Local authorities in Ireland were managing their spatial datasets independently, creating overhead for data requests and integration. A pilot project proposed using FME Server to create a shared local government spatial data infrastructure. This would involve standardizing datasets through transformation and validation on the server. It would provide a single access point for local authority data, reduce overhead, and support data sharing and compliance with INSPIRE directives. The process would involve local authorities uploading data, validation and loading to a PostGIS database, transformation, and delivering data through services and downloads.

1. FME World Tour 2014
Local Government: FME Server Pilot Project
A Local Government GIS User Group Initiative
Barry Doyle: Roscommon County Council
Jon Hawkins: Waterford City Council

2. The Problem
• Lots of people looking to get their hands on LA
datasets with the aim of using these within their own
systems and apps, integrating these with their own
datasets, and in building national views, but....
• 34 independent Local Authorities *
• Not all LA’s create and store the same spatial datasets,
in accordance with the same schemas, to the same
quality standards, in the same formats
• Large overhead on LA in processing data requests.
10th April 2014

3. The Solution
• A Local Government Spatial Data
Infrastructure (LGSDI)
• More than a data warehouse it is a framework
of geographic data, metadata, users and tools
• Based on the application of standards
• Enables data to be discovered, accessed, and
used in an efficient manner
• Promotes data access and use
10th April 2014

4. The Question
• Will FME Server, implemented as a shared LA
service, provide the technical architecture
required to support:
– Multiple source data format reconciliation,
integration, and storage
– Transformation of source data to structured
schemas
– Data validation
– Data management and distribution
10th April 2014

5. Local Authority Spatial Datasets
• Approximately 80 spatial datasets created by LA’s
though this varies and number continues to grow
• Approximately 20 – 30 can be described as Core
• Some required under Legislation (Development
Plans, Road Schedule, etc.)
• 50% created by less than 10 LA’s
• 40% of datasets created are identified as being
shared with or required by Public Agencies
• 40% of datasets created are identified as being
shared with the Public
10th April 2014

6. Who is looking for LA Spatially Referenced Data
Other Local Authorities
10th April 2014

7. ..and what do they want? (Sample set)
INSPIRE MyPlan LocalGov.ie Irish Water EPA Heritage
Council
DAHG
Road Schedule
Local Authority Bridges
Record of Protected Structures
Tree Preservation Orders
Land Use Zoning
High amenity area
Landscape Character Areas
Parks & Open Spaces
Quarries
Scenic Views and Routes
Waste Permits
Landfill Sites
Burial Grounds
Fire Stations
Public Lighting
Waste Water Network
Water Network
Architectural Conservation Areas
Water monitoring stations – investigative
Bathing sites
Water abstraction facilities
Industrial sites - Section 4 and section 16 licenses
Habitat
Mines
Planning Register
Planning Enforcements
Libraries
Polling Stations
Recycling facilities
10th April 2014

8. Local Authority 1
Agency 1
Local Authority 2 Local Authority 3
Metadata
Transform
Validate
Agency 2 Agency 3
Transform
Validate
Merge
Current Situation
10th April 2014

9. Local Authority 1 Local Authority 2 Local Authority N
Metadata
Transform
To LG Schema
Validate
Spatial Data
HubMetadata
Transform to
LG Schema
Validate
Merge
Discovery
View
Download
Sectoral Data Warehouse
Data Download Web Services
10th April 2014

10. Benefits
• Single point of access to LA data
• Single version of data
• Standardised data
• Quality of data
• Supports data sharing and re-use
• Automation
• Reduced overhead on LA in dealing with data requests
• Reduced overhead on agencies gathering, processing,
and integrating datasets
• Supports compliance with INSPIRE requirements
10th April 2014

11. How we hope to make it work
Step 1: Get / receive the data
Local
Authority
Option A: Utilise Existing Desktop Licences to push [post] data
Workspace on server
Waiting for data
Local workspace that can be run manually or by using a bat file and
windows scheduled task
No issues with firewalls or need for setting up FTP rules or fixed IP’s

12. Step 1: Get / receive the data
Local
Authority
Option B: Reference datasets directly
Local
Authority
Option C: Email with attachment
Output of Step 1: Data

13. Step 2: Validate and load Scheduled workspaces
Valid Yes
No
PostGIS
Load, Merge and
TimeStamp
Generate
Error
Report.htm
Daily
Periodically
Workspaces to check data is current,
by using testers that check the last
upload date was within agreed limits

14. Step 3: Transform, manipulate, enhance and present
Downloads
REST Services
Notifications
Present and deliver how the data is needed
Define and set standards
Web Services
Self-serve
Distribute

15. Other things we hope to do
Utility Data
Current Situation: Separate contracts with separate Local Authorities
Local
Authority
Local
Authority
Local
Authority
Hope to investigate: One central contract