Introduction
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) refer to computer-based systems used to collect and manipulate spatial data, to store and analyze this data, and to produce visuals for the user. GIS is usually used to assist in the decision-making process, by providing an easy way to analyze and visualize data spatially. GIS systems have been around for over 50 years, with their primary use initially being used in the fields of mapping and cartography. Since then, GIS has gone from basically drawing maps, to complex analytical tasks, such as integrating different data sources, including satellite images, and real-time data.
GIS Applications
GIS can be used for a variety of purposes, by almost any type of organization. GIS technology has increased productivity and efficiency in numerous fields, including urban planning, natural resources, business analysis and marketing, public safety and emergency response, environmental studies, transportation, healthcare, and more.
Urban Planning
Urban planning departments often use GIS to analyze land use, plot potential development sites, evaluate public infrastructure networks, and design land use plans. GIS can also be used to measure the effects of different possible land use and transportation scenarios, allowing planners to make more informed decisions.
Natural Resources
GIS can also be used for management of natural resources. By digitizing existing maps, researchers are able to analyze existing resource utilization, limitations, and potential growth areas. This analysis can help guide sustainable development and resource management decisions. GIS can also be used to analyze the effects of erosion, hydrologic modeling, animal habitats, and habitat fragmentation.
Business
In the business sector, GIS is used to monitor the location of market potential and to evaluate sales performances within certain regions or districts. This type of spatial analysis is becoming increasingly important due to the mobile population that is often difficult to accurately measure. GIS is also used to analyze and visualize customer data, so companies can generate sales campaigns and assess new market opportunities.
Public Safety and Emergency Response
Public safety and emergency response systems have also adopted GIS technologies for their operations. GIS can provide valuable information for responding to emergency calls and is used extensively to monitor the spread of fires, floods, epidemics, and other disasters. GIS can also be used to assess evacuation routes and population distributions.
Environmental Studies
In the area of environmental sciences, GIS is used for a variety of applications, such as analyzing the spread of pollution, mitigating the effects of global climate change, tracking wildlife populations, and much more. GIS can be used to create 3D models of landscapes, allowing researchers to better understand the complex dynamics of the natural world.
Transportation
GIS is widely used in the field of transportation engineering and management. GIS is used to assist in a variety of transportation planning tasks, including route optimization, traffic flow analysis, and the visualization of public transportation networks. GIS can also be used to assess the environmental impacts of new transportation systems.
Healthcare
GIS is also becoming increasingly important in healthcare. GIS can be used to study public health patterns and evaluate the effectiveness of public health initiatives. GIS can also be used to visualize healthcare networks and plan public health strategies.
Conclusion
GIS has proven to be a valuable tool across many sectors. From urban planning to healthcare, the advantages of GIS are vast. With GIS, users are able to visualize data more efficiently and make more informed decisions. GIS systems are continually evolving and are becoming more accessible, allowing for a wider range of uses and applications.
