Support Of Geographic Information System Research Articles

Geographic Information Systems as Data Sharing Infrastructure for Clinical Data Warehouses

Introduction: The sharing of patient location data is heavily regulated by lawsprotecting patient privacy and institutional review boards that are designed toprotect the rights and wellbeing of human subjects. Patient location data hasincredible value for research due to environmental social determinants ofhealth that heavily influence patient outcomes. The misalignment of sensitivityand utility creates a barrier for researchers wishing to understand the impactof neighborhood-level social determinants of health (SDOH) on health outcomes.Objectives: We aim to describe data warehousing solutions for the safe and ethicalenhancement of patient location data; these enhancements will enable easierdata sharing. Methods: We deploy geographic information systems (GIS) as a complementary datawarehousing service which imports patient addresses, processes the data, andreturns results back to the warehouse for others to use and disseminate.Results: We processed 1.3 million patients and added facets about their locationto our data warehouse where they may later be requested for research. Wefurther added de-identified information about the demographics of patientlocations from the United States Census Bureau which assists researchers inunderstanding the impact of location-driven SDOH.Conclusions: GIS support is a necessary component of a clinical data warehouse andsharing derived, de-identified data is both feasible and useful for research.Open-source software lowers the barrier of adoption and the cost associatedwith deriving these contextual data points.

Qualitative insights into the acceptance of QGIS in South Africa

AbstractWe conducted a study to find out whether and why South African users accepted QGIS. In the quantitative part of the study, we found that QGIS acceptance is primarily influenced by habit, followed by facilitating conditions, price value, and social influence. To better understand and explain these results, we conducted a qualitative study in which semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 12 geospatial practitioners. While a geographic information system (GIS) product was often prescribed by their workplace, interviewees had clear preferences for a specific GIS product for certain kinds of tasks, supporting the finding that habit is the main reason for using a GIS product. Interviewees used QGIS because it opens most data formats and there is one license for all functionality (facilitating conditions), is free (price value), and/or had been advised by someone important (social influence). The interviews revealed why software support (commercial or free) was not significant in the quantitative results: users think GIS support is not necessary or else available online. Identical to the quantitative study, interviews confirmed that customizability, no vendor lock‐in, improved reliability, quality, and security do not play a role when deciding to use QGIS. These qualitative results provide a deeper understanding of the quantitative results and can be used by promotors of open‐source geospatial software to increase uptake. In general, they can also help managers embed new products into any organization's workflows. In our study, interviewees and questionnaire respondents were selected to be users. Repeating the study for GIS developers and/or managers will provide further insight into QGIS acceptance.

Integrated hydrogeophysical and GIS based demarcation of groundwater potential and vulnerability zones in a hard rock and sedimentary terrain of Southern India

This research has identified the groundwater potential and vulnerability zones in Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu, India. The Schlumberger electrode array has been used to conduct vertical electrical sounding (VES) at 95 sites with a maximum electrode spacing of 150 m. The study area comprises of hard rock and sedimentary formations. Geographical Information System (GIS) has been used to integrate the geoelectrical data and to prepare spatial variation maps for various parameters. Finally, groundwater potential and vulnerability zones have been demarcated, and these outputs have been validated using water level and nitrate data, respectively. The Dar-Zarrouk parameters such as longitudinal conductance (S), transverse unit resistance (T), and aquifer anisotropy (λ) have been used along with the spatial variation of resistivity and aquifer thickness to find out groundwater potential areas with the support of GIS. The thickness of topsoil, weathered zone and fractured zone are not uniform in the research area. Top soil plus weathered zone acts as a water table (phreatic) aquifer, which extends up to 38 m from the surface. Fractured zone extends up to 45 m, which acts as a kind of confined/semi-confined aquifer. Open and bore wells have been constructed to tap groundwater from the unconfined (water table) and confined/semi-confined aquifers, respectively. High to very high groundwater potential areas are associated with low resistivity, high thickness, low longitudinal conductance, high transverse unit resistance and high aquifer anisotropy areas. Very high groundwater potential areas are mostly confined to flood plain (alluvium) deposits in the central portion of the study area. High potential areas are noticed in the northern part, whereas low potential areas are noticed in the southern part. The areas with high longitudinal conductance indicate low permeable zones with less possibility of external pollution. Since agriculture is an important activity in the study region, this work will be useful to provide water supply for irrigation as well as for domestic needs.

