Geospatial Information Modeling and

Implementation for Navigation, Tracking and Address Location Services in Jordan

Nedal Al-Hanbali1, Eyad Fadda2, Alaa Kassab3, Mohammad Ayesh4, Rabeea Smadi5

Head of Geomatics Information System Dept., Limitless LLC, Tel:

0097143601887; Fax: 0097143601805 nedal.alhanbali@limitless.ae ; nedalalhanbali@yahoo.ca

2Assistant Professor, Surveying and Geomatics Eng. Dept., Al-Balqa Applied University 3, 4, 5 Geomatics Engineers, Surveying and Geomatics Eng. Dept., Al-Balqa Applied

University

Key words: Geospatial Data-model, Ortho-photo Generation, Tracking/Navigation Software, Network/Transportation Model, Address Geocoding/Location Abstract: Drafting proper procedure to utilized available spatial database to be used for Georeferencing, navigation, and tracking is a main objective of this work that can be implemented as an interactive decision support and navigation system for planning applications.. The other objectives of this work is focused on designing accordingly a suitable geospatial model, drafting implementation procedure, building the geospatial information system and testing the results using GPS control network and specially developed customized GIS software. The resultant system can be also utilized for Navigation and address location applications To implement the above, the work is divided into several steps. The first step was to build complete and precise raster data base maps for Jordan using IKONOS, Landsat and SPOT satellite images with clear implementation procedure and control. These layers can be used to layout the road networks of Jordan as well as the boundary and administration layers. The second step is to build an accurate raster base map for Greater Amman city that can be used for several applications such as tracking, geospatial reference maps for road network and navigation. In order to execute these two steps, well control GPS network for Amman City and Jordan were built. The third step is to build three-D geospatial model with thematic layers of utilities, public organization, schools, hospitals, healthy centers, commercial centers, mosques, ministries, police centers, malls, gas stations, banks, hotels, associations, and institutions (companies) for Jabal Al-Hussein area. Thus, network geometry and Geocoding model is built into the three-D geospatial model to complete the database modeling process. Finally, customized GIS software is developed using map object and VB.NET for navigation, tracking, and Geocoding (address location) that can utilize the above dataset.

2

1. Introduction The contribution of the rapid advancement and innovations in the applications of Geographical Information Systems and Geo Imaging technology to planning and decision making is not only a useful visual tool, but it constitutes an essential role in the planning process. It acts as the infrastructure base for building on top other information from various perspectives. Geospatial Information System can be defined as an interactive decision support system. Examples are numerous on utilizing GIS as decision support system for planning purposes, such as GIS and multi-criteria analysis for land management (Joerin et. al. 2001, Lovett 2005), towards flexible GIS user interfaces for creative engineering (Golay F. et. All 2000), system integration of GIS and rule-based expert system for urban mapping and visualization (choi and Usery 2004) and a GIS-based interaction database system (Al-hanbali and Sadoun 2006). Other work put even more focuses on the rote of using geospatial information as a base infrastructure to designing a GIS-based computer supported collaborative system for urban planning (Appleton and Lovett 2005). It is in fact, the current trend in modern organization towards flatter structures and the involvement of many stakeholder groups in solving decision problems based on what can be called spatial decision support systems (Jankowski et. All 1997 and 2001). On the other hand one has to decide on the role, limits and development of using/institutionalize GIS and Geo-Imagery in planning, visualization and decision support systems (Cartwright et.all. 2004, bishop et. all. 2005, and Al-Hanbali 2005b). In developing courtiers, the need for GIS and Geo-Imagery is even more as there are more urban planning problems, and in many situations, almost no planning strategies. Thus, you need more resources and information to help visualize the complication of the problem for decision making analysis. In fact, geo-spatial information systems act as the infrastructure base for building on top other information from various perspectives. System integration of GIS and rule-based expert system for urban mapping with more focuses on the role of using geospatial information as a base infrastructure to designing a GIS-based computer supported collaborative system for school mapping (Al-Hanbali et. All 2004, and 2007). Networking/Transportation and Address Geocoding modeling is an important component of human life, it is absolutely necessary for most social and economic activities, where People use transportation to get from one activity to the other. It is a representation of travel choices made by individual across a geographic area, impacting physical structures such as roads, bridges, parking areas, and intersections, Al-Hanbali 2005a and 2005b. In addition, networking modeling is becoming a necessity for location/allocation problems to precisely define service areas and best/shortest paths and cross-correlation spatial relations between various objects. Address Geocoding is the process of assigning addresses to specific locations by using address information located in an existing theme. It is very efficient in locating areas/objects/places

