GIS Based Environmental Decision Support System (EDSS)
Mohd. Idrus Mohd Diah
Managing Director
IGD Hitech Corporation Sdn Bhd
Building 8, Unit 1-4, 1st Floor, Incubator Centre 1,
Technology Park Malaysia, 57000 Bukit Jail,
Kuala Lumpur, West Malaysia
Tel. - 603-9660203 Fax: - 603-9660206
E-mail :idrus@ig.pommy
Abstract
Environmental Decision Support System (EDSS) is a GIS based technology incorporating the multimedia, relational database u sing ArcView 3.0. A team of GIS professional at IGD Hitech CorporationSdn Bhd was selected to commission the development of EDSS Application in less than six months. EDSS contain pre-defined queries using user friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) menus to support the functions carried out by agencies that have responsibilities in the area of environmental and pollution control. Each pre-defined query provides immediate information in multiple format (maps, satellite images attributes, pictures and video) to support the decision marking process and management of environment. EDSS shall be effectively implemented and applied for different levels and background of users at the Department of Environmental or any agency with similar functions. EDSS shall be applied and used not only on a stand-alone basis but also on a wide area network for a nationwide system.
1. Introduction
Geographical Information System (GIS) applications are developing rapidly. Thousands of new GIS-based systems have and are currently being installed, and many of these are already playing and important role in decision making at various levels, both in government and private organizations. Decision-making is a complex process, influenced by many factors, both human and non-human. A GIS application cannot make decision for people. However , GIS is able to provide many simulated results, which can help the decision-makers to achieve the decision and answer to some of these questions:-
- Where is the most polluted area in the Industrial Area and how much is the total.
- Where is the exact location of the polluted rivers and total of factory along the river.
- How many premises that violating the environmental
- Where are the projects that involve in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
From looking at these questions , we can see the important roles played by GIS technology for it is somehow influenced or dictated in some manner of geographic information. The basic advantage of the technology is its ability to manage and integrate with the existing database. Therefore, at any one time you are able to see not only the spatial data but also the database. For example, by referring to the colour codes displayed within a map on a GIS application, we will know that grey area is a polluted area and the green area is free from pollution. At the same time, the presentation of database related to the spatial data can also be shown.
2. Environmental Decision Support System
As what have already been explained above. Environmental Decision Support System (EDSS) is a GIS based application. The main objective of this system is to apply a cost effective GIS technology in management, control and the development of natural resources aspects such as source of pollution and enforcement, air and water quality control, EIA, as well as compliance and complaint of pollution cases. EDSS is suitable for Department Of Environmental or any agencies whose business is related to the environmental. Figure 1.0 shows the main page of EDSS :-
Figure 1.0 The output screen of the main menu of EDSS
Development of EDSS
The development of EDSS is divided into two phases. This system was developed using PC Arc View 3. ArcInfo and also MS Access. The first phase of EDSS was more to designing the system, the database, and the spatial data for the base map using ArcInfo. The entire requirement and the assessment study were held together with the users of EDSS. In this phase, the development of Control module and also the Data-Entry Module was started. These two modules took about two months to complete. During the implementation, a few minor changes were made in order to comply with the user's requirement. The second phase of this system is the development of Assessment module, development Module and also the Information module. These three modules took about two months to complete, also with some changes made to comply with the user's requirements.
EDSS is a PC-Based system, which can also be expanded into a Client-Server system. The development was based on object-oriented programme technique, utilizing GUI technology, with the objective to produce a user-friendly system. This will reduce problems faced by inexperienced users and increase and learning curve for this system. Ultimately, this system is targeted towards users who have only the basic skills in handling computers. Figure 1.1 is the hierarchy of EDSS structure.
Figure 1.1 Hierarchy of EDSS structure
Implementation of EDSS
The analytical tools or EDSS are structured into five main modules. These five main modules are capable of providing the decision-makers with the tools and materials for them to make the decisions. The three main modules are :-
1. Assessment modules
The main objective of this module is to assess the activities of factories or development projects or premises, which is related to the environment. The decision-makers will visit these sites to see whether or not the onsite activities comply with the Environmental Quality Act. This module is also used to asses and evaluate new factories or development projects to determine their compliance with the Regulations. The decision-makers will not only evaluate and assess the development projects at the beginning but they will asses and also evaluate until the project is completed. As for the factories, the decision-makers will do the same assessment form time to time. By using this module, the decision-makers will know which factories or development projects or premises has not been visited more than the certain period of time. With just a simple query, the location of the factories, development projects or premises, will appear together with the detail of that factory. All of these detail will be used later in Control Module. There are four sub-modules, which supports the Assessment Module.
Figure 1.2 shows the output screen of Assessment Module
Figure 1.2 : - Output screen of Assessment Module
