Day: September 10, 2010

GIS-augmented Video Surveillance

/ Matt Artz

International Journal of Geographical Information Science, Volume 24, Issue 9 September 2010 , pages 1415 – 1433

A. Milosavljevicacute; A. Dimitrijevicacute; D. Ranccaronicacute

“Registration in augmented reality is a process that merges virtual objects generated by a computer with real-world images captured by a camera. In this article, we present a method for registration of geospatial data applicable to outdoor video surveillance systems consisting of several PTZ cameras. PTZ is an abbreviation for pan-tilt-zoom, and in the terminology of video surveillance it indicates cameras that can rotate in the horizontal (pan) and vertical planes (tilt) and change their level of magnification (zoom). Registration is based on transforming these relative camera view parameters into the absolute position, orientation and field of view required by the three-dimensional geographic information systems (3D GISs). Once the 3D GIS and camera views are aligned, it is possible to identify geospatial objects from the camera image, as well as to overlap the virtual scene with the real one. In addition, inverse transformation of the view parameters allows for selecting and pointing the appropriate camera to some geo-referenced feature or event. Based on the proposal, we developed GeoScopeAVS, a GIS-based system for augmented video surveillance and suggested application of such a system in emergency situation management and urban planning.”

Disease, Death, and the Body Politic: An Areal Interpolation Example for Political Epidemiology

/ Matt Artz

International Journal of Applied Geospatial Research, Vol. 1, Issue 3, 2010

James L. Wilson; Christopher J. Mansfield

“More than a trillion dollars of public money is spent annually on health care in the United States. In order to inform policymakers, health advocacy groups, tax-paying constituents, and beneficiaries, it would be useful to present and analyze health outcome and health-related data at the U.S. congressional district level. Presently, health event data are not reported at this political unit; however, recent interest and advances in areal interpolation techniques are beginning to transcend the inherent limitations imposed by legacy data collection and analyses systems. In this paper, the authors use the dasymetric approach to illustrate how this areal interpolation technique can be used to transfer county-level mortality rate data from several causes of death to the U.S. congressional district level. The study’s primary goal is to promote areal interpolation techniques in the absence of a systematic and comprehensive national program for geocoding health events.”

Modeling Changes in Paddy Rice Sown Areas in Asia

/ Matt Artz

Sustainability Science, Volume 5, Number 1, 2010, 29-38

Wenbin Wu, Ryosuke Shibasaki, Peng Yang, Huajun Tang and Kenji Sugimoto

“Paddy rice fields in Asia account for over 90% of global total rice cultivation area, and the major rice-producing countries of Asia account for over one-half of the world’s population. Monitoring and understanding the dynamic changes in paddy rice agriculture in Asia are very important for agricultural sustainability, food and water security, and greenhouse gas emissions. This paper presents a crop choice decision model that dynamically simulates future changes in sown areas of paddy rice in Asia. This model was developed under the framework of Action-in-Context (AiC) with the aim of understanding land users’ decisions on crop choices among a set of available alternatives using a crop utility function. Empirical validation for the model conducted after model construction indicated the reliability of the model for addressing the complexity of current agricultural land-use change and its capacity for investigating long-term scenarios in the future. Finally, the model was applied for future scenario analysis over a time frame of 30 years with 5-year increments, beginning from the year 2005. The simulation results provided insights into rates and trajectories of changes in Asian rice areas over the test period, with the resulting implications for future agricultural sustainability in Asia. These outcomes can improve understanding of projected land-use changes and explain their causes, locations and consequences, as well as providing support for land-use planning and policy making.”

SRK Signs Global ELA with Esri

/ Matt Artz

Broader Access to GIS Will Improve Workflows and Collaboration at Natural Resources Consulting Company

SRK Consulting, an international consulting company that provides focused advice and solutions for earth and water resource industries, recently signed a global enterprise license agreement (ELA) with Esri. The agreement includes 36 SRK affiliates in 10 countries and gives SRK unlimited use of Esri desktop and server software.

“The enterprise license agreement will provide SRK Consulting with increased access to GIS [geographic information system] technology at a significant savings,” says Brett Bingham, GISP, global ELA manager, SRK Consulting. “As a growing, internationally diversified company, it is important that we provide our staff with the tools necessary to succeed. The ELA will help SRK collaborate internally and with our clients on a standard GIS platform.”

The global ELA supports the many facets of SRK’s operations throughout its affiliates, which address different areas of GIS administration. The agreement will allow SRK to leverage and share GIS applications and workflows developed within their independent offices.

“Being technologically advanced in our fields of expertise is part of SRK’s vision,” says Andy Barrett, Group CEO, SRK Consulting. “The ELA gives us global access to the latest innovations in GIS technology, assisting us in reaching this goal. SRK looks forward to a long-lasting professional relationship with Esri.”

[Source: Esri press release]