3

needed to define planning/study areas of interest in an interactive-spatial decision support system. However, a major complication is to build such suitable geospatial database that is, normally, not available at local municipalities, or if available, would be at a very high price. Many efforts are done to build low-cost geospatial database from available paper tourist and topographic maps with the aid of Geo-imagery, example of that is for determining ATM bank locations in Amman city, other examples area illustrated in Al-Hanbali and Sadoun 2006, see also Al-Hanbali 2005a and 2005b. The Objective of this work is to explore and discusses in details the methodology and implementation procedure used to build up a law-cost unified Geospatial information system that can be used for Georeferencing, navigation, Tracking, Networking and Address location using the available resources that can be used as a spatial decision support system process for related applications. This work is considered as a pilot project for the three-D geospatial modeling, this will help to build the required steps for automation production, as well as allows for various spatial analysis techniques in a three-D environment, see MacFarlane et. all. 2005, Al-Hanbali et. all. 2006a, 2006b and 2006c. Finally, software is developed using map object and VB.NET for navigation, tracking, and Geocoding (address location) that can utilize the above dataset to be used in any Pocket-PC or PDA.

2. Objectives:

The objective of this work is to discuss the methodology and implementation steps used to Building unified Geospatial information system that can be used as an interactive spatial decision support system. It demonstrates the usefulness of three-dimensional modeling, and explore the capabilities of current technologies and off-the-shelf software such ArcGIS via pilot projects. The paper concludes by discussing the lessons learnt in undertaking a cross-disciplinary software approach to developing and applying these steps, and also, offering some future directions in the application of 3D geographical visualization. The following are the achieved results in the developed software that can be used also for Georeferencing, navigation, Tracking, Networking and Address location:

1- Manage vector and raster layers and the ability to add and navigate through satellite imageries such as: IKONOS, SPOT, LANDSAT …etc.

2- Navigate over the map by applying basic tools on such as: zoom in, zoom out, pan, measure distance between two points...

3- Create an address locator that can be used for Geocoding processing and finding the address on default way or inverse Geocoding.

4- Make a Real time navigation analysis by connecting a GPS device to the software and start read from, so we apply the purpose of location based service (LBS) that can be used in many application.

4

5- Playback of navigation file and viewing the movement of roving vehicle displaying all information that might be needed.

6- Track and mange moving vehicle over the GSM network that can provide good solution for several applications such as: police management.

7- Get any information about the features on the map and manage colors, sizes and styles of the layers.

The following figure shows the software objectives as input and output to be managed that provide suitable solution for navigation/tracking and address location to be used as interactive spatial decision and navigation system:

Figure 1: Schematic Diagram: Input and Output of the system

3. Methodology of Geospatial Information Modeling:

The following are the planning and implementation steps required to model and build an interactive geospatial information systems for decision making and planning applications: First: GIS DATA Modeling: This is an important step to define all required geospatial databases including vector and raster classes and their relationship classes based on the defined objectives of the project. This will draft what is required and missing to build the required GIS database for modeling. Second: To build an accurate raster base map for Greater Amman city and Jordan that can be used for several applications such as tracking, geospatial

5

reference maps for road network correction and navigation The following are followed to

1- Establish a well designed Ground Control Points based on building a GPS network distributed around Amman city and overall Jordan.

2- Rebuild a detailed DTM of the freely available STRM 3arc-second DTM data-base to proper format and projection system.

