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Corner, Robert J. "Knowledge representation in geographic information systems." Thesis, Curtin University, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/928.
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In order to satisfy increasing demand for better, smarter, more flexible land resource information an alternative form of representation is proposed. That representation is to be achieved through the coupling of Expert System methods and Geographic Information Systems. Instead of representing resource information using entities such as soil types, defined by rigid boundaries on a map, a more fluid presentation is proposed. Individual resource attributes will be represented by surfaces that describe their probability of occurrence, at a number of levels, across a landscape. Such flexible representations, which are designed to better capture the mental models behind their creation, are capable of being combined and synthesised to answer a wide range of resource queries.An investigation of methods of knowledge representation in a number of fields of research, led to the belief that a Bayesian Network provides a representational calculus that is appropriate to the "fuzzy" and imprecise conceptual models used in resource assessment. The fundamental mathematical principles of such networks have been tailored to provide a representation that is in tune with the intuitive processes of a surveyor's thinking.Software has been written to demonstrate the method and tested on a variety of data sets from Australia and overseas. These tests and demonstrations have used a range of densities of knowledge and range of acuity in evidential data. In general the results accord with the mental models used as drivers. A number of operational facets of the method have been highlighted during these demonstrations and attention has been given to a discussion of them.
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San, Martin Roberto. "Information management in disaster and development : geographic information systems." Master's thesis, Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/6218.
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Mestrado em Desenvolvimento e Cooperação InternacionalThis research considers the theoretical and practical link between long-term sustainable development and disaster management. The aim is to develop a theoretical framework and a methodology which allows the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to manage the related information. Literature review leads us to understand development and disaster management as part of a learning cycle. Within this context, a common approach to information management is suggested to support the decision-making process in a cost-effective manner. A “universal” GIS is proposed to integrate information management for development and disaster while exploring the interactions between projects and project and the related geography which is considered a complex reality full of synergies between space, ecosystem, society, culture and economy. Study of academic production, practical implementations, interviews and a limited GIS application (using ArcMap and QGis) are used to endorse the capabilities of this concept. These capabilities are limited by lack of free information and cost of data gathering, interoperability and other technical issues. Open-source and crowdsourcing may solve some limitations while others need further research.
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Corner, Robert J. "Knowledge representation in geographic information systems." Curtin University of Technology, School of Spatial Sciences, 1999. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=11740.
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In order to satisfy increasing demand for better, smarter, more flexible land resource information an alternative form of representation is proposed. That representation is to be achieved through the coupling of Expert System methods and Geographic Information Systems. Instead of representing resource information using entities such as soil types, defined by rigid boundaries on a map, a more fluid presentation is proposed. Individual resource attributes will be represented by surfaces that describe their probability of occurrence, at a number of levels, across a landscape. Such flexible representations, which are designed to better capture the mental models behind their creation, are capable of being combined and synthesised to answer a wide range of resource queries.An investigation of methods of knowledge representation in a number of fields of research, led to the belief that a Bayesian Network provides a representational calculus that is appropriate to the "fuzzy" and imprecise conceptual models used in resource assessment. The fundamental mathematical principles of such networks have been tailored to provide a representation that is in tune with the intuitive processes of a surveyor's thinking.Software has been written to demonstrate the method and tested on a variety of data sets from Australia and overseas. These tests and demonstrations have used a range of densities of knowledge and range of acuity in evidential data. In general the results accord with the mental models used as drivers. A number of operational facets of the method have been highlighted during these demonstrations and attention has been given to a discussion of them.
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Love, Kimberly R. "Modeling Error in Geographic Information Systems." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/29900.
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Geographic information systems (GISs) are a highly influential tool in today's society, and are used in a growing number of applications, including planning, engineering, land management,and environmental study. As the field of GISs continues to expand, it is very important to observe and account for the error that is unavoidable in computerized maps. Currently, both statistical and non-statistical models are available to do so, although there is very little implementation of these methods.
In this dissertation, I have focused on improving the methods available for analyzing error in GIS vector data. In particular, I am incorporating Bayesian methodology into the currently popular G-band error model through the inclusion of a prior distribution on point locations. This has the advantage of working well with a small number of points, and being able to synthesize information from multiple sources. I have also calculated the boundary of the confidence region explicitly, which has not been done before, and this will aid in the eventual inclusion of these methods in GIS software. Finally, I have included a statistical point deletion algorithm, designed for use in situations where map precision has surpassed map accuracy. It is very similar to the Douglas-Peucker algorithm, and can be used in a general line simplification situation, but has the advantage that it works with the error information that is already known about a map rather than adding unknown error. These contributions will make it more realistic for GIS users to implement techniques for error analysis.Ph. D.
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China, Samuel Soita. "Land use planning using geographic information systems." Thesis, University of Southampton, 1993. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.239501.
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Stassopoulou, Athena. "Bayesian networks for inference with geographic information systems." Thesis, University of Surrey, 1996. http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/863/.
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West, Bryan A. "Conceptions of geographic information systems (GIS) held by senior geography students in Queensland." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2008. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/16682/1/Bryan_Andrew_West_Thesis.pdf.
