Evolution of GIS: Learning from the Past—Looking to the Future

Abstract

Since about 1970, Geographic Information Systems (GISs) have been implemented as a tool to organize spatial data related to locations on or near the surface of the Earth. As technology advanced, features of GISs evolved to accommodate measurement systems, data processing procedures, coordinate systems, and an expanding array of applications. Simultaneous advances involved numerous technological developments and policy decisions were made which were appropriate at the time. Given the current state of practice and visions for the future (including AI), certain practices should be reevaluated. This article draws on several (of many) resources which cover policy and practice options of the past, the present, and the future. Without being critical of how we got to where-we-are or where-we-are-going, it appears that the concept of “using a 3D model for 3D data” merits additional consideration. The convergence of abstraction, technology, policy, and practice underlies the definition of the 3-D global spatial data model (GSDM) based on the ECEF/ITRF and rules of solid geometry. The GSDM has been defined, is in place, and can beneficially serve the spatial data user community worldwide. Using 3D spatial data components obtained from observations and computing primary X/Y/Z locations in 3D space offers efficiencies and advantages over computing positions using traditional geodesy equations. Both local directions/distances and latitude/longitude/height can be computed directly from stored X/Y/Z coordinates.