Past SIAC Presentations

November 30, 2007
Russell Labs, 12:15 pm

Annemarie Schneider from the UW Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies will present "Monitoring spatial and temporal patterns of global urbanization: A data fusion approach."

Link: Abstract

November 16, 2007
Memorial Union, 12:15 pm

Kurt Feigl from the UW Department of Geology and Geophysics will present “Reading fringes: How to calculate and interpret satellite radar interferograms for geophysical problems”

Link: Abstract

November 9, 2007
Memorial Union, 12:15 pm

Jerry Sullivan from the Wisconsin DNR will present “The Midwest Spatial Decision Support System Partnership: Web-Based Tools for Watershed Management”

Link: Abstract

October 26, 2007
Memorial Union, 12:15 pm

Jessica Guo from the UW Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering will present “The Enacting Space of Activity and Travel Determinants”

Link: Abstract

October 12, 2007
Memorial Union, 12:15 pm

Nancy Wiegand from the UW Land Information and Computer Graphics Facility will present "Semantic Web Technologies and Their Potential for the Geospatial Community"

Link: Abstract

September 28, 2007
Noland Hall, 12:15 pm

Warren Porter from the UW Department of Zoology will present “Predicting past, present and future distributions of a reptile, an invasive amphibian and a disease bearing mosquito across Australia: trait based mechanistic models vs. regression approaches”

Link: Abstract

September 14, 2007
Memorial Union, 12:15 p.m.

Steve Loheide from the UW Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering will present “Remote Sensing of Meadow Hydroecology.”

Link: Abstract

May 4, 2007, 12:15 pm
Science Hall

SIAC Student Paper Competition: Rongxun Wang will present "An Expert Knowledge-based Approach to Landslide Susceptibility Mapping Using GIS and Fuzzy Logic"

April 30, 2007, 12:15 pm
Science Hall

SIAC Student Paper Competition: Natalie Hunt will present "Using Spatio-Temporal GIS as a Tool in Treating Metabolic Syndrome Diseases in Adolescents"

April 27, 2007, 12:15 pm
Science Hall

SIAC Student Paper Competition: Rob Roth will present "Rethinking the Role of the Cartographer in the Era of Democratized Cartography: Education of Mapping Principles through the Map Brewer"

April 20, 2007, 12:15 pm
Science Hall

SIAC Student Paper Competition: Feihua Yang will present "Developing a Continental-scale Measure of Gross Primary Production by Combining MODIS and AmeriFlux Data through Support Vector Machine Approach"

March 23, 2007, 12:15 pm
Science Hall

Dr. Phil Townsend, Associate Professor from the UW Department of Forest Ecology and Management, will present "Watershed Ecology: Linking Landscape Processes and Watershed Dynamics"

Abstract:

Landscape patterns within watersheds emerge as a consequence of environmental factors, natural processes and disturbances, and human resource management decisions. As a consequence, human activities and ecological processes within watersheds strongly influence stream properties such as water quality and stream flow. In this presentation, I draw upon research in several ecosystems to illustrate the linkages between terrestrial landscape/ecosystem dynamics and watershed processes. I will emphasize the contributions of satellite remote sensing and GIS-based modeling to the analyses.

March 16, 2007, 12:15 pm
Science Hall

Dr. Asli Gocmen, Assistant Professor with the UW Department of Urban and Regional Planning, will discuss her research and current projects.

February 23, 2007, 12:15 pm
Science Hall

Dr. Jessica Guo, Assistant Professor with the UW Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, will present “The Enacting Space of Activity and Travel Determinants.”

Abstract:

In studying spatial phenomenon, we often aggregate spatially scattered observations into predefined areal units. As a study region can be segmented in different ways (in terms of shape, size, and orientation), the results of our analysis of the data will vary. This is known to spatial analysts as the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP).

This presentation is concerned with the MAUP in the context of activity and travel analysis. As people travel to take part in activities distributed over space, their decisions regarding mobility, vehicle ownership, travel mode and destination are often influenced by the characteristics of their surrounding environment. When analyzing the effects of these spatial determinants on an individual's activity and travel behavior, researchers typically use administratively defined areal units (such as census tracts or transport analysis zones) to measure spatial qualities and quantities. The effects of spatial determinants on an individual's behavior are then interpreted through the arbitrarily chosen spatial units. In light of the MAUP, this approach casts serious doubts on the validity of subsequent analytical results and policy recommendations.

The fundamental reason for the manifestation of the MAUP in activity and travel analysis is the analyst’s inability to relate the configuration of spatial units to the enacting space of the corresponding spatial determinants. In this presentation, I will discuss spatial measurement issues relating to activity and travel analysis and highlight recent findings regarding the enacting space of activity and travel determinants. This will be followed by a discussion of questions and directions for further research.

