idea Create Buffer/Geofence Around Points in Field Maps in ArcGIS Field Maps Ideas

Create Buffer/Geofence Around Points in Field Maps

GISJess — Thu, 25 May 2023 03:39:47 GMT

It would be great to have a feature that would create a buffer around survey points in Field Maps. Or if not a buffer layer, maybe have geofencing for points that will alert our field biologists when they hit within a certain distance of a point.

Ex: For biological surveys, our client has asked if we find our target species, to not survey anywhere within .5km radius of that point.

Right now, the only work around I have found is to pull the data into ArcGIS Pro, and create the buffer after each survey day.

Re: Create Buffer/Geofence Around Points in Field Maps

LindsayRaabe_FPCWA — Thu, 25 May 2023 03:55:41 GMT

Keep an eye out for updates on the geofencing capabilities in Field Maps. Currently it only accepts polygons, but they're working towards including point features which sounds like it would suit your needs.

Get Started with Geofences in ArcGIS Field Maps (esri.com)

Re: Create Buffer/Geofence Around Points in Field Maps

JustinColville — Thu, 25 May 2023 16:36:46 GMT

Support for geofences using buffered points and lines was released in the November 2022 release (and in Enterprise 11.1 earlier this year).

https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/field-maps/field-mobility/whats-new-in-arcgis-field-maps-november-2022/

Re: Create Buffer/Geofence Around Points in Field Maps

LindsayRaabe_FPCWA — Thu, 25 May 2023 22:36:58 GMT

I stand corrected! I haven't had a chance to really play with geofences yet, though I'm really keen too!

Re: Create Buffer/Geofence Around Points in Field Maps

GISJess — Thu, 25 May 2023 22:43:56 GMT

@JustinColville It's great that geofencing now includes points. The screenshot shows the geofence on Field Maps Designer online. For one of points, it shows an actual buffer around the point. I don't see this functionality within the app, is this something I can turn on for Field Maps, as it would be nice to also have a visual of the geofence, with the ability to turn it on/off.

Thanks!

Re: Create Buffer/Geofence Around Points in Field Maps - Status changed to: Needs Clarification

SarahSaint-Ruth — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 10:51:12 GMT

Do folks still have this need or do geofences do the job? If there still is a need to create a buffer could you share your use cases.

Re: Create Buffer/Geofence Around Points in Field Maps

GISJess — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 17:55:09 GMT

@SarahSaint-Ruth For some of our projects, it's helps to have that visual of the buffer on the map. For example, the image below is a screenshot from Field Maps, we need to know which areas to avoid at a distance of 200 meters, because they are active burrowing owl nests and we don't want to disturb them.

The option for a visual geofence-buffer would allow us to see which points we will not be able to survey and plan our route accordingly. It's easier to set up a geofence, than it is to create a separate buffer layer and then add it to the web map. The option to set colors to the visible geofence would also be helpful, as different sites are displayed by different colors. Also, the option to toggle the visible geofence-buffer on/off would be helpful too.

Re: Create Buffer/Geofence Around Points in Field Maps

LindsayRaabe_FPCWA — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 03:23:08 GMT

To me it sounds like an option in the layers list to show/highlight geofences in a similar way that "Markup" can be turned on and off. Turn on the "Geofence Locations" option and it highlights all the geofence locations, meaning the buffered area based on the source points/lines/polygons - not the feature location (unless it has a buffer of "0").

Hope that makes sense.

Re: Create Buffer/Geofence Around Points in Field Maps

SarahSaint-Ruth — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 09:12:57 GMT

@GISJess that's great thanks for sharing the use case. Do you collect burrowing owl nests whilst in the field too or would you already have that data?

Re: Create Buffer/Geofence Around Points in Field Maps

GISJess — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 23:36:33 GMT

@SarahSaint-Ruth The known owl nests were shared with us. However, if they came across a new nest, they would add it to the point layer.

Re: Create Buffer/Geofence Around Points in Field Maps

AlfredBaldenweck — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 16:32:02 GMT

I posted a related Idea: Group template for layers in AGOL - Esri Community

Re: Create Buffer/Geofence Around Points in Field Maps

PRCGIS — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 18:12:02 GMT

I still have need for different buffers to be created automatically based on a field in the recording layer. The user would have the option to pick, in my case, the type of ordnance that did not perform as expected (unexploded bomb) and have a buffer based on that be created so all other users immediately know how far back to remain from that bomb. Since each type has a different distance, a buffer would have to be used vs a geofence of one distance.

Re: Create Buffer/Geofence Around Points in Field Maps

HollyTorpey_LSA — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 17:26:12 GMT

We have this need as well, for the exact same use case shared by @GISJess. Geofences are a good tool, but we really need the buffers to show on Field Maps. What's more, we'd prefer that they be an actual layer, so that we can also include them on desktop apps that are used by project managers. They need to be able to see where activity is prohibited before they plan each day's work. Thanks!

Re: Create Buffer/Geofence Around Points in Field Maps

Forest1Carson — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:26 GMT

We also have a need to display the geofence buffers in the Fields Map mobile app and Map Viewer. We create geofences around sensitive stream types, nests, and dens and the crew needs to see the buffers in the app to plan their routes. Would be great to export them to a file as well.

Is this feature to display the fences in the road map for upcoming releases? Would love to get an idea if this will be developed and release timelines.

Thanks!

Re: Create Buffer/Geofence Around Points in Field Maps

Chapman_Russell_W — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 17:19:14 GMT

@BenKnott The ability to buffer a feature, including point line or polygon is a function that would be very helpful withing the Field Maps mobile app. This is currently a problem for one of our established Cultural Resource management workflows. Our internal dev team at BLM has developed and supported our custom S1 Mobile Mapper for Android application for some time and buffering a feature was a well used function within our application. This workflow does require there is an editable polygon layer in the current webmap, but allows a user to select a feature; point, line or polygon and choose a buffer distance in the usual units options; feet, meters, miles etc.... then choose which polygon feature layer in their current webmap they want to create the new buffered polygon feature in and then puts them directly in the attribute update UI for that new buffered polygon feature.

Use cases:

There is no line feature in the official enterprise data. We include a hosted line layer in the webmap as an interim way to create a survey transect line, and then buffer the transect line into the official EDGB base feature service survey polygon in the enterprise data.
Another common workflow is to take a point for the center of a larger feature and then buffer that point by some distance to craate a polygon feature that more accurately captures acres etc, for whatever type of point it is.
Other common uses are similar to what others have mentioned about gps'ing the center point and adding potential protection buffers of some sort in their data based on a protection distance.