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Geographical Information Systems (GIS) represent one of the major contributions to spatial analysis and planning of the new technologies. While teachers and others have viewed its potential contribution to geographical education as considerable, it has not been known with any certainty whether they present a valuable educational tool that aids geographical education. The value of GIS to geographical education is viewed as depending on a geographical education being, in itself, valuable.
Within this context, synergetic focus groups are employed to explore the conceptions of GIS held by 109 secondary school students studying Senior Geography in metropolitan and regional Queensland, Australia. A phenomenographic approach is adopted to identify the six qualitatively different ways, or conceptions, in which the participating students experience GIS as:
1. Maps and a source of maps in geography.
2. Mapping in geography: a way to use and create maps.
3. A professional mapping tool: exceeding the needs of senior
geography.
4. Frustrating geography: irksome and presenting many challenges
to the student-user.
5. Relevant geography: within and beyond the school experience.
6. A better geography: offering a superior curriculum, and broader
geographical education, when contrasted to a senior geography
that omits its use.
The structural and referential elements of each of these conceptions are elucidated within corresponding Categories of Description. The qualitatively different ways in which the conceptions may be experienced are illustrated through an Outcome Space, comprising a metaphoric island landscape. This structural framework reveals that for the Senior Geography students who participated in this investigation, the extent to which GIS may augment the curriculum is influenced by the nature of students' individual understandings of how GIS manages spatial data.
This research project is a response to repeated calls in the literature for teachers of geography themselves to become researchers and for a better understanding of GIS within geography education. It reviews the salient literature with respect to geography and geography education generally, and GIS within geographical education specifically. The investigation has confirmed that qualitatively different conceptions of GIS exist amongst students and that these are not consistently aligned with assumptions about its use and benefits as presented by current literature.
The findings of the study contribute to knowledge of the potential educational outcomes associated with the use of GIS in geography education and decisions related to current and potential geography curricula. It provides guidance for future curriculum development involving GIS and argues for additional research to inform educators and the spatial sciences industry about the actual and perceived role of GIS within geography education.
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West, Bryan A. "Conceptions of geographic information systems (GIS) held by senior geography students in Queensland." Queensland University of Technology, 2008. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16682/.
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Geographical Information Systems (GIS) represent one of the major contributions to spatial analysis and planning of the new technologies. While teachers and others have viewed its potential contribution to geographical education as considerable, it has not been known with any certainty whether they present a valuable educational tool that aids geographical education. The value of GIS to geographical education is viewed as depending on a geographical education being, in itself, valuable. Within this context, synergetic focus groups are employed to explore the conceptions of GIS held by 109 secondary school students studying Senior Geography in metropolitan and regional Queensland, Australia. A phenomenographic approach is adopted to identify the six qualitatively different ways, or conceptions, in which the participating students experience GIS as: 1. Maps and a source of maps in geography. 2. Mapping in geography: a way to use and create maps. 3. A professional mapping tool: exceeding the needs of senior geography. 4. Frustrating geography: irksome and presenting many challenges to the student-user. 5. Relevant geography: within and beyond the school experience. 6. A better geography: offering a superior curriculum, and broader geographical education, when contrasted to a senior geography that omits its use. The structural and referential elements of each of these conceptions are elucidated within corresponding Categories of Description. The qualitatively different ways in which the conceptions may be experienced are illustrated through an Outcome Space, comprising a metaphoric island landscape. This structural framework reveals that for the Senior Geography students who participated in this investigation, the extent to which GIS may augment the curriculum is influenced by the nature of students' individual understandings of how GIS manages spatial data. This research project is a response to repeated calls in the literature for teachers of geography themselves to become researchers and for a better understanding of GIS within geography education. It reviews the salient literature with respect to geography and geography education generally, and GIS within geographical education specifically. The investigation has confirmed that qualitatively different conceptions of GIS exist amongst students and that these are not consistently aligned with assumptions about its use and benefits as presented by current literature. The findings of the study contribute to knowledge of the potential educational outcomes associated with the use of GIS in geography education and decisions related to current and potential geography curricula. It provides guidance for future curriculum development involving GIS and argues for additional research to inform educators and the spatial sciences industry about the actual and perceived role of GIS within geography education.
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Eagleson, Serryn. "GIS applied to administrative boundary design /." Connect to thesis, 2002. http://eprints.unimelb.edu.au/archive/00001046.
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Eccles, Kristin M. "Applications of Geographic Information Systems in Landscape Ecotoxicology." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/39504.
