Geographic Information System Project Research Articles

Mapping World: A Comparative Analysis of Functionality and Usability between QGIS and ArcGIS

The current review conducts a comprehensive comparison of Quantum GIS (QGIS) and ArcGIS in the context of healthcare applications, aiming to assist users in selecting the most appropriate GIS platform for their specific needs. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are essential tools in healthcare, providing capabilities for spatial analysis, disease mapping, and resource allocation. Driven by the need to improve healthcare delivery and public health strategies, this study compares the functionalities, costs, and support systems of QGIS and ArcGIS. The major objective is to determine which GIS platform offers the best balance of cost-efficiency and performance across various healthcare scenarios. The methodology encompasses a detailed comparative analysis, incorporating quantitative data from user satisfaction surveys, performance evaluations, and real-world case studies. Findings reveal that QGIS, as an open-source GIS software, is highly cost-effective and customizable, making it particularly advantageous for budget-limited projects and smaller organizations requiring flexibility. Its extensibility via plugins and robust user community fosters continuous innovation and improvement. QGIS proves exceptionally effective in healthcare applications such as disease mapping and accessibility analysis, where customization and cost-efficiency are critical. Conversely, ArcGIS is distinguished by its advanced analytical capabilities and strong performance in handling complex, large-scale studies. Its sophisticated tools and comprehensive spatial analysis functionalities are essential for thorough healthcare research and planning. Although ArcGIS incurs higher costs, its extensive feature set, professional support, and exhaustive documentation justify the investment for large organizations and research institutions engaged in detailed GIS projects. In conclusion, both QGIS and ArcGIS exhibit significant strengths in key healthcare applications. QGIS excels in affordability and flexibility, while ArcGIS provides superior analytical power and support for extensive projects. Future research should focus on integrating real-time data and enhancing user experience to further optimize GIS applications in healthcare.

AUTOMATION IMPROVEMENT FOR GIS-BASED APPLICATIONS DEPLOYMENT IN FAST GROWING HIGH SCALABILITY DATA-ROOMS

This paper presents the viability and importance of automation in deploying and managing software systems to reduce costs. Automation allows for optimizing time spent on resource deployment and configuration and simplifying the upgrade process. A real-world geographic information system (GIS) project illustrates these improvements by automating WGS84 & STEREO70 conversion modules for software systems.

Eliciting expert opinion on GIS use for surveillance and disease response in the aquatic animal health domain

Since the 1980s, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have been integrated into animal farming technologies for purposes such as enhancing production performances and veterinary epidemiology. In aquaculture, however, there seems to be limited application of GIS, and its potential is widely overlooked, especially for aquatic animal health management. This study describes the results of a world expert opinion elicitation on the current implementation of GIS for surveillance and disease response in the aquatic animal health domain. An online survey was submitted in autumn 2023, including both closed and open questions. With a response rate of 41.2% (21 out of 51), the answer analysis highlighted that, especially when knowledge and practical skills in geomatics, information technology and remote sensing are required, a group of advanced GIS technologies is underutilized (web-based solutions, SDI, citizen science). An artificial intelligence-based inductive text analysis was performed confirming a limited exploitation of GIS mainly due to management (financial support, training, collaboration) and methodology (data suitability, modelling analyses and integration) constraints. Furthermore, despite acknowledging the importance of planning in GIS project development, most experts did not follow any written or unwritten procedures that, according to their answers, should in fact encompass sustainable principles (integration of GIS solutions into other applications or processes), and reuse of resources (guidelines and best practices, data, methods, layouts). Shared guidelines for developing GIS projects, identifying available data sources, and long-term-maintenance planning of GIS and related geospatial data, should be pursued for using GIS technologies more effectively in the aquatic animal health domain.

Quality Management in GIS

This paper centers on the crucial elements of quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) in the domain of geographic information systems (GIS). A dependable and resilient GIS database is at the core of any spatial system, and it is of utmost significance across a wide range of fields, including Hajj, Umrah, tourism, real estate, and natural resource management. Given the inherent intricacy of spatial databases and their requirement for specialized technical upkeep, applications that depend on them also necessitate specialized technical expertise. To address inconsistencies within the database, best practices for database maintenance are implemented. This paper presents a systematic approach to the updating of comprehensive spatial databases and provides an overview of the quality procedures that are essential to this process. It also discusses the various safeguard mechanisms that are employed to enhance data consistency, completeness, integrity, and other qualitative aspects. The primary objective is to establish a customer-focused quality standard for spatial databases. Considering the broad definition of quality as "the extent to which project deliverables meet requirements," GIS projects face the challenge of precisely defining specifications and relevant quality standards that are tailored to specific project types and deliverables. The increasing demand for digital maps and GIS applications in Egypt emphasizes the urgent need for quality control and quality assurance procedures. This paper describes the implementation of these procedures in the creation of ten geological maps of Egypt at a scale of 1:500,000. This collaborative effort involves Cairo University and the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation in Egypt. Additionally, this project provides an internship opportunity for students in the College of Engineering, Civil Department, enabling them to gain practical experience in the field.

