planar measurements
2.1.2. Measure feature geometry and classify by attribute
2.1.3. Describe different vector proximity spatial relationships
2.1.4. List and describe different vector proximity geoprocessing tools
2.1.5. Explain what the geoprocessing framework is
2.1.6. Use vector proximity tools to perform a site selection analysis
Watch the lecture, step through the demo, take the quiz, and complete the project task(s):
Watch the lecture, step through the demo, take the quiz, and complete the project task(s):
Quiz: Vector Overlay Analysis
Project: Starbase Impact Assessment Summary Tasks 3-4
References:
References:
Vector overlay. Wikipedia. 5 Sep. 2022.
Select By Location graphic examples. ArcGIS Pro Help. 16 Apr. 2024.
An overview of the Overlay toolset. ArcGIS Pro Help. 9 Apr. 2024.
An overview of the Pairwise Overlay toolset. ArcGIS Pro Help. 9 Apr. 2024.
Partidário, Maria. Impact Assessment. Apr. 2012.
Environmental impact assessment. Wikipedia. 20 Aug. 2024.
Topic 2.3. Vector Network Analysis
Topic 2.3. Vector Network Analysis
Create accurate vector GIS data through network analysis.
By the end of this topic you should be able to:
By the end of this topic you should be able to:
2.3.1. Identify basic network structure elements
2.3.2. Distinguish between a topological, directed, and undirected network
2.3.3. Explain the difference between topological, transportation, and utility networks
2.3.4. Describe how to create and analyze a trace network
2.3.5. Create and analyze a trace network
Watch the lecture, step through the demo, take the quiz, and complete the project task(s):
Watch the lecture, step through the demo, take the quiz, and complete the project task(s):
Quiz: Vector Network Analysis
Project: Starbase Impact Assessment Summary Tasks 5-8
References:
References:
Graph theory. Wikipedia. 30 Aug. 2024.
Joshi, Vaidehi. A Gentle Introduction to Graph Theory. Medium. 20 Mar. 2017.
Network elements. ArcGIS Pro Help. 18 Apr. 2024.
Connectivity. ArcGIS Pro Help. 18 Apr. 2024.
Topology in ArcGIS. ArcGIS Pro Help. 18 Apr. 2024.
What is a network dataset? ArcGIS Pro Help. 18 Apr. 2024.
What is a utility network? ArcGIS Pro Help. 9 Apr. 2024.
What is a trace network? ArcGIS Pro Help. 9 Apr. 2024.
Use a custom geoprocessing tool. ArcGIS Pro Help. 16 Apr. 2024.
Project 2. Starbase Impact Assessment
Project 2. Starbase Impact Assessment
Students will use GIS to perform an impact assessment for the SpaceX Starbase expansion at Boca Chica.
The race to privatize space is on and companies like Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, and SpaceX are leading the charge. Where will they launch our next generation of spaceships? Like ships and airplanes, spaceships need a port from which to depart and return from their voyages. The Texas Governor’s Office is promoting Texas as the location for multiple spaceports to support both sub-orbital and orbital launches. Blue Origin and SpaceX have already developed spacecraft testing facilities in Texas. Blue Origin’s facility is in West Texas; and SpaceX’s facility is at Boca Chica - between South Padre Island and the mouth of the Rio Grande along the Gulf of Mexico. SpaceX is expanding their South Texas spaceport to launch cargo, astronauts, and possibly tourists into space. SpaceX recently submitted an Environmental Assessment to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requesting permission to expand the number of annual launches to 25 (and landings to 50). Can Starbase be expanded without impacting the surrounding physical and natural environment?
Step through the SOW, download the data, watch the videos, and complete the project deliverables:
Step through the SOW, download the data, watch the videos, and complete the project deliverables:
Statement of Work: Starbase_Impact_Assessment_Project_SOW.pdf
Source Data: Starbase_Source_Data.zip
Project Videos: C2P2ST1, C2P2ST2, C2P2ST3, C2P2ST4, C2P2ST5-7
ACC GISC 2420 Intermediate GIS Course © 2026 by Sean Moran, GISP is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International. You are free to share (i.e. copy and redistribute) the material the material in any medium or format with attribution to Sean Moran, GISP and Austin Community College.
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