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quite large, because when a project first starts, either one of these tools take only a few minutes to run. During the busy part of the year for planning proj- ects, the Monroe County GIS staff can run and return most requests in less than an hour, even while working with other projects. Overall, the quick analysis allows for surveyors to focus on areas that LIDAR doesn't measure well, such as tree cover and underwater. These trouble spots limit LIDAR's ability to fully reduce the need for all ground survey, but it does allow for a more-focused study area, reducing a project's overall planning costs. Now that these projects have been completed, work has begun on new projects. The latest uses LIDAR data to look at extending shoulders as part of a major road repair, particularly cut-and-fill analysis along the road. Other projects in the works use LIDAR and survey-grade GPS equipment to estimate volumes of compost and road millings at a few sites throughout the county. Another project is flooding, which initiated LIDAR use in the first place. FEMA's map set is complete, and new projects are taking flood analysis further. The LIDAR data, in conjunction with a few models and stream gauges, are being used to create intermediate flood levels. Emergency managers use these models in preplanning actual responses during a flood. Figure 3. Transects are color coded based on elevations extracted from LIDAR data. The inset shows the model for the steps taken. Justin D. Cole is the senior GIS analyst, Monroe County Department of Environmental Services, GIS Division; e-mail: JCole@monroecounty.gov. HAS GONE MOBILE! Now you can access all the latest news and events anywhere, anytime. www.GeoPlace.com/mobile Imagery/LIDAR Special Issue GEO mobile_ad_HP.indd 1 JANUAR Y 2O12 / WWW . GEOPLA CE . COM 1/19/2012 1:59:05 PM 17