Use Of Geographic Information Systems Research Articles

AI helps fleet operators plan electric switch [Automotive Transport

This article discusses road transport companies switching internal-combustion engine vehicles (ICEs) to electric vehicles (EVs) and the AI strategies that are helping plan infrastructure such as charging point location and forecasting and analysis of data to help run vehicle fleets more efficiently. It touches on topics such as ownership cost reduction, net-zero targets, infrastructure elements and regional variation on EV performance. Other topics discussed include: data analytics and AI already being used in particular companies e.g. BT for improving their scheduling and location selection, and combining the use of geographic information systems (GIS), spatial analytics, machine learning and computer vision to improve forecasting, data understanding, mapping retail activity, and informed map-based analyses.

Spatial inequality of domestic water consumption in Mexico city

Achieving equal access to drinkable water whilst guaranteeing no discrimination constitutes a priority goal and an acquired compromise for the international agenda. However, achieving this goal has become challenging, especially in megacities. Mexico City registers 94% coverage of water supply, according to the 2020 Population and Housing Census. In 2019, per capita water consumption was 123 l/day, a supply reasonable as it is above the 100 l/day recommended by the World Health Organization to guarantee optimal access to water. However, water consumption among households is characterized by a heterogeneous spatial distribution that denotes a great inequity. The objective of this research is to evaluate the configuration of the spatial patterns that define the differences in water consumption in Mexico City's households, as well as their association with possible causal factors. This task was carried out through the spatial analysis and the use of geographic information systems. The water consumption records correspond to the year 2019 and were provided by the city's operating utility. Results confirmed the existence of two clusters of households whose location highlight areas where inequality in water consumption is present. The clusters are explained by the interaction of four factors, in order of importance: discontinuous water supply; dependence on external water sources; altitude; and the socioeconomic status of the neighborhoods. The results provide a fundamental basis for the development of water policies to mitigate inequality. Also, a methodological approach is provided to investigate water problems in large cities in developing countries, where the available literature is scarce. • Spatial analysis demonstrates the existence of a spatial distribution pattern of household consumption in Mexico City. • In Mexico City there are three clusters that show inequality in domestic water consumption. • Consumption water inequalities are mainly due to the influence of socioeconomic, demographic and drinking water supply factors.

Community-Based Surveillance and Geographic Information System‒Linked Contact Tracing in COVID-19 Case Identification, Ghana, March‒June 2020.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ghana implemented various mitigation strategies. We describe use of geographic information system (GIS)‒linked contact tracing and increased community-based surveillance (CBS) to help control spread of COVID-19 in Ghana. GIS-linked contact tracing was conducted during March 31-June 16, 2020, in 43 urban districts across 6 regions, and 1-time reverse transcription PCR testing of all persons within a 2-km radius of a confirmed case was performed. CBS was intensified in 6 rural districts during the same period. We extracted and analyzed data from Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System and CBS registers. A total of 3,202 COVID-19 cases reported through GIS-linked contact tracing were associated with a 4-fold increase in the weekly number of reported SARS-CoV-2 infected cases. CBS identified 5.1% (8/157) of confirmed cases in 6 districts assessed. Adaptation of new methods, such as GIS-linked contact tracing and intensified CBS, improved COVID-19 case detection in Ghana.

CREATING GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) DATABASE WITH UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAV) IN ARCHAELOGICAL AREAS; THE CASE OF ANEMURIUM ANCIENT CITY

The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which have developed rapidly in recent years, in archaeological sites provides a basis for many studies. It is important to produce the permanent records of archaeological sites for the management cultural heritage. While many methods are used to produce permanent records and boundaries, photogrammetry and remote sensing techniques have begun to be preferred within the process by considering their advantages such as low cost, saving time, and completing studies on cultural heritage without contact. In this study, a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Orthomosaic were produced using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in Anemurium Ancient City located in Mersin province. These data were used as a basis, and a relational database was created for GIS. Thus, an inventory study of all stone buildings and roads in the area was conducted, and the data sets were created according to the quality of the remains. Furthermore, the stone buildings in the ancient city were named on an address basis, and a relational database including the boundaries of the country, province, district, and ancient city area was created. This study serves as a guide for studies to be conducted on the management of archaeological sites.