Assessment of soil erosion risk in Chamchamal catchment using RUSLE integrated into GIS Techniques

In Iraqi Kurdistan Region, as in most Mediterranean countries, assessment of soil erosion risks is a challenging task mainly due to the non-availability or insufficiency of relevant data. In the current study, the soil erosion risks have been estimated by integrating the spatial data on potential erosion rates and soil loss tolerance limits for conservation planning at the sub-catchment level in Chamchamal district, Sulaimani, Iraqi Kurdistan Region. To achieve the above objectives, the study catchment was delineated with the support of GIS after obtaining the Dem of Chamchamal district. The remote sensing (RS) and a geographic information system (GIS) were used to estimate the spatial distribution of soil erosion across the Chamchamal district, to identify the risk of soil erosion, and to develop a conservation priority map. People can reach a common goal: to gain actionable intelligence from all types of data. Additionally, the study catchment was subdivided into 12 subcatchments using the same tool. The estimated annual soil loss for different subcatchments is characterized by a wide range of variations. It ranges from a minimum of 7.08 t ha-1 yr-1 at subcatchment 1 to as high as 252.31 t ha-1 yr-1 at sub-catchment 3. With a few exceptions, the soil tolerance limit at the investigated grid points was estimated at10 t ha-1 yr-1. The results also revealed that around 12% of the whole catchment has a negligible risk of soil erosion above the tolerance limits, and does not call for immediate soil conservation measures. The remaining area (454.96 km2) requires conservation planning with different prioritizations. Subcatchments 2, 3, 7, and 10 were identified as the worst affected districts in terms of soil erosion and therefore require immediate attention of natural resources. The weighted soil erosion risk index (WSERI) categorized sub-catchments 2, 3, 7, and 10 as being of topmost priority as it is the most severely affected areas. The recommended measures to conserve soil and water encompassed three broad categories, namely, vegetative, soil, and mechanical measures. Within the same sub-catchment, one or a combination of several measures can be implemented based on the nature and intensity of the problem.

VULNERABILITY OF INFRASTRUCTURES TO CLIMATE EVENTS. ROAD FLOODING

The present study defines an original methodology for diagnosing the vulnerability of infrastructure to climatic events. Against existing approaches, this methodology increases the objectivity in the assessment and weighting of the aspects involved in a multicriteria procedure. In addition, it includes the automation and digitalization of the process. For this purpose, concepts extracted from the MIVES methodology (Integrated Value Model for Sustainable Evaluation) are used, especially the Hierarchical Analytical Procedure, combined with the GIS (Geographical Information System) support of infrastructure and its environment information (geo-referenced spatial information with semantic information associated). The procedure has been particularized for the case of road flooding. For its validation and optimization, it has been applied on two real cases: the A-92 between Seville and Almeria and the variant to the N-435 between the towns of Beas and Trigueros. With all this, a procedure has been defined and validated to obtain a unique measurement / comparison index of the degree of vulnerability to flooding of the different units of analysis or sections into which the road infrastructure is previously divided. Key Words: road, climate, vulnerability, multi-criteria analysis, GIS

Evaluation of Influence of the Environment on the Choice of Buildings for Residential Living

