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Geographic Information Systems

Geographic information systems allow individuals to view and analyze data overlaid on maps, making connections between activities based on geographic proximity. RAND researchers have been using GIS mapping for more than 20 years in a wide range of contexts, such as military simulation and modeling; analysis of health care delivery and quality; documenting neighborhood and demographic changes; land use economics; and transportation systems analyses.

Essay

China's Disappeared Uyghurs: What Satellite Images Reveal

At least one million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities have vanished into a sprawling network of camps and prisons in China's far west. Satellite images show brightly lit compounds, wall after wall of barbed wire, and a sudden rush to build what appear to be fortified preschools.

Apr 29, 2021
Journal Article

Empty Lots, Green Spaces, and a Parking Lot: What Happened to the Demolished Uyghur Cemeteries?

This methodology seeks to build upon previous research efforts and help other researchers understand the outcomes of Chinese policies related to Uyghur communities.

Jan 20, 2021
Essay

70 Years of Innovation at RAND

Seventy years ago, a group of researchers established the independent RAND Corporation. From the first satellite design, to helping ensure GPS as a public good, to laying the groundwork for the internet, RAND has been making a difference ever since.

May 9, 2018
Report

Options for Flying Contraband into North Korea

Activist groups in South Korea are seeking improvements in the balloons they use to carry political, religious, and humanitarian materials across the border into North Korea. Balloon delivery techniques have evolved and some have started using hexacopter drones. How effective are these methods?

Apr 2, 2018
Research Brief

Forecasting Crime for Law Enforcement

Predictive policing is the use of analytical techniques to prevent crime or solve past crimes. An assessment of some of the most promising technical tools and tactical approaches offers recommendations for police and developers.

Oct 14, 2013
Report

The Role of Crime Forecasting in Law Enforcement Operations

Predictive policing methods fall into four general categories: methods for predicting crimes, predicting offenders, predicting perpetrators' identities, and predicting victims of crime. These methods are not equivalent to a crystal ball, but they can enhance proactive policing and improve intervention strategies.

Sep 25, 2013
Journal Article

Quantifying the Azimuthal Plasmaspheric Density Structure and Dynamics Inferred from IMAGE EUV

This study is the first to systematically analyze global images of the density structure of the inner plasmasphere by using data from the EUV imager on the IMAGE satellite.

Dec 1, 2012
Report

Mapping the Gaps: Ideas for Using GIS to Enhance Local Health Department Priority Setting and Program Planning

Using geographic information system (GIS) technology to enhance provision of services by local health departments by enabling them to visually compare where health services are needed with where they are provided.

Oct 19, 2011
Journal Article

Using Geographic Information Systems to Match Local Health Needs with Public Health Services and Programs

Large local health departments could better inform planning and investments by using geographic information systems to align community needs and health outcomes with public health programs.

Jan 1, 2011
Research Brief

Benefits and Barriers: Using and Sharing Geospatial Information in the Department of Defense

This research brief summarizes the benefits of and barriers to sharing geospatial data among both private and government organizations and discusses a three-step methodology used to assess the outcomes and benefits of sharing.

Sep 10, 2007
Report

Using and Sharing Geospatial Information in the Department of Defense

The sharing of geospatial information provides the DoD both opportunities and challenges. Benefits include improved effectiveness resulting in better outcomes and efficiency in the form of reduced costs. Challenges include concern over security issues and technical difficulties in sharing information.

Aug 19, 2007
Journal Article

Carbon Monoxide Emissions from Passenger Vehicles: Predictive Mapping with an Application to Hamilton, Canada

Integrated urban models are designed to simulate land-use and transportation interactions and to allow predicts of traffic volume and vehicle emissions at the link level of the urban transport network.

Jan 1, 2005
Report

Mapping the Risks: Assessing the Homeland Security Implications of Publicly Available Geospatial Information

Assesses the homeland security implications of publicly available geospatial data and information.

May 2, 2004
Research Brief

America's Publicly Available Geospatial Information: Does It Pose a Homeland Security Risk?

In the wake of the September 11 attacks, some U.S. federal agencies curtailed public access to various sources of geospatial information. While recognizing many public and private benefits of such information, officials were concerned that terrorists...

Jan 1, 2004
Report

Opportunities Created by GPS for U.S. Defense, Commercial, and Foreign Policy Interests

Since the Global Positioning System (GPS) was originally deployed to aid U.S. armed forces in navigation and position location, it has evolved into a resource supporting civil, scientific, and commercial functions—from air traffic control to the Internet—with precision location and timing information.

Dec 1, 1995
Report

Assessing Benefits of the U.S. Forest Service's Geographic Information System: Research Design

Presents a research design developed to assess the impact of implementing a geographic information system (GIS) on mission-related work in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

Jan 1, 1991
Report

RAND's Cartographic Analysis and Geographic Information System (RAND-CAGIS) : A Guide to System Use

RAND-CAGIS (RAND's Cartographic Analysis and Geographic Information system) is a modular geographic information system capable of raster, vector, and tabular data manipulation.

Jan 1, 1991
Journal Article

Geometric Projections of the Sphere and the Spheroid

Geometric projections have become increasingly important for the purpose of processing geographic (locational) data.

Jan 1, 1961
People

Thomas W. Concannon

Senior Policy Researcher
Education Ph.D. in health policy and administration, Harvard University; M.A. in political science, McGill University; B.A. in political science, University of Massachusetts
People

Hardika Dayalani

Assistant Policy Researcher, RAND; Ph.D. Candidate, Pardee RAND Graduate School
Education M.P.A. in public administration, University of Pennsylvania; B.Tech. (Hons) in ocean engineering and naval architecture, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur

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RAND Topic:
Geographic Information Systems

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