UTILISING GIS FOR DOCUMENTATION, CONSERVATION, AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IN ANKARA AS A MODERN PERIOD LIVING HERITAGE PLACE

Abstract. The Middle East Technical University (METU) Ankara Campus is one of the earliest and most prominent modern-period university campuses that resulted from an architectural competition in the 1960s in Turkey. However, METU Campus, as a modern-era heritage place, faces various threats, including pressure for new urban development. In addition, the increasing number of students and contemporary educational needs require changes in the physical infrastructure and campus settings. Thus, all these threaten the tangible and intangible values of the Campus. In this regard, conserving the METU Campus requires a multidimensional approach that considers a wide range of values and problems; herein, the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) becomes a useful tool for dealing with this complex work. Accordingly, the METU Campus GIS Project [METU_GIS] was developed to document and understand the multidimensional characteristics of the METU Campus, assess its values, and propose solutions to current issues while considering its values and potentials. Accordingly, the METU_GIS defines conservation policies and strategies that ensure the conservation and sustainability of the Campus as a living modern heritage place. Furthermore, the METU_GIS is a GIS-based conservation management plan created for a modern period campus for the first time in Turkey. Hence, it became an essential basis and a tool for conserving and managing the METU Campus as a modern living heritage place. All in all, the METU_GIS proves that Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are essential tools that can be used in the documentation, conservation, and monitoring of modern heritage places.

THE DRAWING OF A TERRITORIAL INFRASTRUCTURE. THE CASE STUDY OF THE ‘CAROLINO’ AQUEDUCT (ITALY)

Abstract. The ‘Carolino’ Aqueduct, a territorial infrastructure, principally known to lead water to the park and the gardens of the Royal Palace of Caserta (Italy) is the main topic of tis paper. Specifically, presented here are some outcomes of research activities carried within the discipline of drawing with its different meanings (survey, representation, modeling, communication) and scalarities (architecture and territory). The activities have been fully systematized within a Geographical Information System (GIS) project with the aim not only to archive all the acquired and surveyed information but also to make it a communication tool - accessible through the web - to an expanded user that can enjoy this infrastructure, inscribed for its peculiarities in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Gis Management Handbook— Concepts, Practices, and Tools for Planning, Implementing, and Managing Geographic Information System Programs and Projects, 3rd Edition.

The Gis Management Handbook— Concepts, Practices, and Tools for Planning, Implementing, and Managing Geographic Information System Programs and Projects, 3^rd Edition.

Mapping Black London in World War II: A staged approach to digital spatial history

AbstractThis article suggests ways scholars may be able to deploy digital techniques in contexts without readily available quantitative data. Using the Mapping Black London (MBL) project in World War II as a case study, the article proposes ways scholars can ‘reverse engineer’ qualitative information in order to generate the data needed to make meaningful digital maps. The MBL project conducted a staged approach to digitally map the black presence in London during World War II. In contrast to other phased approaches where work typically begins with a lengthy stage of database construction and data entry followed by ‘traditional’ analysis toward the end, MBL sought to minimize the lengthy and costly lead times common to many Historic Geographic Information Systems (HGIS) projects. Work progressed through three alternative stages where the MBL team ‘mapped the topic’, before mapping selected aspects of the secondary literature and primary evidence. This article discusses the benefits drawn from such an approach, as well as suggesting some circumstances where similar methods might be deployed by others seeking to ‘reverse engineer’ qualitative sources to create digital maps.

