Introduction to GIS

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. Understand what a GIS is

2. Understand how a GIS functions

3. Understand how spatial data is

represented in a GIS

4. Look at some GIS applications

Data vs. Information WHAT IS AN INFORMATION SYSTEM?

• Data, by itself, generally differs from information.
• Data includes raw facts, neutral and context-free,
internal meaning is irrelevant
• Data is of little use unless it is transformed
into information.
• Information is an answer to a question
based on raw data.
• We transform data into information
through the use of an Information System.

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WHAT IS AN INFORMATION SYSTEM? WHAT IS AN INFORMATION SYSTEM?

In the digital environment we use software to create

complex information systems.
Information System

Data Query
Information
Storage

Information systems can be very simple,

such as a telephone directory.

WHAT IS A GIS? What is a GIS?

GEOGRAPHIC Information System
Information System
A means of storing,
retrieving, sorting,
and comparing
+
spatial data
Geographic Position
to support some
analytic process.
GIS links graphical features (entities) to tabular data
(attributes)

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GIS DEFINITION KEY FUNCTIONS OF A GIS

A GIS is a system (hardware + database engine) Data can be:

that is designed to efficiently, assemble, store,
update, analyze, manipulate, and display 1. Positioned by its known spatial
geographically referenced information (data coordinates.
identified by their locations).
2. Input and organized (generally in layers).
3. Stored and retrieved.
• A GIS also includes the people 4. Analyzed (usually via a Relational
operating the system and the data that DBMS).
go into the system. 5. Modified and displayed

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Define
Decision
problem MODELLING AND
STRUCTURING DATA
GIS Define GIS
Output
Process criteria
(How we represent features or spatial elements)

GIS Import or
analysis build datasets

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REPRESENTING SPATIAL ELEMENTS Representing Spatial Elements

Raster
Stores images as rows and columns of numbers with a
Digital Value/Number (DN) for each cell.
• RASTER
Units are usually represented as square grid cells that are
uniform in size.

Data is classified as
• VECTOR “continuous” (such as in an
image), or “thematic”
(where each cell denotes a
feature type.
• Real World Numerous data formats
(TIFF, GIF, ERDAS.img etc)

REPRESENTING SPATIAL ELEMENTS Entity Representations

Vector We typically represent objects in space as three
Allows user to specify specific spatial locations and distinct spatial elements:
assumes that geographic space is continuous, not
broken up into discrete grid squares Points - simplest
element
We store features as sets of X,Y coordinate pairs.
Lines (arcs) - set of
connected points

Polygons - set of
connected lines

We use these three spatial elements to represent real world features and
attach locational information to them.

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ATTRIBUTES

In the raster data model, the cell value (Digital

Number) is the attribute. Examples: brightness,
landcover code, SST, etc.

For vector data, attribute records are linked to

point, line & polygon features. Can store
multiple attributes per feature. Vector features
are linked to attributes by a unique feature
number.

GIS links graphical features (entities) to tabular data

(attributes)

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Raster vs. Vector

Raster Advantages
The most common data format

Easy to perform mathematical and overlay operations GIS FUNCTIONALITY

Satellite information is easily incorporated

Better represents “continuous”- type data

(What do they do?)
Vector Advantages
Accurate positional information that is best for storing discrete
thematic features (e.g., roads, shorelines, sea-bed features.

Compact data storage requirements

Can associate unlimited numbers of attributes with specific features

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GIS FUNCTIONS GIS FUNCTIONS

Data Assembly
Data Assembly

Data Storage Maps RSI

Spatial Data Analysis and

Manipulation

Spatial Data Output

Intel Database Direct Entry GPS

Keyboard

DATA INPUT/CREATION GIS Functions

GIS Storage
1 (Universe polygon)

2 3 Spatial data
(ARC functions)

4 5
COV# ZONE ZIP
1 0
2 C-19 22060
Attribute data 3
4
A-4
C-22
22061
22060
(INFO or TABLES functions) 5 A-5 22057

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GIS FUNCTIONS SPATIAL ANALYSIS

Spatial Data Manipulation and Analysis Overlay function creates new “layers”
to solve spatial problems
Common Manipulation
Reclassification
Map Projection changes
Common Analysis
Buffering
Overlay
Network

GIS FUNCTIONS
Spatial Data Output
Tables
SOME EXAMPLES
Maps

Interactive Displays AND APPLICATIONS

3-D Perspective View

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WHAT GIS APPLICATIONS DO:

EXAMPLES OF APPLIED GIS
MANAGE, ANALYZE, COMMUNICATE
by tieing data to maps, permits the succinct Urban Planning, Environmental Sciences
communication of complex spatial patterns (e.g Management & Policy Monitoring environmental risk
Modeling stormwater runoff
environmental sensitivity). Zoning, subdivision
Management of watersheds,
planning floodplains, wetlands, forests,
provides answers to spatial queries (how many elderly Land acquisition aquifers
live further than 10 minutes at rush hour from Economic development Environmental Impact Analysis
ambulance service?) Code enforcement Hazardous or toxic facility siting
Groundwater modeling and
perform complex spatial modeling (what if scenarios Housing renovation contamination tracking
for transportation planning, disaster planning, programs
resource management, utility design) Emergency response
Crime analysis
Tax assessment

EXAMPLES OF APPLIED GIS EXAMPLES OF APPLIED GIS

Political Science Education Administration
Redistricting Attendance Area Maintenance
Analysis of election results Enrollment Projections
Predictive modeling School Bus Routing
Civil Engineering/Utility Real Estate
Locating underground facilities Neighborhood land prices
Designing alignment for freeways, transit Traffic Impact Analysis
Coordination of infrastructure maintenance Determination of Highest and Best Use
Business Health Care
Demographic Analysis Epidemiology
Market Penetration/ Share Analysis Needs Analysis
Site Selection Service Inventory

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OVERLAY ANALYSIS
GIS FUNCTIONALITY

Query and overly

analysis
Proximity analysis

GIS FUCTIONALITY NETWORK

Density analysis ANALYSIS
Least-cost paths
Line-of-sight
Hydrology analysis

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NETWORK
ANALYSIS SERVICE AREAS

3D VISUALIZATION AND ANALYSIS

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HOW WILL YOU USE GIS?

SUMMARY

Key Concepts

Data representation

Applications

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