3- Use 3D affine transformation method to rebuild and precisely re-project the Orthophoto raster base-map of the satellite imageries using the built GPS network as well as the DTM.

4- Build precise Orthophotos raster base-maps for Amman using IKONOS imageries using the ground control network. The achieved precision is about 4-5 m for mountainous aeras and 2-3 m for flatter areas.

5- Build raster base maps for Jordan: Using Landsat and SPOT imageries to build an accurate three raster base maps for Jordan with different scales based on the following precisions: 25m, 12.5m and 10m.

Third: To build a Geospatial information system based on complete and precise Orthophotos-raster data base maps for Jordan using IKONOS, Landsat and SPOT satellite images. These layers can be used to layout the road networks of Jordan as well as the boundary, administration and all needed vector layers. To achieve the 2D/3D GIS data-model was implemented to build the geospatial information system. All needed information are acquired/digitized to built all required thematic layers in 2D and 3D. The Transportation/Networking and Geocoding model for Jabal Al-Hussein district is also implemented. Fourth: To build three-D model with thematic layers of utilities, public organization, schools, hospitals, healthy centers, commercial centers, mosques, ministries, police centers, malls, gas stations, banks, hotels, associations, and institutions (companies) for Jabal Al-Hussein area. Thus, network geometry and Geocoding model is built into the three-D geospatial model to complete the database modeling process. This work is considered as a pilot project for the three-D geospatial modeling. It will help to build the required steps for automation production, as well as allows for various spatial analysis techniques in a three-d environment. FINALLY: To developed software using map object and VB.NET for navigation, tracking, and address location (Geocoding) that can utilize the above dataset to be used in any pocket-pc and/or PDA. The resultant data-model offer flexible and interactive geospatial information system that can be used as a visual/interactive spaitail decision support system for data planning and management. The following sections illustrate the implementation of the above discusses implementation steps and explained procedureS. The sections are the implementation results of the above discussed methodology for various applications that are related to the conducted pilot project named 3d GIS visualization for Jabal Al-Hussein area in Amman city. Figure 2 illustrate the schematic diagram of the implemented methodology to achieve the anticipated objectives of this work.

6

Figure 2: schematic diagram of the implemented methodology for building geospatial information system for Jordan.

7

In this project, several softwares were employed and used in order to complete the required production, which are the following: ArcGIS software (ArcView, ArcEditor, Network Analyst, Linear Reference Systems, Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst, and ArcScene modules), ENVI 4.2, PCI V10, AutoCAD, Photoshop. In addition, developing compiler application are employed such as MapObject, VB.NET and GPS XML model and SMS-Wireless communication XML model. The following Satellite images raster data-sets were used for this project:

IKONOS satellite images for Amman: ten images cover large part of Amman and part of Balqa and whole Zarqa. These images are: Supported with RPC file; Colored with 1 meter resolution; UTM projection system.

Landsat satellite images: eleven images cover Jordan and some areas of the neighbor countries of Jordan and are: seven bands with 25 meter resolution; Panchromatic: 12.5 meter; UTM projection systems.

SPOT satellite images: thirty-five images cover Jordan and some areas of the neighbor countries of Jordan and are: freely available on the internet; 10 meter resolution; Geographic_ WGS 84.

SRTM 3 arc-sec DTM (about 90 meter spacing with 16 meter vertical accuracy) images for Jordan and the surrounding areas.

4. GIS Modeling & Mapping Applications

4.1 Orthophoto Raster-Maps Modeling: The orthorectification process combines several sets of input data to place each pixel in the correct ground location using the image orientation file (RPC file), the well distributed ground control network points as well as DTM generated from the freely available SRTM data. The model used is illustrated in Figure 3a.

(a) (b) Figure 3: (a) RPC modeling concept. (b) Distribution of ground control points

using buffering spatial modeling for Amman city.

