Infrastructure Engineering - Research Publications
Permanent URI for this collection
Search Results
1 - 10 of 16
-
ItemAn algebraic approach to automated information fusion(Taylor & Francis, 2005)This paper presents a new technique for information fusion. Unlike most previous work on information fusion, this paper explores the use of instance-level (extensional) information within the fusion process. This paper proposes an algorithm that can be used automatically to infer the schema-level structure necessary for information fusion from instance-level information. The approach is illustrated using the example of geospatial land cover data. The method is then extended to operate under uncertainty, such as in cases where the data is inaccurate or imprecise. The paper describes the implementation of the fusion method within a software prototype. Finally, the paper discusses several key topics for future research, including applications of this work to spatial data mining and the semantic web.
-
ItemThe role [of] cadastral data modelling in e-land administration(Centre of Geo-Information Technologies (cGIT), 2005)Enablement of land administration with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is heading toward e-Land Administration (e-LA): the transformation of land administration through the use of ICT. Existing initiatives include providing land information on line, electronic conveyancing, digital lodgement of survey plans, and online access to survey plan information. Thus far, implementation of these initiatives is isolated in their specific subsystems without reference to the broader land administration system or its core policy function of supporting sustainable development. One solution to isolation is to develop effective communication among the different land administration subsystems by harmonising data and functionalities, so they are capable of being used by all subsystems. The key to harmonisation is data modelling which both recognizes and reengineers existing business processes. Modelling allows every single process in land administration to influence the cadastral data model and vice versa. This paper describes the importance of cadastral data modelling in data management as well as coordination among subsystems in an e-LA.
-
ItemDeveloping a platform to facilitate sharing spatial data(Centre of Geo-Information Technologies (cGIT)., 2005)Users of positioning and spatial information services and tools require precise spatial information in real-time and real-world objects. Simply an accurate positioning of a future subdivision is no longer accepted by users, they require it to be visualized as well, in order to take into account outside influences. The capacity to meet such user needs and deliver services and tools within the spatial information market has gone well beyond the ability of single organisations (Rajabifard, et al, 2005a). There is now a wide range of products and services available for a wide range of information technology applications, and hence the development of an enabling platform can facilitate access to data and sharing resources and tools among different practitioners. The creation of an enabling platform for the delivery of these tools and positioning applications will allow users from diverse backgrounds to work together with current technologies to meet the dynamic market place. Up until now, individual jurisdictions within Australia for example have started utilizing different platforms in attempting to create mechanisms for accessing and delivering spatial data and associated applications and tools in a coordinated fashion. This has been done through the use of hierarchies of information, where jurisdictions utilize information both by those within a jurisdictional level as well as those at a higher or lower jurisdictional level. The benefits of this sharing of information have been documented, however they do not necessarily break down the barriers between jurisdictions. Just because different information can be gained about Victorian state for example from different jurisdictional levels, does not mean that the information will necessarily be compatible (it may not be of the same accuracy or have the same specifications, utilize the same symbology, etc) (Rajabifard, et al, 2005b). There is now a need to create a common rail gauge within Australia to aid in implementing initiatives which solve cross jurisdictional and national issues. In order to meet this need, there is a requirement for an enabling platform.
-
ItemEvaluation of land administration systems( 2004)Currently there are no internationally accepted methodologies to evaluate and compare the performance of land administration systems. This is partly because land administration systems are in constant reform, and probably more importantly, they represent societies’ different perceptions of land. This paper describes the development of a framework to measure and compare the performance of land administration systems. The research is of particular relevance since it develops a management model which links the operational aspects of land administration with land policy.
-
ItemDeveloping the concept of a marine cadastre: an Australian case study( 2004-05)In the terrestrial environment, it is the cadastre and initiatives such as the creation of Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI) that are facilitating greater decision making in areas of sustainable development. The ability of such tools and initiatives to facilitate effective decision-making and spatial data access mechanisms within the marine environment has given rise to research into a marine cadastre. Such a cadastre aims to define, visualise and realise legally defined maritime boundaries and the rights, restrictions and responsibilities attached to them.
-
ItemFacilitating disaster management using SDI( 2004)The role of spatial data and related technologies in disaster management has been well-known worldwide. One of the challenges concerned with such a role is access to and usage of reliable, accurate and up-to-date spatial data for disaster management. This is a very important aspect to disaster response as timely, up-to-date and accurate spatial data describing the current situation is paramount to successfully responding to an emergency. This includes information about available resources, access to roads and damaged areas, required resources, and required disaster response operations that should be available and accessible for use in a short period of time. Sharing this information between involved parties in disaster management is a challenge to facilitate coordinated disaster response operations. This paper aims to address the role of Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI) as a framework for facilitating disaster management. It is argued that the design and implementation of an SDI model as a framework and consideration of SDI development factors and issues can assist disaster management agencies to improve the quality of their decision-making and increase efficiency and effectiveness in all levels of disaster management activities. The paper is based on an ongoing research project on the development of an SDI conceptual model for disaster management in Iran. This includes the development of a prototype web-based system which can facilitate sharing, access and use of data in disaster management and particularly disaster response.
