GeoIT - An Emerging Cross-Disciplinary Research Area
Teknik Naturvetenskap
Yifang Ban
2011-09-02 18:00, reviderat 2011-09-02 18:17
Description of the Research Area:
According to Nature magazine (Gewin, 2004), Geographic Information Technology (GeoIT) is one of the three most important emerging and evolving fields, along with nanotechnology & biotechnology. GeoIT consists of three key technologies: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) (Fig. 1). It is an emerging cross-disciplinary field based on Cartography, Computer Science, Geography, Geodesy, ICT, Image Processing etc.
Geoinformation is one of the most important and the most common types of information in our society. It is estimated that about 70%-80% of all information in the world has some kind of geographic features. Geoinformation exists as in paper maps, articles & books as well as in digital databases such as 2D digital maps, satellite images, 3D city models. The applications of GeoIT are diverse, including Global Climate Change Research, Emergency & Crisis/Disaster management, Forestry, Environment & Natural Resource Management, Logistics/Vehicle Management, Telecommunications, Transport, Urban and Regional Planning, etc.
Strategic Research Issues:
1. From Geodata to Geoinformation.
With the launch & future launch of advanced satellite sensors such as ESA's Sentinel Missions, large volumes of new geodata will be collected. How to effectively derive useful information, for examples, key climate variables, from such data to support climate change research is a critical research issue. Interdisciplinary research is needed to develop methods to extract essential information from these data.
In addition, large volume of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) has been collected. Research is needed to evaluate the reliability and usability of such data as well as its suitable applications.
2. Automatic updating of Geodata.
Geodata is not static, needs to be updated continuously. Therefore, it is essential to develop methodology to provide timely and reliable updates of geodata using satellite images and other data.
3. 3D City Modeling, Visualization and Generalization.
Major cities & municipalities in Sweden and around the world are building 3D city models, and 3D data will become common geodata source. However, we lack effective methods for 3D city modeling, visualization and generalization. Therefore, research and development are needed in the area.
4. Spatial Temporal Database.
Today's geodata are diverse and complex, for examples, in 2D vector, images, 3D city models from multiple dates, and continuous data from moving objects (e.g., Transportstyrelsen's taxi data), how to efficiently store, retrieve and manage these data in a spatial temporal database is an important research topic.
5. Spatial Analysis, Modeling and Spatial Decision Support.
How can the large volume geodata stored in computers be transformed into information that helps humans make better decisions is an important research issue. Interdisciplinary research is needed to address a variety of fundamental questions: e.g., what kinds of information would support decision makers, how the desired information could be generated with limited computing resources, & how the information are communicated to all who are involved in the decision process in a timely manner.
5.Location-based services (LBS).
The wide-spread use of GPS/GNSS and the advances in wireless communication technologies have paved the road to powerful Location-Based Services (LBS). LBS presents a great opportunity to collect and analyze a fundamentally different spatial data type, namely the trajectories of moving objects. The results of such analysis are expected to be useful for both spatial planning, decision making, and operational purposes. To achieve this, novel methods need to be developed that can in an anonymous fashion, efficiently and effectively analyze this new data type and integrate the analysis results into existing decision support and operational systems.
Current Research and Funding Status in Sweden:
Currently there are small clusters of researchers in Sweden working with some of the research issues due to limited funding opportunities, Resons: 1). no specific committee oversees the subject at VR or FORMAS, 2). GeoIT is too applied for VR and too technical for FORMAS. Therefore, strategic support from SSF is essential to ensure high quality research in this emerging area in Sweden.
Type of Funding Proposed:
First Priority: Strong Research Environment.
Second Priority: GeoIT Research Center.
Third Priority: Research Project.
Proposed Funding Level:
Period: 5 (2013 – 2017)
Amount/Year: 5-10 Mkr
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