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Landscape ecotoxicology is the study of dose-response relationships to toxicants and integrating environmental factors across a defined landscape. In this thesis, I contributed new knowledge to the field of landscape ecotoxicology by adapting analytical methods to assess spatial patterns of chemical exposure among different wildlife keystone species, quantify the relationships between contaminant sources and exposures, and quantify dose-response relationships across large landscapes. Currently, there are few landscape ecotoxicology tools available for quantifying geospatial patterns of environmental toxicology data. To address this gap, I adapted spatial and statistical methods and demonstrated how they can be used to 1) integrate data and assess spatial patterns of contaminant exposure; 2) assess spatial patterns of exposure to complex mixtures; and 3) examine dose-response patterns across landscapes. I developed fur Hg as a biomarker medium as a non-invasive biomonitoring tool in river otter (Lontra canadensis) and mink (Neovison vison) by developing conversion factors that can be used to estimate internal organ Hg from fur Hg, using a meta-regression approach. Based on these results, I suggest that the fur Hg screening guideline be reduced from 20 ug/g to 15 ug/g to be more conservative. I also quantified how the distribution of fur Hg changes across the pelt of river otters. Results from this study indicate that topcoat should be used for biomonitoring as it is less variable than the undercoat and samples should be taken from the forebody (head and legs) for the most accurate organ Hg estimation. Using biomarkers of exposure, I quantified the relationship between sources of Hg and factors that promote Hg bioaccumulation with dietary Hg from stomach contents and fur Hg to establish fur as a proxy for bioavailability of environmental Hg. I also assessed spatial dose-response patterns between fur Hg and fur cortisol using a geographically weighted regression (GWR). Based on these results I use my proposed fur screening guideline of 15 µg/g to categorize fur Hg exposures and demonstrate that at low exposures (<15 µg/g) in fur, Hg has a positive relationship with cortisol. Conversely, at high exposures (>15 µg/g) in fur, Hg has a negative relationship with cortisol. This research provides a field example of heterogeneous dose-response relationships. Finally, I assessed spatial patterns of complex metal exposures in a variety of biomonitoring datasets. I used normalization and transformation techniques to effectively combine datasets comprised of different species and life stages. I then used a spatial principal components analysis (sPCA) to exemplify clusters of complex exposures associated with oil and gas development in regions of Alberta, Canada. These advancements in the field of landscape ecotoxicology will help advance evidence-based long-term ecological monitoring programs.
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Finniear, Lee John. "An intelligent Geographic Information System for design." Thesis, Loughborough University, 1991. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/32546.
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Recent advances in geographic information systems (GIS) and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have been summarised, concentrating on the theoretical aspects of their construction and use. Existing projects combining AI and GIS have also been discussed, with attention paid to the interfacing methods used and problems uncovered by the approaches. AI and GIS have been combined in this research to create an intelligent GIS for design. This has been applied to off-shore pipeline route design. The system was tested using data from a real pipeline design project.
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Rajguru, Chaitanya Shreeniwas. "Application of GIS in propagation prediction." Thesis, This resource online, 1992. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-05042010-020256/.
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Schuurman, Nadine Cato. "Critical GIS : theorizing an emerging science." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape4/PQDD_0017/NQ48706.pdf.
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Assimakopoulos, Dimitris G. "The Greek GIS community." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.266121.
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Parsley, Scott. "Methodologies for distributed and higher dimensional geographic information." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10443/462.
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In today's digital era, cartography has changed its role, from that of a pure visual model of the Earth's surface, to an interface to other spatial and aspatial information. Along with this, representationa nd manipulation of graphical information in three-dimensional space is required for many applications. Problems and difficulties must be overcome in order to facilitate the move to three-dimensional models, multimedia, and distributed data. Can accurate measurements, at sufficient resolution, and using affordable resources be obtained? Will application software usefully process, in all aspects, models of the real world, sounds, and videos? Combined with this, the workplace is becoming distributed, requiring applications and data that can be used across the globe as easily as in the office. A distributed, three-dimensional, GIS is required with all the procedural and recording functionality of current two-dimensional systems. Such a GIS would maintain a model, typically comprised of solids of individual buildings, roads, utilities etc. with both external and internal detail, represented on a suitable digital terrain model. This research examines virtual reality software as part of an answer. Alternatively, can technologies such as HTML, VRML, and scripting, along with object-orientation and open systems, allow for the display and interrogation of networked data sets? The particular application of this technology, considered during this research, is the need for accurate reconstruction of historical urban monuments. The construction, manipulation, and exploration of these models is often referred to as virtual heritage. This research constructs an innovative and resource effective methodology, the Phoenix algorithm, which requires only a single image for creating three-dimensional models of buildings at large scale. The development of this algorithm is discussed and the results obtained from it are compared with those obtained using traditional three-dimensional capture techniques. Furthermore, possible solutions to the earlier questions are given and discussed.
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Chan, Tai On. "The dynamics of diffusion of corporate GIS /." Connect to thesis, 1998. http://eprints.unimelb.edu.au/archive/00001055.
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Satyanarayana, V. G. "Analysis of transit service areas using geographic information systems." Master's thesis, This resource online, 1998. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-12232009-020338/.
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Ladd, Patrick J. "A chronic problem, a contemporary solution : designing a GIS-based learning environment to improve geographic literacy /." View abstract, 2000. http://library.ctstateu.edu/ccsu%5Ftheses/1593.html.
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Thesis (M.S.)--Central Connecticut State University, 2000.Thesis advisor: Peter A.K. Kyem. " ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geography." Includes bibliographical references (leaves [153-153]).