-
ItemA worldwide comparison of cadastral systems: cadastral template( 2004-05)While many country reports and descriptions have been compiled in the area of land administration over the last ten years, there has not much attention been given to the basic cadastral issues and the role of cadastres in national spatial data infrastructures. PCGIAP-Working Group 3 "Cadastre" together with FIG-Commission 7 "Cadastre and Land Management" has developed a joint cadastral template that has so far been filled out by 32 countries. This project is one of the first to collect descriptions of national cadastral systems on such a broad basis and to have them publicly accessible on the Internet.The PCGIAP-Working Group 3 "Cadastre" has two aims for the period 2002-2004. One is to facilitate a workshop for the development of an appropriate generic "cadastral template" for country profile analyses describing the status of national cadastres and land administration systems. The second aim is to facilitate discussion on marine cadastres. This article, however, will focus on the cadastral template.The workshop for the cadastral template has been held in July 2003 prior to the 16th UNRCC-AP and the 9th PCGIAP meeting in Okinawa, Japan and has been organized with the support of the Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures and Land Administration from the Department of Geomatics of the University of Melbourne in Australia. The design of the cadastral template itself has been established in close collaboration with Commission 7 "Cadastre and Land Management" of the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG), which has extensive experience in comparative cadastral studies.
-
ItemAre SDIs serving the needs of local planning? case study of Victoria, Australia and Illinois, USA(Elsevier Ltd., 2004)National spatial data infrastructures (SDI) have been built throughout the 1990s in bothAustralia and the USA, conceptualized and initialized by the Australia New Zealand LandInformation Council (ANZLIC) and the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC),respectively. Numerous SDI-related activities at the national, state, and local levels in bothcountries share similar core objectives to stimulate coordinated collection, dissemination, anduse of spatial data by public and private entities. This coordination is to result in digitaldatabases that would be easily accessible and seamless across administrative and organizationalboundaries and that would contribute social, environmental, and economic benefits tothe involved communities. Improved information resources, at the local level in particular, areexpected to aid decision-making process and to enhance cooperation between government andnon-government sectors. This paper raises a question about the effectiveness of existing SDIdevelopments and about outcomes of the related interactions between the local, state, andnational levels. Case studies of local governments in Victoria, Australia and Illinois, USA areused to evaluate the utility of existing SDIs to local planning activities and to make suggestionsfor increasing their effectiveness.
-
ItemAssessing the worldwide developments of national spatial data clearinghouses( 2004-10)Many countries have spent considerable resources over the past few years debating optimal national spatial data infrastructures. One of the (main) elements of these infrastructures is the national spatial data clearinghouse, which facilitates access to required spatial data and provides complementary services. With this in mind, in April 2000, 2001, 2002 and December 2000, 2001, 2002, a web survey was carried out to assess systematically the developments of these national clearinghouses worldwide. Regarding the development in the number of implementations, it can be considered a worldwide success. However, of concern are the declining trends in use, management and content. One of the main reasons for these negative trends could be the dissatisfaction of the spatial data community with the functional capability of current clearinghouses. The functional capabilities of clearinghouses should likely be changed from a data-oriented to a user and application-oriented focus. This is in accord with the objectives of the second generation of spatial data infrastructures. The main factors, therefore, that will have positive impacts on developments in this field are the inclusion of web services, stability of funding and creation of user friendly interfaces.
-
ItemCapacity building in land administration - a conceptual approach(CASLE, 2004)Capacity building is increasingly seen as a key component of land administration projects in developing and countries in transition undertaken by the international development banks and individual country development assistance agencies. However, the capacity building concept is often used within a narrow meaning such as focusing on staff development through formal education and training programmes to meet the lack of qualified personnel in a project in the short term. This article argues that capacity building measures should be addressed in the wider context of developing institutional infrastructures for implementing land policies in a sustainable way. Where a project is established to create land administration infrastructures in developing or transition countries, it is critical that capacity building is a mainstream component, not as an add-on, which is often the case. In fact such projects should be dealt with as capacity building projects in themselves. The article introduces a conceptual analytical framework that provides some guidance when dealing with capacity building for land administration in support of a broader land policy agenda.