REVIEWING THE MERITS OF VOLUNTEER GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION FOCUSING ON DATA ACQUISITION AND VALIDATION.
Abstract
A lot of studies about Volunteered geographic information talks about the history and background of spatial technology before the emergence of VGI. This document also further explains the validity of the contents being generated in recent times. Although VGI may be lacking quality, credibility and reliability to some extent it is still important because it has positively contributed to our knowledge of Geography. One important benefit discussed in this document is disaster management and how VGI helped in resolving disastrous situations with tools like OpenStreetMap, Google and many more platforms. This paper attempts to review the importance of Volunteer geographical information in relation to Geographic information science as well as validation of contents generated by the public (Volunteers/citizens).
1. Introduction
There has been a lot of information geographically concerning maps and it’s really amazing that the varieties of platforms in recent years have been able to impact geographic information system (GIS) positively such that geographic information for various specific locations on the world map is available to the public. The surprising fact is that the public provides this information freely. Volunteered geographic information as explained by Goodchild, is a rising phenomenon, which has a tremendous influence on Geographic Information Science (GIS) (Goodchild, 2006). The idea behind VGI is that the users can update the areas of the maps where there is no coverage. By so doing it has opened more capabilities of GIS to people around the world.
For donkey years people use a fly by technique to acquire images of the different location. It takes days possibly longer to acquire images around the world but since the existence of the Internet, and web browsers things have been different. Platforms such as Google map, flicker, OpenStreetMap, wikimapia and many more, have allowed users to generate content as their contributions are validated in time to ensure the correct information is available for the world for different individual purposes. The idea behind VGI is that the users can update the areas of the maps where there is no coverage. By so doing it has opened more capabilities of GIS to people around the world. This document explains the importance of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) and its benefits to Geographical Information (GIS) also the environmental benefits as regards Natural disasters and how VGI can help produce images and comments of areas recently destroyed by natural phenomenon. Without disregarding one integral part, which is validation.
2. Literature Review
The World Wide Web (www) in its early beginning held static information, in other terms, read-only information. This meant that almost any geographic information acquired from the World Wide Web (www) will always remain the same on the web unless it was updated. More recently, the advancements in technology such as web 2.0 have enabled interactivity on various platforms like blogging, virtual world maps, social media, images and video sharing as well as text generated content relating to their individual locations, and also has helped to make it easier for geographical information to thrive.
2.1 Volunteered geographic information (VGI)
As of not long ago, geographic data was made available as maps, chart books etc. by mapping work environments and affiliations (partnerships) and sharing copies of this information on paper to clients and individuals via an agreement of retail appropriation. By the early 1990s, the transitions from paper maps to digital maps had already changed the way geographical information is shared thereby creating what is described as a post-modern era (Goodchild et al. 2006) of geographic data generation.
Volunteered geographic information (VGI) is a series of digital spatial statistics generated by humans(volunteers) and also formal institutions employ the use of exceptional tools aided by fast-improving tech knowledge and devices to accumulate and disseminate their geographical views and knowledge via the internet (Goodchild, 2006). With the knowledge of VGI growing fast across the globe, it is now possible for an average citizen to accurately determine his position on the earth surface using the internet or other mobile technology devices without the involvement of professionals.
There are several websites that come to light, have encouraged and facilitated the actions of neogeographers. Essentially, these platforms (websites) enable users to easily generate content that dominates the internet to embrace digital material that satisfies the need of geographic information i.e. information about the various locations on the surface of the earth. Neogeography is a term coined by Turner (2006) to describe the phenomenon (VGI) and was explained as the breaking down of the distinctions between gurus and non-gurus, in the context of the creation of geographic materials and information (Turner 2006). The amount of information available to the public about events worldwide and for members of the community has been elevated because of the implementation of tools and devices such as OpenStreetMap, Wikimapia, Google maps and Google Earth Virtual globe interface developed by Google.
Figure 1
Google map is an example of VGI that collects cross-sourced data with user control, in order words crowdsourced data. All data collection are done by individual users and is their call or decision of the technological device.
2.2 Advantages, Uses and Benefits of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI)
In recent years VGI has been of benefit to many people and institutions as the vast improvements in web technologies have created a way for users (citizens/people) to collaborate and generate content and distribution of geospatial information (Meier 2012). One very crucial benefit is discussed below,
Disaster Management
VGI was used to map disaster situations, one of which is the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, and to remedy floods erosions, hurricanes, forest fires and other natural disaster occurrences (Goodchild and Glennon 2010, level 2012). Users (volunteers), will capture images with comments using their mobile devices like Smartphone or other GPS smart devices connected to the Internet and upload the information collected to these organisations providing the platform (websites).
