Reflections and speculations on the progress in Geographic Information Systems (GIS): a geographic perspective

Great strides have been made in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) research over the past half-century. However, this progress has created both opportunities and challenges. From a geographic perspective, certain challenges remain, including the modelling of geographic-featured environments with GIS data model, the enhancement of GIS’s analysis functions for comprehensive geographic analysis and achieving human-oriented geographic information presentation. Several basic theoretical and technical ideas that follow the workflow and processes of geographic information induction, geographic scenario modelling, geographic process analysis and geographic environment representation are proposed to fill the gaps between GIS and geography. We also call for designing methods for big geographic data-oriented analysis, making best use of videos and developing virtual geographic scenario-based GIS for further evolution.     

地理信息科学学科领域界定再思考

地理信息科学形成与发展已十多年,该文介绍、分析、论证了Goodchild关于地理信息科学是“信息科学有关地理信息的一个分支学科”定义的准确性;通过对地理信息科学的发展,信息科学的学科界定、认知问题、研究主题等国内外的一些研究工作与成果的重新思考、分析与研究,较为详细地讨论了地理信息科学的重要研究主题,界定了地理信息科学的学科领域,旨在为推动地理信息学科的发展做贡献。     

The Implementation and Effectiveness of Geographic Information Systems Technology and Methods in Secondary Education

Abstract

Geographic information systems (GIS) technology and methods have transformed decision-making in society by bringing geographic analysis to the desktop computer. Although some educators consider GIS to be a promising means for implementing reform, it has been adopted by less than 2 percent of American high schools. The reasons behind the interest in GIS, its slow implementation, and its effectiveness in teaching and learning are unclear. To address these concerns, this research describes the extent to which GIS is being implemented in American secondary education and assesses the effectiveness of lessons that use GIS. A survey of 1,520 high schools that own GIS software, along with experiments and case studies in three high schools, provided primary data for assessing the implementation and effectiveness of GIS.     

Positional accuracy and measurement error in digital databases of land use: an empirical study

This paper discusses the issues of positional accuracy and measurement error in the context of a large empirical study of landscape change in England and Wales. The epsilon band model of digitizing accuracy is used to make estimates of the levels of positional uncertainty and measurement error that is due to digitizing polygon outlines. The degree of error expected had the same polygons been captured in raster format is then determined. These results prompt a general discussion of the nature of error in spatial databases.     

自发地理信息在灾后恢复监测中的应用研究框架

文章探讨了如何有效利用自发地理信息（Volunteered Geographic Information, VGI）大数据促进灾后恢复监测工作。首先概述了国内外VGI相关研究的发展现状,明确了VGI用于灾后恢复监测研究的不足,然后提出了一个基于VGI大数据的灾后恢复监测应用的研究框架,助力于灾后恢复监测各类具体恢复目标（如旅游业恢复、工商业恢复、生活常态恢复）的实现。该研究框架包含数据获取、数据质量控制和数据挖掘3个核心组成部分。其中,数据获取对象以VGI为主,以传统官方权威数据为辅;数据质量控制主要是通过模糊逻辑专家系统和人工神经网络（深度学习）确保VGI适用性;数据挖掘则是以变革式范例为理论基础,利用定量和定性结合的方法调查灾区基建、经济和安全3个灾后恢复主要方面的状态。最后,文章还讨论了当前利用VGI大数据促进灾后恢复监测所存在的一些局限性,包括VGI来源的可持续性问题、各VGI平台应用程序接口的数据获取限制问题和VGI应用所涉及的用户隐私问题。     

