Study on the Environment Information Providing Method based on Spatial Information Document

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present a method to provide environment information based on spatial information document. At present, a lot of spatial information, including environment information, is being produced, but separate software or system is required for the user to acquire the information. In particular, in the case of environment information, various types of information are being produced, such as ecology, vegetation and measurement network data. Therefore, it is necessary to present the form and the making method of spatial information document that allows using environment information as spatial information without separate software or system. To provide spatial information document-based environment information, types and forms of environment information, data format and offering methods produced by the government, in particular, the Ministry of Environment and the local governments, are analyzed. 12 fields are classified and the form of produced data is GIS DB, measurement network data, text data and so on. With decrease of paper maps, spatial information document that offers display by layer, coordinate data, attribute data, distance and area measurement, location search by coordinates, GPS location linkage and location display on the map is presented to increase utilization of geo-environment information maps. Finally, the standard document specification based on spatial information document is presented in consideration of usability and readability in order to provide a variety of environment information without separate software or system.

1. Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to study the standardized form of providing spatial information document-based information; that is, to present the standardized, optimum, high-quality form of spatial information document that allows using geo-spatial information without separate GIS software or system, and to establish spatial information document making methods and utilization methods.

Recently, the government agencies, local governments and research institutes are producing various kinds of information based on spatial information. However, separate GIS software or system is required to utilize such information. Spatial information-based GIS DB is being produced in various fields, but no sufficient studies are conducted to find out how to provide such information to experts or the general public.

In addition, to distribute spatial information to the general public more easily and conveniently, a study on GeoPDF has been recently conducted for spatial information document making methods and service offering methods. In the advanced countries, including the US and Japan, spatial information is provided not in the original GIS text format but in the format read and printed in almost all OS, such as Windows, Mac OS, Unix and Google Android. And the spatial information document is provided using GeoPDF that the font, image, graphic and document type of the original document remain and a viewer program is downloadable for free. However, no sufficient studies have been conducted on the standardized form to make and distribute such spatial information document in a structured way (Na, 2013).

In this regard, in order to increase usability of spatial information by experts and to promote civic awareness of spatial information, it is necessary to collect and analyze various kinds of information that has been domestically produced, and to study the standardized form of spatial information document for efficient making and distribution of spatial information document.

 

2. Spatial Information Document Making Method for Environment Information

2.1 Overview of spatial information document

In the currently operating spatial information-based service system, the spatial information such as cadastre, ground coverage map, ecological zoning map is overlaid with satellite image for providing various kinds of service. Web-based map viewing service and image data (PDF, JPG) download service is provided for the general public to allow using such information in a simple reading.

However, JPG and PDF data provided without GIS programs consists of a simple image-format file and therefore, does not contain any attribute data. Unlike the general PDF, spatial information document, in this study, can contain morphological information and attribute data of GIS database based on accurate spatial coordinates.

2.2 Domestic and overseas status of spatial information document

NGA (National Geo-spatial Intelligence Agency) in the US makes and distributes geo-informational production in GeoPDF. USGS, through the online web-store, distributes 7.5-minute topo quads in GeoPDF (USGS, 2016). For the next-generation map, a study is being conducted to make Digital US Topo Maps in which various kinds of geological information are added (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1.USGS GeoPDF file download

TEC (Topographic Engineering Center) under the US Army Corps of Engineers is currently making Country DVDs using GeoPDF, which is being distributed to field forces. Such GeoPDF works as both online and offline map and is simple and immediate to use at the field.

Forestsocit, an environmental group in New Hampshire, makes and distributes the PDF for protection of forests (Fig. 2). All data to manage forests, including road networks, administrative boundaries, water system, land use and soil types, are contained in the PDF in the form of layer to allow users to visualize their desired layer for easy data reading. Major control areas and sub-control areas in the forest are displayed for structured management (NGII, 2012).

Fig. 2.Thematic map making using GeoPDF

FARALLON GEOGRAPHICS (GIS Solution Company) makes and distributes the below for management of water and sewage (Fig. 3). Providing all data necessary for water and sewage control, it contains geographic information of the city, water and sewage pipe line, manhole locations, cadaster and street names.

Fig. 3.Water and sewage management using GeoPDF

Army Topographic Intelligence Group in Korea also creates manages and distributes the conventional paper map in the form of GeoPDF (Ray, 2014). The Korea Transport Institute makes and manages the conventional transportation paper map in GeoPDF and the National Geographic Information Institute makes and distributes On-Map in the form of spatial information document.

