Infrastructure Engineering - Research Publications

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Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    An algebraic approach to automated information fusion
    DUCKHAM, MATT ; WORBOYS, MICHAEL (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.
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    Qualitative reasoning about consistency in geographic information
    Duckham, M ; Lingham, J ; Mason, K ; Worboys, M (Elsevier BV, 2006-03)
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    A new vision on cadastral data model
    Kalantari, Mohsen ; RAJABIFARD, ABBAS ; WALLACE, JUDE ; WILLIAMSON, IAN ( 2006)
    Land administration systems are evolving towards an integrated land management paradigm designed to support sustainable development. In this paradigm, land administration delivers four functionalities: land mapping, land registration, land valuation and land development, each with specific data elements, with the cadastral data model at the core. Cadastral data modelling potentially plays a key role in both data and business management in modern land administration systems. However, some modifications to existing data models could potentially improve their capacity to deliver sustainability. Firstly, the existing role of land parcels and properties as core building blocks in land administration systems can be significantly extended to make the cadastral fabric available to assist management of a wider range of rights, restrictions and responsibilities by using the concept of legal property objects: an entity defined by a law or regulation which relates to a physical space on, below or above the earth. This can be interpreted as a new land related commodity, land parcel or a property. Secondly, although land parcel and property identifiers are key elements of interoperability within land administration subsystems, the paper argues that they have not yet given appropriate emphasis in cadastral data models. Among the identifiers, spatial identifiers can potentially simplify data exchange and work flows among land administration functionalities on a much wider basis. Finally, the paper discusses technical issues raised by changing the cadastral model: the advantages and disadvantages of spatial identifiers, possibilities for spatially presenting rights restrictions and responsibilities, and consistency between various legal property objects.
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    Critical issues in global geographic information management - with a detailed focused on data integration and interoperability of systems and data
    RAJABIFARD, ABBAS ( 2010)
    The GSDI Association continues its support for the United Nations for taking the initiative on this critical global geographic information issue; and is willing to contribute to new arrangements to improve global geographic information management. The role of the GSDI Association, in essence, is to facilitate better global outcomes through utilisation of geographic information and spatial data infrastructures (SDIs). This role directly complements the proposal to establish a United Nations Committee on Global Geographic Information Management (UNCGGIM). The GSDI Association's view of the changes now taking place in the geographic information world and these changes exemplify convergence of technologies and disciplines. These changes need to be influenced where appropriate, and leveraged, by the global geographic information community, particularly by the United Nations. This paper presents some views related to the “critical issues in global geographic information management” and in particular a response to the following issues: - Governance: is global governance relevant and necessary? - Interoperability of systems and data - Data integration and layering, and - Capacity building and technology transfer In responding to these issues, the paper however provides a more detailed discussions on “interoperability of systems and data” and “data integration” in particular the technical and non-technical issues and heterogeneity associated with multi-sourced spatial data integration in the context of SDI.
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    Spatial Data Integration
    MOHAMMADI, HOSSEIN ; BINNS, ANDREW ; RAJABIFARD, ABBAS ; Williamson, Ian P. ( 2006)
    Todays world relies heavily on spatial data to manage the natural and built environments. Monitoring and controlling the impact of human activities on the environment and the impact of natural environmental changes (including natural hazards) on the built environment is a major policy driver for many jurisdictions. The mitigation of natural hazards including tsunamis, earthquakes and landslides and securing citizens against them has become another priority of nations, especially after the tsunami within the Asia/Pacific region. September 11 was also a major point in history which attracts attentions towards providing more efficient counter-terrorism initiatives.
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    Developing a seamless SDI model across the land-sea interface
    Vaez, Sheelan Sheikheslami ; RAJABIFARD, ABBAS ; BINNS, ANDREW ; Williamson, Ian Philip ( 2007)
    A more integrated and holistic approach to management of spatial information relating to coastal and marine environments is needed and this can be facilitated by the creation of a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) on a seamless platform. There is a growing and urgent need to create a seamless SDI model that bridges the gap between the terrestrial and marine environments, creating a spatially enabled land-sea interface to more effectively meet sustainable development objectives. This paper discusses the principles and concepts followed by introduction to issues and challenges that must be overcome in developing an overarching architecture for a seamless SDI that allows access to and interoperability of data from marine, coastal and terrestrial environments.
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    A methodology based on ontology for geo-service discovery
    Fallahi, Gholam Reza ; Mesgari, Mohammad Saadi ; RAJABIFARD, ABBAS ; Frank, Andrew U. ( 2008)
    Due to popular use of internet and fast progress of communications technology, the researches related to GIS in environmental models is being focused to use Geospatial Information System (GIS) in a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). In this architecture, the geo service requesters can access the provided geo-services through the communication network by using client/server method. Effectiveness of the method depends on the existence of interoperability especially at semantic level. Lack of semantic interoperability makes obstacles for automated discovery of geo-services. The current article proposes a methodology based on ontology for discovering field-based geo-services. An ontological structure including the ontology of measurement theory, the core ontology of geo services and the upper ontology supports semantic framework for this methodology. In the other words, these ontologies provide required knowledge for describing ontologies of provided and requested geo-services. Sample ontologies have been built to test the implementation of the proposed methodology for discovering geo-services. In this regard, a geo-service discovery application has been developed by this research in order to implement a prototype of the methodology.
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    Spatially referenced legal property objects
    Kalantari, M ; Rajabifard, A ; Wallace, J ; Williamson, I (ELSEVIER SCI LTD, 2008-04)
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    Seamless SDI model: bridging the gap between land and marine environments
    Vaez, Sheelan S. ; RAJABIFARD, ABBAS ; WILLIAMSON, IAN (Netherlands Geodetic Commission, 2009)
    With climate change, rising sea levels pressing harder year on year and the need to manage our resources more carefully in this dynamic environment, the inability to integrate land and marine base information is an increasing problem in many countries. The absence of a seamless spatial data framework prevents the execution of standard practice of locating and referencing spatial data across the land-marine interface where so much pressure and development is taking place. There is a growing and urgent need to create a seamless SDI model that bridges the gap between the terrestrial and marine environments, creating a spatially enabled land-sea interface to more effectively meet sustainable development objectives. This article discusses drivers for integrating land and marine environments and proposes a seamless SDI model as an abstract level SDI and its associated components. This is followed by issues and challenges that must be overcome in developing an overarching architecture for a seamless SDI that allows access to and interoperability of data from marine, coastal and terrestrial environments.