Which technology helps identify proximity of parcels to value-affecting features in a spatial context?

Which technology helps identify proximity of parcels to value-affecting features in a spatial context?

• A. Geographic Information System
• B. Global Positioning System
• C. Spreadsheet
• D. CAD software

Answer: (A)

The essential idea is that proximity and spatial relationships are analyzed with a Geographic Information System. A GIS stores parcels as geographic features with coordinates and attributes, and lets you stack layers such as roads, schools, flood zones, and other value-affecting features. With GIS you can run proximity analyses—create buffers, measure distances, and identify which parcels fall within a certain distance of a feature or determine the nearest feature. This lets you quantify how location-related factors influence value across many parcels, not just one. For example, you can build a buffer around a highway and intersect it with your parcel layer to see which parcels are within that distance and examine how their values might be affected. Other options don’t fit this specific needs as well: a GPS device helps determine exact positions but doesn’t analyze proximity across multiple features or integrate attributes across layers; a spreadsheet handles tabular data without geographic context; CAD software is geared toward precise design and drafting rather than broad spatial analysis across many parcels and features.

The essential idea is that proximity and spatial relationships are analyzed with a Geographic Information System. A GIS stores parcels as geographic features with coordinates and attributes, and lets you stack layers such as roads, schools, flood zones, and other value-affecting features. With GIS you can run proximity analyses—create buffers, measure distances, and identify which parcels fall within a certain distance of a feature or determine the nearest feature. This lets you quantify how location-related factors influence value across many parcels, not just one.

For example, you can build a buffer around a highway and intersect it with your parcel layer to see which parcels are within that distance and examine how their values might be affected.

Other options don’t fit this specific needs as well: a GPS device helps determine exact positions but doesn’t analyze proximity across multiple features or integrate attributes across layers; a spreadsheet handles tabular data without geographic context; CAD software is geared toward precise design and drafting rather than broad spatial analysis across many parcels and features.