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Sener, Basak. "Landfill Site Selection By Using Geographic Information Systems." Master's thesis, METU, 2004. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12605409/index.pdf.
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One of the serious and growing potential problems in most large urban areas is the shortage of land for waste disposal. Although there are some efforts to reduce and recover the waste, disposal in landfills is still the most common
method for waste destination. An inappropriate landfill site may have negative environmental, economic and ecological impacts. Therefore, it should be selected carefully by considering both regulations and constraints on other
sources. In this study, candidate sites for an appropriate landfill area in the vicinity of Ankara are determined by using the integration of Geographic Information Systems and Multicriteria Decision Analysis. For this purpose, sixteen input map layers including topography, settlements (urban centers and villages), roads (Highway E90 and village roads), railways, airport, wetlands, infrastructures (pipelines and power lines), slope, geology, land use, floodplains, aquifers and surface water are prepared and two different MCDA methods
(Simple Additive Weighting and Analytic Hierarchy Process) are implemented in GIS environment. Comparison of the maps produced by these two different methods shows that both methods yield conformable results. Field checks also
confirm that the candidate sites agree well with the selected criteria.
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Peng, Huifeng. "Analysis of the Beijing Greenbelts Plan using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)." Online access for everyone, 2005. http://www.dissertations.wsu.edu/Thesis/Summer2005/h%5Fpeng%5F070705.pdf.
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Sirinyildiz, Tunc. "Integration Of Geophysical - Geological Data Using Geographic Information Systems." Master's thesis, METU, 2004. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/1206374/index.pdf.
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This study attempts to integrate geophysical data with other spatial data using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The study is carried out in a part of Galatean Volcanic Province, north of Ankara. Gravity, magnetic, topographic, rock type and volcanic eruption center data are the data layers used in the study. All data layers are converted to raster format with a grid spacing of 100 m.
The first step in the analysis is the pair-wise analyses of all data layers. For the geophysical data, different layers for the depths of 1 to 5 km are generated. All paired analyses indicate that geophysical and other data sets are correlative among each other but show no relationship for any two layers from different sets.
In the second step of the analyses, two geophysical data are combined and overlaid with layers from the other set. These analyses indicate that relationship between geophysical data with other spatial data becomes more evident and that the geophysical data can be successfully integrated with other data sets. Accuracy of the results is highly dependent on the accuracy of both data sets. Analyses have shown GIS can contribute to the investigation of spatial distribution of buried planar structures using geophysical data.
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CASAGRANDE, GIANLUCA. "Variable level semantics for advanced implementations in geographic information systems." Doctoral thesis, Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata", 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2108/1400.
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Gli attuali Sistemi di Informazione Geografica consentono di sviluppare processi analitici e rappresentazioni estremamente sofisticati. La “visione del mondo” nel loro utilizzo, tuttavia, è ancora prevalentemente legata a quella che Adalberto Vallega definiva “grammatica razionalista” della geografia. Ciò è dovuto non tanto a limitazioni di natura tecnica, quanto al persistere di “costanti teoriche” nel processo di elaborazione. Alcuni studi, peraltro, hanno già dimostrato come gli attuali strumenti possano essere idonei a rappresentazioni di tipo non cartesiano.
L’attuale fase di sviluppo di queste tecnologie crea tuttavia i presupposti per nuove opportunità anche nel campo della grammatica umanistica. Oggi vengono intensamente ricercate l’interoperabilità, sia tecnica che semantica, e crescenti livelli di interattività e multimedialità nelle rappresentazioni.
La prima linea di progresso ha condotto al perfezionamento di applicazioni dotate di capacità semantiche; queste, se da un lato rispondono all’esigenza primaria di favorire la condivisione di conoscenza geografica, dall’altro hanno portato ad utili perfezionamenti nel campo dell’ "automatic reasoning" e delle concettualizzazioni di dominio in base a categorie qualitative.
La seconda linea di progresso conduce all’avvento di nuove modalità di fruizione dell’informazione geografica che consentono un sempre più efficace coinvolgimento dell’utilizzatore.
Future implementazioni avanzate di sistemi GIS che sviluppino ulteriormente entrambe le linee avranno il probabile effetto di permettere più facili transizioni da analisi quantitative a descrizioni qualitative. Così facendo, potranno contribuire ad una più completa e corretta rappresentazione della realtà geografica.Present-day Geographic Information Systems are capable of sophisticated analytical processes and representations. However, the “worldview” in their use is mainly connected to the scientific approach which Adalberto Vallega called the “rationalistic grammar of geography”. This is due to widespread “theoretical constants” more than to technical limitations. As a matter of fact, several studies have shown that the available tools can be used effectively to develop non-Cartesian geographic representations. The current development of GIS technologies creates new opportunities in the field of humanistic geography. Significant efforts are in progress: on the one hand, to foster technical and semantic interoperability; on the other hand, to develop more effective and interactive representations. The first development line led to the design of systems provided with semantic capabilities. Their main purpose, as of today, is the integration of knowledge derived from dispersed data sources. As a virtuous side effect, though, better tools and techniques for “automatic reasoning” and for quality-based domain conceptualizations are now available. The second development line is leading to the rise of new concepts about the representation of geographic reality beyond traditional cartographic approaches. Future, advanced GIS implementations, able to exploit the potential of technologies along these two development lines, are likely to give fundamental contributions to geographic science, by allowing easier transitions between quantitative analyses and qualitative descriptions.
