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The Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) Group
is part of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a U.S. Department
of Energy facility at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. GIST and its
predecessor organizations have been leaders in the development,
implementation, and application of systems, science, and
technology for geographic information since 1969 - well before
the advent of commercial GIS offerings. The mission of GIST is
to support national environmental, energy, and defense programs
through research, development, and application of geographic
information and analysis systems.
Current GIST technologies include:
-advanced digital remote sensing
-development of advanced GIS algorithms
-advanced image analysis and interpretation
-automation of imagery processing techniques
-computer cartography and thematic mapping
-3D visualization and animation
-digital terrain modeling
-demographic modeling
-global positioning systems
Current GIST applications include:
-locating surface and subsurface unexploded ordnance using
remote sensing technologies,
-assisting environmental decision-makers through the use of GIS
and remote characterization and monitoring technologies,
-building and maintaining historic geospatial data bases,
-designing and implementing decision support systems,
-developing and managing complex environmental information systems,
-conducting facility modeling and virtual reality applications, and
-assisting in hazard prediction, population at risk estimation,
and visualization associated with atmospheric releases.
Typical applications for GIST's sponsors have included the
assessment of air training routes, three-dimensional terrain
visualization, the siting of weapons facilities, transportation
routing, hazardous waste and hydrogeologic studies, terrain and
landform analysis, military base comprehensive planning and
facilities management, natural resource management,
population-at-risk studies around hazardous sites, studies of
coastal habitat change from satellite imagery, land use
modeling, environment impact analysis, natural hazard prediction
and modeling, and emergency management.
GIST has developed a unique geographic information science and
technology center at ORNL, complete with state-of-the-art
equipment to computerize, analyze, and display spatial
information in two- or three-dimensional forms. Regional,
national, and global databases have been implemented for a wide
range of geographic applications and spatial modeling
activities.
GIST staff provide technical support to other organizations, and
serve as principal investigators for multi-disciplinary and
multi-agency programs. They also consult as specialists in
advanced visualization and GIS/image processing disciplines. The
GIS technology center provides continuing R&D work on new
and emerging technologies. The GIST group contains staff members
and consultants with backgrounds in computer science, geography,
geology, mathematics, physics, chemistry, social sciences, and
business.
GIST conducts work for a wide variety of sponsors including the
DOE, DoD, NASA, NOAA, other government agencies, and private
sector organizations.
Website: "http://www.ornl.gov/sci/gist/"
[Summary provided by GIST]
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