February 8, 2007, 5:30 p.m. <<< Note time!
Science Hall

SIAC Career Seminar

This one-hour seminar is designed to help you understand the skills you need to enter the geospatial workforce. Tim Olsen from the UW Environmental Remote Sensing Center will provide a brief overview of the geospatial job market, and what you can expect as you look forward to graduation. We will also have a panel of public and private industry representatives on hand to answer YOUR questions about the skills they look for in college graduates. This is a great opportunity to get free insight on landing your first job! Come prepared with your burning questions, or send them to Jim Lacy in advance. Refreshments provided!

Our panelists will be:

Lisa Morrison, WI-Dept of Ag, Trade, and Consumer Protection
Kate Barrett, WI-DNR
Kent Pena, USDA-NRCS
Adam Derringer, Mapping Specialists
Aaron Stephensen, GeoAnalytics
Kirk Contrucci, Ayres Associates

Friday, November 17, 2006
Helen C. White Hall, 12:00 noon

Terry Hiltz, WI Public Health Information Network AVR/IDR Manager, Wisconsin Department of Health & Family Services

GIS Applications for Disease Surveillance, Planning, and Preparedness

Abstract: GIS is being used to address public health needs, including those related to emergency response and preparedness. Terry's presentation will include information about GIS applications for disease surveillance, planning, and preparedness. She'll also discuss how the Wisconsin Public Health Information Network (PHIN) plans to use GIS for analysis, visualization, and reporting (AVR).

Friday, November 10, 2006
Helen C. White Hall, 12:00 noon

Andy Swartz, GIS Coordinator, City of Sun Prairie

GIS and Public Safety in the City of Sun Prairie

Abstract: The City of Sun Prairie benefits from using GIS technologies in a variety of applications in public safety and emergency management. Andy's presentation will include examples of some noteworthy projects, including the Sun Prairie Volunteer Fire Department's on-board GIS-based incident response information system. He will also share insights about data quality, compatible technologies, challenges encountered, and the potential for expanded use of spatial data and technology in Sun Prairie.

Tuesday, November 7, 2006

WI Department of Military Affairs, 2400 Wright Street, 1:00 p.m.

UW faculty, staff, and students are invited to tour Wisconsin Emergency Management, the agency charged with preparing for and responding to disasters in the state. Join us for a presentation by WEM staff on what they do and how they operate, along with a walking tour of their facilities, including the statewide emergency operations center. This is a great opportunity for a behind-the-scenes look at how WEM is working to protect the lives and property of Wisconsin’s citizens, and learn how the UW can add value to this mission.

Where: WI Department of Military Affairs, 2400 Wright Street
(North of MATC on the east side of the airport)

Transportation, parking, and other logistics: Transportation is on your own, but everyone is encouraged to carpool. You may park (free) in either the east or south lots. WEM is located in a military facility, therefore everyone will need to bring a photo ID, check in with the security guard at the main entrance, and receive a visitor pass. For this reason you must RSVP in advance to lacy /at/ wisc.edu! Also be aware that bags, briefcases, backpacks, etc. may be checked by security upon entry.

For more info:
Jim Lacy, 262-6850

You MUST RSVP to lacy /at/ wisc.edu no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday November 6th if you wish to attend!

Friday, October 27, 2006
Helen C. White Hall, 12:00 noon

Kathie Hansen, Regional Fire GIS Specialist, National Park Service - Midwest Region GIS Technical Support Center

Fire and All-Hazard Incident Management

Abstract: The National Interagency Incident Management System provides standards for federal land management agencies (US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service) to respond to all types of emergencies. Incident management requires command organizations to manage on-site incident operations. Kathie will discuss the role of GPS and GIS in incident management planning and operations, and her experience as a GIS Specialist on an Interagency Wildland Fire Use Management Team.

Friday, October 13, 2006
Helen C. White Hall, 12:00 noon

Mitch Moline, REP Planner/GIS Specialist, Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM)

Desktop and Enterprise Applications Used at WEM's Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

Abstract: Mitch will demonstrate the eSponder ArcIMS Viewer, including creating an event site, geocoding using ArcWeb Services and heads-up digitizing in an ArcIMS application customized for WEM's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) business needs. He will also demo WEM's EOC Map Viewer, which includes custom tools built in ArcMap to support Rascal Plume Modeling, EPZ Grid Creation, and mapping.

Friday, September 29, 2006
Helen C. White Hall, 12:00 noon

Sam Batzli, Assistant Scientist, UW Environmental Remote Sensing Center

Imagery for Tornado Response and Recovery

Abstract: Dr. Batzli will discuss ERSC's role in the August 18, 2005 tornado outbreak in southern Wisconsin, and the potential for detecting and mapping tornado tracks from satellite imagery.

