Table of Contents
Why go beyond Points?
Lines are perfect for capturing linear features like utilities, roads, or routes.
Think about it: a single point can't show you the full length of a water main, the path of a walking trail, or telecommunication lines connecting to poles. With lines, you can easily visualize these features, automatically measure their lengths, and even track status connectivity for things like shutoff valves or network routing. This helps answer crucial questions about how things are connected and where they go.
In the example above, you can see where the wastewater pipes are located. Each one is associated with a color and a corresponding status so you know which ones have been inspected, and which locations need to be revisited by your field team.
Polygons are ideal for defining areas or boundaries.
A single point can't tell you the size of a property, the extent of a crop field, or the exact dimensions of a construction zone. Polygons let you accurately outline these areas, automatically calculate their size, and even act as a "containment zone" for queries. Imagine being able to quickly pinpoint exactly where hazards occur within a site, or know precisely when a contractor enters a defined work zone.
A single dot on a map can't tell you how big a property is, how much land a farmer is growing crops on, or the exact measurements of a construction site. But polygons—which are like shapes you draw—let you perfectly outline these areas. They can even automatically figure out the size of that area for you.
In this example, you're viewing a parcel map that gives you a detailed look at a specific piece of land, showing its boundaries, size, and any survey status. Having accurate parcel information is important so team members in the office can check to make sure they are viewing updated and accurate information. This makes them an indispensable tool for anyone involved with land, from property owners to real estate professionals and developers.
What Additional Insights Do You Get?
When you use lines and polygons, you gain valuable insights that points just can't provide:
Measurement: Automatically calculate lengths (of roads, pipes, fences) or areas (of properties, damaged zones, fields).
Connectivity & Flow: Understand how different features are linked (e.g., a network of trails, connected pipes)
Coverage & Extent: Clearly see the full scope of a feature or issue (e.g., the exact area of a chemical spill, the full length of a defect).
Spatial Relationships: Analyze how features relate to their surroundings (e.g., is a damaged area within a flood zone?).
Resource Allocation: Better plan resources based on the measured extent of work required (e.g., how much fencing material is needed).
Select 'Quick View' on any of your current records that are using lines or polygons to see information like perimeter, area, or distance.
10 Examples of Things You Could Capture with Lines and Polygons & the Additional Insights Gained:
Here are 10 examples of how lines and polygons can be used in Fulcrum, highlighting the added insights they provide over simple points:
Inspecting Roads and Pavement:
Capture: Lines for road segments or specific cracks; Polygons for areas of significant pavement degradation.
Insight: Get precise crack lengths or damaged area dimensions, crucial for repair cost estimates and prioritizing work.
Environmental Spill Documentation:
Capture: Polygon for the exact perimeter of a spill or contaminated area.
Insight: Provides the exact spill area, essential for containment planning, cleanup costs, and tracking changes over time.
Utility Line Inspections (Water, Sewer, Electrical):
Capture: Lines for the route of underground pipelines or cables.
Insight: Maps the precise path of utilities, vital for maintenance, repairs, and future planning. Calculate lengths for asset inventory.
Property or Land Parcel Surveys:
Capture: Polygon for the exact boundary of a property or a specific zone within it.
Insight: Provides accurate acreage, clearly defines boundaries, and aids in zoning compliance or development planning.
Agricultural Field Scouting:
Capture: Polygon for an area within a field affected by disease, pests, or nutrient deficiency.
Insight: Allows for precise measurement of affected areas, enabling targeted treatments, efficient resource use, and better yield forecasting.
Fence or Barrier Condition Assessments:
Capture: Lines for the length and location of a fence line or barrier.
Insight: Quantifies the total length of fencing needing maintenance or replacement and identifies specific damaged sections.
Building Footprint or Floor Plan Mapping:
Capture: Polygon for the footprint of a building or the outline of rooms.
Insight: Provides total square footage of buildings or rooms, crucial for space planning and damage assessment.
Pipeline Corrosion or Damage Mapping:
Capture: Line for a pipeline segment exhibiting corrosion or multiple defects.
Insight: Shows the linear extent of corrosion, allowing for more precise repair planning than just marking individual points.
Forestry or Vegetation Management:
Capture: Polygon for an area of invasive species, a clear-cut zone, or a specific tree stand.
Insight: Measures the exact area of infestation or harvest, critical for managing resources and tracking environmental impact.
Emergency Response and Incident Mapping:
Capture: Polygon for the perimeter of an incident scene; Lines for emergency vehicle routes or hazardous plumes.
Insight: Clearly defines no-go zones or operational areas, vital for safety and coordinated response. Provides a record of movement and spread for analysis.
By incorporating lines and polygons into your Fulcrum workflows, you're building a comprehensive spatial understanding of your assets and observations, leading to more informed decisions and efficient operations!
For more information on how to set up and begin creating Lines and Polygons, see How to Create Lines and Polygons in the Web App.