Why GIS Penetrates Every Engineering Field

GIS, or Geographic Information Systems, has become an indispensable tool in numerous fields, including engineering. This comprehensive guide explores the reasons why GIS has become so pervasive in engineering disciplines, from civil engineering to environmental science. We'll delve into the vast amount of spatial data, the rapid advancements in technology, and the critical applications of GIS in both real-world and predictive scenarios.

Ubiquity of Georeferenced Data

According to studies, approximately 70-80% of big data is georeferenced. This statistic underscores the critical role that geographic data plays in our modern information landscape. With the world generating more than 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day, it's estimated that at least 70-80% of this data contains spatial references. The sheer volume of this georeferenced data is staggering and highlights the importance of GIS technology in handling and interpreting this data.

The Nature of GIS

GIS is inherently interdisciplinary, allowing for the processing, manipulation, analysis, visualization, and prediction of time and space-related phenomena. A famous statement, often attributed to Edward Tufte, suggests that "a picture is worth a thousand words." In the context of GIS, a single map can encapsulate a vast amount of information that would otherwise require extensive textual or statistical analysis. More importantly, a sequence of maps over time can tell a story that a single map cannot.

Historical Context and Early Development

My first experiences with GIS date back to 1998, a time when the technology was not as advanced or cost-effective as it is today. Back then, access to high-quality, accurate, and available GIS data, as well as the computational power needed to measure, collect, store, and process spatial data, was limited. The landscape has changed dramatically, with significant improvements in technology that have made GIS more accessible and powerful.

Advancements in Data Measurement and Technology

Advancements in data measurement technology, such as punctual data measurements, sensors, GPS devices, and Internet of Things (IoT) systems, have greatly enhanced the capabilities of GIS. Satellite maps and measurements are now more accessible and provide a comprehensive overview of many aspects of daily life. These include climate and weather patterns, pollution levels, energy distribution, transportation networks, agriculture, and macro phenomena. The result is an avalanche of spatio-temporal data that must be analyzed to inform decision-making processes.

Real-Time Predictions and Spatial Relationships

The need for real-time, short-term, and long-term predictions is critical in engineering. GIS enables us to connect elements in space, identify correlations, predict scenarios, and generate continuous maps that describe the spatio-temporal behavior of selected elements. For example, in civil engineering, GIS can help predict the impact of climate change on infrastructure, while in environmental science, it can assist in tracking pollution levels and their effects on ecosystems.

Visualization and Intuitive Understanding

With current technology, GIS data and predictions can be visualized and rendered in 3D, providing a more realistic representation of the environment we live in. Visualizing complex spatial data in a 3D format makes it easier for stakeholders to understand the impact of various scenarios. This is particularly important as human activities are inherently linked to both space and time. GIS tools enable us to see and understand how different elements in the space interact and influence each other.

Conclusion

GIS has become a cornerstone in many engineering fields due to its ability to handle vast amounts of spatial data, its predictive capabilities, and its visualization tools. As technology continues to advance, GIS will undoubtedly play an even more significant role in shaping our understanding of the world and in informing the decisions that affect our daily lives.