Worldwide Trends on
Geographic Information Systems
by Sally Matthews
Program
Director
Office
of Intergovernmental Solutions
Geospatial
information and associated technologies are integrating information
in exciting, new ways and creating an information revolution. Today's
applications provide maps in minutes, monitor crime in neighborhoods,
aid communities in recovering from disasters, integrate land records,
and help states maintain roads and bridges. The future holds the
promise of linking video data and aerial photography to GIS. Scientific
data, ecological and environmental models, and social and economic
models are being linked together to help governments make policy
decisions. Progress depends on the collaboration and coordination
of Federal, State, and local governments; academia; and the private
sector.
Many groups
and agencies are involved. In this newsletter we included as many
organizations as possible but space limitations prevented us from
covering them all. At the Federal level, more than 40 agencies are
significantly involved in GIS activities. Federal agencies are beginning
to provide nationally consistent geospatial data and develop such
applications as the Great Lakes Ecological Assessment project that
integrate geographic information. In the Department of Defense,
the National Imagery and Mapping Agency is building a warehouse
of accurate geospatial data and information. Not only will the user
be able to get maps, but through 3-D visualization, it will be possible
to actually rehearse military actions prior to execution.
The Federal
Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) is coordinating the development
of a National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) and promoting the
sharing of geospatial data on a national basis. The U.S. Geological
Survey is leading an effort to develop a National Biological Information
Infrastructure that serves as the biological component of the NSDI.
The OpenGIS Consortium is promoting the development of software
specifications that support interoperability. The National Science
Foundation is providing support for basic research. The University
Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS) is looking
at improving GIScience education, and establishing and prioritizing
research topics. At the international level, countries are embarking
on setting their own national spatial data strategies.
Geographic
information systems have developed from the need to process information
for maps to the much more complex integration of geo-referenced
data. The GIS software industry has grown to annual sales of around
$1 billion. The user community numbers in the hundreds of thousands
and users are increasingly able to obtain their data from the Web.
Authors of
the articles in this newsletter describe the numerous issues and
trends surrounding GIS. The following summarizes the major trends:
- The technology
has moved from mainframe application with difficult-to-learn software
tools to distributed systems relying on easier-to-use tools, open
architectures, standards, and interoperability.
- "The need
for geographic information is booming; some have called it a geospatial
revolution. The improved use of geospatial data and geographic
information technology can help our Nation improve the opportunity
for all citizens to participate in community-driven solutions
while better meeting crucial Federal responsibilities. For example,
as part of stronger efforts to achieve smart, sustainable growth
in cities, suburbs, and rural areas, Vice President Gore recently
announced several initiatives to help communities gain access
to and participate in the NSDI." John Moeller, Federal Geographic
Data Committee
- "There is
a continuing need for Federal geographic data integration" and
a "necessity for increased decentralization of geographic information
system applications." National Academy of Public Administration
- "Geospatial
warehouses connected to application servers that in turn connect
to thin and chubby clients are a definite trend.... There is no
question that what the end user will see at the end of the wire
will be smaller, faster, cheaper and easier to use." James Farley,
University of Arkansas
- Information
costs will decrease. For example, Pennsylvania is developing an
application for installing and maintaining road signs. When the
system is operational statewide, about one hour will be saved
on the average for each work or sign order. This translates to
12,200 man-hours and a savings of $378,000 annually.
In summary,
technology-driven GIS involve many major organizations. Significant
resources are being applied. The technology and applications, through
standards, are helping to bring together Federal, State, and local
governments with similar needs. In addition, each citizen is being
affected in a variety of ways. It is possible to see yet another
building block being added to the concept of "electronic democracy."
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