Travel impedance agreement among online road network data providers

ABSTRACT

Online mapping providers offer unprecedented access to spatial data and analytical tools; however, the number of analytical queries that can be requested is usually limited. As such, Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) services offer a viable alternative, provided that the quality of the underlying spatialtheir data is adequate. In this paper, we evaluate the agreement in travel impedance between estimates from MapQuest Open, which embraces OpenStreetMap (OSM) data–a is based on VGI datasetfrom OpenStreetMap (OSM), and estimates from two other popular commercial providers, namely Google Maps? and ArcGIS? Online. Our framework is articulated around three components, which simulates potentialcalculates shortest routes, estimates their travel impedance using a routing service Application Program Interface (API), and extracts the average number of contributors for each route. We develop an experimental setup with a simulated dataset for the state of North Carolina. Our results suggest a strong correlation of travel impedance among all three road network providers. and that travel impedanceThe agreement is the greatest in areas with a denser road network and the smallest for routes of shorter distances. Most importantly, tTravel estimates from MapQuest Open are nearly identical to both commercial providers when the average number of OSM contributors along the route is larger. The latter finding contributes to a growing body of literature on Linus’s law, recognizing that a larger group of contributors holds the potential to validate and correct inherent errors to the source dataset.     

绿洲生态预警信息系统初步设计

绿洲生态预警信息系统是实现绿洲区域生态环境评价、预警及动态监测的先进手段．将为绿洲区域可持续发展提供辅助决策信息。论文对系统的网络拓扑结构、系统总体逻辑结构、系统功能、分级权限等进行了初步设计,以期为绿洲生态保护与社会可持续发展提供一个可行的辅助决策系统实现方案。     

过程地理信息系统框架基础与原型构建

GIS的发展正在从基于空间状态的“静态”基础走向基于时空过程的”动态”基础。作者提出了过程地理信息系统(PGIS)的概念及其理论框架体系。本文剖析了PGIS中过程所在的时空范畴,阐述了过程在PGIS中的含义及其结构,并探讨了PGIS基本空间框架、体系结构和过程仓库的理论基础。在此基础上,定义了PGIS的基本时空处理分析功能范畴,从过程的时空特性出发,结合所研发的海洋地理信息系统平台MaXplorer,阐述了PGIS不同于传统GIS的相关功能,即过程管理、可视化、特征化、对象化、逻辑运算和符号化等。     

Bank branch closures in New Zealand: the application of a spatial interaction model

Banking is going through a revolution that is radically altering the way banks work and the way customers use them. It is a revolution driven by global competition and enabled by technology. Unlike the back-room developments of previous decades, contemporary restructuring is directly affecting the network of bank branches and opportunities customers have to interact with them. Today virtually all retailing banks are seeking ways of reducing their extensive and costly network of branches and experimenting with alternative means of interacting with customers. Many of the difficulties of deciding what branches to close relate to predicting the impact of such closures on remaining parts of the bank’s network. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the application of a GIS-based spatial interaction model designed to help banks make that decision. Applied in the New Zealand context, it draws attention to some of the opportunities, as well as difficulties, a spatial interaction model creates in assessing the consequences of closing branches, both for the bank itself and for the wider community.     

Application of GIS Processing Techniques for Producing Mineral Prospectivity Maps—A Case Study: Mesothermal Au in the Swayze Greenstone Belt,Ontario, Canada

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is used to prepare and process digital geoscience data in a variety of ways for producing gold prospectivity maps of the Swayze greenstone belt, Ontario, Canada. Data used to produce these maps include geologic, geochemical, geophysical, and remotely sensed (Landsat). A number of modeling methods are used and are grouped into data-driven (weights of evidence, logistic regression) and knowledge-driven (index and Boolean overlay) methods. The weights of evidence (WofE) technique compares the spatial association of known gold prospects with various indicators (evidence maps) of gold mineralization, to derive a set of weights used to produce the final gold prospectivity map. Logistic regression derives statistical information from evidence maps over each known gold prospect and the coefficients derived from regression analysis are used to weight each evidence map. The gold prospectivity map produced from the index overlay process uses a weighting scheme that is derived from input by the geologist, whereas the Boolean method uses equally weighted binary evidence maps.The resultant gold prospectivity maps are somewhat different in this study as the data comprising the evidence maps were processed purposely differently for each modeling method. Several areas of high gold potential, some of which are coincident with known gold prospects, are evident on the gold prospectivity maps produced using all modeling methods. The majority of these occur in mafic rocks within high strain zones, which is typical of many Archean greenstone belts.     

