The Garage: Classic Car Talk

What is Geospatial Data?

Geospatial Data, also known as geomatics, encompasses several industries and technologies related to the collection, analysis, processing, and distribution of geographic information.

Almost everyone is familiar with GPS, or global positioning systems, which power our online maps and navigation. Another acronym commonly used is GIS, or geographic information systems.

These systems have become essential in many varied industries including retail, healthcare, finance, defense, urban development, food and water security, and risk assessment, among others, and has become one of the fastest growing sectors in technological information.

How is Geospatial Data used?

While the most common use of geospatial data is maps and navigation for transportation, digital maps are taking on additional importance as they become a richer source of information for today’s economy.

One can pinpoint the location of their customers and design targeted marketing, or predict the areas of most dire need for vaccines and ensure their efficient distribution. By predicting weather patterns, local businesses can make sure to have the correct inventory at the correct time of year.

Recent advances in data mining mean that more information is available than ever before. The widespread use of geospatial data has impacted how almost all companies and organizations operate around the globe

Geospatial Data in Logistics and Transportation

Outside the basic use of GPS, geospatial data has become associated with several new applications that provide deeper insight and understanding of local, national, and global landscapes. Business today requires constant effort towards decreasing costs while maintaining the quality of delivered goods and services.

Companies use geospatial data to improve delivery schedules in order to track and expedite shipments. They are also able to increase the efficient inventory of goods by mapping transit routes and warehouse locations. The result is improved customer satisfaction and productivity, with decreased overall cost.

With the use of geospatial data, companies are also able to better target their expansion efforts to effectively grow their business. Information on land use, population density, geography, customer income, traffic patterns, and surrounding business performance can be factored into investment decisions to provide information on things like where to open a new retail location.

Careful analysis of geospatial data is an invaluable resource for the efficient operation and expansion of any business.

Geospatial Data and Risk Management

Geospatial data is also commonly used in the insurance and financial industries to evaluate risk. Have you ever wondered why car insurance is higher in one area than another? Companies take into account both social and geographic factors to evaluate the risk to life and property to determine rates based on your address.

Social factors have an impact on risk. Insuring a vehicle in an area with high crime comes at a greater cost to the insurer than the same car in a safer neighborhood. Companies use crime rates as well as other geospatial data like average local income, traffic patterns, and property values to determine the level of risk at a certain location.

Geographical information also plays a major role in risk assessment. Different locations are more prone to natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, and landslides. Companies use geospatial data related to geography as well as historical records to assess the relative risk of one location over another.

Geospatial Data in the Future

The uses of geospatial data are vast and continually expanding. Where, in the past, you would have to send a team “on the ground” to investigate a new investment or business opportunity, careful examination of geospatial data can provide the same, or even more insight.

The development of increasingly sophisticated map systems means that organizations have access to the specific information essential to their operation. Raw data can be visually represented in layers on a map, such as property value or the precise location of certain customers, then integrated in a clear visual representation of the information most pertinent to profitable business decisions.

Companies the world over are already utilizing geospatial data in increasingly diverse ways. The use of geospatial data is likely to continue to expand and have an even greater impact in the future.

Unlock your potential savings today! Get personalized stated value insurance solutions now! Click here to protect your classic car with the coverage it deserves.

Related Resources

• About Geomatics: Learn about the history and the disciplines that are involved in geomatics, including environmental studies, navigation, forestry, planning, geology, engineering, and geophysics.
• Geomatics Information Center: Here you will find lecture notes, answers to common geomatics questions, and research about geomatics for professional land surveyors, geomatic engineers, and students entering the field of geology.
• Geomatics and Land Information Systems: Find information about cutting-edge technology being used, as well as photographs of work being done in the field of geomatics.
• Engineering Development of Geomatics: Learn about several of the disciplines that consist in geomatics, including geodesy, positioning and navigation, digital imaging, geographical information systems, and land tenure systems.
• Geomatics Engineering: Definition and information can be found here about several aspects of geomatics and the disciplines used by a geomatics engineer.
• The Study of Geomatics: Find information on the career areas in geomatics, including geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, surveying and mapping, and global positioning systems (GPS).
• Civil Engineering and Geosciences: Interested in obtaining a career in geomatics? Learn about geomatics and the qualifications one must possess to start a career in this field.
• Geomatics and Landscape: The Geomatics and Landscape Ecology Research Laboratory provide a photo gallery and information on surveying, mapping, and research.

