ArcGIS Software Scores with Super Bowl Security

02 March 2009, 9:54am

Redlands, California — March 2, 2009 — ESRI's ArcGIS software provided a complete geospatial enterprise for Super Bowl XLIII risk management. ArcGIS software was integrated with Digital Sandbox, Inc., Risk Analysis Center software, a primary security information system that linked more than 10 command posts and the emergency command center with real-time data feeds and analysis.

The two systems worked seamlessly to supply staff from multiple agencies with a map-based common operating picture (COP) for monitoring events on the ground as they happened. It helped provide security for tens of thousands of people participating in dozens of events, occurring over several days before, during, and after the Super Bowl, held February 1, 2009, in Tampa, Florida.

"The ability to integrate GIS [geographic information systems] with our risk management solution supplied a unique situational awareness capability," says Anthony F. Beverina, president and cofounder, Digital Sandbox. "Instead of pockets of knowledge or separate information flows, there was one complete framework benefiting the many different agencies managing security. The speed of information capture and exchange was many times faster than what was previously available."

Digital Sandbox began working with the Tampa, Florida, Police Department, already a Digital Sandbox customer, nearly a year in advance to deploy its Risk Management Center for the 2009 Super Bowl. The department was the lead agency coordinating local, state, and federal organizations.

ArcGIS, including ArcGIS Server, was integrated with the Digital Sandbox Risk Analysis Center software to provide a readiness capability for responding to all types of emergencies. Incident commanders, analysts, emergency managers, and first responders all benefited from the enterprise GIS platform.

The Risk Analysis Center provides access to industry-leading Site Profiler technology; secure, compartmentalized data storage; constantly updated homeland security information to supplement existing local data; and Digital Sandbox customer service risk analysts to interpret results and provide reports on a 24/7 basis.

Event commanders and analysts used ArcGIS to fuse complex, disparate datasets and operational data with geospatial layers. The software facilitated collaboration and communication across multiple organizations through a Web-enabled browser and Web mapping services. Users published digital maps and delivered geoprocessing for a number of decision support functions.

ArcGIS also supplied a real-time map view of events. Police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) calls for service could be observed as they occurred on the map with related tabular information available in a text-based dialog box. Locations of critical assets, points of interest, hospitals, fire stations, traffic advisories, and more, were all available. If an emergency occurred, managers could see its location instantly and deploy resources and staff. They could monitor responders and give and receive information in real time. Staff in the Tampa area also had open lines of communication to federal resources located outside the state. Staff working in the field could access the COP using laptop computers, mobile phones, or any other device with Internet capabilities.

Whether they were tracking an NFL alumni dinner or NFL player awards ceremony, viewing congested traffic, or assessing multiple arrests in close proximity, staff had constant information and communication to maintain their mission of providing a safe, secure environment for fans and employees alike.

ESRI

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