Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) departments in many organizations are faced with two interrelated problems which limit their ability to make accurate decisions based on quality data. First, many EHS departments follow a reactive business management model and need to work towards a proactive continuous improvement model to better manage EHS. The second is a lack of data integration and interoperability between the numerous different EHS data sources and systems. EHS departments are challenged with managing large quantities of data generated through tracking and monitoring programs to continuously improve EHS performance. EHS data can be in many forms paper, digital files, spreadsheets, images, relational databases and proprietary software applications. EHS data have strong spatial relationships, which makes the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) a very cost effective and feasible solution for integrating and managing EHS data. This thesis will outline how GIS brings to EHS the advantages of traditional IT methods with the added benefit of spatial analytical operations such as map overlay, relationships and querying, and informative visual presentation through maps, floor plans, and imagery through the implementation of a GIS database for EHS called GeoSpatial Environmental Health and Safety (GEO-EHS).

This thesis covers database creation, system design and application development for wire line telecom infrastructure within Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and concentrates on spatial decision support applications and serving wire line subscriber coordinates for emergency calls in Ankara. The main mission of the Telecommunication in the past was to serve for voice communication activities. Currently voice, internet, data and video communications are available. These new services need better bandwidth capacity and/or renewal of infrastructure with Fiber Optical cables. Telecom has a complex wire line infrastructure, both in physical and logical topology. It is important to manage this complex infrastructure to give better services with new installation and update activities. Due to these requirements Telecom infrastructure needs to be managed with GIS, which visually provide physical and logical relationships. In this study it&rsquo / s aimed to build a GIS system for Turk Telekom (TT) including digitization of wire line cable infrastructure, geocoding subscribers and serving the coordinates of subscribers. The data layers are stored in Oracle Spatial Data Option (SDO) and spatial data information is kept in MapInfo MapCatalog. The data schemes for 81 provinces are created. The applications are developed with Borland Delphi version 7 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 .NET Framework. There are several GIS applications developed so far for the infrastructure of TT, since TT needs to know the location and quality of the infrastructure already present in the field and needs spatially to decide on areas that need maintenance including improvement, replacement, and new installations to improve the service. This study is presented as an alternative spatial decision support system for the improvement of the current infrastructure and services given to the customers, by using digitized network and geocoded subscriber data that is stored in GIS system. This study is carried out with customer participation and on site development with Telecom staff.

Building a new infrastructure facility requires a significant amount of time and expense. This is particularly true for investments in transportation for their longstanding and great degree of impact on society. The scope of time and money involved does not mean, however, we only focus on the economies of scale and may ignore other aspects of the built environment. To this extent, how can we achieve a more balanced perspective in infrastructure decision-making? In addition, what aspects should be considered when making more sustainable decisions about transportation investments? These two questions are the foundations of this study. This dissertation shares its process in part with a previous research project – Texas Urban Triangle (TUT). Although the TUT research generated diverse variables and created possible implementations of spatial decision support system (SDSS), the methodology still demands improvement. The current method has been developed to create suitable routes but is not designed to rank or make comparisons. This is admittedly one of the biggest shortfalls in the general SDSS approach, but is also where I see as an opportunity to make alternative interpretation more comprehensive and effective. The main purpose of this dissertation is to develop a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) that will lead to more balanced decision-making in transportation investment and optimize the most sustainable high-speed rail (HSR) route. The decision support system developed here explicitly elaborates the advantages and disadvantages of a transportation corridor in three particular perspectives: construction (fixed costs); operation (maintenance costs); and externalities (social and environmental costs), with a specific focus on environmental externalities. Considering more environmental features in rail routing will offset short-term economic losses and creates more sustainable environments in long-term infrastructure planning.

abstract: This dissertation advances spatial decision support system development theory by using a geodesign approach to evaluate design alternatives for such systems, including the impacts of the spatial model, technical spatial data, and user interface tools. These components are evaluated with a case study spatial decision support system for watershed management in the Niantic River watershed in Connecticut, USA. In addition to this case study, this dissertation provides a broader perspective on applying the approach to spatial decision support systems in general. The spatial model presented is validated, the impacts of the model are considered. The technical spatial data are evaluated using a new method developed to quantify data fitness for use in a spatial decision support system. Finally, the tools of the user interface are assessed by applying a conceptual framework and evaluating the resulting tools via user survey. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Geography 2014

abstract: The border policies of the United States and Mexico that have evolved over the previous decades have pushed illegal immigration and drug smuggling to remote and often public lands. Valuable natural resources and tourist sites suffer an inordinate level of environmental impacts as a result of activities, from new roads and trash to cut fence lines and abandoned vehicles. Public land managers struggle to characterize impacts and plan for effective landscape level rehabilitation projects that are the most cost effective and environmentally beneficial for a region given resource limitations. A decision support tool is developed to facilitate public land management: Borderlands Environmental Rehabilitation Spatial Decision Support System (BERSDSS). The utility of the system is demonstrated using a case study of the Sonoran Desert National Monument, Arizona. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.A. Geography 2013