Friday, September 15, 2006
Science Hall, 12:00 noon

Chris Diller, GIS Manager, Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs

GIS Operations at the Department of Military Affairs

Abstract: Wisconsin Emergency Management, a division of the WI Department of Military Affairs (DMA), specializes in hazard mitigation, warning & communications, emergency police services, disaster response & recovery, and emergency preparedness for the State of Wisconsin. Chris will talk about the big picture of how GIS is used at DMA and Wisconsin Emergency Management, and discuss some of the issues and challenges associated with supporting emergency management operations.

May 20, 2006
Pyle Center

Join us on Saturday, May 20th at the The UW-Madison Pyle Center for a half-day geospatial technology symposium followed by a dinner banquet to celebrate the careers of professors Thomas Lillesand, Frank Scarpace, and Alan Vonderohe. All three plan to retire from the UW at the end of the Spring 2006 semester.

Please save the date and join us in their honoring their nearly 100 years of combined service to the University of Wisconsin and for their greater contributions to the field of geospatial science!

See the symposium page for more details.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006
AOSS, 12:05 pm

SIAC 2006 Student Paper Competition: Lea Shanley will present "Commercial High-Resolution Satellite Imagery: Access, Privacy, and Security Issues for Indian Nations in the United States"

Thursday, April 20, 2006
Science Hall, 12:05 pm

SIAC 2006 Student Paper Competition: Guangqing Chi will present "A Spatio-temporal Population Change Model: Demographics, Accessibility, Developability, Desirability, and Livability"

Wednesday, April 19, 2006
AOSS, 12:05 pm

SIAC 2006 Student Paper Competition: Yanbing Zheng will present "Analyzing Spatial Panel Data Using A Bayesian Hierarchical Model Approach"

Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Memorial Union, 12:05 pm

SIAC 2006 Student Paper Competition: Rob Roth will present "An Automated Approach to Site Selection for Restoration in Fragmented Landscapes"

Wednesday, April 5, 2006
AOSS, 12:05 pm

SIAC 2006 Student Paper Competition: Hongwei Zhu will present "Extreme Points Based Stereo Image Matching"

February 15, 2006
Memorial Union, 12 noon - 12:50

Dr. Alan Vonderohe, Professor, UW-Madison Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

An Overview of the Wisconsin County Coordinate System Redesign Project

Abstract: In response to concerns raised by GIS users over apparent errors and inconsistencies in data conversions to and from the Wisconsin County Coordinate System, the Wisconsin Land Information Association formed a task force in 2004 to examine the issues associated with redesigning the existing system. Dr. Vonderohe is playing a critical technical role in the project. He will discuss the methods behind the redesign, and what it means to GIS users in Wisconsin.

Decenber 6, 2005
AOSS building at 1225 W Dayton, 12 noon - 12:50

Amanda Schowegler, Floodplain Map Modernization Manager, Wisconsin DNR

Floodplain Mapping in Wisconsin

Abstract: Wisconsin is currently partnering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the nationwide floodplain Map Modernization Initiative. This presentation will attempt to explain the problems associated with historical floodplain maps and how they are being updated in Wisconsin using modern technology.

November 29, 2005
AOSS building at 1225 W Dayton, 12:30 - 1:20

Jun Zhu, Assistant Professor, UW Departments of Statistics and Soil Science

Resampling methods for spatial regression models under a class of stochastic designs

Abstract: Here we consider the problem of bootstrapping a class of spatial regression models when the sampling sites are generated by a (possibly nonuniform) stochastic design and are irregularly spaced. It is shown that the natural extension of the existing block bootstrap methods for grid spatial data does not work for irregularly spaced spatial data under nonuniform stochastic designs. A variant of the blocking mechanism is proposed. It is shown that the proposed block bootstrap method provides a valid approximation to the distribution of a class of M-estimators of the spatial regression parameters. Finite sample properties of the method are investigated through a moderately large simulation study and a real data example from an ecological study is given to illustrate the methodology.

>>> Please note the time of this presentation: 12:30 - 1:20 <<<

November 8, 2005
Science Hall, 12 noon - 12:50

Nancy Mathews, Associate Professor, The Nelson Institute

Chronic Wasting Disease: How deer behavior affects transmission across the landscape

Abstract: Chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer was discovered in Wisconsin in 2002. Little is known about the modes of transmission but it is believed to be spread across the landscape by deer. A study conducted by Dr. Mathews assessed the role that habitat fragmentation, deer density and hunter harvest played in influencing movement patterns of deer. Understanding these patterns is critical to designing management strategies to control the spread of the disease.