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Jia, Xudong. "A client/server-based intelligent GIS shell for transportation." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/20756.
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Fenn, Tim. "Understanding & improving GIS software selection /." Click for abstract, 1998. http://library.ctstateu.edu/ccsu%5Ftheses/1490.html.
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Thesis (M.S.)--Central Connecticut State University, 1998.Thesis advisor: Professor John Harmon. " ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geography." Includes bibliographical references (leaves ix-xi.
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Tse, To-fun. "Integrating GIS into the geography curriculum of Hong Kong schools." Click to view the E-thesis via HKUTO, 2005. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record/B31940390.
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Dakowicz, Maciej. "A unified spatial data structure for GIS." Thesis, University of South Wales, 2009. https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/en/studentthesis/a-unified-spatial-data-structure-for-gis(1e1d3b0e-586a-4b1d-9027-f03c61b30a68).html.
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Most GIS systems use separate thematic "layers" to store different types of spatial data. Each of them contains specific characteristics of the area, so there are separate layers for the distribution of buildings, the road network or the relief of the terrain. The spatial information used in GIS can be grouped into four main groups: polygonal maps, terrain models, networks and discrete, unconnected objects. Polygonal maps and terrain models are considered to be "field" models of space, covering the whole map, so there is some kind of information available at every location. On the other hand, networks and discrete objects are representations of the "object" model of space, in which the map is populated by entities and the space between them is empty. Choropleth maps are the most common examples of polygonal maps and the three main representations of terrain models are Triangular Irregular Networks (TINs), grids and contour lines. Networks consist of connected edges, while discrete objects can be points, lines or polygons. In networks, polygonal maps and surfaces there is some model of connectivity available. Polygons are adjacent to each other, as are the elements in terrain models. Network data is connected along the edges and junctions are defined. Unconnected objects need have no connectivity information, but in that case the possible spatial queries are limited. The layers can be stacked on top of each other to perform various operations and analyses on them. However, there is no consistent method applicable to all data types because GIS has traditionally separated field and object layers and used different data structures to represent them. This thesis presents a unified spatial data model for these most common types of spatial information and intends to show that it has clear advantages for geographical analysis. The idea is to represent discrete object models as fields, so there is information available at all locations. The model is based on the Voronoi Diagram (VD) and the dual Delaunay Triangulation (DT), two well studied geometric structures. Depending on the application it may be appropriate to represent the data on the map by the simple VD/DT, or their derivatives - the Constrained DT (CDT), the Line Segment VD (LSVD) or the crust and the skeleton. All of these are directly related to each other and may be handled in a single manner in the computer. Algorithms and the storage of these various forms of the VD using the quad-edge data structure is described. This structure may be updated locally, and dynamic algorithms for each of these representations are presented. This allows for the development of a common interactive framework for what are traditionally considered to be distinct data types. The unified model is illustrated by a variety of GIS applications, and the implementation of several traditional GIS operations and queries is discussed.
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Preston, Richard Michael. "RADGIS - an improved architecture for runtime-extensible, distributed GIS applications." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006497.
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A number of GIS architectures and technologies have emerged recently to facilitate the visualisation and processing of geospatial data over the Web. The work presented in this dissertation builds on these efforts and undertakes to overcome some of the major problems with traditional GIS client architectures, including application bloat, lack of customisability, and lack of interoperability between GIS products. In this dissertation we describe how a new client-side GIS architecture was developed and implemented as a proof-of-concept application called RADGIS, which is based on open standards and emerging distributed component-based software paradigms. RADGIS reflects the current trend in development focus from Web browser-based applications to customised clients, based on open standards, that make use of distributed Web services. While much attention has been paid to exposing data on the Web, there is growing momentum towards providing “value-added” services. A good example of this is the tremendous industry interest in the provision of location-based services, which has been discussed as a special use-case of our RADGIS architecture. Thus, in the near future client applications will not simply be used to access data transparently, but will also become facilitators for the location-transparent invocation of local and remote services. This flexible architecture will ensure that data can be stored and processed independently of the location of the client that wishes to view or interact with it. Our RADGIS application enables content developers and end-users to create and/or customise GIS applications dynamically at runtime through the incorporation of GIS services. This ensures that the client application has the flexibility to withstand changing levels of expertise or user requirements. These GIS services are implemented as components that execute locally on the client machine, or as remote CORBA Objects or EJBs. Assembly and deployment of these components is achieved using a specialised XML descriptor. This XML descriptor is written using a markup language that we developed specifically for this purpose, called DGCML, which contains deployment information, as well as a GUI specification and links to an XML-based help system that can be merged with the RADGIS client application’s existing help system. Thus, no additional requirements are imposed on object developers by the RADGIS architecture, i.e. there is no need to rewrite existing objects since DGCML acts as a runtime-customisable wrapper, allowing existing objects to be utilised by RADGIS. While the focus of this thesis has been on overcoming the above-mentioned problems with traditional GIS applications, the work described here can also be applied in a much broader context, especially in the development of highly customisable client applications that are able to integrate Web services at runtime.