Cartography

• Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre: Find publications, projects and activities, cybercartography, and information from the GCRC.
• National School of Geographic Sciences: Learn about geographic information analysis and cartography from the Department of Cartography and Geographic Information Analysis (DCAIG).
• Study of Cartography: Maps and locations in which cartography represents, as well as images of how we represent areas of the earth on a flat surface.
• Canadian Cartographic Association: Learn about cartographic sciences and what it takes to enter into a career in cartography.
• History of Maps and Cartography: Here you will find a brief history of maps and cartography, as well as information on early, medieval, renaissance, and modern maps.
• Cartography through the Ages: History of cartography and it’s transformation through the ages, as well as how it’s involved in geomatics.
• Cartographic Concepts Power Point: Watch this power point to learn about cartographic, its limitations, and the basic elements of a map.
• Rural Development and Land Reform: Learn how spatial data is stored and extracted in databases for a wide range of purposes, including geomatics.

GIS

• The Guide to Geographic Information Systems: Learn what you can do with GIS, the geographic approach, glossaries, and publications.
• Geographic Information Systems: Definition of GIS, how it works, and how GIS uses information from a map.
• The Geographic Advantage: Find an overview of geographic information systems (GIS), as well as a video about the topic.
• Introduction to Geographic Information Systems: Here you will find GIS definitions and explanations, as well as several GIS presentations.
• About Geographic Information Systems: Description of geographic information systems and information on how it is used.
• National Park Service: Find data, information, educational tools, and applications regarding geography and mapping technologies.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Overview of GIS including a spatial data analysis and geographic-based applications and research.
• Concepts of Geographic Information Systems: Learn alternative names of GIS, why it’s important, market values, and the contributing disciplines.

Remote Sensing

• The Remote Sensing Pages: Description and information on instruments used in remote sensing, known as remote sensors.
• Remote Sensing and the Global Environment: Find the answers to your common geomatics questions, including “what is remote sensing?” and “how is remote sensing useful?” 
• Dr. Nicholas Short’s Remote Sensing Tutorial: Here you will find a tutorial on remote sensing that considers what we could learn while using sensors operated from satellites.
• Remote Sensing for Kids: View step-by-step pictures and captions that teach children what remote sensing is through images.
• Canada Centre for Remote Sensing: Tutorial on the fundamentals on remote sensing and its process that involves an interaction between a target of interest and radiation.
• University Information Technology Services: Description of geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing and how they work.
• The Imaging and Geospatial Information Society: Find information on remote sensing through the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.
• Remote Sensing Teaching Tools: Information, lesson plans, and activities for teachers to introduce to their classroom about remote sensing.

Surveying

• Land Surveying and Geomatics: Definitions of geomatics, cadastral, and land surveying, as well as examples of each.
• Association of Professional Surveyors: Learn about a career in surveying, as well as information on surveying measurement.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: If you are interested in a career as a land surveyor, cartographer, or map technician, here you will find information about these careers.
• International Federation of Surveyors: History of measurement and surveying, as well as a guide on the subject.
• High-Tech Career in Surveying: Find out how you can become a surveyor and what it’s like to be a professional surveyor.
• The Study of Surveying: Introduction and video on surveying, as well as information on how to become a surveyor.
• Surveying and Spatial Sciences: Photographs and information on the growing disciplines involved in surveying.
• What Surveyors and Mapping Technicians Do: Find out what these careers entail and the working conditions involved in this type of job.