Taifūrin: IoT sound installation as a typhoon warning system

Conventionally, digital disaster warnings are delivered through either map interface applications or with systems that provide alerts through either an application or cell broadcasting. Although recent map applications have become more accessible due to the emergence of platforms such as Google Maps, accessing disaster information often requires some knowledge of web or software applications more broadly. To explore an unconventional way of delivering typhoon information, we created a sound art system that utilises a traditional Japanese wind-chime with an LED attached. This device retrieves a data feed of active typhoons from the Internet. If a typhoon is within a range <1000km of the device, the wind-chime will ring and the LED will flash, with the colour based on the category of the typhoon. Despite its ornamental nature, this work can act as a warning system. In developing this work, we have aimed to demonstrate that geospatial information can be presented to people in ways that move beyond traditional map interfaces. We also aim to demonstrate that the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi can be applied in interaction design

Taifūrin: IoT sound installation as a typhoon warning system

Conventionally, digital disaster warnings are delivered through either map interface applications or with systems that provide alerts through either an application or cell broadcasting. Although recent map applications have become more accessible due to the emergence of platforms such as Google Maps, accessing disaster information often requires some knowledge of web or software applications more broadly. To explore an unconventional way of delivering typhoon information, we created a sound art system that utilises a traditional Japanese wind-chime with an LED attached. This device retrieves a data feed of active typhoons from the Internet. If a typhoon is within a range <1000km of the device, the wind-chime will ring and the LED will flash, with the colour based on the category of the typhoon. Despite its ornamental nature, this work can act as a warning system. In developing this work, we have aimed to demonstrate that geospatial information can be presented to people in ways that move beyond traditional map interfaces. We also aim to demonstrate that the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi can be applied in interaction design

Territorial knowledge and cartographic evolution

The role of geological and geotematic mapping has recently come to the forefront in spatial/environmental management. This paper aims to present some cases of boundary extension in the use of contemporary cartographic tools (GIS and WEBGIS). The potential of digital maps and associated databases offers a wide range of applications, responding to the urgent need to make available to users (practitioners in the technical sectors, planners and society as a whole) the most important concepts to concretely achieve better land management, active risk prevention and sustainable resource enhancement. The application of geomorphological maps to issues closer to society can effectively create its approach to more properly technical-scientific issues, fostering a shared awareness, useful in protecting and enhancing the fragile Italian territory. The described experiences focus on GIS, which confirms its effectiveness both for social involvement in environmental issues, and in territorial/environmental management

Feature info : improving the visualization and usability of GIS background information in the context of a mobile tourist application

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geospatial TechnologiesFeature info is an interactive map tool that allows viewing background information about a map feature in response to a user action. Mobile devices come with a number of limitations, e.g. small screen real estate and the variety of screen sizes, that can affect map and feature info usability. Existing recommendations for feature info design [1], [2], [3] focus mostly on content, i.e. effective communication of data, leaving the “interaction design” aspect overlooked. This Master’s Thesis attempts at improving the visualization and usability of feature info interfaces in the context of mobile tourist applications and presents nine feature info design guidelines that address specific usability problems. The problems were identified through heuristic evaluation of five tourist applications and a user interview. Literature survey and two usability experts provided ideas regarding how several of these problems can be resolved. Three guidelines were evaluated in a lab-based usability test with twenty participants. On average, assessed guidelines demonstrated a significant positive effect on feature info usability by decreasing task completion time by 33% and increasing task completion rate and System Usability Scale (SUS) score by 26% and 28% respectively. Proposed guidelines are not restricted by any specific use case and can be applied to other application domains. Researchers and business practitioners can use the guidelines as a reference in their daily work

Mobile map applications and the democratisation of hazard information

The geospatial web — exemplified by the popularity of Google Maps — has democratised the accessibility of geospatial data that was previously available only to those with expertise in GIS (Geo-graphic information systems). This increased accessibility has re-sulted in critical information — such as the location of bushfires in Australia — being made more accessible to communities vulner-able to such risks. This paper reports on the findings of a research project in Australia that aimed to present near real-time bushfire information in an interface that community-based users found in-tuitive and easy to use. It also describes the early prototype stages of an iPhone application that aims to demonstrate how Japanese natural hazard data can be presented in a more intuitive way. The work described here is intended to encourage organisations and in-dividuals presenting spatial hazard information to non-expert users to consider the needs, abilities and concerns of their intended audi-ence. It also describes the technologies and processes used in the design and development of the MyFireWatch and Mapping Hazards in Japan applications