Inspector Gadget – Mobile data collection for plant
biosecurity
Dr Andrew Crowe Fera
York, UK
UK Plant Health
• Decision Makers – Plant Health Officers - Identify new and emerging risks - Develop biosecurity strategy - Gather evidence and commission research
• First Line of Defence - Plant Health Inspectors (PHSI) - Inspections at ports/airports - Regular field inspections - Plant passports for exporters - Survey/Destruction of Notifiable Pests/Diseases
Risks to UK Plant Health
• UK Plant Health Risk Register • 742 Plant pest/disease risks identified
Key Pests/Diseases • Phytopthora sp. • Emerald Ash Borer • Potato Ring Rot • Ash Die Back • Asian Longhorn Beetle • Pine/Oak Processionary Moth
Manual Data Collection Workflow
OFFICE • Print out paper
maps/supporting info
FIELD Manually record: • Inspection data • Photo numbers • Location
- GPS coordinates - grid references - field names
OFFICE • Re-record
inspection data into eDomero
• Download photo files
• Record/plot coordinates
• Method is inefficient, repetitive and prone to error
PHSI monitor plant health in England and Wales against pests and disease
Mobile Inspection Data Capture Pilot
Aims: • Identify mobile GIS capabilities of software already
available to the organisation
• Minimise need for new systems and bespoke development
• Mobile data model based on the current recording system for inspection data
Mobile GIS Software
Windows Mobile • Trimble Juno GPS
• ArcGIS For Windows Mobile
iOS • IPad
• Collector for ArcGIS
Web browser • IPad/Android Tablet
• GeoForm
• Use existing Esri software available to PHSI/Fera under our Enterprise Licence Agreement with Esri
Mobile GIS Hardware
• Trimble Juno T41 XG - 1-2 meter real time accuracy - 3G/WiFi enabled - ~£1500 (~$2300) - Windows Mobile 6.5
• iPads • approx. 5-10 meter real time accuracy • 3G/WiFi enabled • ~£400 (~$630)
Developing a Mobile Solution
• Database model consistent with fields from current electronic recording system
• Use of subtypes and domains to ensure data integrity and
efficient collection out in the field
• Subtypes and domain coded values identical to those used in the electronic recording system
• Mandatory fields to ensure validity of collected records
Mobile Data Model
Current electronic recording system
Database model Inspection Type domain example
Serving out the Data Model
ArcMap/ ArcCatalog
ArcSDE ArcGIS for
Server ArcGIS for Windows Mobile on Trimble
Cellular and wireless
connection
ArcGIS Online
Collector for ArcGIS
and GeoForm on iPad
Firewall
ArcGIS For Windows Mobile
Collector for ArcGIS
GeoForm
Findings and future work
• Data model was able to collect data in a format compatible with the current electronic recording system
• Range of software options available allows users to select what’s right for them
• Trimble GPS devices provided suitable accuracies to monitor plant health pest and disease outbreaks
• iPads GPS accuracy varied - Look to investigate use with external GPS receivers
Benefits of using mobile GIS for Inspectors
• Improves efficiency and accuracy of field operations
• Provides rapid data collection and real time mapping
• Replaces paper-based workflows and duplicate recording
• Take information in and out of the field
Web Mapping to Support Plant Health Policy
• Advantages of webmaps - People love maps - Interactive interrogation of data - Updated with current information
• Requirements for government - Data must be valid - Must adhere to data protection guidelines
Chalara fraxinea interactive webmap
Mapping Plant Health Risks from Imports
• Aim - To make more use of data stored on inspections
• Objectives
- Map the origin of imports which have been found to have a pest or disease
- Display trends in risk from interceptions
- Link to other sources of plant health information
UK Risk Map of Interceptions
Webmap Attachments
Country Interception Trend Chart
Interception list (links to Risk Register Website)
Acknowledgements
• Mobile Data - Lee Butler (Fera) - Peter Scotting (PHSI)
• Web Mapping - Sharon Elcock (Fera) - Rob Lake (Fera)