In the CR (Czech Republic), there are a lot of prefabricated housing estates built in the 70s and 80s of the 20th century, which are at the end of their life cycle. The main goal of the project was to evaluate the rate of energy savings in the long term due to the revitalization of prefabricated apartment buildings, and thus provide feedback to the relevant authorities on its effectiveness. Another goal was to evaluate selected parameters of living comfort in the locality for the purposes of the real estate market with the possibility of providing them to those interested in living in the locality. A complex of methods was used, which evaluate criteria from various spheres, such as environment, spatial relationships, social aspects, etc. The authors used a combination of multi-criterial analysis methods (MCA) and spatial analysis within a Geographical Information System (GIS). Of all MCA methods, weighted linear combination (WLC) was chosen as the most suitable. In the spatial analyses, the matter of solution was, above all, the distance to the center and the transport within the given locality. The above-mentioned methods served as a model for evaluating whether a panel house in question is or is not suitable for reconstruction. The input data of the model are spatial data—national map series of the CR, environmental data (noise maps, energy demands of buildings)—and statistical data obtained from various sources (city administration of Brno, relevant organizations, and interviews with respondents). Within Inquiry Form 3, potential groups of respondents were addressed: Group A—people over fifty, group B—young families with children, group C—students under 25. The projected model was tested in Brno city in the locality of Nový Lískovec (CR). The proposed model provided information on the quality of housing in a given locality in terms of energy intensity, noise pollution, transport accessibility, and civic amenities. The output is a multi-criteria model with GIS support, which is generally applicable. The results of the model analyses led to the demonstration of the effectiveness of revitalization. The results can be used for estate offices or other organizations in the form of graphical outputs of appropriate variants on the basis of solving a lot of criteria when searching for a suitable residence.

Proposal of Technological GIS Support as Part of Resident Parking in Large Cities–Case Study, City of Brno

Over the last few years, there has been a significant increase in people’s dependence on passenger and freight transport. As a result, traffic infrastructure is congested, especially in big city centers and, at critical times, this is to the point of traffic collapse. This has led to the need to address this situation by the progressive deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), which are used to optimize traffic, to increase traffic flow, and to improve transport safety, including reduction of adverse environmental impacts. In 2018, the first results of the C-Roads Platform which is a joint initiative of European Member States and road operators for testing and implementing C-ITS services in light of cross-border harmonization and interoperability (C-ROADS) Czech Republic project were put into operation in Brno, closely related to the international initiative to support the data structure for future communication between vehicles and intelligent transport infrastructure. A system of transport organization and safety was introduced in the city of Brno, which manages key information and ensures central management of partial systems of transport organization and safety. The most important part of this system is the parking organization system discussed in this article. The main objective was to streamline the parking system in the city center of Brno and in the immediate vicinity by preventing unauthorized long-term parking, ensuring an increased number of parking places for residents and visitors by increasing the turnover of parking. The aim of the research was to investigate (i) the possibility and optimal use of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology for resident parking system solutions, (ii) the integration of Global Satellite Navigation Systems (GNSS) satellite data and image data collected by cameras on the move and (iii) the possibility of using network algorithms to optimize mobile data collection planning. The aim of our study is to design and optimize the integrated collection of image data localized by satellite GNSS technologies in the GIS environment to support the resident parking system, including an evaluation of its effectiveness. To achieve this goal, a residential parking monitoring system was designed and implemented, based on dynamic monitoring of the parking state using a vehicle equipped with a digital camera system and Global Satellite Navigation Systems (GNSS) technology for measuring the vehicle position, controlled by spatial and attribute data flow from static and dynamic spatial databases in the Geographic Information System (GIS), which integrate the whole monitoring system. The control algorithm of a vehicle passing through the street network works on the basis of graph theory with a defined recurrence interval for the same route, taking into account other parameters such as the throughput of the street network at a given time, its traffic signs and the usual level of traffic density. Statistics after one year of operation show that the proposed system significantly increased the economic yield from parking areas from the original 30% to 90%, and reduced the overall violation of parking rules to only 10%. It further increased turnover and thus the possibility of short-term parking for visitors and also ensured availability of parking for residents in the historical center of Brno and surrounding monitored areas.