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Hernandez, Juan Antonio. "The role of geographic information systems within retail location decision making." Thesis, Manchester Metropolitan University, 1999. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.264718.
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Huo, Yuhong. "GIS application for city parks in New Haven /." Click for abstract, 1998. http://library.ctstateu.edu/ccsu%5Ftheses/1493.html.
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Thesis (M.S.)--Central Connecticut State University, 1998.Thesis advisor: Xiaoping Shen. " ... in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Geography." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 52-54).
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Parnicza, Justin W. "WV LTAP PMS integrating GIS with PMS software /." Morgantown, W. Va. : [West Virginia University Libraries], 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10450/10848.
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Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2010.Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 97 p. : ill. (some col.), col. maps. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 51).
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Dooley, Phillip. "The Effective implementation of GIS in local government using diffusion theory /." Connect to thesis, 2001. http://eprints.unimelb.edu.au/archive/00001047.
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Rock, Amy E. "Identifying the spatial patterns of homelessness in Summit County, Ohio using GIS." Ohio : Ohio University, 2005. http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/view.cgi?ohiou----------.
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Vogt, Kelli. "Geographic Information Systems at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources." Miami University / OhioLINK, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1187122828.
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Wilde, Bryn. "A geographic information system approach to distributed hydrological modelling." Thesis, Cardiff University, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.327722.
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Veenendaal, Bert. "The distribution of geographic information systems data in a computer communications network." Thesis, Curtin University, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1971.
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Geographic information systems (GIS) are developing in a rapidly expanding distributed environment. With the ever-increasing growth of computer networks and the Internet in particular, it is imperative that GIS take advantage of distributed data technologies to provide users and applications with shared and improved access to geographic data.Geographic data distribution design is concerned with determining what data gets placed at which computer network sites and involves the issues of data partitioning, allocation and dynamic migration. Partitioning is concerned with how data, or fragments of the data, are apportioned to partitions. These partitions must then be assigned to network sites in an allocation process. Because data usage and access changes by applications in a dynamic environment, migration strategies are necessary to redistribute the data. In order for data distribution to reflect current usage patterns of applications, the design process must obtain and accumulate data usage information from applications.This dissertation first details the predicate fragmentation (PF) model. The core of the model is the PF tree that has been developed and implemented to store and maintain usage information. User predicates, obtained from application queries, are inserted into the tree and primitive predicates can be identified from the tree. These primitive predicates define the fragmentation from which a data distribution can be determined. Predicate insertion and pruning operations are essential to the maintenance of the tree structure.A methodology that uses the PF model to obtain a partitioning, allocation and migration strategy is then outlined. The fragments identified from the PF trees are aggregated into partitions that are then assigned to individual network sites using a site access allocation strategy. A dynamic migration strategy then uses changes in the PF trees to identify the data that must be migrated to a new site in order to accommodate the changing application environment.The implementation of the geographic data distribution methodology is referred to as GEODDIS. The methodology was tested and evaluated using a mineral occurrence application called GEOMINE which was developed with the ArcInfo GIS. The results indicate that geographic data distribution performs well when successive applications have similar data usage requirements. The implementation of the geographic data distribution methodology is referred to as GEODDIS. The methodology was tested and evaluated using a mineral occurrence application called GEOMINE which was developed with the ArcInfo GIS. The results indicate that geographic data distribution performs well when successive applications have similar data usage requirements. For applications with very different data usage patterns, the performance decreases to the worst case scenario where all the data must be transferred to the site where it is used. The tree pruning and data migration operations are essential to maintaining a PF tree structure and distribution that reflects the current data usage of applications.
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董鵬飛 and Pang-fei Tung. "IntelliMap: a new GIS model with intelligence." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1999. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31221804.
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Tung, Pang-fei. "IntelliMap : a new GIS model with intelligence /." Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong, 1999. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record.jsp?B20793273.
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Spicer, Jessica L. "Grassroots organizations and GIS assessing the role of geographical information and GIS in grassroots watershed organizations in West Virginia /." Morgantown, W. Va. : [West Virginia University Libraries], 2000. http://etd.wvu.edu/templates/showETD.cfm?recnum=1465.
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Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 2000.Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 59 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 46-50).
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Barrett, Kelly Ann. "Identifying building sites in Summit County, Colorado geography, geology, and GIS /." Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1238024467.
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Ching, Siu-tong, and 程肇堂. "Digital photogrammetry as a means of data capture for GIS." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2004. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B30110129.
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Caccetta, Peter A. "Remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS) and Bayesian knowledge-based methods for monitoring land condition." Thesis, Curtin University, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/868.
