Defining Geographic Information systems

A system of integrated computer-based tools for end-to-end processing (capture, storage, retrieval, analysis, display) of data using location on the earth s surface for interrelation in support of operations management, decision making, and science.

    

set of integrated tools for spatial analysis encompasses end-to-end processing of data capture, storage, retrieval, analysis/modification, display uses explicit location on earth s surface to relate dat a aimed at decision support, as well as on -going operations and scientific inquiry

GIS is
  
A map with a database behind it. A virtual representation of the real world and its infrastructure. A consistent as-built of the real world, natural and manmade

Which is

  

queried to support on -going operations summarized to support strategic decision making and policy formulation analyzed to support scientific inquiry

Geog aph c n o

a on Technolog e

` Global Pos oning Sys e s (GPS) A sys e of earth-orbiting satellites which can provide precise (100 meter to s b-cm.) location on the earth s s rface (in lat/long coordinates or e iv.) ` Remote Sensing (RS) Use of satellites or aircraft to capture information about the earth s surface Digital ortho images a key product (map accurate digital photos) ` Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Software systems with capability for input, storage, manipulation/analysis and output/display of geographic (spatial) information

GIS Arch ec ure

Knowledge Ba e for GIS

GIS Da a Model: Implemen a on

Data is organized by layers, coverages or themes (synonomous concepts), with each layer representing a common feature. Layers are integrated using e plicit location on the earth s surface, thus geographic location is the organizing principal.

GIS Model: Example

Here we h ve three l yers or themes: y y y --roads, --hydrology (water), --topography (land elevation)

They can be related because precise geographic coordinates are recorded for each theme. Layers are comprised of two data types: y y Spatial data which describes location (where) Attribute data specifing what, how much,when

Layers may be represented in two ways:

y y

in vector format as points and lines in raster(or image) format as pixels

All geographic data has 4 properties: y projection, scale, accuracy and resolution

Spatia and Attribute Data

` Spatial data (where)
specifies location stored in a shape file, geodatabase or similar geographic file

` Attribute (descriptive) data (what, how much, when)

specifies characteristics at that location, natural or human -created stored in a data base table GIS systems traditionally maintain spatial and attribute data separately, then join them for display or analysis For example, in ArcView, the Attributes of table is used to link a shapefile (spatial structure) with a data base table containing attribute information in order to display the attribute data spatially on a map

Representing Data
Raster Model

ith Raster and Vector Mode s

` area is covered by grid with (usually) equal -sized, square cells ` attributes are recorded by assigning each cell a single value based on the majority feature (attribute) in the cell, such as land use type. ` Image data is a special case of raster data in which the attribute is a reflectance value from the geomagnetic spectrum
cells in image data often called pixels (picture elements) Vector Model The fundamental concept of vector GIS is that all geographic features in the real work can be represented either as:

` points or dots (nodes): trees, poles, fire plugs, airports, cities

` lines (arcs): streams, streets, sewers, ` areas (polygons): land parcels, cities, counties, forest, rock type

Spatial data storage model

important in determining the potential applications of the system model may also affect the type of analysis work that can be achieved hybrid approach to storing graphical and attribute information Attribute information often stored within standard relational database Graphical information is stored in a proprietary file system

optimised tools for data handling

although non-standard proprietary system will be difficult to integrate with

other systems, it will tend to be very efficient at handling large graphics files. Vector data model

advantage of the vector data format: allows precise representation of points, boundaries, and linear features.

useful for analysis tasks that require accurate positioning, for defining spatial relationship (ie the connectivity and adjacency) between coverage features (topology), important for such purposes as network analysis (for example to find an optimal path between two nodes in a complex transport network)
main disadvantage of vector data is that the boundaries of the resulting map polygons are discrete (enclosed by well-defined boundary lines), whereas in reality the map polygons may represent continuous gradation or gradual change, as in soil maps.

Raster data model

good for representing indistinct boundaries

thematic information on soil types, soil moisture, vegetation, ground temperatures

as reconnaissance satellites and aerial surveys use raster-based scanners, the information (ie scanned images) can be directly incorporated into GIS the higher the grid resolution, the larger the data file is going to be

Ho

GIS differs from Re ated Systems

` DBMS--typical MIS data base contains implicit but not explicit locational information
City, county, zip code, etc. but no geographical coordinates Is 100 N. High around the corner or a cross town from 200 E Main?

` automated mapping (AM) --primarily two-dimensional display devices

Thematic mapping (choropleth,etc such as SAS/GRAPH, DIDS, business mapping software) unable to relate different geographical layers (e.g zip codes and counties) Automated cartography--graphical design oriented; limited database ability

` facilit management (FM) s stems-lack spatial analysis tools

` CAD/CAM (computer aided design/drafting) -- primarily 3-D graphic creation (engineering design) & display systems
don t reference via geographic location x CAD sees the world as a 3-D cube, GIS as a 3-D sphere

limited (if any) database ability (especially for non -spatial data)

` scientific isualization s stems-- sophisticated multi-dimensional graphics, but:

lack database support lack two-dimensional spatial analysis tools
 

Why Study GIS ?

` 80% of local government activities estimated to be geographically based
plats, zoning, public works (streets, water supply, sewers), garbage collection, land ownership and valu ation, public safety (fire and police)

` a significant portion of state government has a geographical component

natural resource management highways and transportation

` businesses use GIS for a very wide array of applications

retail site selection & customer analysis logistics: vehicle tracking & routing natural resource exploration (petroleum, etc.) precision agriculture civil engineering and construction

` Military and defense

Battlefield management Satellite imagery interpretation

` scientific research employs GIS

geography, geology, botany anthropology, sociology, economics, political science Epidemiology, criminology

Major Areas of GIS App ications

` Local Government
Public works/infrastructure management (roads, water, sewer) Planning and environmental management property records and appraisal

` Real Estate and Marketing

Retail site selection, site evaluation

` Public safety and defense

Crime analysis, fire prevention, emergency management, military/defense

` Natural resource exploration/extraction

Petroleum, minerals, quarrying

` Transportation
Airline route planning, transportation planning/modeling

` Public health and epidemiology ` The Geospatial Industry

Data development, application development, programming

References
Geographic Information System Wikipedia Online. 15 December 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_information_system> The guide to geographic information system Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (Esri) online. 18 December 2010 <http://www.gis.com/content/what-can-you-do-gis> Writer s Handbook: Ronald Briggs, Ph.D., GISP 19 December 2010 <http://www.utdallas.edu/~briggs/> Author Stream: Online Powerpoint. 19 December 2010 <http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/mrcornish-182596-gis-entertainment-pptpowerpoint/>
GIS services & Applications. - Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (Esri) online.

18 December 2010 <http://www.esri.com/services/disaster-response/disaster-relief.html>

How does a GIS work. USGS, Science for a changing world, Online: 20 December 2010 <http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/gis_poster/>