Spatial Decision Support Layer

(Redirected from Decisions Support Layers)

A Spatial Decision Support System[1] operates on Layers as input data. Rule based system processes the layers and creates a decision support output (e.g. spatial multi-criteria evaluation and expert knowledge[2]). The output of spatial decision support system can be (among others) a spatial decision support layer again. Decision support layers can range from simple Spatial Assignment Layer, that maps e.g. a real value to a geolocation (temperature at the geolocation) to more complex decision support layers that assign different mathematical functions to geolocations that could perform a specific calculation for the geolocation and the function itsself is different for different geolocation.

GIS Layers

Introduction

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Submodules

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Mathematics: Spatial Decision Support Layer as Mapping

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In terms of mathematical definition a spatial decision support layer is a mapping

 

where   is the codomain (target set) of the mapping  .

  • if the codomain   is an arbitrary set (e.g. videos, websites, images or text documents) that are assigned to geolocation the we call that in general Spatial Assignment Layer (SAL).
  • if the codomain   is also a vector space, then we call the SAL a Spatial Decision Support Layer (SDSL).

As the basic example we could use scalar sets   as basic codomain. With scalar codomains we can encode temperature, population density, contamination, radiation to geolocations and build decision support ontop of these layers. For a political map the codomain

 

is a set of states and all geolocation are mapped to state to which the geolocation belongs. This set   as codomain does not have a vector space structure and assignments allow not vector space operation in the codomain. Nevertheless this more general SAL can be helpful for decision support systems in general, to identify which legal framework has to be applied for decision support due to the national regulations that must be respected.


Domain of Spatial Decision Support Layer

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  includes the geographic coordinate system  , the height   and the time index  . So   is a subset of a threedimensional vector space  . The geographic coordinate system is a coordinate system used in geography that enables every location on Earth to be specified by a set of numbers, letters or symbols. In specialized works, "geographic coordinates" are distinguished from other similar coordinate systems, such as geocentric coordinates and geodetic coordinates. See, for example, Sean E. Urban and P. Kenneth Seidelmann[3] The coordinates are often chosen such that one of the numbers represents a vertical position, and two or three of the numbers represent a horizontal position. A common choice of coordinates is latitude, longitude and elevation[4].

Output of Decision Support Layer

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Heatmap and temporal change as GIF animation - Frames of animation represent different time stamps  

Think of the output set   in the following categories, that are explain by examples:

  • (number) e.g. temperature is   at time  , at geolocation   and at altitude  
  with  
  • (set of objects nearby) the spatial decision support layer provides object that nearby, e.g. an geotagged ambulance   and a health care facility  :
  with the geolocation   of   and  .
The decision support layer answers the question,
What are nearby health care services that I can get access to?

Ambulance might be nearer and mobile, while the health care facility might be far away but it might be far away but it could provide better health services. Decision makers will decide which resource will be used dependent on the disease or injury of a patient and the decision support layers provides the information, which resources are in reach of the patient's location. The example provides   and   as spatial objects, that contain the specification of the ambulance   and the health care facility at  .

Computer Science: Spatial Decision Support Layer as UML-Class

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Learning Task

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  • Spatial Fuzzy Logic: Learn about Spatial Fuzzy Logic and create a spatial decision support layer for temperature at specific time  .
  • We use a membership function   that maps a temperature   into the real number between 0 and 1 (i.e. the interval  ) by the following definition
     
(Spatial Membership Functions) With definition above the temperature is optimal for mosquitoes ( ) at a temperature  . If the temperature is higher than   (e.g.  ) or lower than   the fuzzy value is decreasing for lower and higher temperatures example the domain can be defined as the set of real numbers  , so that the membership function   could take all temperatures in degrees Celsius as input variable.
 
  • Missing height altitude/time of argument: When the height/altitude is not provided, the altitude of the surface is use. Explain why this concept is helpful for decision makers.
  • How much time does it take to access a health care facility for get a specific health care service. This could vary in space and time due to environmental conditions.
 
  means that it takes 3.5 hours to reach a health care facility at time  . In a rainy season   the value might change to   (i.e. 10h travel time).
  • The function   maps the the tupel   with the longitude  , the latitude  , the elevation above sealevel   and the time index   to the temperature   at the geolocation   at altitude   and time index  .
  • Explain, why the altitude   and time index   are important input parameters for the temperature layer!
  • Composition   defines a spatial decision support layers. Explain the purpose for vector control units working for a Public Health Agency.
  • Assignment of mathematical Function: In the examples about values (Spatial Assignment Layer SAL) or database records can be assigned to point in space and time. In a more general use case mathematical functions can be assigned to a geolocation that could perform a specific calculation for the geolocation or the area the mathematical function was assigned to. The mathematical functions change in time and space.

Explore the concept of digital signatures and explain why digital signatures are helpful for recipients of Spatial Decision Support Layers to be sure, that the digital product was not changed by someone else. Analyse different scenarios of your choice in which decision makers allocate resources based on decision support layers provided to them. How can digital signatures be used for exchanging decision support layers between organisations, companies, educational environments, ...? What are use-cases in which you would add also encryption to decision support layers (i.e. privacy of the data is relevant).

See also

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References

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  1. Keenan, P. B. (2002). Spatial decision support systems. Decision Making Support Systems Achievements and Challenges for the New Decade, 28-39.
  2. Store, R., & Kangas, J. (2001). Integrating spatial multi-criteria evaluation and expert knowledge for GIS-based habitat suitability modelling. Landscape and urban planning, 55(2), 79-93.
  3. Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac, 3rd. ed., (Mill Valley CA: University Science Books, 2013) p. 20–23.
  4. A guide to coordinate systems in Great Britain, Mar 2015, D00659 v2.3, access date 2015-06-22, Ordnance Survey, http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/docs/support/guide-coordinate-systems-great-britain.pdf