A new bridge management system based on spatial database and open source GIS

This chapter describes about the Open Source GIS (OSG) software in disease transmission mapping and modelling. The list of OSG software has also been analyzed for mapping and modelling of disease. Current OSG can aid from assimilating different types of maps and charts to epitomize health phenomenon for efficient insistences. Majority of the OSG use choropleth maps and other thematic maps to display spatial patterns of health phenomenon. This chapter also describes the list of open source public health data and sources of specific applications. Few examples of spatial mapping and visualization techniques of public health data have also been illustrated based on the OSG.

Modern urban planning faces challenges of sustainable development and adaptation to change, which necessitates accurate spatial analysis using GIS technologies. The implementation of open-source software (Open Source GIS) is becoming particularly relevant. The high cost of commercial GIS software limits its integration into educational curricula, creating a problem of insufficient practical training for students specializing in civil engineering and architecture. The aim of the article is to analyze the capabilities and methods of applying QGIS for performing key types of spatial analysis within the context of contemporary urban planning in the educational process, and to evaluate the advantages of this platform compared to commercial analogues. The article analyzes the QGIS architecture, which ensures a full cycle of work with geospatial data, including basic tools, the plugin system (QuickOSM, OR Tools), and integration with spatial databases. The use of key spatial analysis methods in QGIS is examined, namely: vector analysis and geoprocessing (using buffer zones to assess service areas, overlay analysis to identify areas meeting multiple criteria, and spatial joining); raster analysis (applying Digital Elevation Models (DEM) to calculate slopes, aspect, visibility modeling, as well as satellite imagery classification for NDVI analysis and land-use control); network analysis (calculating accessibility and isochrones to assess coverage by social facilities, route optimization, and creating Origin-Destination matrices); and practical case studies (analysis of residential development, green infrastructure planning, risk assessment). The study confirms that QGIS is a multifunctional and cost-effective tool, capable of performing the complex operations required for informed urban planning. The use of QGIS in the educational process facilitates high-quality personnel training and the democratization of access to GIS technologies. Challenges and prospects for further development (3D modeling, Machine Learning integration) are also considered.

This paper outlines the research and development of a complete open source geographic information system (GIS) that offers real-time geoprocessing over the Internet. The premise of the geoprocessing is to locate mineral exploration targets that have high potential for success based on parameters chosen by the end-user of the system. Components integrated in the system include a spatial database PostGIS, a GIS processing engine GRASS, a GIS server GeoServer, a web server Apache, and front-end technologies OpenLayers and GeoExt. Appropriate data was sourced from the Geological Survey of Ireland to be used for the geoprocessing. With all the components of the GIS integrated, an individual not specialised in the use of a GIS can interact with and interrogate the data through a web browser. The GIS then provides a vital role as a decision support system for locating mineral exploration targets. Keywords-Open source; GIS; GRASS; GeoServer; Geoprocessing; Mineral exploration

This paper assesses different approaches in education between Western and Eastern Europe. It is based on a case study, comparing which compares universityies conventions inbetween Spain and Czech Republic, focusinged on e-learning and Open Source softwareources. The Eeducation system at Polytechnic University in Valencia (UPV) puts much more emphasis on open source solutions and elearning compared to the situation in Czech Republic. gvSIG is an open source geographic information system (GIS), co-developed at UPV as ain collaboration of commercial companies with research institutions. Lecturers at UPV significantly integrate free and open source (FOSS) into classes as well as they participate in open source communities like Planet gvSIG, gvSIG Outreach or Association for the promotion of FOSS4G and the development of gvSIG. In fact, a complex system for self-education in the field of GIS has been developed there. It combines positive relationship to open source solutions and takes advantage from all sections together. The “Aula Virtual” project is a virtual training classroom using the virtual educational platform. Great emphasis is put on step-by-step video tutorials. 300 videos are uploaded on PoliTube Channel, which contain both video and audio and “time-stamps-links”. Time-stamp allows the possibility to switch among videos and other sources (annotation, webpages, etc.) dependent on the student’s individual requirements. Compared to the situation in the Czech Republic, where proprietary software is still preferred in the academic sphere, this topic brings place for discussion. This paper discusses two different points of views, benefits of both of them and proposes a solution with regard to the specifics of Czech university education.