A

BC

KAT

SWEL

ZAR

8

Note that to provide best result; the following strategies are followed: Adjust each image using the affine transformation and the projected

DTM to produce an orthophoto of the area; Use the well distributed ground control points GCP (Figure 3b

illustrates the distribution network for Amman city) to wrap the image is to its exact location. The resultant precisions were about 4-5 meters for very mountainous areas and 2-3 meters for flatter areas. It was noticed that if the two steps are adjusted together the precision decorates to about 5-7 meters;

Mosaic images that are on the same flying line of the satellite using cubic convolution resembling;

Adjust the resultant mosaic images using the ground control points once more;

Mosaic lateral lines to together with a 50 pixels width feathering and the cubic convolution method;

Adjust the resultant mosaic image using the ground control points once more; see Figure 4;

Proceed with the same procedure using LandSat imagery. Processing SPOT imagery is by direct mosaicking of all imageries

without the need for GCP wrapping, because of its perfect projection. The used SPOT imagery is based on the freely offered b&W images from the internet for Jordan.

Pan sharpening is then conducted to color SPOT and the B&W LandSAT (12.5 m resolution) imagery using the aligned LandSat (25 m resolution) imagery, see Figure 5.

Figure 4: Mosaicking of 1&2 and 2&3 strips of IKONOS to produce the final raster base-map for Amman City. GCP’s distribution is also illustrated.

Figure 5: Image Sharpening process for SPOT images

9

4.2 Virtual city Modeling Municipalities are becoming more and more interested in building unified Geospatial information system that can be used for Georeferencing, navigation, Tracking, Networking and Address location modeling. This modeling process is important to draft the road for virtual city modeling and interactive spatial decision support systems. It demonstrates the usefulness of three-dimensional modeling, and explore the capabilities of current technologies and off-the-shelf software such ArcGIS via pilot projects. This trend coincides with the need to better understand the related problems/issues visually that reflects true reality. With increase size of population, better city planning is to manage the third dimension to provide the decision making process more eyes and prospective to see reality. Environmental issues for example such as studying noise and pollution effects in city, have to be based on 3D studies rather than 2D prospective. Along this track, a pilot project for an area of interest to build 3D model for Amman city, Jordan, using simple approach. The approach followed in this Application is based on building 3d model based on 2D vector layers and the height attribute using color-coding texture mapping classifications, see Al-Hanbali et. All 2006a. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate clips from a 3D virtual reality animation generated for Jordan and Al-Hussein area in Amman City, zooming from 3D Jordan going down to Amman then to Al-Hussein area. Where real tracks using PDA with GPS are imported as GIS files, then adding these track files to ArcScene environment, showed a nice 3D virtual environment of the area.

Figure 6: 3D modeling with color-coding texture mapping of Al-Hussein area. The following is a suggested simple procedure that one can follow to show the effectiveness of using simple approach to model the third dimension approximately.

10

1. Fetch Building types, commercial, residential, public/ government/ ministry, hotel/hospital/mall, mosque/church, school/police-center, gas station …etc. All these information are normally available in the files/databases of the Municipality. The problem is to convert it to digital spatially-linked format such as shape files. Nowadays, there is a big motivation towards building a 2D GIS for cities and urban areas. In Jordan, Amman is almost completely converted to GIS formats. Thus, this kind of information can be determined.

2. Determine Floors numbers for each building, based on the type of building, each floor can be assigned a certain height that follows the building-codes in the country. For example in Jordan, the normal height is about 2.75 m. To determine this, one or more of the following can be followed.

a. The municipality files. However, it might not reflect true condition as the information is not updated. Thus, other methods should be used for cross-checking.

b. High resolution Satellite images, which show some details for tall buildings as it has some inclinations.

c. Field survey with printed out satellite image of the area of interest. This solution would be reliable. This can also be conducted with a laser distance measurement device (hand-held device) such as the Lieca model that doesn't need more than shooting various spots representing the floors heights of the building.

3. Determine the locations of bridges/tunnels and their height is also important. Satellite images and field survey can assess.

