Blog

Mar 25
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GIS Fundamentals – (Map visualization – II)

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This workshop will further develop the material covered on mapping in the first workshop a few weeks back. We will focus on basic cartography principles for map-making and explore the functionalities of R and QGIS for making production-quality bi-variate static and dynamic choropleth maps. We will also explore the functionalities of leaflet, a powerful library, to create web maps and add extra information about more than two variables.

Participants should have some familiarity with R, but exposure to QGIS is not required.

Mar 22
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GIS Fundamentals – (PostGIS-II)

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This workshop will further develop the material covered on spatial databases in the first workshop a few weeks back. PostGIS is the most widely used spatial database and is built on top of PostgreSQL, a powerful open source relational database. The focus of this workshop is to exploit PostGIS to deal with big vector data, and use familiar tools in R to reduce the burden to learn SQL.

This is a hands-on workshop. Please make sure that you have PostgreSQL installed along with pgAdmin.

Participants should be familiar with vector data processing in R.

Mar 01
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GIS Fundamentals – VI (Map visualization)

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This is the sixth workshop in a series of workshops we are offering this semester on the fundamentals of GIS. Each workshop covers one or two key elements of GIS and is self-contained. The focus is on conceptual details that can provide sufficient preparation for applications, but we will also touch upon the technical aspects.

This workshop will cover basic concepts and tools available in QGIS and R for visualizing vector spatial data as single and bi-variate static choropleth maps. We will focus on basic cartography principles for map-making and explore the functionalities of R and QGIS for making production-quality maps.

Participants should have some familiarity with R, but exposure to QGIS is not required.

Feb 05
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GIS Fundamentals – V (Spatial Database – PostGIS)

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This is the fifth workshop in a series of workshops we are offering this semester on the fundamentals of GIS. Each workshop covers one or two key elements of GIS and is somewhat self-contained. The focus is on conceptual details that can provide sufficient preparation for applications, but we will also touch upon the technical aspects.

In this workshop we will cover the basic concepts of spatial databases and learn about setting up and using PostGIS, an open source spatial database built on top of PostgreSQL, along with R for vector data analysis. We will also touch upon topics such as spatial indexing, query processing and the capabilities of PostGIS for other data models such as the network and raster data model. This is a hands-on workshop and the instructor will use a Mac machine. If you intend to use a Windows or Linux machine please get in touch with the instructor before the workshop at manishve@umich.edu.

Jan 04
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GIS Fundamentals – IV (Digitization)

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This is the fourth workshop in a series of workshops we are offering this semester on the fundamentals of GIS. Each workshop covers one or two key elements of GIS and is self-contained. The focus is on conceptual details that can provide sufficient preparation for applications, but we will also touch upon the technical aspects. Most workshops will have at least one hands-on exercise. Typically, each workshop is divided into one hour of lecture-style presentation and half an hour of hands-on exercises. Unless mentioned otherwise, we will use R.

In many fields old paper maps and images provide historical and time series information and need to be digitized with spatially explicit coordinates. In this workshop we will develop a basic understanding of how to efficiently digitize paper maps and images that contain spatial information. We will use ArcGIS and R for the hands-on part.

Jun 25
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Geostatistics – II

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In many situations, we observe a process over a limited number of locations and are interested in estimating its values at nearby unsampled locations. Geostatistical methods provide a powerful tool to do this. In this session, we will build upon the material and intuitions covered in the first workshop. We will focus on the principles, application, and interpretation of results using R, and will cover topics such as variogram modeling, empirical variogram, estimation techniques, and prediction uncertainty.

You should be familiar with R and the basic concepts of GIS data, should have taken an introductory course in statistics, and know the basics of linear algebra.

Jan 06
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Open Source GIS

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This workshop will provide a fast paced introduction to georeferenced vector data analysis. We will explore the power and functionalities of QGIS and R for reading, manipulating, and analyzing vector GIS data. Participants will also learn to generate production quality maps. Some exposure to R will he helpful but is not required.

Sep 12
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Geometric Network Analysis

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This workshop will cover GIS concepts and techniques for analyzing geometric networks embedded in geographical space. We will mainly focus on road network, but the ideas and techniques apply to similar network such as the water and electricity distribution networks and gas pipelines. We will use open source tools in R and QGIS.

You should know the introductory concepts and tools in GIS and should be familiar with R. Familiarity with QGIS is not required.

Sep 12
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Open Source GIS

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This workshop will provide a gentle introduction to open source GIS tools in R and QGIS. We will cover introductory GIS concepts and will explore the functionalities of R and QGIS for manipulating and analyzing vector GIS data. Familiarity with R is required.

Apr 26
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Paper on the impact of mode sharing on sentiment using geosocial media data accepted for publication by Journal of Location-Based Services

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A paper by lead author Greg Rybarczyk, Associate Professor of Geography and GIS at U-M Flint, and Syagnik Banerjee, Associate Professor of Marketing at UM-Flint, has been accepted for forthcoming publication by the Journal of Location-Based Services. Both Banerjee and Rybarczyk are MIDAS Affiliated Faculty Members.

Citation: Rybarczyk, G., S. Banerjee, and M. Starking-Szymanski, and R. Shaker. (2018) “Travel and us: The impact of mode share on sentiment using geosocial media data and GIS” Journal of Location-Based Services (forthcoming)

Abstract: Commute stress is a serious health problem that impacts nearly everyone. Considering that microblogged geo-locational information offers new insight into human attitudes, the present research examined the utility of geo-social media data for understanding how different active and inactive travel modes affect feelings of pleasure, or displeasure, in two major U.S. cities: Chicago, Illinois and Washington D.C. A popular approach was used to derive a sentiment index (pleasure or valence) for each travel Tweet. Methodologically, exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) and global and spatial regression models were used to examine the geography of all travel modes and factors affecting their valence. After adjusting for spatial error associated with socioeconomic, environmental, weather, and temporal factors, spatial autoregression models proved superior to the base global model. The results showed that water and pedestrian travel were universally associated with positive valences. Bicycling also favorably influenced valence, albeit only in D.C. A noteworthy finding was the negative influence temperature and humidity had on valence. The outcomes from this research should be considered when additional evidence is needed to elevate commuter sentiment values in practice and policy, especially in regards to active transportation.

Concentration of check-ins across different travel modes across different parts of the city of Chicago.