Collaborative virtual geographic environments: A case study of air pollution simulation

Xu, Bo; Lin, Hui; Chiu, Longsang; Hu, Yan; Zhu, Jun; Hu, Min; Cui, Weining

doi:10.1016/j.ins.2011.01.017

Cited by 44 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…On the regional scale, for the air pollution modeling in the PRD area, the Fifth-Generation NCAR/Penn State Mesoscale Model (MM5; Grell, Dudhia, and Stauffer 1994;Dudhia et al 2005) was selected as the atmospheric circulation model, and the Eulerian model based on the modified mesoscale atmospheric model (SYSUM; Xu et al 2011) was selected as the air pollution dispersion model. The computational fluid dynamics model was employed for the local-scale simulation.…”

Section: Implementation Of Each Subenvironmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virtual Geographic Environment: A Workspace for Computer-Aided Geographic Experiments

Lin

Chen

2012

Annals of the Association of American Geographers

Self Cite

135

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A virtual geographic environment (VGE) is a type of workspace for computer-aided geographic experiments (CAGEs) and geographic analyses. By supporting geo-visualization, geo-simulation, geo-collaboration, and human participation, it provides open virtual environments that correspond to the real world to assist computeraided geographic experiments involving both the physical and human dimensions. Based on a discussion of how VGEs can contribute to CAGEs and geographic analyses, this article proposes a clear, systematic framework for VGEs. Four subenvironments are discussed according to their different functions, pertinent issues, and corresponding solutions: (1) the data environment, (2) the modeling and simulation environment, (3) the interactive environment, and (4) the collaborative environment. Furthermore, a case on the simulation of air pollution and its analysis at different geographic scales is used to demonstrate VGEs' ability to facilitate computer-aided geographic experiments. Key Words: subenvironments of VGE, systematic framework for VGE, virtual geographic environment (VGE).Un entorno geográfico virtual (EGV) es un tipo de espacio de trabajo para experimentos geográficos apoyados en computador (EGAC) y para análisis geográficos. Al apoyar la geo-visualización, geo-simulación, geo-colaboración y la participación humana, tal espacio de trabajo provee entornos virtuales abiertos que corresponden al mundo real para ayudar en experimentos geográficos apoyados en computador que involucran las dimensiones tanto físicas como humanas. Con base en una discusión sobre cómo los EGV pueden contribuir a los EGAC y a los análisis geográficos, este artículo propone un marco claro y sistemático para los EGV. Se discuten cuatro subentornos a partir de sus diferentes funciones, asuntos pertinentes y soluciones correspondientes: (1) el entorno de los datos, (2) el entorno de la modelización y la simulación, (3) el entorno interactivo, y (4) el entorno colaborativo. Aun más, se utiliza un caso simulado de polución aérea y su análisis a diferentes escalas geográficas para demostrar la capacidad de los EGAC para facilitar los experimentos geográficos apoyados en computador. Palabras clave: sub-entornos de EGV, marco sistemático para los EGAC, entorno geográfico virtual (EGV).G eography has traditionally been concerned with people, the physical environment, and their relationships (Murphey 1982). The spatiotemporal distribution of phenomena, processes, and features is studied by geographers to elucidate complex interactions between vast and closely interrelated human and environmental systems (Ackerman 1963;Renwick and Rubenstein 1995;Lin 1997;Armstrong 2000;Herbert and Matthews 2004). During this process, various theories, methodologies, and technologies have been employed to assist geographic research (Brunn, Cutter, and Harrington 2004;Clifford, French, and Valentine 2010;Gomez and Jones 2010), and computer-aided geographic experiments (CAGEs) have frequently been used to improve the analyses (Matthews and Herbert 2008)...