Об опыте разработки ГИС-проекта кампуса университета

The article discusses the results of the work on the design and creation of a GIS project of the university campus. A model and methodology for creating a geographical information system (GIS) of the university campus was developed and tested in the Non-profit limited company “Manash Kozybayev North Kazakhstan university” setting. The GIS was created on the basis of open spatial data of the Remote Sensing of the Earth, materials of ground photography and aerial photography from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Geoinformation mapping and modeling was carried out using specialized programs: ArcGIS 10.4 (ESRI Inc.), Agisoft PhotoScan Professional Edition. The article presents the GIS structure of the campus, its main elements, and describes the stages of development. The work on the creation of GIS included the following stages: the development of its preliminary model and structure, the collection of the necessary initial information and data about the studied territory, the conduct of ground surveys and aerial photography, field work, processing of collected materials in special software applications, the creation of an electronic map and database, filling and correcting the latter. The campus GIS includes a digital cartographic framework and an associated database. Its structure contains a number of modules that combine thematic layers. Along with this, geo-referenced photorealistic three-dimensional models of university buildings were created during the research. A 3D model of the campus was built on the basis of aerial photography materials from the UAV. Developed GIS, its functionality can be useful to the university and find application in solving practical problems. The research was carried out within the framework of grant funding under the Sustainability Living Lab program.

GIS in the jungle: Experiential Environmental Education (EEE) in Panama.

A University of Redlands travel course to Panama builds on Monty Hempel’s legacy in environmental studies, Experiential Environmental Education, and geographic information systems (GIS) instruction at the University of Redlands. It follows his experience developing social relationships in Panama, and nearly 20 years leading an EEE travel course to Palau. This Panama course, nicknamed “GIS in the Jungle,” tasks students with activities such as trail mapping, gathering original data with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), landcover mapping of pastures and forests, and visualizing the distribution of above-ground forest carbon content. These GIS activities help students construct an understanding of rainforest conservation that integrates their experiences living, hiking, and collecting original data in that environment. UAV and GIS also provided a platform for interacting with indigenous peoples struggling to defend their rainforest territory from colonist deforestation. As Monty Hempel observed about this course, students use GIS and UAV to integrate their direct experience with ground-level fieldwork in the rainforest with a birds-eye view of the interlocking ecosystems and human impacts. Combined with direct rainforest experiences, GIS projects help students develop an understanding of nature’s interlocking systems and the interdependence of life on Earth.

The Sustainable Development of Railway System in Vietnam by GIS-based Technologies

This study aims to explore the applications of Geographical Information System (GIS) technology in managing and analysing the railway networks in Vietnam in a scientific and rational manner, developing the railway industry in a sustainable manner to keep pace with the development speed in the region and in the world. A process of building a GIS project and designing a geodatabase for a GIS project was proposed. From that point, it is suggested to build an experimental database for the railway networks of Vietnam through ArcGIS software 10.2. After that, the authors explored some typical applications of GIS technology for railway network management such as management, safety and security, and selecting optimum routes. The results showed that GIS application in managing railway system brings lots of benefit to not only in the railway sector but also in the transportation field.

Advantages of formation non-agricultural land allocation projects based on GIS technologies

Based on the collection and study of official data, the main criteria for selecting a land plot using GIS (Geographic Information System) technologies for the construction of a water treatment plant are presented. The main stages of data analysis are determined when solving the question of the location of the building using ArcGIS, ArcMap, ArcCatalog and it is scientifically proven that the use of such programs when choosing land plots for such types of construction can save in large amounts of material and labour resources. Together with these, in the conducted study, a methodology was developed and presented for the formation of a database necessary for compiling similar GIS projects, as well as a methodology for a feasibility study for the implementation of land allotment projects for the construction of various economic facilities. The advantages of using GIS technology for non-agricultural land use projects, which are the main form of inter-farm land use, which is a modern measure aimed at rational land use, are described. Key factors and key indicators, as well as expected project results.

Dune Systems’ Characterization and Evolution in the Andalusia Mediterranean Coast (Spain)

This paper deals with the characterization and evolution of dune systems along the Mediterranean coast of Andalusia, in the South of Spain, a first step to assess their relevant value in coastal flood protection and in the determination of sound management strategies to protect such valuable ecological systems. Different dune types were mapped as well as dune toe position and fragmentation, which favors dune sensitivity to storms’ impacts, and human occupation and evolution from 1977 to 2001 and from 2001 to 2016. Within a GIS (Geographic Information System) project, 53 dune systems were mapped that summed a total length of ca. 106 km in 1977, differentiating three dune environments: (i) Embryo and mobile dunes (Type I), (ii) grass-fixed dunes (Type II) and (iii) stabilized dunes (Type III). A general decrease in dunes’ surfaces was recorded in the 1977–2001 period (−7.5 × 106 m2), especially in Málaga and Almería provinces, and linked to dunes’ fragmentation and the increase of anthropic occupation (+2.3 × 106 m2). During the 2001–2016 period, smaller changes in the level of fragmentation and in dunes’ surfaces were observed. An increase of dunes’ surfaces was only observed on stable or accreting beaches, both in natural and anthropic areas (usually updrift of ports).

Shrub Biomass Estimates in Former Burnt Areas Using Sentinel 2 Images Processing and Classification

Shrubs growing in former burnt areas play two diametrically opposed roles. On the one hand, they protect the soil against erosion, promote rainwater infiltration, carbon sequestration and support animal life. On the other hand, after the shrubs’ density reaches a particular size for the canopy to touch and the shrubs’ biomass accumulates more than 10 Mg ha−1, they create the necessary conditions for severe wild fires to occur and spread. The creation of a methodology suitable to identify former burnt areas and to track shrubs’ regrowth within these areas in a regular and a multi temporal basis would be beneficial. The combined use of geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) supported by dedicated land survey and field work for data collection has been identified as a suitable method to manage these tasks. The free access to Sentinel images constitutes a valuable tool for updating the GIS project and for the monitoring of regular shrubs’ accumulated biomass. Sentinel 2 VIS-NIR images are suitable to classify rural areas (overall accuracy = 79.6% and Cohen’s K = 0.754) and to create normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) images to be used in association to allometric equations for the shrubs’ biomass estimation (R2 = 0.8984, p-value < 0.05 and RMSE = 4.46 Mg ha−1). Five to six years after a forest fire occurrence, almost all the former burnt area is covered by shrubs. Up to 10 years after a fire, the accumulated shrubs’ biomass surpasses 14 Mg ha−1. The results described in this paper demonstrate that Northwest Portugal presents larger shrubland areas and greater shrub biomass accumulation (average 18.3 Mg ha−1) than the Northeast (average 7.7 Mg ha−1) of the country.

HBIM-GIS Integration: From IFC to CityGML Standard for Damaged Cultural Heritage in a Multiscale 3D GIS

This study describes the technical-systemic and conceptual-informative interoperability tests for the integration of a Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM) model in a 3D Geographic Information System (GIS) environment aimed to provide complete and useful documentation for multiscale analyses on cultural heritage particularly exposed to risks. The case study of the San Lorenzo Church in Norcia (Italy) has been chosen given the urgent need to update the existing documentation for its protection and conservation issues, due to the extensive damage suffered after the series of earthquakes that occurred in central Italy starting from summer 2016. Different tests to evaluate two levels of conceptual interoperability (technical and semantic) when importing the HBIM model into a GIS environment were performed, whether with commercial software or with open source ones (ArcGIS Pro and QGIS, respectively). A data integration platform (Feature Manipulation Engine, FME) has been used for converting the IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) data format into the GML (Geography Markup Language) format, in order to obtain a unique and unified model and vocabulary for the 3D GIS project, structured with different levels of detail, according to CityGML standard. Finally, as HBIM-GIS integration is considered, the loss of geometric and informative data has been taken into account and evaluated.

Solving Big GIS Projects on Desktop Computers

We are witnessing great developments in digital information technologies. The situation encroaches on spatial data, which contain both attributive and localization features, and this determines their position unequally within an obligatory coordinate system. These changes have resulted in the rapid growth of digital data, significantly supported by technical advances regarding the devices which produce them. As technology for making spatial data advances, methods and software for big data processing are falling behind. Paradoxically, only about 2% of the total volume of data is actually used. Big data processing often requires high computation performance hardware and software. Only a few users possess the appropriate information infrastructure. The proportion of processed data would improve if big data could be processed by ordinary users. In geographical information systems (GIS), these problems arise when solving projects related to extensive territory or considerable secondary complexity, which require big data processing. This paper focuses on the creation and verification of methods by which it would be possible to process effectively extensive projects in GIS supported by desktop hardware and software. It is a project regarding new quick methods for the functional reduction of the data volume, optimization of processing, edge detection in 3D and automated vectorization.