Link: UW study shows deer in CWD zone stick to home

October 25, 2005
Memorial Union, 12 noon - 12:50

Dick Vraga, U.S. Geological Survey

Title:The National Map and Geodata.gov

October 11, 2005
AOS Building at 1225 W. Dayton, 12 noon - 12:50

Chris Pearson, Illinois State Advisor for the National Geodetic Survey

Title: The National Spatial Reference System Readjustment of NAD83
Abstract: A readjustment of all horizontal survey control in North America is being undertaken by the National Geodetic Survey and expected to be completed by 2007. The adjustment has been developed for two major reasons. The first of these is a requirement in the Federal Geographic Data Committee Draft Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standards to develop individual local and network accuracy estimates for each point in the network. The second purpose in the readjustment is to resolve inconsistencies between the existing state wide HPGN adjustments and the nationwide adjustment which the CORS system operates on. The readjustment will produce a new set of coordinates for all geodetic points and may require some changes to the spatial references in GIS databases. The purpose of this talk is to update the surveying community on the reasons for the readjustment, the method it will use, the general timeline that the readjustment is expected to follow and the effect that this will have on surveyors and GIS professionals.

September 27, 2005
Memorial Union, 12 noon - 12:50

Lisa Morrison, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

September 13, 2005
Science Hall, 12 noon - 12:50

Janel Pike, GIS Program Manager, Wisconsin DNR Division of Forestry

Abstract: Janel will talk about Forestry's GIS activities, and their aerial photography acquisition program. This is a great opportunity for staff and students to learn more about practical applications of GIS in a state agency!

Link: Forestry GIS Program

Friday, May 6, 2005
Engineering Centers, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

GEOSPATIAL INTELLIGENCE AND NATIONAL SECURITY
By Dr. Scott Loomer
Science Advisor for Geospatial Science
Academic Research Program
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
U.S. Department of Defense

The centerpiece of this event is the seminar by Dr. Loomer, in which he will emphasize needs that NGA has as an agency, both for a research base in academia to conduct geospatial-intelligence research and also for graduates with degrees in related disciplines for NGA's workforce and for NGA's contractors.

Immediately following Dr. Loomer's presentation, the Spatial Information and Analysis Consortium (SIAC) will summarize findings of a recent study of the status of UW-Madison's instructional program in the geospatial sciences and engineering.

The event will conclude with a presentation, to Dr. Loomer, of historical maps and air photos from the North African and European Theaters of World War II. These documents were in the files of Professor Emeritus Eldon Wagner (CEE), who was an officer in the Topographic Mapping Battalion during WWII. Dr. Loomer will place these documents in the nation's archives.

Dr. Loomer is an alumnus of UW-Madison, having received his undergraduate degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering and his graduate degrees in Geography. He was on the faculty at West Point for ten years and initiated the Academy's program in geospatial science.

Tuesday, May 3, 2005
Science Hall, 4:00 - 5:15 p.m.

Geospatial Career Seminar

What skills/experience are employers looking in the fields of GIS, Cartography and Remote Sensing? Find answers at this panel discussion for students planning a career in the geospatial sciences. Professionals from the private and public sectors will give their perspective and help you plot your course. Sponsored by the Spatial Information & Analysis Consortium (SIAC), the Department of Geography and the State Cartographer's Office.

Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Science Hall, 10:30 a.m.

SIAC 2005 Student Paper Competition:
Ben Sheesley will present "User-defined Benchmarks for Visualizing Object Movement with Map Animation"

Friday, April 22, 2005
Science Hall, 10:30 a.m.

SIAC 2005 Student Paper Competition:
Kiran Manchikanti will present "Optimizing Allocation and Scheduling for Irrigation Systems (OASIS)"

Friday, April 15, 2005
Science Hall, 10:30 a.m.

SIAC 2005 Student Paper Competition:
Guangqing Chi will present "The Application of Spatial Regression Analysis to Small-Area Population Forecasting"

Friday, April 8, 2005
Science Hall, 10:30 a.m.

SIAC 2005 Student Paper Competition:
Robert Roth will present "A Case Study in Applied Geography: Making GIScience Profitable"

Friday, April 1, 2005
Science Hall, 10:30 a.m.

SIAC 2005 Student Paper Competition:
Jian Liu will present "Mapping with Words for Automated Digital Soil Survey"

March 14, 2005
Science Hall

Peter Budde, National Park Service, Madison, WI.

Abstract: Peter will give an overview of the National Park Service, the role GIS plays in the organization, and discuss examples of geospatial tools, techniques, and data as they relate to Federal land management activities. The presentation will highlight traditional/typical projects, recent advances in the adoption of geosciences in the National Park Service, and the challenges/opportunities facing the adoption of relatively new technologies.

February 28, 2005
Science Hall

Alan Lulloff, Association of State Floodplain Managers, Madison, WI

Abstract: Headquartered in Madison, The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) is a national non-profit organization of professionals involved in floodplain management, flood hazard mitigation, the National Flood Insurance Program, and flood preparedness, warning and recovery. Alan will give an overview of ASFPM, and discuss the role of geospatial technology in their organization. His presentation will highlight some existing projects, needs that have been identified to date, and the challenges they face. He will also discuss the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood mapping modernization initiative, which makes extensive use of geospatial technology.