ველურად მოზარდი ვაზის (Vitis vinifera L.) ეკო-გეოგრაფიული გარემო საქართველოში

Wildly growing grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) was a widespread plant in Georgia in previous centuries. Since the 1850s, American fungal diseases (powdery mildew and ash) and phylloxera, as well as human activities (road and house construction, etc.), have led to a dramatic decline in their numbers. Eight forms of wildly growing grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) have been found in the wild environment of Eastern and Western Georgia since 2003, having many ampelographic traits of cultivated vines. The provided information includes documentation with the use of Geographic Information Systems (GPS) about the geographical location of the discovered plants, exposure, altitude above sea level, affiliation with the river basins, soil types, climatic belts, support trees and plant species around them.

Combining Deep Semantic Edge and Object Segmentation for Large-Scale Roof-Part Polygon Extraction from Ultrahigh-Resolution Aerial Imagery

The roofscape plays a vital role in the support of sustainable urban planning and development. However, availability of detailed and up-to-date information on the level of individual roof-part topology remains a bottleneck for reliable assessment of its present status and future potential. Motivated by the need for automation, the current state-of-the-art focuses on applying deep learning techniques for roof-plane segmentation from light-detection-and-ranging (LiDAR) point clouds, but fails to deliver on criteria such as scalability, spatial predictive continuity, and vectorization for use in geographic information systems (GISs). Therefore, this paper proposes a fully automated end-to-end workflow capable of extracting large-scale continuous polygon maps of roof-part instances from ultra-high-resolution (UHR) aerial imagery. In summary, the workflow consists of three main steps: (1) use a multitask fully convolutional network (FCN) to infer semantic roof-part edges and objects, (2) extract distinct closed shapes given the edges and objects, and (3) vectorize to obtain roof-part polygons. The methodology is trained and tested on a challenging dataset comprising of UHR aerial RGB orthoimagery (0.03 m GSD) and LiDAR-derived digital elevation models (DEMs) (0.25 m GSD) of three Belgian urban areas (including the famous touristic city of Bruges). We argue that UHR optical imagery may provide a competing alternative for this task over classically used LiDAR data, and investigate the added value of combining these two data sources. Further, we conduct an ablation study to optimize various components of the workflow, reaching a final panoptic quality of 54.8% (segmentation quality = 87.7%, recognition quality = 62.6%). In combination with human validation, our methodology can provide automated support for the efficient and detailed mapping of roofscapes.

Value of Geographical Information Systems in Analyzing Geographic Accessibility to Inform Radiotherapy Planning: A Systematic Review.

Vulnerable populations face geographical barriers in accessing radiotherapy (RT) facilities, resulting in heterogeneity of care received and cancer burden faced. We aimed to explore the current use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in access to RT and use these findings to create sustainable solutions against barriers for access in low- and middle-income countries. A systematic review using the PRISMA search strategy was done for studies using GIS to explore outcomes among patients with cancer. Included studies were reviewed and classified into three umbrella categories of how GIS has been used in studying access to RT. Forty articles were included in the final review. Thirty-eight articles were set in high-income countries and two in upper-middle-income countries. Included studies were published from 2000 to 2020, and were comprised of patients with all-cancers combined, breast, colon, skin, lung, prostate, ovarian, and rectal carcinoma patients. Studies were categorized under three groups on the basis of how they used GIS in their analyses: to describe geographic access to RT, to associate geographic access to RT with outcomes, and for RT planning. Most studies fell under multiple categories. Although this field is relative nascent, there is a wide array of functions possible through GIS for RT planning, including identifying high-risk populations, improving access in high-need areas, and providing valuable information for future resource allocation. GIS should be incorporated in future studies, especially set in low- and middle-income countries, which evaluate access to RT.

