MCP, University of Cincinnati, 2001, Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning : Community Planning

Geographic information system (GIS) has the power of facilitating the spatial perception of plans. The visualization of information and planning scenarios by means of integrated text and maps gives the context and spatial perception of the information content to a user. Although the interactive mapping or Internet GIS has developed rapidly over the past few years, there is not a planning oriented GIS system that shows how spatial information can be used to inform a given interest group or general public through Internet. This project designs a user-friendly interface to distribute GIS related data to general users or GIS technical users who can directly access the GIS database through Web sites and view maps for their area of interest. It not only provides general map viewing functions, such as "zoom in", "zoom out", and "identify", but also provides advanced functions as thematic mapping, map querying and map searching. The advanced mapping functions make this data distribution system quiet different from other commercial or governmental mapping systems. It allows people directly access the GIS database and distribute the related GIS data upon their requests. With this system, a planner can inform more detailed information about planning issues to more people than the traditional way – public meeting can do. Additionally, all information is presented not only by memos or letters, but also by colorful, analyzable maps. The three-scale function feature in this project also allows general public select any area, any information they are interested, from metropolitan transportation network systems of the OKI Region to a land use limitation of a single parcel. Because all data utilized by this project come from Cincinnati Area Geographic Information Systems (CAGIS), who declaimed the data only allow to use for educational purposes. Although the map service system has ability to do more planning related researches and analysis, but currently, the map service area only co (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Xinhao Wang (Advisor) Subjects: Urban and Regional Planning

Master of Arts, University of Toledo, 2004, Geography and Planning

Growing freight has been a major concern for the transportation planning community. Increasing freight movements by all modes of transportation across the nations has lead to congestion and inadequate infrastructure. There is a rising need for Internet based freight management spatial decision support systems (SDSS) exploiting the latest Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) technologies that can assist the transportation planning community in making informed decisions about freight related issues consisting of congestion, demand and capacity. The system being an online or web based system has the advantage of being accessed from anywhere thus making it an easy tool for sharing information across different regions. This can also be utilized for asset management, data dissemination and to model alternative freight management plans and “what if?” scenarios. There is no established framework to date for the development of such systems. A pragmatic approach is taken in this study to design and develop a conceptual framework for an Internet or web based freight management spatial decision support system (SDSS). Different components, features and technology that are required to create such systems were discussed in detail along with a variety of development and implementation strategies. The developed framework was utilized in creating a freight management SDSS for the Upper Midwest Freight Corridor Study currently underway at The University of Toledo encompassing the states in the Midwest. This has given an opportunity to look at the feasibility of implementing such systems and the difficulties faced. The freight management SDSS is currently online and is anticipated to be used by Department of Transportation officials, urban and transportation planners and homeland security officials in making informed decisions. Thus, the conceptual framework developed in this study can be used as the rudimentary framework for creating a robust freight manageme (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Peter Lindquist (Advisor) Subjects:

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2001, Geography

To date, efforts attempting to explore the digital divide have focused on its the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, documenting the differences in computer use and Internet availability between different ages, races, and income groups. These research efforts do not adequately address the spatial nature of the digital divide, specifically the telecommunication infrastructure that enables Internet access. Utilizing a longitudinal database of Internet infrastructure, highlighting both fiber optic backbone points of presence (POP) established by commercial Internet service providers and the backbones themselves, an analysis examining city accessibility to the commercial Internet is performed. Results indicate that many larger metropolitan areas maintain dominant shares of telecommunication infrastructure, but several mid-sized metropolitan areas are emerging as important centers for telecommunication interconnection. In conjunction with the empirical analysis, a standardized methodology for evaluating network connectivity is outlined. Although telecommunication infrastructure is a key component to evaluating the spatial manifestations of the digital divide, Internet activity, defined by the presence of businesses or organizations utilizing information technology, is also an important dimension. By utilizing a comprehensive database of Internet domain registrations, basic analytical techniques, and a geographic information system (GIS), the spatial characteristics of Internet related activity are explored for the State of Ohio. Results indicate significant differences in Internet activity between urban and rural locales. The final components of this thesis explore residential broadband technologies and access options throughout the state of Ohio. At the regional level, an explanatory framework identifying key market characteristics indicative of demand for residential broadband services throughout the state of Ohio is presented, with results suggesting that (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Morton O'Kelly (Advisor) Subjects: