scholarly journals Information Exchange between GIS and Geospatial ITS Databases Based on a Generic Model

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Knut Jetlund ◽  
Erling Onstein ◽  
Lizhen Huang

This study aims to improve interoperability between Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geospatial databases for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). Road authorities maintain authoritative information for legal and safe navigation in GIS databases. This information needs to be shared with ITS databases for route planning and navigation, and for use in combination with local knowledge from vehicle sensors. Current solutions for modelling and exchanging geospatial information in the domains of GIS and ITS have been studied and evaluated. Limitations have been pointed out related to usability in the GIS domain and flexibility for representing an evolving real world. A prototype for an improved information exchange model has been developed, based on ISO/TC 211 standards, Model Driven Architecture (MDA), and concepts from the studied solutions. The prototype contains generic models for feature catalogues and features, with implementation schemas in the Geography Markup Language (GML). Results from a case study indicated that the models could be implemented with feature catalogues from the ITS standard ISO 14825 Geographic Data Files (GDF) and the INSPIRE Transport Networks specification. The prototype can be a candidate solution for improved information exchange from GIS databases to ITS databases that are based on the Navigation Data Standard.

Author(s):  
K. Jetlund

Abstract. This study aims to improve the interoperability between models of geospatial information from the applications domains of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and Building Information Models (BIM). A state-of-the-art analysis showed that the Unified Modelling Language (UML) and Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) are used for modelling information in a geospatial context in all three domains, but with different approaches and levels of formality. A structure of formal UML profiles for modelling of geospatial information in GIS, ITS and BIM is suggested and tested for implementation. The Core Geospatial Profile (GCP) and general encoding profiles for the Geography Markup Language (GML) and the Web Ontology Language (OWL) are based on adapted concepts from ISO/TC 211 standards. Community specific profiles for conceptual models and encodings are based on UML profiles and the use of UML for specific information models in the three application domains. The studies and related research showed that the structure of UML profiles could be implemented and used for information modelling in the UML software Enterprise Architect and that existing profiles and information models could be adapted into the framework. Integration of information models in a common approach based on MDA and UML establishes a fundament for improved interoperability through a shared understanding of the digital representation of the real world.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jetlund ◽  
Onstein ◽  
Huang

This study aims to improve the implementation of models of geospatial information in Web Ontology Language (OWL). Large amounts of geospatial information are maintained in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) based on models according to the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and standards from ISO/TC 211 and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). Sharing models and geospatial information in the Semantic Web will increase the usability and value of models and information, as well as enable linking with spatial and non-spatial information from other domains. Methods for conversion from UML to OWL for basic concepts used in models of geospatial information have been studied and evaluated. Primary conversion challenges have been identified with specific attention to whether adapted rules for UML modelling could contribute to improved conversions. Results indicated that restrictions related to abstract classes, unions, compositions and code lists in UML are challenging in the Open World Assumption (OWA) on which OWL is based. Two conversion challenges are addressed by adding more semantics to UML models: global properties and reuse of external concepts. The proposed solution is formalized in a UML profile supported by rules and recommendations and demonstrated with a UML model based on the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) standard ISO 14825 Geographic Data Files (GDF). The scope of the resulting ontology will determine to what degree the restrictions shall be maintained in OWL, and different conversion methods are needed for different scopes.


Author(s):  
K. Jetlund

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Standards from ISO/TC 211 are the foundation for modelling a universe of discourse in a geospatial context. UML models based on the standards, and in particular based on the UML profile defined in ISO 19103, have been developed and implemented in applications and databases for a wide range of geospatial information, from international to national and agency level. Amounts of information has been collected, maintained and made available based on the models, but mainly through specific services and exchange formats for geospatial information. To make the models and the information available in The Semantic Web, the geospatial UML models need to be transformed from UML to OWL ontologies, and the information needs to be transformed from UML-based structures to RDF triples. This paper investigates methods for transforming UML models of geospatial information to OWL ontologies, identifies challenges, suggest improvements and identifies needs for further research. Several methods for automated transformation from geospatial UML models to OWL handle basic concepts, but some concepts and context-closed restrictions from UML cannot be directly transformed to the open world of The Semantic Web. None of the analysed methods handles all of these issues, and suggested improvements include combining and improving transformation rules, as well as modifications in the UML models. To what degree and how these issues need to be handled will depend on whether the scope of the ontologies is to simply present geospatial information on The Semantic Web, or if they shall be used in a bidirectional information exchange.</p>


2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 17-25
Author(s):  
J. Mugabi ◽  
C. Njiru

