![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081107031314im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Final Report: An Integrated Approach for Effective Representation and Analysis of Space/Time Environmental Data
EPA Grant Number: R825195Title: An Integrated Approach for Effective Representation and Analysis of Space/Time Environmental Data
Investigators: Peuquet, Donna J. , MacEachren, Alan
Institution: Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus
EPA Project Officer: Saint, Chris
Project Period: October 10, 1996 through October 9, 1999 (Extended to December 30, 2000)
Project Amount: $585,086
RFA: High Performance Computing (1996)
Research Category: Environmental Statistics
Description:
Objective:The objective of this research was to design and implement a prototype environment that integrates a temporal geographic information system (TGIS) with geovisualization and analysis methods. This integrated environment (called Apoala) has been developed to demonstrate innovative capabilities to support analysis of environmental change and evaluation of possible solutions utilizing large observational data sets. Apoala is intended to serve as a basis for building integrated TGIS/geovisualization systems that can be applied to a wide variety of complex environmental issues.
The Apoala prototype has been designed specifically to include:
1. A fully integrated, multi-representational database model that: (a) integrates object-based, location-based and time-based representations in a tightly coupled manner, (b) is scalable to very large data sets, and (c) can support distribution of data over a number of machines and file systems.
2. A flexible database query protocol linked to a graphical user interface (GUI) that facilitates multidimensional and multi-scale query and analysis in a way that: (a) facilitates ad hoc queries and exploration of the database, (b) is "natural" from a human perspective (e.g., answering "sense" and "until" types of questions), and (c) is fast enough, from an implementation perspective, to allow real-time interaction.
3. A multidimensional, multi-scale geovisualization capability that also facilitates exploratory analysis (as well as more traditional presentation) of time sequences of three-dimensional data, again, in a way that is flexible and powerful, yet also seems natural from the human point of view.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):The Apoala prototype demonstrated several major advancements in the development of new and powerful capabilities for representing and analyzing large and complex space-time data sets.
The original Triad data model was significantly extended to what was named the Pyramid data model. A tree-based parallelization strategy also was implemented and evaluated on a distributed network. The Pyramid model, in concept, has the ability to represent observational data at multiple spatial, as well as temporal scales. Complexities related to the multidimensional nature of the model, however, made it impractical for us to address multiscale representation at the implementational level within the time frame of the research reported here.
A multidimensional, multi-scale geovisualization capability was designed and implemented to support exploratory analysis (as well as more traditional presentation) of time sequences of three-dimensional data. The research demonstrated the potential of visualization environments that enable dynamic, multi-parameter links among representation forms (e.g., maps, parallel coordinate plots) that provide alternative windows on complex multidimensional data.
An interface was developed that allows domain experts to take advantage of a powerful and flexible database query protocol, and intuitive but powerful visual representations and interactive controls for those representations that facilitate structured data exploration and analysis.
Conclusions:The theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in building the Apoala prototype can serve: (a) as a basis for building integrated Temporal Geographic Information and Visualization systems for application to a wide variety of complex environmental issues, and (b) as an integrative, multidisciplinary methodology and problem-solving tool for posing and answering questions relative to diverse sets of environmental, social, and economic information. The Apoala prototype is the first truly integrated approach to representation and analysis of space/time environmental data.
Journal Articles on this Report: 9 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 57 publications | 11 publications in selected types | All 10 journal articles |
| Type | Citation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
An N, Lu R, Qian L, Sivasubramaniam A, Keefe T. Storing spatial data on a network of workstations. Cluster Computing 1999;2(4):259-270. |
R825195 (Final) |
not available |
|
|
An N, Jin J, Sivasubramaniam A. Toward an accurate analysis of range queries on spatial data. IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering 2003, Volume: 15, Number: 2 (MAR-APR), Page: 305-323. |
R825195 (Final) |
not available |
|
|
Fuhrmann S, MacEachren AM. Navigation in desktop-basierten geo-virtuellen Welten. Kartographische Nachrichten 2001;51(3):132-142. |
R825195 (Final) |
not available |
|
|
Fuhrmann S, MacEachren AM. Navigation in virtuellen geo-welten. Kartographische Nachrichten 2001;51(3):132-142. |
R825195 (Final) |
not available |
|
|
Cartography, GIS and the World Wide Web. Progress in Human Geography 1998;22(4):575-585. |
R825195 (Final) |
not available |
|
|
MacEachren AM, Wachowicz M, Edsall R, Haug D, Masters R. Constructing knowledge from multivariate spatiotemporal data: integrating geographic visualization with knowledge discovery in database methods. International Journal of Geographic Information Science 1999;13(4):311-334. |
R825195 (1998) R825195 (Final) |
not available |
|
|
Mennis JL, Peuquet DJ, Qian LJ. A conceptual framework for incorporating cognitive principles into geographical database representation. International Journal of Geographical Information Science 2000;14(6):501-520. |
R825195 (Final) |
not available |
|
|
Peuquet DJ, Guo D. Mining spatial data using an interactive rule-based approach. GIScience 2000, Proceedings of First International Conference on Geographic Information Science 2000;152-153. |
R825195 (Final) |
not available |
|
|
Kartographische animaties en legenda's voor temporele kaarten: exploratie en/of interactie. Kartografisch tijdschrift 1997;23(4):13-18. |
R825195 (1998) R825195 (Final) |
not available |
space-time GIS, space-time data, information interfaces, animation, parallel processing, very large databases. , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, RFA, computing technology, information technology, integrated visualization, computer science, data management, data sharing, geographical information systems, space-time environmental data, spatial modeling, multivariate spatiotemporal visualization, geospatial data, environmental decision making
Relevant Websites:
http://www.geovista.psu.edu/grants/apoala/index.htm
http://www.geovista.psu.edu
Progress and Final Reports:
1998 Progress Report
Original Abstract