Showing papers on "Spatial analysis published in 1976"

Elements of spatial structure : a quantitative approach

Abstract: 1 Introduction Part I Static Aspects of Regional Structure: 2 Regions as combinatorial structures 3 Regions as ordered series 4 Regions as surfaces Part II Dynamic Aspects of Regional Structure: 5 Spatial comparison of time series: a framework 6 Spatial comparison of time series: I Contagious processes 7 Spatial comparison of time series: II Unemployment in South-West England Part III Autocorrelation and Forecasting: 8 Spatial autocorrelation 9 The analysis of regional patterns by nearest-neighbour methods 10 Regional forecasting Appendices

The Spatial Information Fields of Urban Consumers

Abstract: This paper investigates the mental information that individuals hold of the spatial distribution of a set of environmental elements. Such information, within a defined areal unit, is termed a 'spatial information field'. The selected set of elements is grocery outlets and the specified areal unit is Hamilton, Ontario. Hypotheses are formulated to determine whether the spatial properties of the fields are related to length of residence in Hamilton and social status. The hypotheses are tested within a stepwise multiple regression framework. The findings suggest that length of residence and social status are each salient inputs to the formation of the spatial information fields. A MAJOR objective of current behavioural research is to identify and investigate the mental information that individuals hold of the spatial environment. Human geographers and researchers in allied disciplines characterize such information as the (cognitive) image or cognitive structure. For example, Downs explicitly defines the image as 'stored information'" which is presumed to be the product of the process of collecting and coding information about the environment. It is believed that a knowledge of the spatial structure of the cognitive image will provide greater insights into the nature of man's decision-making activities and, ultimately, his overt spatial behaviour patterns. A number of reports have attempted to identify the cognitive images that individuals hold within the city. The levels of spatial aggregation include the city street,2 the neighbourhood,3 the central business district,4 and the entire city.5 A fundamental objective of this work is to discover the salient inputs to the formation of urban cognitive structure. Horton and Reynolds conceptualize an urban cognitive image as the product of four basic inputs.6 Two of the inputs are environmental: the objective spatial structure of the urban environment and residential location; while the other two inputs are characteristics of the individual: length of residence and social status. The environmental inputs have been investigated by several authors. Appleyard attempted to determine the relative effectiveness of various physical attributes of buildings in the formation of urban cognitive structure.7 He discovered that visibility attributes and the form attributes of external movement, contour, size, shape, and surface are significant indicators of whether the buildings are remembered. Harrison and Howard's findings suggest that the imageability of a city building is also dependent upon its physical location and culturally determined meaning.8 Heinmeyer's work on Amsterdam indicates that the cognitive image of the spatial extent of a town-centre is related to the individual's residential location within the urban system.9 Specifically, the greater the distance of the place of residence from the central area of Amsterdam, the greater the reported extent of the area. Klein's findings concerning resident cognitions of the spatial extent of Karlsruhe town-centre'o appear to corroborate Heinmeyer's conclusions. Horton and Reynolds investigated the effects of environmental inputs upon

Accuracy and Latency Scores as Measures of Spatial Information Processing.

Abstract: : The processing of visually presented spatial information is a critical component of the activities performed by pilots and aircrewmen. In particular, Radar Intercept Officers and Air Control Officers must make rapid and accurate spatial judgments. It is likely that variation in the ability to process spatial information accounts for some of the undesirable variations in the performance of these jobs. Previous research using conventional or accuracy scoring for paper-and-pencil tests has identified two spatial factors (spatial orientation and Spatial Visualization) that are valid predictors of success in pilot and navigator training programs. Recent experimental work has used the latency of response to spatial problems to analyze the mental processing of spatial information. The present studies combine these approaches by investigating both accuracy and latency scores as measures of the ability to process spatial information.

Spatial Data Analysis of Nonstructural Measures.

Abstract: : Consistent and expedient evaluations of nonstructural flood loss reduction measures for existing and alternatives future land use patterns can be performed using spatial analysis concepts. The techniques developed center about the processing of spatial geographic data into a grid cell data bank and the subsequent accessing and manipulation of pertinent data variables by a computer program. The results are an automatically constructed elevation-damage function at damage reach index locations for selected land use patterns. The modification of the damage function resulting from specific nonstructural alternatives may be performed by inputting into the computer program a target protection level or a specified stage of protection for selected land use categories. These functions may be analyzed conventionally by damage frequency integration methods or used as input into more complex system models. (Author)

Development and applications of spatial data resources in energy related assessment and planning

Abstract: Research in energy related assessment and planning at Oak Ridge National Laboratory involves investigating environmental themes at several levels requiring data at appropriate spatial and temporal scales In the Environmental Sciences Division, a spatial data base is being developed for the Eastern United States at the county-subcounty unit level of resolution The data base contains information on terrain, water resources, climate, land use, forest resources, agriculture, wildlife resources, critical natural areas, human population and energy uses A spatial hierarchy of metric, geodetic, and geopolitical scales as a framework to organizing the data has been defined Spatial units within a hierarchical level serve as building blocks that can be assembled or aggregated to satisfy analysis needs Building blocks also allow accessing more detailed spatial data by using pointers to information not stored in the data base Uses of the data base are related to the capability to cross-reference and integrate information in various subject sectors, utilizing spatial units and temporal periods commensurate with regional themes An investigation of potential changes in vegetation patterns related to predicted temperature changes from increased atmospheric CO/sub 2/ is presented to illustrate an ongoing application of the data resources Other themes include coal extraction in Appalachia,more » landscape patterns, habitat and population dynamics of selected biological species, and energy facility siting« less

Application of the ORRMIS geographical digitizing and information system using data from the Carets Project

Abstract: Spatial land-use and census-tract data from the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) Central Atlantic Regional Ecological Test Site (CARETS) Project are utilized to illustrate the Regional Environmental Systems Analysis (RESA) Program's data digitization, information processing, and display techniques being developed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The techniques and capabilities presented are a part of the Oak Ridge Regional Modeling Information System (ORRMIS) Geographical Data System. To meaningfully compare this data processing system with others currently being used or developed, a standard display format is used that satisfies the requirements of the International Geographical Union (IGU) spatial data encoding experiment. This format consists of spatial data display at the original source map scale and tabular compilation of area measurements of land use by census tract. The ORRMIS scanning-digitizing system is described, including data preparation, mechanical scanning, editing, and hierarchical cell assignment techniques, and the description is illustrated with computer-generated line printer and mechanical plotter displays. The system also has a CRT plotter capability.