78
P. Wright
TRANSPORT
Hydrographers are generally most familiar with the transport related applications. All
four of the applications listed in Table 1 have broadly similar requirements for
electronic chart data. Systems that hold this data in a database and allow users to
interrogate the data are GIS, although they are more commonly known as ECS
(Electronic Chart Systems) or ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information
Systems). These systems are specifically designed to be used for navigation, but they
can also form the basis of systems required for other transport related applications.
With the aid of radar and radio communications, operators of vessel traffic services
and port and harbour authorities can use these systems to monitor the behaviour of
vessels in traffic separation schemes and manage vessel movements in port approaches.
Coastguards can use electronic chart display systems to plan and execute search and
rescue operations. Shipping companies may use shore-based GIS to track and manage
vessels, if they are fitted with transponders or use some other means of regularly
reporting their positions to head office.
ENVIRONMENT
Most uses of GIS in the coastal zone are for environmental purposes. In addition to
the specific activities listed in the second section of Table 1, several of the applications
listed elsewhere in the table also have implications for the environment or involve
environmental studies. Within this sector, planners represent the single biggest group
of users of GIS. Planners at local, regional and national levels can use GIS to develop,
assess, record and maintain plans relating to the use not only of the land but also the
sea in the coastal zone. For example, in inshore waters GIS can be used to develop
management plans which attempt to resolve the conflicts which can exist between the
many users of these waters.
GIS also has important applications in resource management and
environmental monitoring. GIS can be used to assist with the management of large
estates, both on land and at sea. For example, they could benefit organisations like the
National Trust, who own and manage large tracts of the coastline of England, Wales
and Northern Ireland; and the Ministry of Defence, which has a large number of
ranges and bases on land and extensive practice and exercise areas at sea. GIS can be
used by conservationists, water quality inspectors and others to plan and record the
results of surveys, and to monitor changes in the environment.
Engineers, planners and insurance companies can use GIS to identify parts of
the coast that are liable to flood or are at risk from coastal erosion. Engineers can take
this work a stage further and use these systems to design coastal protection schemes,
based on studies of tides, waves and sediment transport.
GIS can also be used
extensively to help prevent and combat pollution. By modelling patterns of water
circulation and sediment movement, GIS can be used to predict the effects of dumping
waste at sea. Using similar techniques, coastguards and others can improve the
P. Wright
TRANSPORT
Hydrographers are generally most familiar with the transport related applications. All
four of the applications listed in Table 1 have broadly similar requirements for
electronic chart data. Systems that hold this data in a database and allow users to
interrogate the data are GIS, although they are more commonly known as ECS
(Electronic Chart Systems) or ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information
Systems). These systems are specifically designed to be used for navigation, but they
can also form the basis of systems required for other transport related applications.
With the aid of radar and radio communications, operators of vessel traffic services
and port and harbour authorities can use these systems to monitor the behaviour of
vessels in traffic separation schemes and manage vessel movements in port approaches.
Coastguards can use electronic chart display systems to plan and execute search and
rescue operations. Shipping companies may use shore-based GIS to track and manage
vessels, if they are fitted with transponders or use some other means of regularly
reporting their positions to head office.
ENVIRONMENT
Most uses of GIS in the coastal zone are for environmental purposes. In addition to
the specific activities listed in the second section of Table 1, several of the applications
listed elsewhere in the table also have implications for the environment or involve
environmental studies. Within this sector, planners represent the single biggest group
of users of GIS. Planners at local, regional and national levels can use GIS to develop,
assess, record and maintain plans relating to the use not only of the land but also the
sea in the coastal zone. For example, in inshore waters GIS can be used to develop
management plans which attempt to resolve the conflicts which can exist between the
many users of these waters.
GIS also has important applications in resource management and
environmental monitoring. GIS can be used to assist with the management of large
estates, both on land and at sea. For example, they could benefit organisations like the
National Trust, who own and manage large tracts of the coastline of England, Wales
and Northern Ireland; and the Ministry of Defence, which has a large number of
ranges and bases on land and extensive practice and exercise areas at sea. GIS can be
used by conservationists, water quality inspectors and others to plan and record the
results of surveys, and to monitor changes in the environment.
Engineers, planners and insurance companies can use GIS to identify parts of
the coast that are liable to flood or are at risk from coastal erosion. Engineers can take
this work a stage further and use these systems to design coastal protection schemes,
based on studies of tides, waves and sediment transport.
GIS can also be used
extensively to help prevent and combat pollution. By modelling patterns of water
circulation and sediment movement, GIS can be used to predict the effects of dumping
waste at sea. Using similar techniques, coastguards and others can improve the