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This thesis considers various aspects of the use of remote sensing, geographical information systems and Bayesian knowledge-based expert system technologies for broad-scale monitoring of land condition in the Western Australian wheat belt.The use of remote sensing technologies for land condition monitoring in Western Australia had previously been established by other researchers, although significant limitations in the accuracy of the results remain. From a monitoring perspective, this thesis considers approaches for improving the accuracy of land condition monitoring by incorporating other data into the interpretation process.Digital elevation data provide one potentially useful source of information. The use of digital elevation data are extensively considered here. In particular, various methods for deriving variables relating to landform from digital elevation data and remotely sensed data are reviewed and new techniques derived.Given that data from a number of sources may need to be combined in order to produce accurate interpretations of land use/condition, methods for combining data are reviewed. Of the many different approaches available, a Bayesian approach is adopted.The approach adopted is based on relatively new developments in probabilistic expert systems. This thesis demonstrates how these new developments provide a unified framework for uniting traditional classification methods and methods for integrating information from other spatial data sets, including data derived from digital elevation models, remotely sensed imagery and human experts.Two applications of the techniques are primarily considered. Firstly, the techniques are applied to the task of salinity mapping/ monitoring and compared to existing techniques. Large improvements are apparent. Secondly, the techniques are applied to salinity prediction, an application not previously considered by other researchers in this domain. The results are encouraging. Finally limitations of the approach are discussed.
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Yang, Ting Surveying & Spatial Information Systems Faculty of Engineering UNSW. "VISUALISATION OF SPATIAL DATA QUALITY FOR DISTRIBUTED GIS." Awarded by:University of New South Wales. School of Surveying and Spatial Information Systems, 2007. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/27434.
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Nowadays a substantial trend occurs that vast amounts of geospatial data are supplied, managed, and processed over distributed GIS. It is important to provide users with the capability of visualising spatial data quality information in a meaningful way for distributed GIS, since it will significantly enhance user understanding of data quality and aid them in assessing the data fitness for their application requirements. This thesis investigates the issue of visualisation of spatial data quality for distributed GIS. Based on a review of core concepts associated with spatial data quality, metadata standards, and major research areas related to data quality, the limitations of current data quality presentation are highlighted. To overcome some of these limitations, the research topic of this thesis is proposed, namely, adding visualisation functionality to the presentation of spatial data quality to convey uncertainty information to users in an interactive and graphical manner. Based on a review of the theories on visualisation and the frameworks developed for visualisation of spatial data quality in literature, an extended framework is developed incorporating several aspects of visualisation such as contexts, contents, and techniques, where the hierarchical nature of data quality and error models are two main parts of the visualisation contents. A brief framework of visualisation of spatial data quality for distributed GIS is proposed, where data storage with quality information and web services for visualising data quality are two key components. To satisfy a series of requirements for representing spatial data quality, a new object-oriented data model is proposed based on the review of developments of data models. This data model can specifically deal with the hierarchical nature of data quality and error propagation, recognising data quality as a dynamic process. Further, The implementation of the data model using GML and SVG is discussed. The details of a web service for visualising spatial data quality are addressed. After proposing the requirements on building a system for spatial data quality visualisation for distributed GIS, the design of a prototype visualisation system for distributed GIS is addressed in detail. The prototype visualisation system for spatial data quality is developed and implemented with an example data set, where SVG and JavaScript are used to illustrate how various graphic methods such as animation, data quality filters, and colour gradients can be used for distributed GIS. In addition to the visualisation of positional accuracy at the feature level, in this pilot system, the hierarchical structure of data quality information is also presented. Limitations of the research in this thesis are also addressed. However, in general, this research is of great significance for the contributions made to a relatively new research area in terms of theories, procedures, and software developments.
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Kaunda, Nalishebo Nally. "Exploring object-oriented GIS for watershed resource management." Morgantown, W. Va. : [West Virginia University Libraries], 2001. http://etd.wvu.edu/templates/showETD.cfm?recnum=2226.
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Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 2001.Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 87 p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-85).
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La, Kose Laura. "Viewing landscapes through GIS the Higuchi viewshed approach /." Morgantown, W. Va. : [West Virginia University Libraries], 2004. https://etd.wvu.edu/etd/controller.jsp?moduleName=documentdata&jsp%5FetdId=3523.
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Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 2004.Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xviii, 181 p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 139-149).
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MacFarlane, Robert Hywel. "Integrating behavioural models with GIS for land-use policy impact modelling." Thesis, University of Aberdeen, 1994. http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk/R?func=search-advanced-go&find_code1=WSN&request1=AAIU067330.
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In this project, a range of characteristics describing farmers as decision-makers and details of their land holdings are integrated within a Geographic Information System (GIS) and used to predict overall farm response to defined policy scenarios, for a study area in the upland fringe of Grampian Region. Agriculture has undergone considerable adjustments over the past 40 years, characterised by the processes of intensification and specialisation of farming systems. These changes have been essentially policy-driven, although the precise interaction of policy, technological and macro-economic forces are not entirely understood. Further to this, rural areas are subject to an increasing range of consumption demands which has stimulated a new range of land-use policy schemes, and constraints, on farmers and landowners. From a position of assured government support which was enjoyed by the majority of farmers until the mid-1980s, the policy situation has developed into one of uncertainty and some confusion over the requirements and responsibilities placed on individual farmers. This research links spatial, behavioural and economic elements which combine to condition farm-level response to policy change. The complexity of individuals' decision environments, coupled with the diversity of individuals' values, objectives and resources is immense. The focus is on individual farms, and the implications of change at the individual level in developing a model of farm-level response to policy and market shifts.