November 15, 2004
Science Hall

Steve Ventura
"Thinking Long Term and Big Picture - Land Use Planning in Dane County"
Abstract: Typical land use planning seeks to envision what a community might be like in ten to twenty years, when another round of planning occurs. This approach is largely reactive to prevailing conditions and forces, rather than proactively setting an agenda for sustainable and orderly growth over the long term future. By looking at planning horizons of 50 or more years, Dane County could recognize that the planning luxury of "open and undeveloped" land will not last. Within a few decades, all land in the county will either be developed or in some instances protected from development through various programs such as public acquisition, transfer or purchase of development rights, or farmland protection programs. To make sure that the best or most appropriate lands are slotted into these categories, we have developed a series of suitability models for ecosystem services, farmland protection, landscape amenities, and housing suitability. The results of these models are then fed into impact analysis models such as WhatIf? and CommunityViz to determine optimal mixes of future land uses and to describe the potential impacts of various scenarios.

November 1, 2004
Science Hall

Mark Harrower, Geography Professor, and Jeff Stone, Geogrpahy Graduate Student, will present "Coastal Erosion on the Great Lakes: Using Remote Sensing and Geovisualization for Public Education."

Abstract: Coastal erosion is a serious issue affecting coastal communities in Wisconsin. This project is designed to bridge the gap between scientific understanding and public perception by utilizing Web-based geovisualization tools and remotely-sensed data to present integrated and scientifically informed views of coastal erosion.

October 27, 2004
Engineering Hall

Al Vonderohe, CEE professor, will present "Design of the Wisconsin County Coordinate System:Some Current Issues."

Abstract: The Wisconsin Land Information Association Task Force on the Wisconsin County Coordinate System is addressing a number of current issues associated with the WCCS. Among these are the method of its original design and possible methods for re-design. The WCCS was originally designed by creating separate reference ellipsoids for each projection. Each ellipsoid had semi-major and semi-minor axes, increased beyond those of GRS80, by an amount that brought the ellipsoid surface to the mean terrain elevation of the geographic extent of the projection. Changing the semi axes of the reference ellipsoid has the effect of changing the underlying datum. This has caused some confusion in the user and vendor communities. One of the questions that the Task Force is addressing is "Can the WCCS be re-designed so that GRS80 serves as the reference ellipsoid for all projections without introducing unacceptable discrepancies on the ground between the original and re-designed coordinates?".

October 20, 2004
Science Hall

Jonathan Chipman, Assistant Scientist, University of Wisconsin ERSC, will present "Recent and Near-Future Advances in Satellite Limnology.

Abstract: Lakes play an important role in Wisconsin's environment, economy, and culture. Despite the high value of the state's lake resources, it is impossible to monitor conditions in more than a small fraction of these lakes in situ (e.g., via boat or buoy-based sampling). Satellite remote sensing can help limnologists and lake managers "fill in the gaps," extending the impact of direct sampling programs over both space and time. This talk will examine the current state-of-the-art for satellite remote sensing of lakes, with a particular focus on recent and near-future >advances. Examples range from ICESat (a satellite laser altimeter) to high-temporal-frequency global monitoring systems and fine-resolution satellite imaging of individual lakes. While the proliferation of numbers and types of satellite sensors is good news for limnologists, there is a need to maintain continuity of data over the long term, to facilitate the analysis of trends over decadal or longer time-scales.

April 28, 2004
Engineering Hall

Tim Olsen, researcher at the Environmental Remote Sensing Center, will present "Place-based Geospatial Science Learning and Applications in Rural Alaska".

Abstract: Traditions-based people in rural communities possess a deep and extensive knowledge of their landscape and of its physical and human geography. Place-based learning differs from the orientation of most educational processes by beginning with people who share resources, problems and expertise at one place, and by requiring that technological tools and information adapt to serve their goals, and their ways of knowing.While aspects of place-based education may be intuitively compelling to the geospatial community, like many educational theories, it is simple in concept but not in practice.

This presentation describes the basis and pragmatic plans for our NSF-supported Information Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) project in rural Alaska. Factors that present opportunities for both academic success and the adaptation of geospatial IT tools and applications include: 1) Native Elders with traditional geospatial knowledge committed to program participation; 2) local natural resources that provide opportunities for economic development; 3) geologic and remotely sensed environmental data available as a result of existing State of Alaska projects; 4) computer hardware and software that enable mobile data gathering and documentation by students while working and camping in subartic conditions; 5) interfaces that have become more user friendly; and 6) capacity for serving spatial database information via the internet.

During this 3-year project, teachers, parents, community members and scientists will work with secondary students to synthesize concepts from Native American cartography, geomorphology, topographic and geologic map analysis, remotely-sensed data interpretation, geographic information systems (GIS), and capstone field research experiences.

April 21, 2004
Engineering Hall

Amar Padmanabhan, Graduate student in Civil & Environmental Engineering, will present "Feature-based Image Matching In DEM Generation and Orthophoto Production."

