Mission and plan for the GISSL Lab
Mission
The Geographic Information Systems and Simulation Laboratory (GISSL) intends to become a center of excellence in the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and allied technologies to the design disciplines.
To this end, the GISSL will pursue relevant research and service activities and develop basic and advanced teaching capabilities that explore and expand the application of these exciting technologies in the design disciplines. In addition, the GISSL will adhere to and support the missions of the Interdisciplinary Design Institute, WSU Spokane, and WSU.
The GISSL will accomplish these interlocking missions by directly contributing its unique capabilities to appropriate projects, as well as through strategic collaborations with partners from these larger contexts.
The GISSL will:
- Develop special expertise and capabilities in GIS and simulation for the design disciplines.
- Pursue research, teaching and service for the needs and applications of these disciplines.
- Become a destination for students and researchers.
- Serve internal and external partners.
- Implement continuing, funded service and research initiatives.
Research goals and objectives
The research program will develop specialized knowledge and expertise in the aspects of GIS and allied technologies, particularly 3D rendering and visualization, that serve the design and aesthetic capabilities of the Design Institute disciplines, in consonance with their mutual concern for sustainable, quality environments.
There is a high-potential symbiosis possible between the typically two-dimensional world of GIS and the typically 3D world of design. This is accomplished by employing GIS techniques to develop models, which are then visualized in 2D in the GIS and in 3D by some GIS and other design-related computational tools.
We pursue GIS-based scenarios and simulations and visualize them in simulated three-dimensional environments. The environmental analysis capabilities of design disciplines are applied in GIS; the design and aesthetic skills of the Design Institute are brought to bear in the 3D world. There exists a symbiotic, iterative relationship among these applications.
The goal of the GISSL is to foster and develop research and capabilities that implement and maximize this potential. These endeavors will move freely amongst the scales of concern of the design disciplines, from interiors to regions. These scales are linked by the underlying GIS and simulation technology and by shared concern for sustainable, quality environments.
Research objectives
- Undertake "DEM/DRG" (+LIDAR?) enhancement to develop base data for 3D and project use.
- Render "Inland Virtual Atlas" project using above with land cover and 3D packages.
- Enhance computing and data infrastructure for greenways/viewsheds/buffers-related projects.
- Complete "Salmon" analysis project as prototype for possible large-scale work.
- Make some of these outputs strategically available online.
- Pursue funding for "Expanded 3D Capabilities" (3D scanning, 3D output) and for wireless GIS field work capabilities for design students.
- Seek to develop one each C-SCI, Arch, and ID-related GIS/Simulation projects this year.
- Provide appropriate research GIS services for internal partners.
- Develop collaborative and working relationships with the local GIS community.
- Integrate GIS and allied technologies seamlessly within the GISSL.
- Develop research projects that improve GISSL capabilities in core technologies uniting GIS analysis with design scenario visualization.
- Recruit capable students to participate in graduate education and in GISSL research initiatives.
- Develop relationships nationally and within the state and region that foster collaboration on research and development projects of mutual interest.
- Partner with Design Institute, WSU Spokane, and WSU generally to pursue mutual research interests.
- Participate in national technology meetings and conferences related to technology and disciplinary substance.