On-Map is a new concept electric map in PDF format where image information and maps are overlaid. It is a spatial information document that provides functions of display by layer, coordinate information acquisition, attribute information acquisition, distance and area measurement, location search by coordinates (NGII, 2012), GPS location linkage and location display on the map. 1/5000 physical maps and 1/250,000 topographic maps have been distributed since the latter half of 2013 (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4.1/250,000 spatial information document sample in seoul topographic map

According to the comprehensive analysis of many domestic and overseas cases, with decrease in using paper maps, GeoPDF that provides per-layer display, coordinate information, attribute information, distance and area measurement, location search by coordinates, GPS location linkage, and location display On-maps is made and its usage is presented in order to increase utilization of maps (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5.GPS location receiver setting in spatial information document

In addition, as seen in Fig. 6, 3D GeoPDF using 3D spatial information can be made, but there is no specialized service (NGII, 2012).

Fig. 6.Example of 3D spatial information document

2.3 Characteristics of spatial information document files

Spatial Information Document Files is GeoPDF’s format comes from TerraGo’s data format and it is registered in OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium) as the international standard format for spatial information. GeoPDF format is registered along with Adobe Reader 9.0 in ISO 32000 (ISO, 2011) as the internationally standardized format (it is used in the US, UK, Germany and Canada in the actual field). Table 1 compares TerraGo’s GeoPDF and general PDF, showing that GeoPDF contains considerably more GIS functions than general PDF in terms of functionality and quality (Lee et al., 2010; IMU Korea, 2011).

Table 1.Comparisons between general PDF and GeoPDF

GeoPDF is the cutting-edge digital map. It compresses large scale satellite image data for optimum capacity and supports such functions as overlaying of topographic information layers onto images, attribute information input, coordinate reading, zoom-in, zoom-out, edit, clip, toponym search, coordinate search, field investigation and output. Used in the NGA and the USGS as a distribution of digital map, it is used as the standard solution registered in the OGC.

GeoPDF files, unlike general PDF files, contain coordinate information (Geo-referenced); it displays the location of users on the map in real-time by GPS Tracking; it checks and searches attribute information and is used as supplementary data for reconnaissance survey; it can be optimized in 7.5MB with almost no data loss when the digital aerial photograph GeoTIFF (135MB) file is converted into GeoPDF, promoting easy management and efficient distribution for users. When the GeoPDF file is created by overlaying aerial photograph and various vector data, it is easily managed by individual layers, and detecting geographic features in the field survey is easy.

Previously, geographic information is manually collected and recorded using paper maps or survey drawings. But such a method shows low work efficiency because it is hard to combine geographic information and manage DB, and a report form or a separate program should be used. Therefore, when GeoPDF is loaded in the laptop for the field survey, collecting geographic information and editing DB is easy. GPS Tracking enables real-time acquisition of coordinate information of the field survey area, and distance and area calculation between particular points can be performed at the field. GeoPDF can be made and managed in the digital map form, and providing spatial information document of the concerned area, when asked by worker, is easy. Spatial information document, as a user-centered digital map, is not affected by a particular format for easy distribution; interactive access is easy between field workers, policy makers and decision makers; and labor, time and cost can be incredibly reduced when non GIS experts conduct a geographic survey at the field (Na, 2013).

2.4 Environment information statuses and catalog

Environment-related information system includes the environment and geographic information service in Fig. 7 and the Environment Effect Assessment Information Support System by the Ministry of Environment, the National Soil Information System, the National Water Resource Management Information System, the Soil and Underground Water Information System, and the Renewable Energy Resource Map Data Center.

Fig. 7.Environment and geographic information service

Environment information can be divided by the national-level information established throughout the country for the information that web-based environment information is serviced and the local-level information established by the local governments and limited in the concerned area alone. In various fields including ecology, water quality, air, waste and noise, spatial information-based GIS DB is produced.

Biotop Map represents the map made of environment information in Fig. 8. Biotop Map is basic data for environment-friendly spatial management and natural environment protection, as well as creation of ecological network in the local level. This data can also be efficiently used for local governments to establish various planning.

Fig. 8.Example of biotop map in Incheon

Biotop Map is made using GIS, and the information is acquired in the exclusive system of its homepage. As shown in Fig. 8, the information is displayed in the PDF format digital document. However, Biotop Map is not made based on spatial information document and therefore, an accurate calculation of attribute information, distance or area is unavailable.