Natural disasters such as typhoons and torrential rains caused huge property damage to Taiwan people each year. In this study, we’re trying to build a different type of disaster prevention education system and expecting to get better learning effect from it. Besides, we also would like to provide my research result for others to do further study and research. In this study, Open Source GIS (OSGIS) is integrated to Google Map to be electronic map platform. The platform is interacted to historical disaster events in text books, too. To verify the learning effectiveness and user will, a contrast system without electronic map function is designed in the experiment. We compared the disaster prevention knowledge grades experimental group and control group been tested before and after the experiment, let the two groups accept users’ will survey designed based on Technology Acceptance Model 2, and finally used open response questions to understand users’ feeling about how they feel while using the system. The experimental result shows that: no obvious difference of disaster prevention knowledge test grades between experiment group and control group exists before and after the experiment; no obvious difference between grades of experimental exists before and after the experiment, and same situation happens to control group. The result of the questionnaire shows obvious difference on following four aspects: entertainment, job relevance, output quality and result demonstrability. We know that users think electronic map is very suitable to be integrated to disaster prevention by experiment result. And, based on output quality and effectiveness verification, we know that the system built by OSGIS is approved by users. Although we still couldn’t make users will to use the system more, we still see that users are highly interested in using the system for we got better result of the answers experimental group replied to entertaining questions. We use free electronic map platform in this experiment to reduce the cost and also integrate the platform in disaster prevention education system to make users approve its quality and function. However, if one would like to apply it on studying, he still needs to do further research and improve to the platform to get better results.

In this work a comprehensive solution for the Gatanga Water Trust (GWT) has been developed to assist it in managing its water supply and distribution. The solution comprises two subcomponents: a mapping component and a billing component which are tightly coupled together. The proposed system uses stable open source products for the mapping component and the database. At present the GWT uses outdated maps and sketches for design and installation of a new water supply infrastructure. A billing system is in place which is used to manage client accounts, record meter readings, prepare bills and record payments made. This presents a somewhat disjointed approach to management of the water supply and its attendant infrastructure. The database that stores the account information is very different (softcopy) from that storing the spatial information (hardcopy/paper based). In the proposed solution, a single database is used, centralized or distributed. The mapping component provides an interface through which preliminary design of new and planned infrastructure can be done. After installation, these are reflected in the database and the information becomes available as soon as it is stored. The billing component uses the same database to manage account information. Since the information is managed in one system, there is a streamlined and orderly flow from data collection to the final products from the system. The proposed solution leverages advancement in technology by providing two approaches - a desktop application for users within the Trust's intranet and a web mapping application for users utilizing the wider internet. Key words: Open source, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), water supply, billing, distribution.

The following research aims to enhance and spread the capacity of assessing risk due to landslide‐generated tsunamis by fostering the use of a GIS (Geographic Information System), and in this particular instance, an Open Source GIS (where “Open Source” can be loosely defined as freely available source code). For this purpose, we tested a procedure to be spatially implemented in the Open Source GRASS GIS through developing a module named r.impact.tsunami that simulates landslide‐generated tsunami. In this article we present its application in a case study performed on Como Lake (Lago di Como) in northern Italy. The review of the results identified sources of uncertainties while the model sensitivity outlined the influence of the parameters governing the model. Moreover, in order to verify the model validity, we implemented a new module (r.swe), that simulates the tsunami propagation and run‐up with the shallow water equations, and compared the results. Notwithstanding non‐negligible differences, the two models produced results of the same magnitude; this confirmed the validity of both models, although a rigorous validation of the models could not be performed due to the lack of observed data.

Development of efficient and cost-effective distributed hydrological modeling tool MWEasyDHM based on open-source MapWindow GIS

In this work we present mathematical notation and formulae relating a number of indices of the biodiversity pattern of an aggregate of species, and an Open Source implementation of them as a plug-in for the increasingly popular Open Source geographical information system Quantum GIS. We provide detailed formulae relating three indices of beta diversity, two of pattern of nestedness, one of checkerboard pattern, and two of ratios of variances. The above is done by deriving six vectors from the full presence-absence matrix. Our GIS implementation is done via Web Services, tapping the LifeMapper platform for calculating potential species distributions.

This paper presents the development of an open source geographical information system (GIS) software module for mapping solar energy resources for urban areas. The main goal of this work is to demonstrate the potential use of the r.sun module, a component of GRASS software, in calculating real solar radiation for urban areas. Modelling of the spatial distribution of solar radiation is one of the program functions. The r.sun module is dedicated for that purpose; however, it can only generate the spatial distribution of potential solar radiation. To get the real solar radiation maps it is advisable to use meteorological data, that describe diminution of solar radiation caused by cloud cover. In order to facilitate the generation of maps a GRASS source code modification was made. As a result, the r.sun module used in this work generates the real spatial distribution of solar radiation. The results are shown to be comparable with solar radiation satellite data obtained from the HelioClim project.