Site Suitability Analysis for Urban Settlements along River Jhelum, Pakistan using GIS and Remote Sensing Techniques

Infrastructure development is critical to the success of economic growth policies. Remote sensing and GIS tools have an important role to play in the development of various urban infrastructures. Due to the rapid growth of urban population and urbanization, it is necessary to find out the site's suitability for sustainable urban development. The main aim of the study is to study the growth and trend of urbanization, as well as to find out the suitable sites for further urban development in northern Punjab, along the river Jhelum, Pakistan. The study illustrates the use of geographic information system (GIS) and Remote Sensing based techniques i.e. Human Natural Environment Index (HNEI) applied with a foundation of Relief Degree of Land Surface (RDLS), Temperature Humidity Index (THI), Water Resource Index (WRI), and Land Cover Index (LCI) for selection of the suitable site for urban settlements along river Jhelum, Pakistan. For this purpose, Toposheet and Landsat satellite data were used to generate various thematic layers using ArcGIS software. The results were generated in form of five categories i.e., highly suitable, moderately suitable, relatively low suitable, low suitable, and non-suitable. The final results indicated that district Sargodha is most suitable for long-term sustainable urban settlements favored by relief, climate, water availability, land cover scenario, and flood hazard-free area. Eventually, a site suitability map is prepared for further urban development. The present study allows the local people as well as urban planners for the appropriate plans of land use planning in sustainable urban development.

Geographic Information System (GIS) as an Information Media in the Field of Environmental Health: Literature Review

Geographic Information System (GIS) is a system with a collection of data that has a special capacity to combine data, coordinate data, and perform data checks that produce output to be used as a source of decision making. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be linked to health information at a particular location, combine, analyze and produce the health information according to activities in the health sector per location. Furthermore, the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is planned to determine areas, conditions, styles, patterns and models related to the health sector. Geographic Information System (GIS) can create a map display by knowing the data from the map and other related data in presenting information about an area on the map.

Assessment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Use Opportunities in Forest Road Project (Düzce Sample)

Forest roads are important infrastructure facilities that enable forestry activities to continue without interruption. These infrastructure facilities are very important in terms of protection and maintenance of forests, safe transportation of the produced property, afforestation, recreation, and transportation to forest fires as soon as possible. Today, an advantageous environment has been created by the widespread use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, the increase in its use, as well as the integration of clearer and reliable information within the framework of sensitive forestry understanding, with the acquisition of high-resolution images with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). This study, with the help of UAV data and GIS on forest roads, which serve as the basic infrastructure in the fulfilment of forestry activities, for forest road design and excavation-filling calculations, drones etc. made to demonstrate the applicability of the technologies. The study was carried out on the 164 coded B Type Forest Road belonging to the Cumaova Forestry Directorate affiliated with the Düzce Forestry Operations Directorate. In line with the study, first of all, data were obtained with a multi-copter drone. A Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of the study area was produced with the raw data obtained. The produced DTM data was compared with the 12.5 m Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data showing the land structure before the road was built. At the last stage of the study, the height and position data obtained from the road line with ground measurements and the excavation-fill amounts were compared using the RoadEng software. In the light of the results obtained in this study, it is thought that safer and more precise data can be obtained in forest road design studies, and it can provide a practical approach to road planning studies for planners, decision-makers and practitioners.

Progress on application of spatial epidemiology in ophthalmology.

Most ocular diseases observed with cataract, chlamydia trachomatis, diabetic retinopathy, and uveitis, have their associations with environmental exposures, lifestyle, and habits, making their distribution has certain temporal and spatial features based essentially on epidemiology. Spatial epidemiology focuses on the use of geographic information systems (GIS), global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), and spatial analysis to map spatial distribution as well as change the tendency of diseases and investigate the health services status of populations. Recently, the spatial epidemic approach has been applied in the field of ophthalmology, which provides many valuable key messages on ocular disease prevention and control. This work briefly reviewed the context of spatial epidemiology and summarized its progress in the analysis of spatiotemporal distribution, non-monitoring area data estimation, influencing factors of ocular diseases, and allocation and utilization of eye health resources, to provide references for its application in the prevention and control of ocular diseases in the future.