Identification & Examination of Critical Success Factor for Projects: A Case Study of Tamil Nadu Geographical Information System (TNGIS)

Information and communication technology (ICT) usage in governance has become an indispensable element to ensure quality of service provided by the government. The intensity of ICT usages and its impact on quality of service have revealed that effective utilization of the e-governance and its proximity needs periodical introspection in order to enrich the quality of the service. Especially, the significance of government-to-government (G2G) operations depends on the intensity of usage and the inclination of the personnel towards utilization. The present study examines the intensity of the components which influence the success of the Tamil Nadu Geographical Information System (TNGIS) project through information system (IS) model. The study collected information from TNGIS users. The study utilized structural equation modelling to validate the IS model. The results indicated that information quality, system quality, service quality, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived satisfaction of TNGIS have enhanced the quality of service and satisfaction of the personnel utilizing the services. Further, there is a strong need to enhance the infrastructure of ICTs to enrich the quality of service.

Применение исторических ГИС в исследовании социальных и экономических процессов

Рассматриваются тенденции применения геоинформационных технологий в комплексных исторических исследованиях на современном этапе. Направления, в которых большое влияние оказывает пространственный фактор (социальные, демографические, экономические), являются наиболее перспективными для применения ГИС-технологий. Если зарубежные исследователи изначально были нацелены на масштабные ГИС-проекты (национальные проекты Великобритании, США, Бельгии и др.), то отечественные исследования отличались преимущественно узкой проблематикой, небольшим хронологическим или территориальным охватом. Однако ГИС-проекты последних лет показывают существенные успехи российских специалистов в этой области. Появились масштабные проекты, охватывающие разноаспектные направления, новые группы источников, а также ГИС, доступные для ознакомления онлайн. Одно из главных преимуществ ГИС, связанное с компактным хранением данных и комплексным их анализом, стало рассматриваться исследователями как решающий фактор применения этих технологий, вытеснило уже тривиальную мысль о масштабности работы над созданием ГИС-ресурса. Примеры проектов, охватывающих комплекс показателей, демонстрируют большую целесообразность использования в качестве исследовательского инструментария ГИС.

Understanding potential impacts from university-led educational travel

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the potential for environmental and social impacts from university-level educational travel programs.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyzes the sites visited by 17 education travel programs to the Westfjords (Iceland) from 2014 to 2016. It uses a geographic information system (GIS) project to examine the potential for environmental and social impacts from these programs on local communities and environments. It compares them with similar data on general tourism to the region.FindingsThe results reveal that educational travel programs visit sites that are generally in moderately sensitive areas environmentally and socially. They visit different sites from general tourists and sites that are more sensitive environmentally and socially.Research limitations/implicationsThe research area was limited to the Westfjords of Iceland, and thus, the results may not apply globally to all educational travel destinations.Practical implicationsThese findings suggest that education travel programs carried out by and for universities the potential to have negative effects on the locations they visit. Universities need to design their educational travel programs so as to limit such impacts to host environments and communities and explicitly educate student participants about sustainable travel behaviors.Originality/valueThis is the first study to combine GIS with several environmental and social metrics to assess impacts from educational travel programs. Further, it is the first study to map the frontstage–backstage continuum as a quantitative metric.

THE KEY SUCCESS FACTOR OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM RE-IMPLEMENTATION IN TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD DISTRIBUTION, MALAYSIA: A CASE STUDY OF CHERAS TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD DISTRIBUTION STATION

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) Distribution has embarked on the development of a Geographical Information System (GIS) since the year 2009. The scope of work is to map and digitize all TNB distribution electrical assets and to systematically establish the customer’s database. In this study, a review on the GIS implementation was carried out at Cheras TNB Distribution station. The low utilization of GIS contributes the most to the need of having the GIS reviewed. The aim of the study is to develop a revised strategy for a successful GIS re-implementation in TNB Distribution electrical network based on the results from the review process. Its objectives are to develop and evaluate strategize plan for the re-implementation based on GIS components after reviewing and analysing the existing implementation. Key success factor (KSF) is introduced to deliver a success GIS project re-implementation. Data from previous implementation, survey, workshop and feedback from user of TNB Cheras staff are used for references when developing the strategies. GIS components are capitalized to establish KSF criteria in order to measure the successfulness of the re-implementation. System Usability Scale (SUS) is used for interpreting the KSF outcome. The study is finally ended with the development and evaluation of the proposed strategize plan for the re-implementation of four GIS components which are System and Tools, Data, Business Process and User. The proposed strategy is used to determine the effectiveness of the re-implementation strategies and KSF in order to drive the future invasion of GIS application to other TNB Distribution stations in Malaysia.