The Ministry of Environment makes and distributes a spatial information document shown in Fig. 9 as a production of GIS data building process, such as a land cover map and a stock map, allowing partial checking of per-layer information and attribute information. However, spatial informationrelated functions, such as a distance and area calculation or a location check using GPS, are unavailable, because there is no coordinate information.

Fig. 9.Example of land cover map by the Ministry of Environment

In addition, environment information, such as information of water quality, air and other living environment, is established centered on the institute of health environment operated under the regional government. Most of environment information is point data centered on measurement network and it consists of concentration and index numbers, lacking information to identify overall spatial environment information of the concerned area.

Environment information and planning items that should be included in establishing spatial information document-based environment information are derived from bibliographic studies and case studies. Various environment information is classified by atmospheric environment, water quality preservation, water and sewage control, ocean environment preservation, noise, vibration control, waste control, harmful chemical substance control, soil environment preservation, natural environment preservation, park green belt, industrial complex control and climate change response. Many environment information data has been produced as GIS DB, measurement network data, sectional statistics and status data, and Table 2 below shows types of data and GIS DB-building methods by the data form produced.

Table 2.Types of environment information

In this study, a method of providing environment information without separate software and system is presented by suggesting a way to build GIS DB per type of environment information and to make corresponding spatial information document. Table 3 indicates major specifications of making spatial information document on environment information.

Table 3.Specifications of making spatial information document on environment information

When it comes to the frame size, to promote user convenience theirs PC monitors and Smart phones, the center of the frame and the edge center of the digital map are aligned and gridded. Due to characteristics of environment information, a noticeable variability is inevitable and therefore, the update date of 12 items of environment information is displayed to provide highly reliable information to users. In addition, the source of 12 items in environment spatial information is marked to increase reliability.

 

3. Spatial Information Document Making and Analysis on Environment Information

3.1 GIS data collection and DB building

Incheon City is the area that we conduct a study on a method of presenting environment information based on spatial information document. As shown in Fig. 10, GIS database is built for various kinds of environment information.

Fig. 10.GIS database building for environment information of Incheon city

In Fig. 11, environment information produced in text format in Incheon is converted into GIS DB.

Fig. 11.Conversion of text format environment information into GIS DB

Fig. 12 shows the air pollution distribution map built by GIS DB in raster image after spatial interpolation, using measured air pollution information.

Fig. 12.Conversion to raster image after spatial interpolation

3.2 Spatial information document form on environment information

To make the spatial information document on environment information, page size and direction setting is done as shown in Fig. 13 in PC environment to fit 1/5,000 scale and A1 size for information display that covers the entire screen across.

Fig. 13.Spatial information document page setting

As shown in Fig. 14, the form of spatial information document includes title, main map information, map scale, map serial number, bearing, insurance date, map legend, guidance and note and index map.

Fig. 14.Form of spatial information document

3.3 Spatial information document making on environment information

In this study, ArcGIS, a commercial GIS program, is used to make the spatial information document in PDF format, and Fig. 15 shows the layered edited screen of the spatial information document in converted PDF format. Fig. 16 indicates before and after status of layer merger.

Fig. 15.Layer edit

Fig. 16.Before and after layer merger

Fig. 17 indicates the final outcome of the prototype of spatial information document on environment information.

Fig. 17.Completion of spatial information document on environment information

To identify spatial environment information already established Environment information and planning items that should be included in establishing environment information based on spatial information document are derived from bibliographic studies and case studies. In addition, previous case studies on domestic and overseas environment information building and planning are analyzed to figure out environment status data and planning elements. Based on the analysis, information and planning items required in the course of establishing environment information based on spatial information document are analyzed and derived.

 

4. Conclusion

This study leads to the following conclusion as a result of investigating a method of providing environment information based on spatial information document. First, types, forms, data format and offering methods of environment information produced by the government, especially by the Ministry of Environment and local governments, are analyzed. They are classified by 12 items -air, water quality, water and sewage control, ocean environment, noise and vibration, waste, harmful chemical substance, soil environment, natural environment, park green belt, industrial complex control and climate change, and the form of data produced is classified by GIS DB, measurement network data and text data.

Second, as the use of paper maps decrease, a method of building spatial information document that provides functions of display by layer, coordinate information acquisition, attribute information acquisition, distance and area measurement, location search by coordinates, GPS location linkage and location display on maps, is presented in order to increase usability of environment and geographic information maps.

Thirdly, to provide various kinds of environment information without separate software or system to the general public, a standard document specification is presented in consideration of users’ usability and readability.