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Section: Implementation Of Each Subenvironmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virtual Geographic Environment: A Workspace for Computer-Aided Geographic Experiments

Lin

Chen

2012

Annals of the Association of American Geographers

Self Cite

135

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Since VRGIS needs to process massive amounts of GIS data, and render VR graphics at the same time, VRGIS applications at this time can only run on high-end workstations, and sometimes even require supercomputers. A virtual geographic environment (VGE) is a VRGIS-based platform for multidimensional visualization, dynamic process simulation, and geocollaboration [3,4]. The second wave of VR has brought better graphics hardware and cheaper helmet-mounted displays (HMDs), greatly improving the availability and affordability of virtual reality (VR) technology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Heterogeneous Distributed Virtual Geographic Environment—Potential Application in Spatiotemporal Behavior Experiments

Shen

Gong

Liang

et al. 2018

IJGI

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Due to their strong immersion and real-time interactivity, helmet-mounted virtual reality (VR) devices are becoming increasingly popular. Based on these devices, an immersive virtual geographic environment (VGE) provides a promising method for research into crowd behavior in an emergency. However, the current cheaper helmet-mounted VR devices are not popular enough, and will continue to coexist with personal computer (PC)-based systems for a long time. Therefore, a heterogeneous distributed virtual geographic environment (HDVGE) could be a feasible solution to the heterogeneous problems caused by various types of clients, and support the implementation of spatiotemporal crowd behavior experiments with large numbers of concurrent participants. In this study, we developed an HDVGE framework, and put forward a set of design principles to define the similarities between the real world and the VGE. We discussed the HDVGE architecture, and proposed an abstract interaction layer, a protocol-based interaction algorithm, and an adjusted dead reckoning algorithm to solve the heterogeneous distributed problems. We then implemented an HDVGE prototype system focusing on subway fire evacuation experiments. Two types of clients are considered in the system: PC, and all-in-one VR. Finally, we evaluated the performances of the prototype system and the key algorithms. The results showed that in a low-latency local area network (LAN) environment, the prototype system can smoothly support 90 concurrent users consisting of PC and all-in-one VR clients. HDVGE provides a feasible solution for studying not only spatiotemporal crowd behaviors in normal conditions, but also evacuation behaviors in emergency conditions such as fires and earthquakes. HDVGE could also serve as a new means of obtaining observational data about individual and group behavior in support of human geography research.

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“…Xu et al developed a platform that integrated a computational grid and a VGE system with a meteorological model to improve model computational efficiency [15]. To enable researchers in various fields to collaboratively produce computer-aided geographic environments, researchers have developed collaborative model environments for conducting virtual flood experiments and air pollution simulations [16][17][18]. Concerning human geography, Song et al combined pathogen diffusion and crowd simulation models in a VGE to simulate crowd evacuations for urban management [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The current modelling systems for air quality management in the study area focus primarily on the mechanisms underlying the air quality problem or on collaborative simulations; they pay limited attention to the reproducibility of their modelling studies [17,[49][50][51][52]. Considering this background analysis, we applied the framework of the model base to the model environment and developed one VGE prototype to solve the replication problem in air quality simulation for scientific regional management.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design of a Model Base Framework for Model Environment Construction in a Virtual Geographic Environment (VGE)

Zhang

Zheng

et al. 2017

IJGI

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Abstract:The model environment is a key component that enables a virtual geographic environment (VGE) to meet the scientific requirements for simulating dynamic phenomena and performing analyses. Considering the comprehensiveness of geographic processes and the requirements for the replication of model-based research, this paper proposes a model base framework for a model environment of a VGE that supports both model construction and modelling management, resulting in improved reproducibility. In this framework, model management includes model metadata, creation, deposition, encapsulation, integration, and adaptation; while modelling management focuses on invoking the model, model computation, and runtime control of the model. Based on this framework, to consider the problem of ever-worsening air quality, we applied the Linux-Apache-MySQL-Perl stack plus Supervisor to implement the model base to support a VGE prototype using professional meteorological and air quality models. Using this VGE prototype, we simulated a typical air pollution case for January 2010. The prototype not only illustrates how a VGE application can be built on the proposed model base, but also facilitates air quality simulations and emergency management.

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Collaborative virtual geographic environments: A case study of air pollution simulation

Cited by 44 publications

References 24 publications

Virtual Geographic Environment: A Workspace for Computer-Aided Geographic Experiments

Virtual Geographic Environment: A Workspace for Computer-Aided Geographic Experiments

A Heterogeneous Distributed Virtual Geographic Environment—Potential Application in Spatiotemporal Behavior Experiments

Design of a Model Base Framework for Model Environment Construction in a Virtual Geographic Environment (VGE)

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