Use of geographical information systems (GIS) in assessing ecological profile, fish community structure and production of a large reservoir of Himachal Pradesh.

The present study demonstrates the spatial analysis and mapping of fish and different measures of environmental parameters and fish diversity of Pong reservoir, Himachal Pradesh, using Kriging spatial interpolation methods for geographical information system mapping. Seasonal data on environmental parameters, potential fish habitat and fish diversity was collected from lentic (dam), lentic (reservoir), transitional and lotic zone of the reservoir.. Important environmental parameters like water temperature, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, water depth and transparency showed variations across the different zones of the reservoir. The sediment of the reservoir was sandy clay loam in nature as per texture analysis. Fish species richness, Shannon index and evenness index showed a similarity of the lotic and lentic (reservoir) zones of the reservoir. Six potential fish breeding grounds were identified in the reservoir indicating high conservation significance. The analysis of data showed a declining trend in fish production from 456.9 tonnes during the decade 1976-1987 to 347.91 tonnes during 2009-2020. The factors like anthropogenic climate change, predation of a stocked fish juvenile by water birds, undersized fish stocking and unscientific management are the probable reasons for the decreasing fish production. The spatial variation pattern of the water spread area, environmental parameters, fish catch and potential fish breeding grounds depicted in the GIS platform can be used as an important information base by the policy makers for fisheries management. The stocking of large size fish as a stocking material and adequate protection of the potential fish breeding grounds are the key advisories for the sustainable enhancement of fisheries as well as conservation.

GIS-Based Spatial Modeling of Snow Avalanches Using Analytic Hierarchy Process. A Case Study of the Šar Mountains, Serbia

Snow avalanches are one of the most devastating natural hazards in the highlands that often cause human casualties and economic losses. The complex process of modeling terrain susceptibility requires the application of modern methods and software. The prediction of avalanches in this study is based on the use of geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and multicriteria analysis—analytic hierarchy process (AHP) on the territory of the Šar Mountains (Serbia). Five indicators (lithological, geomorphological, hydrological, vegetation, and climatic) were processed, where 14 criteria were analyzed. The results showed that approximately 20% of the investigated area is highly susceptible to avalanches and that 24% of the area has a medium susceptibility. Based on the results, settlements where avalanche protection measures should be applied have been singled out. The obtained data can will help local self-governments, emergency management services, and mountaineering services to mitigate human and material losses from the snow avalanches. This is the first research in the Republic of Serbia that deals with GIS-AHP spatial modeling of snow avalanches, and methodology and criteria used in this study can be tested in other high mountainous regions.

Application of Analytical Hierarchy Process and Geophysical Method for Groundwater Potential Mapping in the Tata Basin, Morocco

Ensuring water availability for agriculture and drinking water supply in semi-arid mountainous regions requires control of factors influencing groundwater availability. In most cases, the population draws its water needs from the alluvial aquifers close to villages that are already limited and influenced by current climatic change. In addition, the establishment of deep wells in the hard rock aquifers depletes the aquifer. Hence, understanding the factors influencing water availability is an urgent requirement. The use of geographic information system (GIS), and remote sensing (RS), together with decision-making methods like analytical hierarchy process (AHP) will be of good aid in this regard. In the Tata basin, located in SE Morocco, ten factors were used to explain the groundwater potentiality map (GWPM). Five categories of potential zones were determined: very low (8.67%), low (17.74%), moderate (46.77%), high (19.95%), and very high (6.87%). The efficiency of the AHP model is validated using the ROC curve (receiver operating characteristics) which revealed a good correlation between the high potential groundwater zones and the spatial distribution of high flow wells. Geophysical prospecting, using electrical resistivity profiles, has made it possible to propose new well sites. It corresponds to conductive resistivity zones that coincide with the intersection of hydrogeological lineaments.