Research on the construction of carbon emission evaluation system of low-carbon-oriented urban planning scheme: taking the West New District of Jinan city as example

ABSTRACTCarbon emissions caused by human activities are closely linked to the process of urbanization, urban land use and traffic system are two important factors that may influence it. On the basis of clarifying the space structure of low-carbon eco-city, this paper constructing an evaluation system of urban carbon emission from four dimensions: construction land compact, traffic carbon emission potential, road network accessibility, and public transportation accessibility. Based on the evaluation system, the author took the West New District of Jinan city as an example, evaluated urban planning scheme by using several spatial models such as landscape pattern index, Spatial syntax, POI (Point of Interest) kernel density analysis, and OD (Origin Destination) matrix in support of GIS (Geographic Information System) and RS (Remote Sensing) techniques.

Mapping Heritage: Geospatial Online Databases of Historic Roads. The Case of the N-340 Roadway Corridor on the Spanish Mediterranean

The study has developed an online geospatial database for assessing the complexity of roadway heritage, overcoming the limitations of traditional heritage catalogues and databases: the itemization of heritage assets and the rigidity of the database structure. Reflecting the current openness in the field of heritage studies, the research proposes an interdisciplinary approach that reframes heritage databases, both conceptually and technologically. Territorial scale is key for heritage interpretation, the complex characteristics of each type of heritage, and social appropriation. The system is based on an open-source content-management system and framework called ProcessWire, allowing flexibility in the definition of data fields and serving as an internal working tool for research collaboration. Accessibility, flexibility, and ease of use do not preclude rigor: the database works in conjunction with a GIS (Geographic Information System) support system and is complemented by a bibliographical archive. A hierarchical multiscalar heritage characterization has been implemented in order to include the different territorial scales and to facilitate the creation of itineraries. Having attained the main goals of conceptual heritage coherence, accessibility, and rigor, the database should strive for broader capacity to integrate GIS information and stimulate public participation, a step toward controlled crowdsourcing and collaborative heritage characterization.

Mapping User Needs: Detailed GIS Services at the University of Nevada, Reno

GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is now widely observed to be a valuable tool that can be applied to teaching, learning, and research in many disciplines across academic campuses. The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) Libraries are offering GIS support in the form of walk-in consultation sessions for the campus community. To learn more about what happens during GIS consultations the UNR GIS team gathered detailed data during the spring 2015 semester about its patrons and the functionality they are using. This knowledge can now be used to reevaluate and improve future GIS tutoring services at UNR Libraries. Lastly, this information is believed to be valuable to other academic libraries providing similar services.

Assessing Wheat Frost Risk with the Support of GIS: An Approach Coupling a Growing Season Meteorological Index and a Hybrid Fuzzy Neural Network Model

Crop frost, one kind of agro-meteorological disaster, often causes significant loss to agriculture. Thus, evaluating the risk of wheat frost aids scientific response to such disasters, which will ultimately promote food security. Therefore, this paper aims to propose an integrated risk assessment model of wheat frost, based on meteorological data and a hybrid fuzzy neural network model, taking China as an example. With the support of a geographic information system (GIS), a comprehensive method was put forward. Firstly, threshold temperatures of wheat frost at three growth stages were proposed, referring to phenology in different wheat growing areas and the meteorological standard of Degree of Crop Frost Damage (QX/T 88-2008). Secondly, a vulnerability curve illustrating the relationship between frost hazard intensity and wheat yield loss was worked out using hybrid fuzzy neural network model. Finally, the wheat frost risk was assessed in China. Results show that our proposed threshold temperatures are more suitable than using 0 °C in revealing the spatial pattern of frost occurrence, and hybrid fuzzy neural network model can further improve the accuracy of the vulnerability curve of wheat subject to frost with limited historical hazard records. Both these advantages ensure the precision of wheat frost risk assessment. In China, frost widely distributes in 85.00% of the total winter wheat planting area, but mainly to the north of 35°N; the southern boundary of wheat frost has moved northward, potentially because of the warming climate. There is a significant trend that suggests high risk areas will enlarge and gradually expand to the south, with the risk levels increasing from a return period of 2 years to 20 years. Among all wheat frost risk levels, the regions with loss rate ranges from 35.00% to 45.00% account for the largest area proportion, ranging from 58.60% to 63.27%. We argue that for wheat and other frost-affected crops, it is necessary to take the risk level, physical exposure, and growth stages of crops into consideration together for frost disaster risk prevention planning.