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Hartt, Maxwell. "Geographic Information Systems and System Dynamics - Modelling the Impacts of Storm Damage on Coastal Communities." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/19817.
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A spatial-temporal model is developed for modelling the impacts of simulated coastal zone storm surge and flooding using a combined spatial mapping and system dynamics approach. By coupling geographic information systems (GIS) and system dynamics, the interconnecting components of the spatial-temporal model are used with limited historical data to evaluate storm damage. Overlapping cumulative effects layers in GIS (ArcMap) are used for describing the coastal community’s profile, and a system dynamics feedback model (STELLA) is developed to define the interconnecting component relationships of the community. The component-wise changes to the physical environment, community infrastructure, and socioeconomic resources from the storm surge and seal level rise are examined. These changes are used to assess the impacts of the community system as a whole. For the purpose of illustrating this model, the research is applied specifically to the case of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, a vulnerable coastal city subject to considerable impacts from pending sea level rise and more frequent severe storm surge attributed to the changing climate in the coastal zone.
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De, Klerk Jeanne Louise. "Cartographic GIS standards adopted by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry : a case study." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17480.
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Includes bibliographies.The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) acquired a Geographic Information System (GIS) in 1987. The purpose of acquiring such a system was to aid the department in implementing their water resource management strategy of that time. On acquiring this system it was well recognised that the GIS would need to communicate geo-referenced information, generated by analysis and modelling to decision makers by means of graphic representations or maps (Olivier et al., 1990: 14 73). Towards the end of 1990 it became apparent that the department needed to standardise cartographic output of this system. Maps on the same theme, which were produced at different sites were not comparable and graphic communication was not effective. A consultant was appointed, who, in conjunction with the departmental digital cartographer, established criteria and standards which were flexible enough to accommodate mapping on a wide variety of themes. These standards were implemented, to a limited extent in July 1994. Standards were set for map encoding, map content and map composition. This report investigates how effective these standards have been. The effectiveness of these standards have been measured in terms of the five recognised cartographic design principles that have been identified by Robinson et al. (1984), Wood (1992) and Dent (1990). These include the clarity and legibility of maps, the distinction between figure and ground, the hierarchical organisation of mapped information, the visual contrast of marks on maps and the visual balance or layout of the finished map. A sample of maps made after the implementation of cartographic standards at the department was compared to a sample of comparable maps made prior to the implementation of these standards. In a large organisation like the department the success of such standards do not depend on the standards alone but also on their implementation. Implementation related problems were identified by comparing standardised maps with the standards. The outcome of the investigation proved that the effectiveness of graphic communication had indeed improved albeit to a varying degree. In most cases the standards were adequate and the main problems actually lay with their implementation. Recommendations on the implementation and the few aspects of the standards that require amendment have been included in this report.
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Ko, Hiu-wah. "Using GIS in assessing the redevelopment potentials of heritage buildings in Wan Chai, Hong Kong." Click to view the E-thesis via HKUTO, 2008. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record/B41549594.
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Caccetta, Peter A. "Remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS) and Bayesian knowledge-based methods for monitoring land condition." Curtin University of Technology, School of Computing, 1997. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=11018.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis considers various aspects of the use of remote sensing, geographical information systems and Bayesian knowledge-based expert system technologies for broad-scale monitoring of land condition in the Western Australian wheat belt.The use of remote sensing technologies for land condition monitoring in Western Australia had previously been established by other researchers, although significant limitations in the accuracy of the results remain. From a monitoring perspective, this thesis considers approaches for improving the accuracy of land condition monitoring by incorporating other data into the interpretation process.Digital elevation data provide one potentially useful source of information. The use of digital elevation data are extensively considered here. In particular, various methods for deriving variables relating to landform from digital elevation data and remotely sensed data are reviewed and new techniques derived.Given that data from a number of sources may need to be combined in order to produce accurate interpretations of land use/condition, methods for combining data are reviewed. Of the many different approaches available, a Bayesian approach is adopted.The approach adopted is based on relatively new developments in probabilistic expert systems. This thesis demonstrates how these new developments provide a unified framework for uniting traditional classification methods and methods for integrating information from other spatial data sets, including data derived from digital elevation models, remotely sensed imagery and human experts.Two applications of the techniques are primarily considered. Firstly, the techniques are applied to the task of salinity mapping/ monitoring and compared to existing techniques. Large improvements are apparent. Secondly, the techniques are applied to salinity prediction, an application not previously considered by ++other researchers in this domain. The results are encouraging. Finally limitations of the approach are discussed.
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Vlado, Veldic. "GIS for spatial decision-making." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/29747.
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