Changes in Contemporary Form in Gangneung City through Cadastral Data Analysis and Application of the Spatial Politics Concept

This study aimed to reveal changes in urban forms by analyzing the modern and contemporary development history of Gangneung City, one of the major cities in the Yeongdong county of Gangwon-do, South Korea; it has been a central city in the Yeongdong area since the Japanese colonial period. The study’s scope and analysis focused on a space centered in the old downtown area of Gangneung City. The time span under review was divided into three periods in terms of spatial politics. The original cadastral map, a contemporary cadastral map, and photographic data were analyzed, including the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) Programs, for characteristics corresponding to each period. A field investigation and interviews with residents were also conducted. The results confirmed changes in the spatial environment centered on roads, blocks, plots, and architecture that have historical significance. In particular, the study verified the characteristics of the physical environment of the original downtown area centered on Yonggang-dong, Myeongju-dong, and Seongnae-dong and changes in the form of Lake Gyeongpo. Finally, the study presents the implications of these changes by comprehensively summarizing the history of the modern and contemporary development of Gangneung City through changes in the surrounding area.

Spatio-temporal analysis of shoreline changes and erosion risk assessment along Jerba island (Tunisia) based on remote-sensing data and geospatial tools

Jerba, the largest island in North Africa, is among the most exposed islands to the combined effects of climate change and human activities in the Mediterranean. The eastern coast of Jerba island has long been subject to intense tourist development due to its attractive natural potential. The main issue addressed in this study concerns the evolutionary trends of Jerba shoreline and the assessment of coastal erosion risk. This work focuses on the historical study of the shoreline positions based on satellite data processing. The use of geographic information system (GIS) and the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) geostatistical calculation tool allowed for the identification of erosion and accretion rates and the description of evolutionary trends across 32 years covering three periods (1989–1999, 1999–2009, and 2009–2021). The results show an overall erosion trend (89% of the coastline). The statistics revealed that the study area, with the exception of the sandy spit, has experienced an intense and alarming level of erosion between 1989 and 1999, with an end point rate (EPR) equal to −4.12 m/year. This net rate continued to be negative in the period between 1999 and 2009, with an EPR of −0.5 m/year. Between 2009 and 2021, the net rate of shoreline change is marked by slight accretion, at an average of +1.4 m/year. The overall long-term trend shows the shoreline is eroding, with an average linear regression rate of −1.38 m/year for the whole period. This trend is due to a combination of the cumulative effects of sea-level rise and anthropogenic actions. Therefore, sustainable management strategies need to be implemented urgently by coastal managers to restore the sectors that are susceptible to further erosion.

Harmonising Incompatible Datasets to Enable GIS Use to Study Non-communicable Diseases in Tonga

We investigated the use of geographic information systems (GIS) to study the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in association with area deprivation within Tongatapu, the largest island in Tonga. This is a case study to determine what is possible to achieve since various data issues influenced by institutional and organizational barriers exist, affecting data integration and GIS use. A data conversion framework was developed using geographic conversion tables (GCTs) to process existing data into a compatible format and create new geographies to analyse the prevalence of NCDs and area deprivation across different levels of geography. Area deprivation was higher in the rural district and was associated with the prevalence of NCDs. However, at lower levels of geography, the distribution and patterns of NCDs, and area deprivation were unclear. This was influenced by the methods of data collection, recording and dissemination. There is a need for a national action plan outlining the standard operating procedures for all stakeholders to adhere to, and thereby produce and disseminate comprehensive, reliable, and high-quality data. Otherwise, data will be collected for basic reporting but impractical for sophisticated analysis and research. We suggest an investigation into dasymetric mapping to disaggregate population data and develop automating processes for large national datasets.

Green City or Urban Countryside?

