15 Jan 2017

Important GIS Applications and Uses

GIS in Mapping

Mapping is a central function of Geographic Information System, which provides a visual interpretation of data. GIS store data in database and then represent it visually in a mapped format. People from different professions use map to communicate. It is not necessary to be a skilled cartographer to create maps. Google map, Bing map, Yahoo map are the best example for web based GIS mapping solution.

Telecom and Network services

GIS can be a great planning and decision making tool for telecom industries. GDi GISDATA enables wireless telecommunication organizations to incorporate geographic data in to the complex network design, planning, optimization, maintenance and activities. This technology allows telecom to enhance a variety of application like engineering application, customer relationship management and location based services.

Urban Planning

GIS technology is used to analyze the urban growth and its direction of expansion, and to find suitable sites for further urban development. In order to identify the sites suitable for the urban growth, certain factors have to consider which is: land should have proper accessibility, land should be more or less flat, land should be vacant or having low usage value presently and it should have good supply of water.

Transportation Planning

GIS can be used in managing transportation and logistical problems. If transport department is planning for a new railway or a road route then this can be performed by adding environmental and topographical data into the GIS platform. This will easily output the best route for the transportation based on the criteria like flattest route, least damage to habitats and least disturbance from local people. GIS can also help in monitoring rail systems and road conditions.

Environmental Impact Analysis

EIA is an important policy initiative to conserve natural resources and environment. Many human activities produce potential adverse environmental effects which include the construction and operation of highways, rail roads, pipelines, airports, radioactive waste disposal and more. Environmental impact statements are usually required to contain specific information on the magnitude and characteristics of environmental impact. The EIA can be carried out efficiently by the help of GIS, by integrating various GIS layers, assessment of natural features can be performed.

Agricultural Applications

GIS can be used to create more effective and efficient farming techniques. It can also analyze soil data and to determine: what are the best crop to plant?, where they should go? how to maintain nutrition levels to best benefit crop to plant?. It is fully integrated and widely accepted for helping government agencies to manage programs that support farmers and protect the environment. This could increase food production in different parts of the world so the world food crisis could be avoided.

Navigation (routing and scheduling)

Web-based navigation maps encourage safe navigation in waterway. Ferry paths and shipping routes are identified for the better routing. ArcGIS supports safe navigation system and provides accurate topographic and hydrographic data. Recently DNR, s Coastal Resources Division began the task of locating, documenting, and cataloging these no historic wrecks with GIS. This division is providing public information that make citizens awareness of these vessel locations through web map. The web map will be regularly updated to keep the boating public informed of these coastal hazards to minimize risk of collision and injury.

GIS based Digital Taxation

In Local Governments, GIS is used to solve taxation problems. It is used to maximize the government income. For example, for engineering, building permits, city development and other municipal needs, GIS is used. Often the data collected and used by one agency or department can be used by another. Example Orhitec ltd can supply you with a system to manage property tax on a geographic basis that can work interactively with the municipal tax collection department. Using GIS we can develop a digital taxation system.

Surveying

urveying is the measurement of location of objects on the earth’s surfaces. Land survey is measuring the distance and angles between different points on the earth surface. An increasing number of national and governments and regional organizations are using GNSS measurements. GNSS is used for topographic surveys where a centimeter level accuracy is provided. These data can be incorporated in the GIS system. GIS tools can be used to estimate area and also, digital maps can prepared.

Tourism Information System

GIS provides a valuable toolbox of techniques and technologies of wide applicability to the achievement of sustainable tourism development. This provide an ideal platform tools required to generate a better understanding, and can serve the needs of tourists. They will get all the information on click, measure distance, find hotels, restaurant and even navigate to their respective links. Information plays a vital role to tourists in planning their travel from one place to another, and success of tourism industry. This can bring many advantages for both tourist and tourism department.