Spatial Analysis Laboratories
Key Objectives
- To provide a major focus and vehicle for researchers to collaborate in the analysis and use of spatial data.
- To undertake high quality basic and applied research that will be facilitated by the incorporation of spatial data using spatial analytical tools.
- To provide education and training in the use of spatial information science.
- Provide students with real world experience through their involvement in SAL research and development projects.
- Demonstrate the practical use of spatial technology to the University and outside communities
Description
The Spatial Analysis Laboratories (SAL) utilise a robust suite of spatial analytical tools: geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing and image processing, global positioning systems (GPS), visualization and modelling to promote exploration in a multidisciplinary setting.
The facility is used by staff and students from within the Faculties of Science, Engineering, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Informatics and Creative Arts for remote sensing, spectral reflectance characteristics, hydrological studies, environmental health, census studies, cultural research, hazard modelling, habitat modelling, disease mapping, visualization and other research.
The practicals for the undergraduates courses in spatial analysis are taught in the adjacent Science Teaching Laboratory
SAL comprises four parts:
- Toni O'Neill Spatial Research Laboratory
- Spatial Data Laboratory
- Foyer
- Data Server
1. Toni O'Neill Spatial Research Laboratory
This Laboratory is named after Dr Toni O'Neilll, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences who died in April 1999 after a courageous fight with lymphoma. Her research and teaching centred on remote sensing and its application to a range of biogeographic and ecological problems, particularly in semi-arid areas. SAL was established by Toni in 1988 as a remote sensing lab with one 286PC computer with MicroBRIAN image analysis software, a tape drive to read large format computer tapes and a Tektroniks colour inkjet plotter. In 1990 Toni obtained the funding to enable GIS software and additional computers to be purchased.
This Laboratory is used by staff, postdoctoral, postgraduate and honours students. Its primary aim is to provide facilities for research using
- GIS, remote sensing, GPS, statistical, census and 3D visualization software
- Aerial photographs both in hardcopy format (10,000 aerial photographs) and in digital format as orthophotographs
- Extensive digital data repository available on the Data Server
- ASD FieldSpec FR Radiometer
The laboratory contains 10 computers running Windows XP. All of them have ArcGIS software and three of them have ENVI/IDL image analysis software. Other software available includes S-Plus statistical software, including the in-house developed Spectra Analyser program.
2. Spatial Data Laboratory
The primary aim of the Spatial Data Laboratory is to provide facilities for research using:
- GIS, mapping, image enhancement, drawing and video editing software.
- Hardcopy data that includes 30,000 maps, 500 atlases and reference books.
- Extensive digital data repository available on the Data Server
Staff, postdoctoral, postgraduates, honours students and undergraduate students use the Spatial Data Laboratory . It contains two Pentium 4 computers and one Pentium 3 computer running Windows XP. All of the computers have ArcGIS software and a combination of Freehand, CorelDraw, Photoshop, MapPublisher and digital video editing software.
Most of the hardcopy material held in the Spatial Data Laboratory is of Australia, New South Wales and the Illawarra. The air photos are mostly of the Illawarra and date back to the late 1930's. The facility is provided for staff and students of the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences but is available to other users by appointment.
3. Foyer
The Foyer provides public access to SAL. The offices of the following staff are located in the foyer:
|
John Marthick
|
41.G03D
|
Manages the Toni O'Neill Spatial Research Laboratory and provides GIS and remote sensing support to staff and students
|
|
Richard Miller
|
41.G03C
|
Cartographer/Map Curator - Manages the Spatial Data Laboratory and provides draughting services in support of staff teaching, research and publications and gives advice to Geoscience staff and students on map work
|
|
Heidi Brown
|
41.G03A
|
Manages the Spatial Teaching Laboratory and provides GIS support to staff and students. Development of the ArcSDE spatial data server.
|
4. Data Server
An extensive digital data repository is located on two servers running Windows 2003 servers. It is available to staff of the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences.
Future development of the Data Server will see all of the data managed using ArcSDE and Oracle RDMS software on a SUN server with a 1.5TB network attached storage device. It will provide secure campus wide access to:
- digital data such as satellite images, orthorectified aerial photographs, digital elevation models, cultural data, drainage data etc.
- metadata which allows users to search for data based upon location (both place name and/or geographical coordinates), file names, data type, origin etc
|
|