SHARING OF GIS SPATIAL DATA IN TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

Geographic Information System (GIS) is classified as an information technology to solve various spatial problems in civil engineering. GIS provides spatial information to the system and therefore, complex spatial analysis of problem could be carried out. The objective of this paper is to promote the use of GIS as a tool for civil engineering problem solving. This paper describes the work undertaken to demonstrate the potential use of GIS in civil engineering via a prototype project. The presentation of this article is mainly focused on the applications of GIS in transportation engineering including transportation, highway and traffic. Moreover, this study could also contribute relevant and benefit guidance to the public and private sectors with techniques in determining potential activity using the GIS software. The utilisation of GIS can prepare and contributes towards a profitable cost and effective service. The end product should be an effective information system and a final potential GIS map. With GIS support, it could assist user to make a more effective and efficient decision on any difficulties that will arise. Compared to the conventional methods, the system provides a proper and an effective, update and accessible result of spatial analysis.

The Interactive-GIS-Tutor (IGIST): an option for GIS teaching in resource-poor South African schools

This paper reports findings from a study that examined geographic information system (GIS) knowledge development after the introduction of an Interactive-GIS-Tutor (IGIST) as a multimedia teaching tool. Although GIS has been included in the curriculum over the past decade, the majority of teachers continue to lack formal GIS training, resources, and support. As a potential solution to this problem, the IGIST offers teachers the option of using either a computer connected to a digital projector or a computer laboratory within the same application. Nine classes of grade 11 geography learners (n = 215) were selected and separated into three groups: a projector group (IP), a computer group (IC) and a textbook group (C), which also acted as the control group. After the IGIST intervention, the IP group revealed a statistically significant effect with regard to knowledge development, whereas the IC group demonstrated a significant practical effect. Participant interviews confirmed that the use of IGIST in combination with a digital projector, or within a computer laboratory, is a workable GIS teaching and learning option. Future IGIST development recommendations include providing multi-language options and more video clips with exploratory activities in Quantum GIS. This work provides a foundation upon which to expand dialogue among GIS developers, academia, teachers and the Department of Basic Education on the development of workable GIS teaching options.

A domain specific language for spatial simulation scenarios

This article describes DSL3S, a domain specific modelling language for Spatial Simulation in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Techniques such as cellular automata and agent-based modelling have long been used to capture and simulate the temporal dynamics of spatial information. Tools commonly employed to implement spatial simulation models include code libraries and pre-compiled models; the former require advanced programming skills while the latter impose relevant constraints on application scope. Previous attempts to produce domain specific languages in the field have invariably resulted in new textual programming languages (e.g. SELES, NetLogo, Ocelet) that are platform specific and in some cases with weak GIS support and interoperability. DSL3S synthesises relevant concepts of spatial simulation in a UML profile, that allows the design of simulation models through the arrangement of graphical elements. An implementation of this language is also presented, that relies on Model Driven Development (MDD) tools distributed with the Eclipse IDE. This includes a code generation infrastructure, that produces ready to run simulations from DSL3S models, supported by the MASON simulation tool-kit. Finally, DSL3S models for three simple and classical simulations allows to better illustrate and discuss the usage of the language.

