FUTURE TRENDS IN GIS

Compared to 10 Years Ago

acquiring data for a new GIS is no longer a major

problem.
GPS has become a major sources of new GIS data,

and comes increasingly from integrated GPS/GIS systems.

digital map images such as scanned maps and air

photos are often used as a background image for cross-layer registration and update.

Major Influences on GIS

advanced GIS work has been influenced significantly

by the workstation.
GIS has quickly incorporated distributed systems and

databases.
microcomputer has allowed GIS to be applied to

new fields and has improved GIS education.

mobility of portable GIS and GPS systems has

revolutionized GIS use.

Fast Geo-Processing
faster computer hardware means faster geo-

processing
advantages of higher speed:
larger data sets may be processed (larger area

with higher levels of spatial resolution)

more complex models can be established more complex analysis for decision-making better methods of display and visualization

Parallel Processing
perform tasks on several difference processors

simultaneously within same computer

impact:
analysis which require repeating same steps
raster data in which each pixel is independent are

likely to be easier
image processing such as classification can benefit visualization can be greatly improved

Trends in GIS Software

far behind hardware development
trend towards open system architecture integration of video and audio information into GIS applications that may benefit:
Real estate management and marketing Environmental quality assessment Computer aided education Simulation in geographical processes

inclusion of artificial intelligence (fuzzy logic,

expert systems, neural networks)

Trends in GIS Applications

GIS technology becoming more affordable, more

reliable, more widely used and better known

3-D capabilities of GIS widely used in geology,

hydrology, geomorphology and mining, landscape ecology studies and medical imaging)

may develop in areas of image processing (X-rays studies of global issues (tropical deforestation, acid

rain, endangered species)

real-time applications (urban management,

emergency services and transport control)

Future Issues
new users
privacy data ownership

copyright and publishing (bits not atoms)

global data inequalities The Bit Police?

GI Science & Technology

Whats Next
future of GIS is in your hands as a GIS analyst you have the capability to use or

misuse the power that GIS brings to the world's problems

Final Exam
2 hours on December 19 @ 6 pm
10 multiple choice (10 marks) Definitions (5 of 7 - 25 marks) SQL, census, fuzzy tolerance, etc. Short Answers (35 marks) Define data quality in terms of the four elements Ways in which overlay is used Differences between probability and non-

probability sampling