Urban sprawl is a global phenomena in which a city expands and suffocates its surrounding countryside. These two indivisible entities coexist in a field that juxtaposes and composes urban and rural traits according to their respective modalities. Sociologically rural and economically urban, N'Gaous orchard city par excellence, located in the heart of the Aures and characterized by its apricot trees, has experienced an astounding spatial expansion over the last 60 years, establishing a strong presence in its territory, solidifying its service, and reaffirming its attraction. Its land area expanded by more than ten times (from 33.7 to 379.7 hectares), while the population increased by more than six times (from 4,887 to 33,515 persons ). The fast growth of its urban sprawl creates a number of issues, the most serious of which are these peri-urban orchards. The goal of this article is to investigate urban growth and urbanization in N'Gaous, Algeria. The purpose is to ascertain the effects of urban expansion on peri-urban agricultural land, the primary economic activity in the area, and to chart its evolution. Accordingly, the article employs an analytical approach to assess the agronomic potential of soils in order to quantify and monitor the agricultural potential consumed by the construction. This method is supported by the use of Geographic Information Systems as a decision support tool for spatializing the city's growth. The focus of the article is not merely to avoid urban expansion, but to achieve the optimal agri-urban balance feasible. Hence, it will serve as a demonstration that the urban future is fashioned with the inherent potential to guide growth via the use of land assets.

Challenges Associated with the Management of Post-Consumer Polyethylene Terephthalate Packaging Bottle Waste in Harare Urban, Zimbabwe

This study analyses challenges associated with management of PET beverages bottle waste in Harare Urban, Zimbabwe. Quantitative data collection instruments used included structured questionnaires and geo-spatial data collection. Qualitative data instruments used included direct observations, open-ended questions, structured interviews (audio and videos) as well as field notes. Fundamental to the quantitative data collection process was the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Earth Observation Tools. Near-real time geo-spatial data was collected using Mobile Data Collector (Open Data Kit-ODK), was analysed (using ArcView GIS, QGIS, SPSS and MS Excel) and then presented for all the attributes associated with this particular research study. Geo-referenced data was collected from a total of 328 outlets and 299 consumers and households. Challenges associated with PET waste management in Harare include inadequate collection infrastructure, consumer behaviour, volatility of oil and PET global markets and the lack of a robust PET waste policy that addresses these challenges. Environmental and health hazards emanating from these challenges included reduced aesthetic value, blockage of drainage systems, toxic gas emissions from PET waste burning, reduced productive land, leaching of hazardous substances, high incidence of malaria and cholera and ingestion by wildlife. In order to address the generation and distribution of PET waste, the primary audiences are manufacturers of beverages packaged in PET Bottle. The manufacturers need to focus on bottle light weighting. This means that less resin are used to manufacture the same bottle and this ultimately reduces the amount of PET waste generated by weight.

MONITORING OIL SPILL REMEDIATION USING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM: CASE STUDY OF THE OGONI CLEAN-UP IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA.

This research was carried out based on the need for creating a digitalized environmental resource database for Ogoni (comprising its four Local Government Area of Eleme, Khana, Tai and Gokana in Rivers State, Nigeria). Leveraging on the Engaged techniques in monitoring oil spill Remediation management. The research was proposed towards monitoring Remediation with various degrees of impact resulting from oil spill contamination within the study area, through the knowledge of spill sources, contaminated area, degree of impact and sizes, from which a viable database is built. List of the impacted 64 UNEP facts sheets sites, list of 12 sites undergoing Remedial work, spill investigation area and their reference GPS coordinates as provided by HYPREP was analysed using the Geographical Information Systems. collected dataset was analysed using ArcGIS 10.5 as imported in Geographical Information Systems environment, suffer was used in producing maps and contour. Indications from result shows that each impacted site, has an associated source with the contour showing point of high and low impact of contamination. The research has therefore conclusively shown the effective use of Geographical Information Systems, in creating a spatial database in monitoring and modelling oil spill trend for the purpose Remediation putting in place adequate Remediation Management System in the study area. I recommend that Remediation Management System maps covering study area be consistently made available and accessed when needed for upward review. Key worlds: Oil Spill, Remediation, Environmental Pollution, Ogoni clean-up.