Operation: GIS

Methodology

After careful inspection of human culture and their past encounters of a third kind, we decided upon these criteria for the spatial analysis. Please click on the links for descriptions on the various layers. Click here for the cartographic model that created all these layers.

Constraint layer

1. Appropriate space ship landing area (Within the GVRD area, slope, vegetation cover, police and military presence and water bodies)

			- The area that you can land your forces must have a maximum slope of 5 degrees to facilitate quick and easy landing.
			- The area must be clear of any vegetation, including wooded areas, tree nurseries or peat cuttings.
			- Local authorities were given a 2000 meter buffer that would not allow space ships to land, and would also limit travel paths
			- While British Columbia does not have any major military bases, there are reserve units and these locations were given a 1000 meter buffer for avoidance.
			- You were not given the amphibious space crafts, and as such, you cannot land in water. 

Factors

1. Barn Availability

			- Our research showed that barns provide excellent, temporary shelter for our space crafts. 
			  			We needed to find an area that was abundant in such buildings to provide you with many choices.

2. Human population density

			- 	We wish to land in areas with low human density to limit chances of people spotting us. 


3. Commercial areas
			- We are landing at night, and we have discovered that commercial districts become less populated.
			  Having these areas close to where we land will be useful if we need to access transportation methods.
			  These areas are most preferable because the humans have left the area to their homes.

4. Open areas
			- Similar to the commercial district areas, but not as important because these areas may lack easily accessed resources.

5. Government and Institution areas
			- Landing in governmental areas may be tempting as they are similar to commercial areas, but risky because of the possibility of increased security.

6.  Residential areas
 
			- Your priority is not to land in the residential areas because at night these areas become crowded.
			  These areas were included incase we needed the option of landing in residential areas.