GeoDecisions Assists Gannett Fleming in Implementing GIS for Ustranscom Ports for National Defense

*Photo courtesy of the 842nd Transportation Battalion, 597th Transportation Brigade, Beaumont, Texas, SDDC.*

Commercial seaports throughout the United States serve our communities in a variety of ways, including national defense. Performing dual roles - commercial and national defense - they must stay at the forefront of technology and security measures to be prepared for times of emergency. The United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Surface Deployment & Distribution Command (SDDC) provides responsible, strategic mobility for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).

Gannett Fleming and GeoDecisions continue to support USTRANSCOM’s transformation and evolution through an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract, which was recently re-awarded for the next five years. Our work includes developing and implementing solutions to increase deployment force effectiveness and making programmatic decisions regarding mobility assets and distribution methods. Two key components include seaport assessments and geographic information systems (GIS).

The Importance of Seaport Assessments

Seaport assessments increase national security by providing accurate information for port selection to move military cargo.
*Photo courtesy of the 842nd Transportation Battalion, 597th Transportation Brigade, Beaumont, Texas, SDDC.*

The SDDC’s mission is to provide global surface deployment and distribution services to meet the nation’s objectives. With continuous technological advancements, keeping data and information up to date is important to support mission-critical activities best and allow the best programmatic decisions regarding military assets. The analyses that result from current and accurate data allow SDDC to identify gaps that could prevent the successful completion of military initiatives and, more importantly, implement solutions to eliminate obstacles and mitigate risks.

Types of Seaports

One essential data point is information on U.S. commercial seaports, comprising nearly 90% of total seaports in the U.S. In the case of national defense emergencies, these commercial ports can pivot to support DOD’s mission-critical needs, depending on location, port infrastructure, and other considerations.

Strategic Seaports

Commercial seaports can obtain strategic seaport classification. Becoming a strategic seaport aligns them with the SDDC’s mission to support national security and enhance our nation’s defense capabilities.

Most requirements involve port infrastructure, including security, logistics management, and operational standards. The steps to becoming a strategic seaport include:

Infrastructure updates: cranes, docks, warehouses, and berths to accommodate military cargo and personnel.
Logistics management: tracking and management systems, training programs, and documentation.
Security upgrades: enhanced physical and cybersecurity systems, including surveillance, access control, and cybersecurity measures.
Interoperability: ability to integrate with military systems and logistics requirements.
Emergency preparedness: contingency plans to respond to natural disasters, security breaches, or other emergencies.
Environmental compliance: adherence to local and national environmental regulations.
Legal and regulatory compliance: conform with national and international regulations, including customs, maritime law, and national defense.
Military collaboration: strong relationships, regular communication, and general collaboration to handle military operations.

Seaport Assessments

USTRANSCOM and SDDC complete thorough port assessments to facilitate the best decisions. These assessments provide updated information that helps accomplish their mission, such as strategic planning, logistics, security, infrastructure integrity, and interoperability.

Assessments are conducted following a five-step process:

Stakeholder information: meet with stakeholders to gather information, perform field investigations, and collect data.
Seaport operations simulations: simulate seaport operations relative to DOD cargo and produce throughput estimates.
Professional recommendations: provide professional recommendations.
Port infrastructure: provide geospatial vector information on port infrastructure.
Reports and guidelines: prepare reports.

A five-step process chart that outlines the steps to complete a seaport assessment.

Gathering information from the seaport stakeholders includes a series of meetings, coordination, and follow-up with:

Rail companies.
Stevedores.
Longshoremen.

Port authorities.
SDDC transportation battalions.
The U.S. Coast Guard.

The best way to collect data is to visit the seaport, upload GIS data via mobile using Esri® platforms such as ArcGIS Field Maps, and take digital photographs to improve GIS activities.

Ports for National Defense

Ports for National Defense (PND) supports USTRANSCOM and national defense initiatives. To best respond to national security threats, they need real-time data visualizations to understand berth availability, transportation access and unloading infrastructure, and laydown and warehouse storage areas.

PND is responsible for optimizing routes to the port locations, including rail and roadways, using route optimization tools to increase planning efficiency. These tools allow decision-makers to consider rail analysis, road route dependability/efficiency, port security, and seaport dissemination to achieve this objective.

GIS Technology Provides Insights

GIS augments port assessment data with location data to help highlight insights.
*Photo courtesy of the 842nd Transportation Battalion, 597th Transportation Brigade, Beaumont, Texas, SDDC.*

By leveraging the power of spatial and location data, GIS technology provides powerful insights and plays a critical role in seaport and risk assessments. GIS technology allows spatial analysis, data integration, real-time monitoring, predictive modeling, and trend identification.

Data visualization: incorporate geographic data on a map to see location and data interaction.
Spatial relationship analysis: classify hotspots, proximity between features, and physical identification.
Patterns and trends identification: identify patterns and trends over time, understand spatial patterns and interrelationships, and guide planning and decision-making.
Predictive modeling: create futurecasting models using existing data, forecast trends, identify potential issues or conflicts, and perform scenario planning.
Data integration: combine disparate data sources and types to provide a single, comprehensive view.
Decision-making support: visually represents complex data, identifies decision impacts, and makes more informed decisions.
Real-time data processing: incorporate real-time data sources.

GIS Technology

Introducing location data into decision-making processes allows USTRANSCOM to make well-informed decisions about the best way to transfer military cargo. Specific GIS maps and data points include:

Port infrastructure.
On-port seaport features.
Off-port seaport features.

Additionally, capturing attributes such as berth size, crane availability, ingress/egress, warehouse storage, and laydown areas helps develop more detailed, accurate analyses.

GIS Software Programs

Esri is the global market leader in GIS software, location intelligence, and mapping technology. With its pioneering commitment to geospatial technology and analytics, Esri engineers the most innovative solutions that leverage a geographic approach to solving complex problems by placing them in the crucial context of location. Critical Esri GIS applications for port assessments are built on Esri ArcGIS Pro, Esri ArcGIS Enterprise Portal, Esri Spatial Database Engine, and Esri ArcGIS Earth.

Seaport Assessments and Geographic Information Systems

Combining the data collected from seaport assessments with available GIS data, military planners can further lean into GIS technology with predictive models, simulations, and systems support.

Models and Simulations

In addition to standard GIS technology, USTRANSCOM also uses Analysis of Mobility Platform (AMP), Seaport Simulation Tool (SST), and Seaport Throughput Tool (STT) computer systems for simulations. These simulations help determine the best locations and routes for mobilizing military cargo and personnel. The simulations run models based on seaport infrastructure, including railway proximity, security and gate locations, roadway infrastructure, and storage laydown areas. Additionally, the models can be used to complete throughput analyses.

Seaport assessments and GIS technology result in increased national security and more efficient deployment processes. Learn more about our work with USTRANSCOM in our project profile.

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How to Use GIS for Seaport Assessments