GIS Fundamentals (Geographic Information Systems) 1

Geographic About the Earth Information Database, descriptions of things/objects System Working together by using technology 2

Defining Geographic Information Systems (GIS) The common ground between information processing and the many fields using spatial analysis techniques. (Tomlinson, 1972) A powerful set of tools for collecting, storing, retrieving, transforming, and displaying spatial data from the real world. (Burroughs, 1986) A computerized database management system for the capture, storage, retrieval, analysis and display of spatial (locationally defined) data. (NCGIA, 1987) A decision support system involving the integration of spatially referenced data in a problem solving environment. (Cowen, 1988) 3

An Inelegant Definition for GIS A system of integrated computer-based tools for end-to- end processing (capture, storage, retrieval, analysis, display) of data using location on the earth’s surface for interrelation in support of operations management, decision making, and science. set of integrated tools for spatial analysis encompasses end-to-end processing of data capture, storage, retrieval, analysis/modification, display uses explicit location on earth’s surface to relate data aimed at decision support, as well as on-going operations and scientific inquiry 4

Geographic Information System: intuitive description A map with a database behind it. A virtual representation of the real world and its infrastructure. A consistent “as-built” of the real world, natural and manmade Which is queried to support on-going operations summarized to support strategic decision making and policy formulation analyzed to support scientific inquiry 5

How GIS differs from Related Systems DBMS--typical MIS data base contains implicit but not explicit locational information city, county, zip code, etc. but no geographical coordinates is 100 N. High around the corner or across town from 200 E Main? Automated mapping (AM) --primarily two-dimensional display devices thematic mapping (choropleth, etc such as SAS/GRAPH, DIDS, business mapping software) unable to relate different geographical layers (eg zip codes and counties) automated cartography--graphical design oriented; limited database ability CAD/CAM (computer aided design/drafting)--primarily 3-D graphic creation (engineering design) & display systems don’t reference via geographic location CAD sees the world as a 3-D cube, GIS as a 3-D sphere limited (if any) database ability (especially for non-spatial data) Scientific visualization systems--sophisticated multi-dimensional graphics, But:lack database support lack two-dimensional spatial analysis tools 6

Where is it? (Find a specific address) GIS Helps answer questions such as: What else is nearby? (Hospital, gas station, fire station) Where is the best location ? (Highest elevation ) What is the best route to reach specific locations? Where is the closest ‘Z’ (shopping mall, School, Fire Hydrant) to my location? WHY GIS? 7

Why Study GIS? % of local government activities estimated to be geographically based plats, zoning, public works (streets, water supply, sewers), garbage collection, land ownership and valuation, public safety (fire and police) a significant portion of provincial government has a geographical component natural resource management highways and transportation businesses use GIS for a very wide array of applications retail site selection & customer analysis logistics: vehicle tracking & routing natural resource exploration (petroleum, etc.) precision agriculture civil engineering and construction Military and defense Battlefield management Satellite imagery interpretation scientific research employs GIS geography, geology, botany anthropology, sociology, economics, political science Epidemiology, criminology 8

What GIS Applications Do: manage, analyze, communicate Make possible the automation of activities involving geographic data map production calculation of areas, distances, route lengths measurement of slope, aspect, view shed logistics: route planning, vehicle tracking, traffic management Allow for the integration of data (eg. property maps and air photos – Google earth has vector and raster maps). By tying data to maps, permits the succinct communication of complex spatial patterns (eg environmental sensitivity). Provides answers to spatial queries (how many elderly in Richardson live further than 10 minutes at rush hour from ambulance service?) Perform complex spatial modeling (what if scenarios for transportation planning, disaster planning, resource management, utility design) 9

Data Collection Real World Data Input Data Source Take Action Data Management Analysis Information For Decision making Data Retrieval and Analysis GIS System Architecture and Components Start Next project 10

Components of a GIS There are five components People : People are the most important of a GIS because people must develop the procedures and define the task the GIS will perform Data : Availability and accuracy of data affects the results of queries and analysis Hardware : Hardware capabilities affect processing speed, ease of use and type of available output. Software : Include GIS software, database, drawing, Images and other software programs Procedures: GIS analysis requires well-define, consistent method to produce correct results 11

Components of geographic data Three main components to geographic data Geometry : (Spatial) Geometry represent the geographic feature associate with real- world locations 1. Point 2. line 3. polygons (areas) Attributes: (Non Spatial) Attributes are descriptive characteristics of the geographic feature. Name, Length, size, colour, Behaviour: Behaviour means that geographic features can be made to allow certain types of editing, display or analysis. 12

How a GIS organizes geographic data Stores information about the world as a collection of thematic layers that can be link by geography Each layer contains feature having similar attributes Eg : Streets or cities that are located within same geographic extent The layer all contain features located within the city boundaries, but each one represents distinct “theme” 13

How does it work? Each layer of information has two components 1. Spatial ( x, y coordinate, Location of the earth) 2. Non-Spatial (Attributes, description of the data location) Software orient map on the screen according to X, Y coordinates If another layer possesses the same coordinates * if will be drawn in the same relative location on the screen * Layer can then be seen relative to one another In this map of South America, countries are represented as polygons, rivers are represented as lines, and cities are points 14

Examples of Applied GIS Civil Engineering/Utility – Locating underground facilities – Designing alignment for freeways, transit – Coordination of infrastructure maintenance Business – Demographic Analysis – Market Penetration/ Share Analysis – Site Selection Education Administration – Attendance Area Maintenance – Enrollment Projections – School Bus Routing Real Estate – Neighborhood land prices – Traffic Impact Analysis – Determination of Highest and Best Use Health Care – Epidemiology – Needs Analysis – Service Inventory Urban Planning, Management & Policy -Zoning, subdivision planning - Land acquisition - Economic development - Code enforcement - Housing renovation programs - Emergency response - Crime analysis - Tax assessment Environmental Sciences - Monitoring environmental risk - Modeling storm water runoff - Management of watersheds, floodplains, wetlands, forests, aquifers - Environmental Impact Analysis - Hazardous or toxic facility siting -Groundwater modeling and - contamination tracking Political Science - Redistricting - Analysis of election results - Predictive modeling 15

Agriculture Farm management Pest/Disease tracking Crop monitoring Yield prediction Soil analysis 16

Natural Resource Management Forestry Ecology Mining Petroleum Water Resources 17

Planning and Economic Development Land Use/Zoning Emergency Preparedness Population Forecast Market Analysis Property Tax Assessment Transportation 18