Abstract:Feature-based image matching has the potential to augment correlation-based image matching for the production of orthophotos and digital elevation models. This talk will explain the concepts and methodology behind an approach that uses feature-based matching to create orthophotos and constrain the correlation process for DEM production. This talk will also explore a spline-based surface simplification tool that will aid in the DEM production and reduce the numerical computations involved.

April 14, 2004
Engineering Hall

Suphawut Malaikrisanachalee, graduate student in Civil & Environmental Engineering, will present "Lane-based Transportation Network Models".

Abstract: The traditional roadway-centerline transportation network model offers limited real-world abstraction to support future simulations and analysis. The lane-based model is proposed as a new alternative that treats lanes as basic elements and captures complete lane connectivity. However, the design and implementation of the lane-based model faces several challenges including 1) design and population of the lane-based model; 2) discretization of continuous connectivity between parallel lanes; 3) incrementing network size and time complexity; and 4) integration with Linear Location Referencing Systems (LLRS). This study illustrates an experimental design and implementation of lane-based model in the Madison downtown area and discusses the processes for populating the model as well as implementation challenges and obstacles.

April 7, 2004
Engineering Hall

Carola Blazquez, graduate student in Civil & Environmental Engineering, will present "Effects of Temporal Resolution and Spatial Error Propagation on Computed Winter Maintenance Performance Measures".

Abstract: The spatial error of points collected by GPS on highway maintenance vehicles, coupled with the inaccuracy of roadway centerline maps to which they are referenced, affects the calculation of the winter maintenance performance measures. The frequency that DGPS data points are collected also influences these computed values. As temporal resolution increases, the tracking of vehicles becomes more accurate. On the other hand, increased temporal resolution impacts sizes of the data sets and computer storage requirements. Thus, this research addresses if it is possible to reduce the temporal resolution without significantly affecting computed performance measures.

March 31, 2004
Engineering Hall

Michael Smith, graduate student in Geography, will present "Optimal DEM resolution and neighborhood size for soil resource inventory using the SoLIM approach".

Abstract: Soil resource inventories using GIS-based soil-landscape models need terrain characteristics as inputs. These terrain characteristics are computed over a neighborhood (spatial extent), the size of which might have an effect on the resulting soil resource inventory.

This queston is examined through computing the required terrain characteristics using three different neighborhood sizes. These characteristics are then compiled and used to create soil series maps. The following two hypotheses are tested in this study: 1) for a given resolution DEM, there is a neighborhood size at which soil survey results are optimal; 2) the optimal neighborhood size is the same across DEMs of different resolutions.

The results of this experiment are significant from both the scientific and economic perspectives. In the past, scientific research has failed to recognize the role neighborhood size plays in the calculation of terrain characteristics, instead focusing only on DEM resolution. This research will thus contribute to the understanding of how both DEM resolution and neighborhood size effect soil-landscape analysis. From the economic perspective, fine-resolution data is becoming increasing available, but at a very high cost. This research will thus assess the need for such expensive data (in terms of the quality of results produced) when soil-landscape analysis is employed.

March 24, 2004
Engineering Hall

Ji Sang Park, graduate student in Environmental Monitoring, will present "Updating National Bridge Inventory Locations in a Feature-based GIS".

Abstract: UW-Madison, as a member of the National Consortium on Remote Sensing in Transportation-Infrastructure, developed a prototype software toolset dubbed “BridgeView.” This toolset allows users to verify and update bridge locations to standards of the National Bridge Inventory, through visual interpretation of aerial orthophoto images and satellite imagery compatible with next-generation feature-based GIS-T environments. This presentation describes the BridgeView prototype toolset, its motivation, methodology and application. Software design challenges (e.g. code migration) and lessons learned in transitioning to and using the latest feature-based GIS environments will also be presented. .

March 17, 2004
-

(No seminar this week: Spring Recess)

March 10, 2004
Engineering Hall

This week we will begin a series of student presentations, to continue weekly (except March 17) through April.

March 3, 2004
-

(Seminar will not meet this week due to the annual conference of the Wisconsin Land Information Association being held March 3-5 in Wisconsin Dells).

Link: WLIA 2004 conference preliminary program (PDF)

February 25, 2004
Engineering Hall

Aaron Crane, UW-Madison alum who works for NavTech in Chicago, will speak on "Technical Aspects of In-Vehicle Navigation Systems."

Abstract: The use of in-vehicle navigation systems is expanding around the world. These systems incorporate a regional map that has undergone extensive processing to prepare it for real-time destination lookup, route calculation and map display. This presentation will provide an overview of the attributes used in these systems and the processing involved in preparing the map products.

Link: NavTech

February 18, 2004
Engineering Hall

Shon Doseck and Miki Ferenczy of Pangaea Information Systems, Ltd. will present "GIS-based Real-time Biosurveillance".

