Ever want to do a non-bias analysis to determine suitability? Well here’s a tutorial on how to do it.
Disclaimer: My perspective of non-bias is using well-researched numbers. In this tutorial, the numbers are not researched and are just automatically assigned for simplicity. I’ll leave the weighting research to you!
So let me start by introducing what my objective in this video. I wanted to determine a suitability residential location on the basis of access to ambulance an fire stations (in case of emergency). I wanted to identify bikeways because there’s a growing trend to go to bikes because of the traffic jams and constructions on the LRT transit system. I also wanted to find something close to parks because in a city core, parks are very relaxing.
For your convenience, here is a link of the datasets that were used at the time of the video (note the links may be updated). If the links are broken, help me out and place a link in the comment section for other users please (and thank you!).
Ambulance station: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=93f91c98d2b6d310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=1a66e03bb8d1e310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD
Bikeways: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=9ecd5f9cd70bb210VgnVCM1000003dd60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=1a66e03bb8d1e310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD
Fire Stations: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=373ef5f39ad5e210VgnVCM1000003dd60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=1a66e03bb8d1e310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD
Parks: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=da6389fe9c18b210VgnVCM1000003dd60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=1a66e03bb8d1e310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD
So in the first part of this 5-part series, I start of with showing how to download the datasets. When you are downloading the datasets, it is important to get a copy of the metadata so when you do your report or school project, you have access to all the details on the datasets. Typically these datasets will update occasionally.
After downloading the datasets, you want to make sure your projection is set to UTM. In this Part 2, we do the projection correction. If you’re new to correction projections, I have a number of videos that actual explain projections using a Batch Correction from WGS 1984 to UTM NAD 1983 Zone 17 and a Reporjection WGS 1984 to UTM NAD Zone 17 with Geographic Transformation Basics. Feel free to check these tutorials out.
You’ll notice in Part 3, we apply the Euclid Distance function and we’ve also reclassified the datasets. Notice how we are suddenly working with raster datasets.
In Part 4, after reclassifying your datasets, its time to Raster Calculate!
In Part 5, we end the tutorial with a bit of post-processing. Please remember, there are a number of ways to post-process your output. This is just one way.
If you’re looking for more information on suitability analysis, there are a number of online and print material you can use. Here are some:
TeachuGIS 