An Evaluation of Open Source Geographic Information Systems Routing Tools in Vaccine Delivery in Kano State, Northern Nigeria

Abstract. On the judicial basis of § 196 Baugesetzbuch (BauGB, 2018) every municipality in the Federal Republic of Germany must publish standard land values in €/m2 for its whole district area in a biennial cycle. The standard land values have to be derived comprehensively for different land use categories within this district. With the help of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) all the necessary data for the derivation of the standard land values can be analyzed. This data consists of cadastral information (ALKIS) (AdV, 2008) for each municipality district like streets, buildings, land parcels, areas of application for special building law as well as geocoded data about purchasing prices within the district’s real estate transactions. The following work contributes to both requirements, the statutory determination of the standard land values answering the legal necessity and the setting up of the generated geo data in the Web according to the transparency demanded by the European INSPIRE (Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe) directive. This report describes the implementation of the automated process of the setup of the relevant data layers based on ALKIS data in an Open Source GIS (QGIS) using SQL and Python scripts. The standard land values are visualized and presented in a Web GIS. After the evaluation of different alternatives, QGIS Server and Lizmap, an Open Source QGIS Web Client, were used for the web based presentation and accordingly configured.

Целью исследования является повышение эффективности экосистемы города и уменьшение временных затрат на формирование сравнительного анализа исследуемых компонентов в атмосферном воздухе. Представлена структура исходных данных, предоставленных лабораторией охраны окружающей среды для визуализации мест загрязнений атмосферы. Приведены проектные решения разработки программного обеспечения в виде ментальных схем и блок-схем. В результате разработано программное обеспечение с использованием географической информационной системы (ГИС) с открытым кодом и системой управления реляционными базами данных MS SQL Server, что делает ПО универсальным с возможностью использования в любой местности. The purpose of the study is to increase the efficiency of the city ecosystem and reduce the time spent on the formation of a comparative analysis of the studied components in the atmospheric air. The authors present the structure of the initial data provided by the environmental protection aboratory for visualization of atmospheric pollution areas. Design solutions for software development in the form of mental diagrams and block diagrams are given. As a result, special software was developed using an open source geographic information system (GIS) and a relational database management system MS SQL Server, which makes the software universally applicable in any area.

Birds are widely described as powerful environmental health indicators. In Nepal, 15% of the naturally occurring bird species are nationally threatened due to human-caused habitat alteration, largely because of urbanization. However, little research and data are available allowing for science-based conservation such as species distribution models and richness/evenness calculations for birds living in urban spaces. In Nepal, the large majority of people follow Hindu or Buddhist traditions, and culturally many people see birds and other animals as spiritually divine and deserving of respect and welcoming. It is therefore common for shop owners to encourage birds to visit shops in the mornings via the spreading of birdseed, and it is customary to leave alone any nests birds have built inside of shops, religious sites, restaurants, homes and the living quarters. With first explorations in 2014 and 2015 we conducted during May and June 2016 and 2017 a rapid assessment street study of avian species roosting and nesting in and around shops and restaurants in urban centers, monasteries and religious sites in Nepal. Georeferenced avian point counts with photos, vegetation/urbanization assessments, and nest detection surveys were conducted within Kathmandu, Pokhara, and smaller mountain villages in Nepal. This was done in order to assess and describe the level of urbanization preferred by different functional groups of birds, and to determine whether birds and nests would be found in a shop and restaurant given the urbanization level of the surroundings and the religious background of the business and property owner. Our Urban ecology study closely focuses on distribution and population numbers of urban-associated species, including swallows, sparrows, pigeons, parrots and kites. We used opportunistic but representative point counts and nest surveys to provide first open access data on the effect of urbanization on generalist bird diversity. The GIS layers are the first of their kind but are globally available for most cities. Data mining and machine learning algorithms are used here to predict and extrapolate the effect of religious affiliation and urban variables on bird nest acceptance, distribution, population spread and nesting habits of avian species. This study creates the first open access and open source geographic information systems (GIS) database of bird species nesting and roosting in urban spaces within Nepal to inform and advise future management and research decisions. We promote it as a study template and rapid assessment method for urban birds worldwide for a better avian and habitat management.

Adaguc-server is an open source geographical information system to visualize, combine, compare and share real-time meteorological, climatological and remote sensing data via OGC standards. During implementation of the server, we ran into the limits of what is possible with OGC standards. To overcome the found limits, extensions to the OGC standards were developed to achieve the required functionality and interoperability. The presented solution is used as a building block in a web based meteorological working station.