The application of spatial data processing to land use conflict resolution in the lal lal water catchment of the Ballarat growth corridor: a case study from chapter one of the Buninyong planning scheme

Land use conflict within the Lal Lal Water Catchment is between landowners, the Shire, the Water Board and those directing regional pressures for development. It is exacerbated by inconsistency in building permit appraisal outcomes. The deliberations involved would clearly have benefited from access to spatial data sets through use of a Geographical Information System (GIS) during applications appraisal, in that inconsistencies are most obvious when mapped in relation to the criteria applied. GIS methodologies would ensure that information of a high standard was produced. Three strategic points are identified for the implementation of GIS: at the planning scheme formulation stage; the permit application stage; and the formal conflict resolution stage. Reference to GIS at the first two stages presupposes the existence of a local government area (LGA) spatial data base and a GIS/LIS that can output overlay maps. Application of GIS at the third stage is somewhat ‘after the event’. This study suggests that without such a regional review of the spatial patterns of permit appraisal criteria (including overland flow modelling) each appeal or negotiation is likely to yield an outcome that is inconsistent in relation to other cases. An LGA planning office maintaining a GIS with all layers relating to these criteria will have assembled its spatial data according to the requirements of its planning scheme and will make most use of it in a GIS at the permit appraisal stage.     

Using a Computational Grid for Geographic Information Analysis: A Reconnaissance

High performance computing has undergone a radical transformation during the past decade. Though monolithic supercomputers continue to be built with significantly increased computing power, geographically distributed computing resources are now routinely linked using high‐speed networks to address a broad range of computationally complex problems. These confederated resources are referred to collectively as a computational Grid. Many geographical problems exhibit characteristics that make them candidates for this new model of computing. As an illustration, we describe a spatial statistics problem and demonstrate how it can be addressed using Grid computing strategies. A key element of this application is the development of middleware that handles domain decomposition and coordinates computational functions. We also discuss the development of Grid portals that are designed to help researchers and decision makers access and use geographic information analysis tools.     

Social Applications of Geographical Information Systems: technical tools for social innovation

ABSTRACT

The establishment of the National Key Centre for Social Applications of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in 1995, under the directorship of Professor Graeme Hugo, was a turning point in the use of GIS in Australia. The field of GIS, previously dominated by environmental applications, now broadened its focus to include populations, services and the interactions between people and the environment. Social applications of GIS offered a unique opportunity to make service planning, reporting, funding allocations and research both smarter and fairer. Geography and geographic relationships as implemented in GIS became the integrating platform for social spatial information, invigorating social research, planning and policy. A key strength of this approach, recognised by Professor Hugo, was the ability to ‘put people back into the planning process’. Further to being an integrating platform, GIS also offered the ability to generate new information and knowledge, which could facilitate evidence-based decision making. This paper focuses in particular on providing a written record of the development of the Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) suite of spatial accessibility indices. The lasting legacy and continued relevance of this work in social applications of GIS is also reviewed in this paper, with reference to key examples of how social research and planning in Australia have been made both smarter and fairer through the contributions of Professor Hugo and his team.     

Replication of a terrain stability mapping using an Artificial Neural Network

Subjective geomorphic mapping is a method commonly used for landslide hazard zonation. This method relies heavily on the skills and experience of the mapper, and therefore, its major drawbacks are the high costs and lack of consistency between products generated by different terrain mappers. In this study a method for cost-effective and consistent replication of subjective geomorphic mappings is demonstrated, by using a type of Artificial Neural Network named Learning Vector Quantization. This paper presents a study conducted in the Canadian province of British Columbia employing a high-quality data set. By utilizing Learning Vector Quantization, stable and unstable terrains were delineated with a similarity of approximately 91%, compared to the mapping produced by terrain specialists. Also, in this process, slope, elevation, aspect, and existing geomorphic processes were identified as the terrain attributes that contributed most to the quality of the mapping.