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Contributions of Mobile Computing in Real Time GIS Data Collection and Analysis
Syed Masiur Rahman
City & Regional Planning Department
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM)
P.O. Box 713, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
Tel: +966 -0501928296
E-mail: smrahman@kfupm.edu.sa
Quazi Abidur Rahman
Department of Information and Computer Science
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM)
E-mail: qabidn@kfupm.edu.sa
Introduction
Mobile computing gives the flexibility to access a GIS time and location independently, not like the stand-alone and wired GIS. The recent development in GIS data collection is mainly served by the development of mobile computing technology. It came into being as a significant contribution of advancement of hardware and wireless communication. It enables us to get rid of time and space dependency. Now, professionals can access and update information at anytime and at anywhere even without physical network connections. There is a clear shift in the field of data collection and analysis from the offline strategy to the real time strategy. Mobile computing tools help in collecting and analyzing real time digital data. It is contributing in the acquisition and analysis of reliable data through instant validation and digital applications that can prevent attribute discrepancy and entry errors, and offers direct download of support data into a useable form at the site.
The paper is divided into two main parts. First part introduces GIS, real time GIS, mobile computing and its contributions. Second part investigates the interrelationships between GIS data collection, analysis, and mobile computing. This part also illustrates mobile GIS along with commercial examples. Finally, Ubiquitous computing is discussed as the future of mobile computing.
GIS and Mobile Computing: Background
Geographical Information System (GIS)
DoE [8] defined GIS as "a system for capturing, storing, checking, manipulating, analyzing and displaying data which are spatially referenced to the Earth". In fact, there is no rigid consensus on the definition of GIS but many of the prevailing definitions have common features, namely that GIS deals with geographical information and considers geographical element as more important than the attribute element. In GIS, the representation of reality comprises of a series of geographical features defined according to locational and non-locational (attribute) data element [19]. Maguire [19] finds out three distinct but overlapping views based on the various ideas about GIS, namely the map, database and spatial analysis views. The map view originated in the work of McHarg [21] focuses on cartographic aspects of GIS such as map processing or display systems. The supporter of database view emphasizes on the importance of a well-designed and implemented database [11]. The spatial analysis view focuses on analysis and modelling which can be regarded as a spatial information science rather than a technology [Error! Reference source not found.]. In an institutional perspective, GIS possesses four basic elements, which are computer hardware and software, data and live-ware [19].
Although GIS can be applied to many types of problem, Rhind [24] develops a general classification of the types of generic queries (Table 1).
Table 1: Basic queries, which can be explored using GIS [24]
| Location | What is at……..? |
| Condition | Where is it……..? |
| Trend | What has changed…….? |
| Routing | Which is the best way……? |
| Pattern | What is the pattern……..? |
| Modelling | What if……..? |
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