A decade ago the ‘Dublin Principles’ shifted global thinking towards treating water as an economic good. The concern was that overly supply-driven approaches had been financially unsustainable, and therefore failed to reduce the service gap. Accompanying this conceptual shift has been a wider move towards focusing on the customer's needs and preferences and their willingness to pay, and applying marketing techniques to meet those needs in a financially sustainable manner. Although regarded as a positive move, its success is heavily dependent on how well water utilities understand their customers. This paper examines existing literature on the determinants of customer willingness to use and pay for improved water services in developing countries. The contribution of past research to our understanding of the behaviour of customers, with regard to service level choice and payment for services, is critically analysed. Basing on this analysis, we develop and discuss a generic model of a water consumer's decision-making process. The model serves two purposes. First, it consolidates past research into a coherent framework to facilitate implementation of the marketing approach. Secondly, we use the model to identify critical customer information that water utility managers need to know in order to be customer-focused.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zainab Afshan Sheikh ◽  
Klaus Hoeyer

This article explores how research participants experienced information practices in an international genetic research collaboration involving the collection of biomaterial and clinical data in both Pakistan and Denmark. We investigated how people make sense of their research participation and the types of information they need and desire. We found great variation in what information exchange does and what participants experience as meaningful. For example, information practices could serve as a source of respect and recognition (in Denmark) or of hope, understanding or help when dealing with suffering (in Pakistan). Policies aimed at harmonizing ethics standards for international research do not encapsulate some of the most important aspects of information practices for the research participants involved. We suggest shifting the focus from standards of one-way information delivery to a more process-oriented form of research ethics, where the contextual exploration of local needs through a mutual engagement with participants gains more ground.


Information ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Feierle ◽  
Simon Danner ◽  
Sarah Steininger ◽  
Klaus Bengler

During highly automated driving, the passenger is allowed to conduct non-driving related activities (NDRA) and no longer has to act as a fallback at the functional limits of the driving automation system. Previous research has shown that at lower levels of automation, passengers still wish to be informed about automated vehicle behavior to a certain extent. Due to the aim of the introduction of urban automated driving, which is characterized by high complexity, we investigated the information needs and visual attention of the passenger during urban, highly automated driving. Additionally, there was an investigation into the influence of the experience of automated driving and of NDRAs on these results. Forty participants took part in a driving simulator study. As well as the information presented on the human–machine interface (system status, navigation information, speed and speed limit), participants requested information about maneuvers, reasons for maneuvers, environmental settings and additional navigation data. Visual attention was significantly affected by the NDRA, while the experience of automated driving had no effect. Experience and NDRA showed no significant effect on the need for information. Differences in information needs seem to be due to the requirements of the individual passenger, rather than the investigated factors.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Baučić ◽  
Damir Medak

The main objective of integrating Web GIS in airport emergency response should be to provide the most appropriate geospatial information to all participants. Airport emergency response still needs a model that will explain its complexity: its participants, their tasks and information needs. This paper presents the UML model of airport emergency response. Such a model facilitates a common understanding of the system by participants coming from airport, police, fire brigade, etc. It also enables institutional agreements for sharing data. The developers have got specifications of geospatial data and GIS functions imposed by participants and standards. A prototype Web GIS application is developed and presented to the users for evaluation. The prototype has shown how GIS functions can improve airport emergency response. The users have shown great interest, and they have great expectations in further integration of Web GIS in airport emergency response.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 107327481984160
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Gage-Bouchard ◽  
Susan LaValley ◽  
Julia A. Devonish

With the rise in the use of the Internet for health-related purposes, social networking sites (SNSs) have become a prominent platform for cancer communication and information exchange. Studies of cancer communication on SNS have mostly focused on understanding the quantity, content, quality, and user engagement (eg, likes and comments) with cancer-related information on SNS. There is less of an understanding of when and why people coping with cancer turn to SNS for cancer-related information, and how users appraise the credibility of cancer-related information obtained on SNS. In this study, we use data from in-depth qualitative interviews with 40 primary caregivers of pediatric patients with cancer to examine how cancer caregivers engage in information appraisal and credibility assessment of cancer-related information obtained on SNS. Findings show that cancer caregivers turned to SNS for cancer-related information because information on SNS was immediate, targeted in response to specific caregiver questions and concerns, and tailored to the specific information needs of cancer caregivers. Cancer caregivers evaluated the credibility of cancer-related information obtained on SNS through assessment of the SNS user who posted the information, frequency the same information was shared, and external corroboration. Findings have important implications for cancer communication and information interventions and point to elements of SNS cancer communication that can be integrated into health professional–facilitated communication and cancer information strategies.


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