2011 URISA Student Competition Results
The 2011 URISA Student Competition was organized by Paper and Poster categories. The recognized winners are detailed below. Congratulations to all participants!
Student Paper Awards
Evaluation Criteria:
- Demonstration of expertise and understanding of geographic information science, spatial technologies and their application.
- Explanation of how the paper contributes to a larger body of work in the field
- Demonstration of innovative approach and critical thinking
- Quality of writing and presentation of the material
First Place Paper
Estimating Phosphorous Potential from Non-Point Source Pollution to Determine High-Risk Areas in the Missisquoi Watershed: A comparison of the Endreny and Wood and Sivertun and Prange Models
- Submitted by: Taylor Riso, Lewis and Clark College
ABSTRACT: This paper describes a raster-based comparison of the Endreny and Wood (2003) and Sivertun and Prange (2003) models for estimating the amount of phosphorous loading from non-point sources. Endreny and Wood use an unweighted and weighted export coefficient model in which the weighted model accounts for topography and buffers. The Sivertun and Prange model characterizes loading by ranking soil, slope, watercourse, and land use variables. Both models were used in the Missisquoi watershed of northwestern Vermont to predict areas of high risk for phosphorous loading. The results of this paper should be compared with actual phosphorous loading in the Missisquoi watershed to determine their accuracy.
Second Place Paper
Spatial Analysis of US Ethanol Production Infrastructure Vulnerability to Flooding
- Submitted by: Yingying Chen and Nicholas Cuba, Clark University
ABSTRACT: Early-growing season, long duration floods are harmful to the cultivation of maize, the source of 80% of the US bioethanol fuel. Due to the centrality of this industry to US government efforts to bolster domestic energy production, Midwest flooding has implications for US energy production. This paper uses spatial statistics to characterize the spatial distribution of ethanol plants relative to maize production in twelve Midwestern US states which account for approximately 90% of US corn production. County-based territories are delineated for each of the 176 plants in these states, and the total maize production and average annual production are summed for each plant. Multi-decadal flooding data from the Dartmouth Flood Observatory (1982-2007) are used in conjunction with data from the US Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistical Service to derive flood risk levels for each plant, and for total production capacity in the region.
Third Place Paper
Minimizing Transportation Costs with Location-Allocation Analysis: An Application to Recycling
- Submitted by: Laura Reading, University of Southern Maine and University of Michigan
ABSTRACT: Ecomaine, a regional non-profit waste management company in Portland, Maine, sought to reduce transportation costs to member communities that transport recycling in 30 square yard collection roll-off containers (known as “silver bullets”) to the Ecomaine recycling facility. This study objective was to minimize transportation costs by identifying the minimum number of consolidation locations to serve all silver bullets in fewer than twenty miles and the minimum number of locations to serve all silver bullets in fewer than thirty miles using the location-allocation analysis tool in GIS. The economic benefits of using the new consolidation locations were calculated by determining the net cost savings based on the reduction in distance traveled. The environmental benefits were also calculated by determining the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions based on the reduction in distance traveled.
Student Poster Awards
Evaluation Criteria:
- Must convey a clear theme.
- Process or “storyboard” posters are especially encouraged.
- Includes an appropriate title, descriptive legend, sources and dates.
- Do the components of the poster work in harmony?
- Is the cartography attractive and does it adhere to good cartographic principles?
- Does the poster demonstrate technical understanding of the subject matter?
- Does the poster adhere to the overall size requirements? (Note the maximum submission size of 36" x 48”)
- Can a layperson understand the problem at hand and possible solutions from viewing the poster without any further discussion or explanation?
- Does the poster share the technical understanding of the “problem”?
- Overall impression of the poster.
Winning Poster Submission:
- Mapping and Monitoring Storm Drain Outfalls on the Raritan River
Scott Jablonski and Nicola Mammes, Rutgers University
Honorable Mentions:
- Community Gardens, Food Deserts and Vacant Lots - Chicago's Opportunity
John Owens, Chicago State University
- Considering Public Art Within the Context of Urban Revitalization and Redevelopment
Rebecca Davoudian and Nicola Mammes, Rutgers University
- Using R to Produce Maps for Google's My Maps
Erin Hodgess, University of Houston - Downtown
