Overview

The geospatial goal before a visit is not to predict everything. It is to preload the right questions into the map:

• where access is likely constrained
• where settlements or services cluster
• where crossings or sensitive areas may complicate movement
• which features need on-the-ground verification

When to use

Use this before:

• site reconnaissance
• corridor drive-throughs
• stakeholder meetings in the field
• short deployment windows where offline context matters

Inputs

• current project area or route
• road and track layers
• settlements and amenities
• water crossings and flood context
• protected areas and other obvious constraints
• any local waypoints, GPX files, or planned stop points

Workflow

1. Prepare one clean context map for orientation.
2. Prepare one issue map showing receptors and constraints.
3. Mark candidate stops, crossings, and uncertain segments.
4. Export a lightweight mobile or offline-friendly package.
5. Bring a short annotation template so field findings can be folded back into the GIS later.

Suggested deliverables

• overview map
• daily route or corridor map
• stop list with coordinates
• offline basemap or cached layers where possible
• note sheet keyed to map segment IDs

Field-focused cautions

• Roads shown in OSM may not be passable.
• Small settlements or informal uses may be missing.
• Water features may change seasonally.
• The field team should know which layers are tentative.

Related pages