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (PhD (Geography and Environmental Studies))—Stellenbosch University, 2008. / GIS has revolutionized geographic analysis and spatial decision support and has greatly enhanced our understanding of the real world though it’s mapping and spatial modelling capabilities. Although GIS software is becoming more powerful, less expensive and more userfriendly, GIS still remains the domain of a selected few who can operate and afford these systems. Since the introduction of web mapping tools such as Google Earth, accessibility to geographic information has escalated. Such tools enable anyone with access to a computer and the Internet to explore geographic data online and produce maps on demand. Web mapping products have, however, a very narrow range of functionality. In contrast to GIS that focuses on spatial data capture, storage, manipulation, analysis and presentation, the function of web mapping tools is to visualize and communicate geographical data. The positive impact of web mapping tools suggests, however, that GIS has not yet developed to a level where anyone can use the technology to support spatial decisions and enhance productivity. A possible solution is to close the functional gap between web mapping tools and GIS to make spatial analysis more accessible, thereby promoting geographical awareness and supporting better spatial decisions.

Context: Accurate decision-making requires updated and precise information to establish the reality of an overall situation. New data sources (e.g., wearable technologies) have been increasing the amount of available and useful data, which is now called big data. This has a great potential for transforming the entire business process and improving the accuracy of decisions. In this context, disaster management represents an interesting scenario that relies on big data to enhance decision-making. This is because it must cope with data provided not only by traditional sources (e.g., stationary sensors) but also by emerging sources - for instance, information shared by local volunteers, i.e., volunteered geographic information (VGI). When combined, these data sources can be regarded as large in volume, with different velocities, and a variety of formats. Furthermore, an analysis is required to confirm their veracity is required since these data sources are disconnected and prone to various errors. These are the 4Vs that characterize big data. Gap: However, although all these data open up further opportunities, their huge volume, together with an inappropriate data integration and unsuitable visualization, can result in information being overlooked by decision-makers. This problem arises because the integration of the available data is hampered by the intrinsic heterogeneity of their features (e.g., their occurrence in different formats). When integrated, this information also often fails to reach the decision-makers in a suitable way (e.g., in appropriate visualization formats). Moreover, there is not a clear understanding of the decision-makers needs or how the available data can meet these needs. Objective: In light of this, this thesis presents an approach for improving decision-making with heterogeneous geospatial big data based on spatial decision support systems and volunteered geographic information in disaster management. Methods: Systematic mapping studies were conducted to identify gaps in research studies with regard to the use of volunteered information and spatial decision support systems in disaster management. On the basis of these studies, two design science projects were carried out. The first of these aimed at defining the elements that are essential for ensuring the integration of heterogeneous data, whereas the second project aimed at obtaining a better understanding of decision-makers needs. A cross-organizational action research project was also conducted to define the design principles that should be observed for a spatial decision support system to effectively support decision-making with heterogeneous geospatial big data. A series of empirical case studies was undertaken to evaluate the outcomes of these projects. Results: The overall approach thus consists of the three significant outcomes that were derived from these projects. The first outcome was the conceptual architecture that defines the integration of heterogeneous data sources. The second outcome was a model-based framework that describes the connection of decision-making with appropriate data sources. The third outcome is based on the framework and comprises a set of design principles for guiding the development of spatial decision support systems for decision-making with heterogeneous geospatial big data. Conclusion: This thesis has made a useful contribution to both practice and research. In short, it defines ways of integrating heterogeneous data sources, provides a better understanding of decision-makers needs, and supports the development of a spatial decision support system to effectively assist decision-making with heterogeneous geospatial big data. / Contexto: Uma tomada de decisão precisa exige informações mais precisas e atualizadas para estabelecer a realidade da situação geral. Novas fontes de dados (e.g, tecnologias vestíveis) tem aumentado a quantidade de dados úteis disponíveis, que agora é chamado de big data. Isso tem grande potencial para transformar todo o processo de negócio e melhorar a precisão na tomada de decisão. Neste contexto, a gestão de desastres representa um interessante cenário que depende de big data para aprimorar a tomada de decisão. Isso porque, ela tem que lidar com dados fornecidos não apenas por fontes tradicionais (e.g., sensores estáticos), mas também por fontes emergentes por exemplo, informações compartilhadas por voluntários locais, i.e., as informações geográficas de voluntários (VGI). Quando combinadas, estas fontes de dados podem ser consideradas grandes em volume, com diferentes velocidades e uma variedade de formatos. Além disso, uma análise com relação à sua veracidade é necessaria uma vez que estas fontes de dados são desconectadas e propensas à erros. Estes são os 4Vs que caracterizam big data. Problema: No entanto, embora todos estes dados abrem novas oportunidades, seu grande volume em conjunto com uma integração inapropriada e uma visualização inadequada, podem tornar as informações ignoradas por tomadores de decisão. Isso ocorre, pois, a integração dos dados disponíveis torna-se complicada devido a heterogeneidade intrínseca nas suas características (e.g., dados em formatos diferentes). Quando integradas, estas informações frequentemente também não chegam aos tomadores de decisão em uma condição apropriada (por exemplo, no formato de visualização adequado). Além disso, não existe uma clara compreensão sobre as necessidades dos tomadores de decisão ou sobre como os dados disponíveis podem ser usados para atender essas necessidades. Objetivo: Dessa forma, esta tese de doutorado apresenta uma abordagem para melhorar a tomada de decisões com grande volume de dados espaciais heterogêneos baseada em sistemas de suporte à decisão espacial e informações geográficas de voluntários na gestão de desastres. Métodos: Mapeamentos sistemáticos foram conduzidos para identificar lacunas de pesquisa no uso de dados voluntários e sistemas de suporte à decisão na gestão de desastres. Com base nestes estudos, dois projetos de design science foram conduzidos. O primeiro deles buscou definir elementos essências para entender a integração de dados heterogêneos, enquanto o segundo projeto buscou fornecer um melhor entendimento das necessidades dos tomadores de decisão. Também foi conduzido um projeto de pesquisa-ação interinstitucional para definir princípios de projeto que deveriam ser observados para um sistema de suporte à decisão espacial ser efetivo no apoio a tomada de decisão com grande volume de dados espaciais heterogêneos. Uma série de estudos de caso empíricos foram conduzidos para avaliar os resultados destes projetos. Resultados: A abordagem geral então é composta pelos três resultados significantes que foram derivados destes projetos. Em primeiro lugar, uma arquitetura conceitual que especifica a integração de fontes de dados heterogêneas. O segundo elemento é uma estrutura baseada em modelo que descreve a conexão entre a tomada de decisão com as fontes de dados mais adequadas. Com base nesta estrutura, o terceiro elemento consiste em um conjunto de princípios de design que guiam o desenvolvimento de um sistema de suporte à decisão espacial para tomada de decisão com grande volume de dados espaciais heterogêneos. Conclusão: Esta tese de doutorado realizou importantes contribuições para a prática e pesquisa. Em resumo, ela define formas para integrar fontes de dados heterogêneos, fornece uma melhor compreensão sobre as necessidades dos tomadores de decisão e ajuda no desenvolvimento de sistemas de suporte à decisão espacial para tomada de decisão com grande volume de dados espaciais heterogêneos.