Abstract: Pangaea’s ibex biosurveillance system is a GIS-based, real-time syndromic surveillance system developed to identify epidemiological trends and potential disease clusters in a given population or region. Leveraging real-time and/or historical data, the system allows for instantaneous monitoring of patients as they are presented to hospital Emergency Departments. Complex statistical monitoring algorithms in the system can identify abnormalities in admissions and triage trends, and subsequently, initiate an automatic email or pager alert to public health officials of the potential for a disease outbreak or biological/chemical attack.

Integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS) functionality, ibex biosurveillance is a comprehensive, flexible module designed to provide public health agencies and Emergency Departments with real-time spatial analysis, mapping, and reporting capabilities. As each patient is automatically added to the surveillance system, the exact location of that patient’s home and/or work address is identified and permanently stored. This facilitates complex spatial analysis and mapping of patient information with no need for end user training in the complicated world of GIS software. The system presents State and local health officials, physicians and nurses with the ability to access and spatially analyze patient specific information such as: chief complaint, age, gender, and location information.

Link: Pangaea Information Technologies

February 11, 2004
Engineering Hall

Jaime Martindale, Map/GIS Librarian at UW-Madison's Arthur H. Robinson Map Library, will present "GIS and Libraries: What's Happening at UW-Madison ".

As UW campus libraries become more and more active within the GIS community, new ideas are surfacing that will focus on the creation of campus-wide GIS services. GIS in academic libraries is not a new concept, and some of the most innovative data repository models have been developed within libraries. This talk will address the role of GIS and geospatial data within the academic library setting, and will focus primarily on changes within the Arthur H. Robinson Map Library.

Link: A.H. Robinson Map Library

February 4, 2004
Engineering Hall

Paul Voss of UW-Madison's Rural Sociology Dept. will present "Geographically Weighted Regression: New Software for Examining Heterogeneity in Spatial Data Analyses."

Link: Dr. Voss's web page

January 28, 2004
Engineering Hall

Dan Rooney of Earth Information Technologies in Madison, will present "Soil Information Systems".

A company started by UW-Madison alumni, Earth IT (among other things) develops methods of integrating information gathered from various sensors to better understand soil properties.

Link: EarthIT's Soil Information System project

January 21, 2004

(no meeting this week; seminars to begin on January 28).

December 2, 2003
Memorial Union

For our final meeting of the semester, Rob Nurre of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands will speak about development and use of the recently unveiled web site providing public access to scanned images of the original field notebooks documenting the establishment of the Public Land Survey in Wisconsin, 1833-1866. These land records provide data on landscape history, document how the survey was conducted, and contain information of interest to land surveyors, land owners, genealogists, and others.

Link: Survey Notes web site

November 25, 2003
Memorial Union

Warren Porter of the UW-Madison's Zoology Department will present "Modeling Animal Landscapes: from Birds to Bees."

Abstract: This talk describes the interface and use of GIS technologies with first principles heat and mass transfer engineering models that calculate animal energetics and behavior, variation in activity hours, growth and reproduction potential, and food web structure changes, on GIS-based landscapes. Satellite imagery is used for certain aspects of model input and model testing at resolutions ranging from 10 m to 0.5° latitude and longitude. Tests of the models will be presented for mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects in the context of conservation biology, biodiversity concerns, disease vector-host interactions, climate change scenarios, and infections on a landscape scale using ArcView, a GIS based program.

Link: Dr. Porter's web page

November 18, 2003
-

(Speaker has had to cancel her trip to Madison; we will have no seminar this week).

Dr. Marcia Caldas de Castro, a postdoctoral researcher with Princeton University's Office of Population Research, will present "Malaria transmission in the Brazilian Amazon: Improving public health studies through the use of GIS, spatial analysis and remote sensing."

This week's seminar is being held in conjunction with the Demography and Ecology Training Seminar.

Link: Dr. Castro's web page

November 11, 2003
Memorial Union

David Hart, Coastal GIS Specialist with UW System's Sea Grant Program, will present "Solving the Land Records Jigsaw Puzzle: Demonstrating GIS Operability in Wisconsin".

Link: Sea Grant GIS web page

November 4, 2003
Memorial Union

Puneet Kishor, with the Madison GIS consulting firm GeoAnalytics, will present "It Takes A Wizard (WisAHRD) To Manage The Past." This talk focuses on a GIS application developed for the Wisconsin Historical Society that provides web-browser access to archeological and historical resources.

Link: GeoAnalytics web site

October 28, 2003
Memorial Union

Sissel Schroeder, Asst. Professor of Anthropology at UW-Madison, will be our speaker. Her topic is "Maps, Mounds, Palisades, and Community Plans at Jonathan Creek".

