2026 Big Sky GeoCon - From Data to Design

This presentation demonstrates how large geospatial datasets can be transformed into practical, accessible tools for infrastructure management. Leveraging satellite, airborne, unmanned, terrestrial, and mobile lidar; multispectral and hyperspectral imagery; 3D scanning; and advanced GIS analytics, the session outlines workflows for converting raw spatial data into usable products. Case studies highlight mobile lidar–based gravel road condition assessments, AI-driven impervious surface classification, and 3D web scene visualization built from publicly available lidar. Emphasis is placed on automation, semantic segmentation, data reduction, and streamlined delivery formats that support capital improvement planning, engineering design, infrastructure management, and emergency response. Leveraging advances in web-optimized data formats, 3D visualization, web-based GIS mapping applications, GeoAI, workflow automations, this presentation demonstrates how complex datasets can be distilled and shared across departments and with the public to improve transparency and decision-making. Together, these integrated technologies provide scalable, cost-effective solutions for modern infrastructure management under operational and budget constraints.