In the case of Hurricane Katrina September 2005 and the Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 2004, VGI was helped provide damage assessments with real-life visuals of areas largely affected. The satellite images captured were used to direct help to areas in need, also evacuation procedures for any further impacts that can be avoided. In order to manage disasters like these effectively, it’s vital that accurate and well-timed information is provided in time to emergency agencies as they can use this information to provide help as explained in the Hurricane Katrina scenario. A slow and incorrect knowledge (data) will result in serious consequences (Ostermann and Spinsanti, 2011; Erskine and Gregg, 2012).
3. VALIDATION
Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) is seen to be lacking quality, credibility and reliability reasons being that the much of the data has been generated by non-professionals in a context that is different from organized and expert-driven contexts (Elwood, 2008). The big guns in this field have been able to gather a lot of data and produce an extensive amount of information on the net. But the gathering of such a vast information has been pointed out by research showing a number of challenges.
Information provided by humans (citizens/volunteers) aren’t expected to be as correct and rich in information compared to information collected from sources using proper protocols. Without disregarding information from the volunteers, these data are still useful to a certain extent and can be used for other practices (Anadon et al, 2009, 2010; Ma et al, 2014). In Addition, data collected by people (citizens/volunteers) can cover larger areas over a longer period compared to the rigorous protocols which can only be implemented in geographical areas within a short period of time, possibly shorter.
Whatever information that was uploaded by the volunteers needs to be verified probably by other volunteers who are citizens of that neighbourhood. It is important because false information can be misleading and as it is on some of the platforms there are very little differences between what is on the ground (original data) and what is on the virtual map uploaded on the Internet. There have been cases where images of resorts or statues in communities are uploaded and different geo locations names are tagged to the image including spelling errors positional accuracy creating confusion among other users of the map.
Figure 2
Here is an example from Snapchat geotagging on the picture it says Cais de Gaia but that isn’t the name of the bridge neither is it the name of the area. This is clearly shown in figure 3 below.
Figure 3
In this image Cais de Gaia is just down the street on the Google map and there for if Cais de Gaia is searched for the point is located on the map. In figure 4 the proper location of the bridge is displayed.
Figure 4
As previously explained in Figure 3 above, the name of the Bridge is Luis 1 Bridge and is located at Ponte Luis 1 as seen on Google Map. In this case Snapchat application or a Snapchat App user has used a wrong geo tag there thereby creating confusion and this just proves that proper validation is needed.
Slow and steadily we have to be aware of the restrictions of citizen information and the analytical treatments for these limitations as we analyse the subject knowledge.
One other integral issue involving Volunteered Geographic information (VGI) is based on the device itself, some devices can record identities, positions and movement of the citizens without their knowledge. Reason for this is that more data is being collected from these mobile devices (devices that leave their location services on). Spatial information was collected by Microsoft according to CNET news. Apparently, Microsoft has collected this spatial information from these mobile devices (103 laptops, and few mobile phones) and shared on the Internet. (McCullag 2011). This is one of the ways crowdsourcing data is collected. Crowdsourcing is one in many ways to gather public VGI data and will simply increase the flexibility of organisations and also government to predict citizens’ activities and movement. That’s why it’s important for the validation of this information in terms of how it’s collected and the quality of the information.
4. Conclusion
To conclude with, VGI has been a blessing, something to be thankful for as regards the benefits derived. It is incredible how much Information is available through Volunteered Geographic information (VGI) considering a lot of the data are generated by the volunteers/citizens most of who are with no formal coaching within geospatial sciences. Now we can see what was uploaded almost immediately when the geospatial information and contents was generated and that adds to our understanding of all respective individual communities around the globe. Lest we forget it is important for information provided by the general public to be correct and well validated. Appropriate analytical and verification procedures still need to be applied to maximise the precision of location and minimise the effect of spatial bias when using data generated by Citizen.
References:
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Coetzee, S. and Africa, S. (2004) ‘16 Volunteered Geographic Information’, pp. 1–11.
Goodchild, M. F. (2006) ‘CITIZENS AS SENSORS: THE WORLD OF VOLUNTEERED GEOGRAPHY 1 Michael F. Goodchild’, pp. 1–15.
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Rollason, E. et al. (2018) ‘The importance of volunteered geographic information for the validation of flood inundation models’, Journal of Hydrology. Elsevier, 562(November 2017), pp. 267–280. doi: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.05.002.
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