GIS: Useful Tool or Expensive Toy?
Publication: Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 116, Issue 2
Abstract
The relatively new technology known as geographic information system (GIS) has many possible uses for engineers who have projects covering large geographic areas. The many categories of data that can be included in a GIS provide the user with valuable resource data that can be combined with or subtracted from other categories to create entirely new categories. GISs come in two basic forms—raster or vector—and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Raster systems assign attributes to specific ground locations, and the resultant output is in the form of typewriter symbols, while vector systems assign attributes to polygons and have outputs that are visually more attractive. GIS technology is widely used by planners, and use by engineers is increasing. Advances in marrying the GIS software with better graphics reproduction software and increased exposure to GIS have brought about increased use by engineers.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Beard, M. K., Chrisman, N. R., and Patterson, T. D. (1984). “Integrating data for local resource planning: A case study of sand and gravel resources.” Proc. 22nd Annual Conf., Urban and Regional Information Systems Association, 1, 513–524.
2.
Corson‐Rikert, J., and White, D. (1986). “Building large geographic data bases for planning: The Minute Man National Historical Park.” Proc. ACSM‐ASPRS, American Congress of Surveying and Mapping and American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 3, 142–151.
3.
Hanigan, F. L. (1983). “Metrocom: Houston's geographic information municipal management system.” Proc. ASCM‐ASP Fall Conv., American Congress of Surveying and Mapping and American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 205–215.
4.
Mitchell, G. L., and Zilkoski, D. B. (1986). “A 'geocadastre' for New Orleans and southern Louisiana.” Proc. ACSM‐ASPRS, American Congress of Surveying and Mapping and American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 3, 180–195.
5.
Nystrom, D. A., et al. (1986). “USGS/Connecticut geographic information system project.” Proc. ACSM‐ASPRS, American Congress of Surveying and Mapping and American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 3, 210–219.
6.
Oshima, T., Yasuda, Y., and Emori, Y. (1986). “Computer aided route selection on the base of GIS by a micro‐computer.” Proc. ACSM‐ASPRS, American Congress of Surveying and Mapping and American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 3, 31–37.
7.
Parker, H. D. (1988). “The unique qualities of a geographic information system: A commentary.” Photogramm. Engrg. Remote Sens., 54(11), 1547–1549.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 116 • Issue 2 • May 1990
Pages: 131 - 138
Copyright
Copyright © 1990 ASCE.
History
Published online: May 1, 1990
Published in print: May 1990
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.