Abstract: Jonathan Creek was the central palisaded community of an ancient Mississippian (ca. A.D. 1000-1450) chiefdom in the Tennessee River valley of western Kentucky. This poorly known archaeological site was partially excavated from 1940 to 1942 but never fully analyzed. Recent GIS mapping of old field notes provides a more comprehensive picture of the community organization of this town and has established the data framework needed to untangle the unique occupation history of the site and its precarious political position in the region.

Link: Dr. Schroeder's C.V. (PDF)

October 21, 2003
Memorial Union

Sam Batzli, Assistant Scientist at UW-Madison's Environmental Remote Sensing Center, will present "Spatial Data Access on Campus: Design Considerations for an Online Infrastructure".

He will also be joined by several campus colleagues for a panel discussion.

October 14, 2003
Memorial Union

Ted Koch and AJ Wortley of the State Cartographer's Office will present Evolutions in National GIS Datasharing", a profile of recent federal government initiatives including The National Map and Geospatial One-Stop, and how they affect Wisconsin.

Link: State Cartographer's Office

October 7, 2003
Memorial Union

Steve Ventura, Professor of Soil Science and the Institute for Environmental Studies, will present "The Past, Present, and Potential Future of GIS Workshops on the Campus. Clients for these workshops include a variety of professionals, as well as the campus community (for whom discounts apply).

Link: Current list and calendar for campus workshops

September 30, 2003
B102 (LICGF)

Jeff Sledge will present today's talk which will be followed by a tour of the Land Information and Computer Graphics Facility (LICGF). His title is "Building a Web-based Resource in Support of Community Involvement in Comprehensive Land-use Planning: Design, Development, and Lessons Learned".

Jeff is an Outreach Specialist with LICGF. Find the stairway down to LICGF in the lower outdoor courtyard level on the east side of Steenbock Library which is at the corner of Babcock Drive and Observatory Drive.

Link: LICGF web page

September 23, 2003
Memorial Union

Mark Harrower, Assistant Professor in the Geography Department, will present "Understanding Visual Complexity in Animated Maps". He will cover the fundamentals, some do's and don't's, and profile issues needing more research.

Link: Mark Harrower's web site

September 16, 2003
Memorial Union

Dean Anderson, Research Associate in the UW-Madison Zoology Department, will speak on "Using GIS to Examine Patterns of Habitat Use by Elk."

Link: Dean Anderson web page

September 9, 2003
Memorial Union

As a kickoff for the Fall semester's weekly seminar series, several speakers will present an overview and preview of Geographic Information Science activities and resources on the campus. Come hear about lectures, what's new on the SIAC web site, what new services SIAC is working on, and the plans for GIS Day on the UW-Madison campus this November 19.

Weekly talks on GIScience topics are planned for Tuesday noons, Sept. 16 - Nov. 25.

April 30, 2003
Engineering Hall

Feng Qi, PhD candidate in Geography, will present "Knowledge Discovery From Soil Maps using Spatial Data Mining."

April 23, 2003
Engineering Hall

Trevor Quinn, MS candidate in Cartography & GIS, will present "Scale Compatibility in Distributed Hydrological Modeling."

April 16, 2003
Engineering Hall

Naijun Zhou, PhD candidate in Geography, will present "Automatic Ontology Mapping of Categorical Information: A case study of land use information."

April 9, 2003
Engineering Hall

Hongyu Sun, PhD candidate in Civil & Environmental Engineering, will present "Combining Local Linear Regression with Wavelet Decomposition for Spatiotemporal Traffic Prediction."

April 2, 2003
Engineering Hall

Larry Cutforth, MS candidate in Environmental Monitoring, will present "GIS Applications for Designing Riparian Buffer Strips."

March 26, 2003
Engineering Hall

Jane McElroy, PhD candidate in the Land Resources Program in the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, will present "Use of GIS in Determining the Risk of Breast Cancer in Relation to Atrazine Exposure."

March 19, 2003
*

=== There will be no seminar this week due to Spring Recess. ===

March 12, 2003
Engineering Hall

Ji Sang Park, a PhD candidate in Civil & Environmental Engineering, will present "Bridging Gaps between Occluded and Disconnected Roads Using Optimal Searching."

March 5, 2003
Engineering Hall

Curtis Pulford of WisDOT will present an overview of GIS activities at the Wis. Dept. of Transportation.

February 26, 2003
Engineering Hall

Pete Thum, Principal with GeoAnalytics, Inc. (Madison) will speak on "Organizational and Management Dimensions of Enterprise GIS Implementation within Local Government."

Link: GeoAnalytics

February 19, 2003

No seminar scheduled this week.

February 12, 2003
Science Hall

Glen Barry, Botanical Information Systems Specialist, UW-Madison Dept. of Botany, will speak on "Conservation in the Internet Age." BioMapper is a web-based map-viewing tool to convey information about catalogued plant specimens and their collection sites' environment to specialists and the general public. Development of such tools represents new opportunities for conservation education and citizen involvement.

Link: BioMapper (www.botany.wisc.edu)

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