No atual contexto ambiental é grande a demanda por informações consistentes que subsidiem o planejamento territorial, permitindo realizar avaliações ambientais e desta forma, subsidiar os setores público e privado. Essa demanda pode ser satisfeita com a integração de informações em um sistema, com propriedades e funções de processamento, possibilitando sua utilização em ambiente integrado. Assim, nesta dissertação é proposta uma metodologia para a avaliação ambiental de bacias hidrográficas que atua desde a escolha de indicadores e definição dos pesos de sua contribuição, até a execução de avaliações e espacialização de resultados em ambiente SIG. Esta metodologia é composta por duas fases distintas: avaliação da vulnerabilidade ambiental da bacia hidrográfica a partir do uso de sistemas de suporte à decisão espacial, e, avaliação da sustentabilidade da bacia através do cálculo do indicador Pegada Ecológica. Na primeira fase são adotados sistemas de suporte à decisão, bases de conhecimento, SIG e uma ferramenta que integra estes resultados permitindo a geração de avaliações, análises e/ou cenários prospectivos. Na segunda fase, a sustentabilidade da bacia é retratada a partir do cálculo da pegada ecológica que consiste na contabilização da área que uma população necessita para produzir os recursos consumidos e absorver os resíduos gerados. A comparação entre áreas mais vulneráveis e menos sustentáveis, pode nortear projetos de recuperação e conservação ambiental. / In the current environmental context is huge the demand for consistent information that supports the territorial planning, allowing environmental assessments thereby subsidizing public and private sectors. This demand can be satisfied with the integration of information into a system, with properties and processing functions, allowing its use in integrated environment. Thus, this thesis proposes a methodology for environmental assessment of watersheds that operates from the choice of indicators and definition of the weights of its contribution to the implementation of assessments and spatialisation of results in a GIS environment. This methodology is composed of two distinct phases: assessment of environmental vulnerability of the basin by the use of spatial decision support systems, and assessing the sustainability of the basin through the calculation of Ecological Footprint. In the first phase are adopted decision support systems, knowledge bases, GIS and a tool that integrates these results allowing the generation of assessments, analysis and / or prospective scenarios. In the second stage, the sustainability of the basin is pictured from the calculation of the ecological footprint, which consists in accounting the area that a population needs to produce the resources consumed and absorb the waste generated. The comparison between the most vulnerable and less sustainable, can guide restoration projects and environmental conservation.