Infrastructure Outage GIS Track
Infrastructure disruptions require fast coordination across distributed teams. GIS helps create a shared operational picture showing where problems exist, which assets are affected, and how restoration resources can move safely and efficiently.
In this scenario, you will create a workspace representing an active infrastructure outage. Your role is supporting operational coordination by organizing geographic data into layers that help teams understand impact, priorities, and progress.
Scenario overview
A severe windstorm has caused widespread infrastructure disruption across a mixed urban and suburban region. Multiple service areas are affected.
- Incident Name: North Sound Service Disruption
- Cause: wind damage to distribution infrastructure
- Operational period: 0700 – 1900
- Affected systems: power distribution, telecom support infrastructure
- Priority: restore service to critical facilities
The workspace will support planning, field operations, and coordination between teams.
Step 1 — Create the operational workspace
Step 2 — Add affected service areas
Add polygons representing areas currently experiencing service disruption.
- Confirmed outage area
- Partial service area
- Inspection pending area
Step 3 — Add infrastructure assets
Add point features representing critical infrastructure.
- substations
- distribution nodes
- communications towers
- hospitals
- water treatment facilities
Step 4 — Add crew movement routes
Add LineString features representing inspection and repair routes.
- crew access routes
- equipment delivery routes
- restricted access segments
Step 5 — Integrate external updates
Some operational data may be updated through APIs or automated feeds.
- weather updates
- road closure data
- sensor alerts
- status updates from field crews
Step 6 — Prioritize restoration
Add attributes indicating restoration priority.
- critical infrastructure first
- population impact
- repair complexity
Step 7 — Update the workspace
As repairs progress, update layer properties.
- status changes from pending to in-progress
- completed repairs
- new inspection findings
Workspaces reflect evolving operational understanding.
Step 8 — Support coordination
The workspace now helps teams understand:
- where outages exist
- which infrastructure is affected
- how crews are moving
- what progress has been made
Connection to Atlasemoji concepts
- workspaces organize operational data
- Layers separate operational meaning
- geometry communicates situation
- structured data supports APIs