Abstract
Abstract. Geocoding is a fundamental task of Geographic Information System (GIS) processing and analysis. It allows the transformation between a location reference (i.e., an address or an alphanumeric code) and coordinates, which is often an essential step when performing spatial analysis, mapping, and other geolocation related processes. Providing software functionality through RESTful APIs is a common practice in geospatial applications. Client programs are able to access or process geospatial data easily through a lightweight and scalable RESTful web service. Existing geocoding RESTful API providers include Google Maps Geocoding API, ArcGIS Geocoding REST API, MapQuest Open Geocoding API and what3words (w3w) Geocoding API. Extensions of what3words geocoding system have recently been proposed to overcome its limitation of fixed resolution and lack of consideration of the third dimension. This paper considers one of the extensions, the Quadtree Extension Model (QTEM) and introduces a RESTful API that provides operations for forward geocoding, reverse geocoding, single line and polygon encoding, and centre points encoding for a given area. The resources published by the web service could be implemented by software programs performing indoor and outdoor location referencing, location marking and path finding. This API could facilitate various geographic applications such as facility management, emergency evacuation, navigation and student survey data management in a university campus environment.
Highlights
Methods to determine a location on a digital map or find the optimal path to get there are becoming increasingly relevant to everyday life
The RESTful application programming interface (API) developed for this study implements the Quadtree Extension Model (QTEM) extension and provides the functions of (i) forward and reverse geocoding; (ii) encoding single line and polygon feature; (iii) encoding a section of centre points for a given area
The extended geocoding API provides operations for (i) forward geocoding, that transforms the extended fourword or five-word code to corresponding coordinates; (ii) reverse geocoding, that converts a set of coordinates into the extended code; (iii) line and polygon encoding, that retrieve single line or polygon feature; and (iv) centre points encoding, that retrieve a section
Summary
Methods to determine a location on a digital map or find the optimal path to get there are becoming increasingly relevant to everyday life. 1.1 what3words Geocoding and Extensions w3w divides the earth’s surface into a grid of 3-meter by 3-meter squares; each assigned a unique code consisting of three dictionary words separated by periods, e.g., the entrance to the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada is located at “select.threaten.shelters” (Barr, 2015). This method allows for easier memorization of locations and is supported in multiple languages. W3w grid cells could have a smaller or larger size to satisfy the needs of a (a) The code needs to be lengthened (Open Locaiton Code, 2015)
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