Gis model of analysis to promote tourism through the use of a web application

The sustainable development of tourism in little-known towns needs the support of web applications and GIS (Geographic Information System) technology. The aim of this paper is to provide a GIS Model of Analysis integrated into a Web Application called Turichia in order to promote tourism in Chia, a small town in Cundinamarca, Colombia, near Bogota. The assembly of this web application includes different servers that use ESRI services like Geocoding, Network Analytics, and Web Feature Services and other Geoprocessing operations built in ArcMap for this specific purpose

Geographic information systems (GIS) and libraries: concepts, services and resources

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an introduction to core geographic information systems (GIS) concepts, prominent GIS software, the role of libraries in providing GIS services and support and resources for professional library staff to increase GIS knowledge and skills to fulfill the mission of serving the information needs of library patrons. Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides an overview of GISs core concepts and terminologies, Library GIS services and resources for library staff development. Findings – As GISs are being used by researchers in an ever-growing number of disciplines, librarians must increase their proficiency with geospatial technologies. Originality/value – While GISs have been used by certain researcher populations for some time, the increased use of such geospatial technologies creates a need for librarians who possess the skills and knowledge to assist patrons with their GIS needs. This paper introduces professional library staff to important GIS concepts, potential GIS services and resources to increase library staff’s competence with GISs.

Research on the Information Management System of Subway Construction

Based on the construction of the subway analysis of risk factors, through the integration of the owners and the construction side of the interface and enhance training, established based on GIS (geographic information system) and artificial intelligence support to high-speed broadband networks as the basis, with advanced technology, massive data dynamic scheduling based on the use of three-dimensional visual representation of management information systems.

A GIS and Web-Based Decision Support System for Regional Water Resource Management and Planning

This paper presents a prototype of GIS (Geographic Information System) and web-based decision support system (GWDSS) for regional water resource management and planning, which is a conjunctive application of GIS, Web and DSS technologies. The components involved and implementation of GWDSS are analyzed. The scenario analysis approach and embedded GIS functions are explained. Through the application of GWDSS in the case study region, GWDSS enables managers and decision makers to improve the regional strategic management and planning of water resources,and optimizes the use of water to satisfy the demands of competing stakeholders and protecting water resources.

The slope modeling method with GIS support for rockfall analysis using 3D DDA

Rockfall is the most frequent major hazard in mountainous areas. For hazard assessment and further countermeasure design, realistic and accurate prediction of rockfall trajectory is an important requirement. Thus, a modeling method to represent both geometrical parameters of slope and falling rock mass is required. This study, suggests taking the advantages of discontinues deformation analysis (DDA) and geographical information system (GIS). In this study, after developing a three dimensional (3D) DDA program, firstly a special element named contact face element (CFE) was introduced into 3D DDA; secondly, effectively modeling tools with GIS support were developed. The implementation of CFE also improves the efficiency of both the contact searching and solution process. Then a simple impact model was devised to compare the 3D DDA implemented directly with a sliding model with theoretical analysis to verify the reliability of the modified 3D DDA program and investigate the parameter settings. Finally, simulations concerning rock shapes and multi-rocks were carried out to show the applicable functions and advantages of the newly developed rockfall analysis code. It has been shown that the newly developed 3D DDA program with GIS support is applicable and effective.

A new approach to landslide geomorphological mapping using the Open Source software in the Olvera area (Cadiz, Spain)

This paper presents the preliminary results of a geomorphological survey of the Olvera area (Cadiz province, Betic Ranges, Spain) and the use of the Geographic Information System (GIS) Open Source (OS) software plus Database Management System (DBMS) for making available and distributing the landslide data over the Web. In the geomorphologic survey, different landforms have been identified in the area, including structural, anthropogenic, fluvial, karst, and slope forms. In particular, the majority of the slope forms are complex (from topple to rotational slides and falls), but there are also minor forms like debris flows and mudslides. To manage geomorphological data, an Open Source GIS was used, which contained the following components: QuantumGIS, System for Automated Geoscientific Analyses (SAGA), GIS and Geographic Resources Analysis Support System (GRASS), GIS for Digital Elevation Model (DEM) generation. A key aim was to make the project-derived data available over the Web. This was achieved using MapServer which allows for the representation of the derived geospatial data with pMapper providing the graphical Web interface. Our study highlights the process dynamics of run-off erosion in Olvera derived through the use of advanced computer-based mapping tools. The resulting map products and interpretations are available via the Internet. To date, derivative maps have been produced to improve maintenance of roads and transport and of the construction of new infrastructure.