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- Developing Applications of GIS and Geospatial Information
Developing Applications of GIS and Geospatial Information
A human geographical approach to the advanced information society
GIS (Geographical Information System) is a system for analyzing, searching, and displaying geospatial information (data including location information). In this laboratory, we are developing GIS analysis and visualization methods related to geospatial information for the purpose of supporting regional planning and disaster prevention planning.
Content of research
At this laboratory we are using GIS to study the use of geospatial information, such as Geospatial Information Authority (GSI) maps and digital national land information, maintained by the national government as well as open data maintained by local governments and big data such as movement history acquired by GPS. For example, the results of this research are being used to support the formulation of plans for tsunami evacuation in snowy and cold regions. The winter environment in snowy and cold regions (frozen road surfaces, reduced road width due to snow, etc.) makes tsunami evacuation in coastal areas extremely difficult. At our laboratory we generate a lot of information necessary for planning, such as the demarcation of difficult-to-evacuate areas, the estimation of difficult-to-evacuate populations, and evaluation of the capacity of evacuation sites under such snowy cold conditions, and publish our techniques and results. In this way, we are developing technologies to easily and quickly create socially useful information from a geographical perspective, and are continuing our research to contribute to the formation of the foundation for an advanced information society.
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Identifying tsunami evacuation speed reduction points using open data and big data
The area that juts out vertically (red: non-snow season, blue: snow season) is the area where speed is significantly reduced, and it is thought that there are obstacles to movement. Based on these results, we can consider how to simplify actual evacuation.
Potential for social implementation
- ・Support for disaster prevention planning
- ・Support for the creation of hazard maps
- ・Support for GIS education
- ・Support for visualization of spatial data
- ・Support for the utilization of open data
- ・Support for geography education in junior high and high schools
Appealing points to industry and local governments
The results of this research can provide a quick and inexpensive way to visualize and analyze geospatial information in GIS. For example, local governments and voluntary disaster prevention organizations will be able to create their own disaster prevention maps as long as they have a PC connected to the internet. Through this research, we would like to contribute to the development of human resources who are well versed in GIS and geospatial information and who can take charge in an advanced information society.
Inquiry about this research
