Buffer Analysis

Buffer analysis is used for identifying areas surrounding geographic features. The process involves generating a buffer around existing geographic features and then identifying or selecting features based on whether they fall inside or outside the boundary of the buffer.

For example, the GIS was used to identify the locations of hazardous chemical storage sites in relation to health care facilities. The purpose of the project was to facilitate the evacuation of the health care facilities in the event of a leak or spill of hazardous materials. The process involved representing each hazardous material storage site on the map as a point. Each point was coded with information that indicated the type of chemical stored, as well as the rate of spread with low and high wind speeds. In the case of a spill, evacuation of each health care facility would be initiated based on its location in relationship to the spread of the chemical.

Other Types of Spatial Analysis