June, 1998 (Vol. 27, No. 1)
Refereed Papers
Arrowsmith, C. and Wilson, M. (1998) Telecom Tectonics Using Geographic Information Systems, Cartography, Vol. 27, No. 1.
Dunn, M. and Hickey, R.J. (1998) The Effect of Slope Algorithms on Slope Estimates Within a GIS, Cartography, Vol. 27, No. 1.
Tsakiri, M. and Stewart, M. (1998) A Future Vehicle Positioning System for Data Capture in the Urban Canyon, Cartography, Vol. 27, No. 1.
Ikhuoria, I.A. and Irabor, O.M. (1998) Environmental Knowing with Tactile Maps, Cartography, Vol. 27, No. 1.
Pullar, D., Sharma, P. and McDonald, G. (1998) A Model for Education in Spatial Information Technologies, Cartography, Vol. 27, No. 1.
Telecom Tectonics Using Geographic Information Systems.
Colin Arrowsmith MMSIA
Centre for Remote Sensing and GIS
Department of Land Information
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
124 LaTrobe Street Melbourne Victoria Australia 3000
Email: c.arrowsmith@rmit.edu.au
Associate Professor Mark Wilson
Institute for Public Policy and Social Research
& Urban and Regional Planning Program
321 Berkey Hall Michigan State University
East Lansing Michigan 48824-1111USA
Email: wilsonmm@pilot.msu.edu
Abstract
The rapid expansion and declining costs of global telecommunications is encouraging the globalization of production, especially services. Many firms are now able to
reduce production costs by relocating away from costly core areas in North America and Europe to peripheral locations or low cost sites in Asia and the Caribbean.
This trend has created a significant increase in the exchange of information via data flows across national and international boundaries. One challenge in understanding
this phenomenon is capturing the spatial context of telecommunications cost relationships. This task is exacerbated by costs between different countries not always
reflecting their physical distance. Reciprocal telecommunication costs between the USA and Japan for example, are not the same. Telecommunication costs to and
from many developing countries are disproportionally high due to the lack of appropriate telecommunications infrastructure. This paper explores the challenge of
mapping electronic cost space, and the development of a technique using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to generate cartograms. These
cartograms are maps based on telecommunication costs rather than physical distances and therefore graphically depict electronic (rather than physical) space.
The Effect of Slope Algorithms on Slope Estimates Within a GIS
Matthew Dunn and Robert Hickey
School of Spatial Sciences
Curtin University of Technology
GPO Box U1897
Perth WA 6845 Australia
E-mail: rhickey@vesta.curtin.edu.au
Abstract
Digital elevation models (DEMs) form an important part of many geographic information system (GIS) datasets; equally important are the parameters calculated from
these DEMs. This paper addresses the currently available methods of calculating slope angle from a digital elevation model and introduces a new method which
circumvents a number of the shortcomings associated with other algorithms. The results of the comparison of four different slope angle calculation algorithms show
that maximum downhill slope angle calculations retain the local variability present in the original DEM without overestimating slopes.
A Future Vehicle Positioning System for Data Capture in the Urban Canyon
Maria Tsakiri and Mike Stewart
School of Spatial Sciences
Curtin University of Technology
GPO Box U1897
Perth WA 6845 Australia
Abstract
Rapid data acquisition from a moving vehicle using positions given by the Global Positioning System (GPS) allows fast and reliable data collection for digital mapping
and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). However, built-up city ‘urban canyons’ offer an environment which challenges the physical limitations of modern GPS
positioning and, yet, is perhaps the one environment where the successful application of GPS technology could benefit most GIS users.
With a view to the next generation of vehicle positioning system to be used for rapid data collection purposes, this paper highlights the limitations imposed on current
GPS systems operating in the urban canyon. The capabilities of a future vehicle-based positioning system operating in this type of environment are discussed. Such a
system would comprise receivers capable of integrating the Global Positioning System and the Russian equivalent, the Global Navigation Satellite System
(GLONASS), and relatively cheap dead-reckoning sensors.
Environmental Knowing with Tactile Maps
Isi A Ikhuoria
Department of Geography and Regional Planning
University of Benin, P. M. B. 1154
Benin City, Nigeria.
Odion M Irabor
Department of Geography and Regional Planning
Edo State University, P. O. Box 14,
Ekpoma, Nigeria.
Abstract
In many developing countries, there are no special programmes which focus attention on the use of graphics in the geographic education of visually impaired people.
However, there are increasing incidences of people with visual disability who quest for knowledge at the elementary, secondary and tertiary levels of education. This
study has therefore investigated the spatial awareness and geographical knowledge of visually impaired persons in Nigeria through their potential tactile map reading
abilities. The main objectives of the study were: (1) to test the ability of the visually disabled to recognise and identify map symbols and thus determine their
perception and understanding of spatial phenomena; and (2) to identify the peculiar problems confronting the visually impaired person in tactile map use and
environmental knowing. Sixty blind subjects at all levels of education across Nigeria were tested on 27 questions based on eight tactile maps. The results were used
to verify the assumptions that: (1) loss of sight does not equate with mental limitation for environmental knowing, (2) discrete and varied map symbol texture help the
visually impaired to understand geographical distributions, and (3) learning experience based on academic level and period at which visual impairment occurred
influences spatial awareness and map reading competence. The results were also used to suggest key concepts needed to improve the understanding of maps and
acquisition of geographical knowledge by the visually impaired, particularly with regard to spatial data representation on maps in a multi-sensorial mode.
A Model for Education in Spatial Information Technologies
David Pullar, Pramod Sharma, and Geoff McDonald
Department of Geographical Sciences and Planning
The University of Queensland
Queensland 4072
Abstract
Education in spatial information technology has been strongly influenced by three disciplines in Australia; these are Surveying, Geography, and Information
Technology. The curriculum at The University of Queensland has developed very much in line with this pattern. As a result of both historical reasons and strategic
directions, the program in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) has included aspects of each of these disciplines. This paper presents
an overview of the graduate and postgraduate offerings in GIS/RS, and describes how the program has been influenced by the need to define performance criteria
for graduates based upon anticipated industry requirements.
|
