RNR 403/503RNR 403/503Applications of GISApplications of GIS

Fall, 2012Fall, 2012

GISGIS – What does it mean? – What does it mean?

• Geographic (geospatial) – Place-based, georeferenced, location is quantitatively defined

• Information – Attributes, data on spatial features not related to location

• S – Systems (technology)

Science (knowledge)

Studies (study on how GI is used)

Geographic Information SystemGeographic Information System

• Organized collection of– Hardware– Software– Data– People– Procedures– Network

PeopleSoftware

Data

Procedures

Hardware

Network

Peter A. Burrough,1985Peter A. Burrough,1985Principles of GISPrinciples of GIS

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer based tools designed to collect, store, retrieve and change at will, manipulate, and display spatial information from the real world for a particular set of purposes.

GISystems are also described as:GISystems are also described as:

• Digital maps• Computerized tools for solving geographic problems• Spatial decision support system• Mechanized inventory of geographically distributed

features and facilities• Method for revealing patterns and processes in

geographic information• Tool to automate time-consuming tasks

GIScience – 3 Focus AreasGIScience – 3 Focus Areas

• Used as an operational tool in many fields* Need to develop procedures/applications to address common problems and uses in different

fields• Used as an investigative tool in many discipline

* Used to do science in different disciplines • Science on GI and Its Application

* Fundamental issues raised by the use of GIS and related technologies

– Spatial Data Structures – Map projections and coordinates – Accuracy and Uncertainty of GI– Scientific visualization

Why GIS MattersWhy GIS Matters• Almost everything happens somewhere – use location

as part of our analysis• Knowing where some things happen is critically

important– Position of country, county, property.. boundaries– Location of hospitals, schools, parks, powerlines,…– Routing delivery or emergency vehicles to locations– Location of cholera cases (London, 1854)– Location of sea turtles– Location of archeology sites

Information on the WorldInformation on the World

• How it looks – Form• How it works – Process• Knowledge about process more valuable than

form, because can be used to predict• GIS combine

– General scientific knowledge in software– Specific information in databases

Brief History of GISBrief History of GIS

• 1960 – 70s Innovation– First GIS – Canada Land Inventory– DIME US Bureau of Census – Harvard Laboratory for Computer Graphics– Major vendors started (e.g. ESRI, Intergraph)– Landsat satellite launched– Key academic conferences (e.g. AutoCarto)

Brief History of GISBrief History of GIS

• 1980-90s Commercialization– Commercial GIS software (e.g. ArcInfo)

– First GIS textbooks

– First global data sets

– Clinton Executive Order (creation of FGDC)

• 2000s Exploitation – Expansion – Internet becomes major deliver vehicle

– Datasets readily available

– More than 1 million active core users

First Internet First Internet Mapping SiteMapping Site

Business of GISBusiness of GIS• GIS industry is worth over $7 billion

– Software– Data– Services– Publishing– Education

Over 500,000 GIS Specialists Employed in U.S.

Example of market SegmentationSource: ASPRS (January, 2004)

Job Growth Areas Role Definition Expected

Shortages (%)

Application DevelopmentIdentify and develop tools and instruments to satisfycustomer needs 43

Data AnalysisProcess data and extract information to create products,drive conclusions, and inform decision making reports 36

Data Management Catalog, archive, retrieve, and distribute geospatial data 36

Project ManagementEffectively oversee activity requirements to produce thedesired outcomes on time and within budget 35

Systems Analysis

Assess requirements for system capacities including inputs, outputs, processes, timing, and performance, as well as recommend necessary additions or adaptations 33

VisualizationRender data and information into visual geospatialRepresentation 33

Systems ManagementIntegrate resources and develop additional resources tosupport spatial and temporal user requirements 28

Coordination Collect geospatial and related data 22

Training

Analyze, design, and develop instructional and non-instructional interventions to provide transfer of knowledge and evaluation for performance improvement 22

Management

Efficiently and effectively apply the company's missionusing financial, technical, and intellectual skills andresources to optimize the end products 17

Data Acquisition Inter-organizational facilitation and communication 13

Marketing

Identify customer requirements and needs, and effectively communicate those needs and requirements to the organization, as well as promote geospatial solutions 10

From: GITA and AAG - Defining and Communicating Geospatial Industry Workforce Demands, Phase I Report)

GIStudies GIStudies Social Implications of GISSocial Implications of GIS

• Favors generalization, possibly at expense of minorities and individuals

• Use is not always neutral and can be applied to military and industrial surveillance

• Tendency to be technological rather than human need focused

• Maintains and extends the status quo of societal power structures (information = $$)

• Absence of GIS in critical research and decision-making

SummarySummary• GIS is a science based on extensive technology

application• Unique perspective for examining patterns and

processes on the Earth’s surface• From origins in 1960s now a +$7bn industry• Widely studied in schools and universities as part of

many discipline curricula– Training on the application of GISy to solve problems– Use of GISc to conduct scientific investigations– Science on GI