4. Build 2D GIS layers of the features of interest, and add this information as attribute to the 2D GIS layers.

5. Duplicate the buildings layers for the case of modeling multi-story buildings. Thus, two layers for two story buildings, three layers for three story buildings ….etc, tell all multi story buildings are modeled.

6. Assign in ArcScene/ArcMap, environment the height attribute and base height, result in building up the buildings in 3D automatically.

7. Add to these layers a DTM as the base height will result in a 3D view of your area of interest.

Figure 7: 3D model of Jordan and Amman City clips

Amman Ci

JORDAN

11

8. Classify the buildings with various colors and texture symbol according to their type and usage would make very representative and distinguish and closer to reality.

9. Add road network layers and match it to its exact position in the raster images.

10. Build the spatial and topology network rules to be ready for any spatial network analysis and location/allocations applications. Many issues should be noted during the construction of the network topology, most importantly is the digitizing direction. If the segment of a street is with digitizing direction then it is entered in the attribute of streets as "FT", otherwise it is entered as "TF" and also the restricted turns, Figure 8.

Figure 8: An example shows the one-way attribute of the streets and the restricted turns on an intersection

11. Build Geocoding scheme that give the ability to locate on the map based on addresses attributes by building the proper attributes to the streets and buildings, Figure 9.

Figure 9a: The result from Geocoding process of specified address

Geocoding model Strategy: If building layers with numbering streams is available, exact location based on buildings attributes and address strategy can be identified. Another strategy is to divide the street into unitary segments based on and scaled according to the exact street length. Addresses can then be located accordingly with good precision (0.25 of the unitary size).

Figure 9a: Schematic Diagram of Geocoding processing workflow.

12

4.3 Tracking Systems

4.3.1 Software components and Development: The develop software can help in navigation and tracking application and provide a solution of navigation system to be applied in all around Jordan. The software makes the integration between GPS device to the benefits for determination the location on the ground and using raster and vector maps to build a complete navigation and tracking system with location based service analysis that might be used in many applications such as:

• Delivery services. • Police management. • Rescuing and emergency cases. • Military purposes. • Fleet planning and management. • Driving direction analysis.

As illustrated in Figure 10, the nice thing about this developed system is its flexibility using communications devices. The user can connect his/her laptop to a GPS device through serial port or wireless connection and begin the navigation process. The software should immediately match the coordinates from GPS into the map viewing the real location projected on the map so that it can answer the question that “where am I?”. NMEA 0183 format is the output of the GPS device and it is better that the software should parse this format to take the required data that can be used to determine the location of the user, then transform it to coordinate to match the coordinate system of the map and got a moving point around the navigation/tracking area. Various projection systems can be implemented.

Figure 10: HAMR Real-Time Navigation/Tracking system workflow. To activate tracking over a server/computer side, the tracking system must establish a connection between roving vehicle (client) and supervisor (server)

13

to reach the purpose of tracking an object. GSM network can be the media of this connection, where in the client side the software is connected to SIM card or mobile phone with wireless connection (such as Bluetooth), sending an SMS automatically after acquiring the coordinates from the GPS to the mobile phone to the server side, that SMS contain the coordinates of the rover, altitude and speed. On the server side a modem is connected to the software and start to be listener for any new SMS from rover. If modem is not available a mobile phone with Bluetooth wireless connection can be also used to receive the SMS messages. When the SMS reach the server mobile phone it sends this SMS to the software to be parsed and matched on the map to project the location, altitude and speed of the rover, See Figures 10 and 11.

(a) (b) Figure 11: (a) GPS Navigation/Tracking Panel. (b) Tracking Display overview

4.3.2 Software Analysis, Navigation & Address Geocoding

Figure 12: An example shows track made on Amman city using HAMR developed navigation and address location software system.

The illustrated software in Figures 12, 13 and 14 can be implemented on a Navigation laptop. In the near future it will be built to work on Pocket-PC or a

View Log file for AT-

Start Tracki

List of receivi

ng

Port PropertiesPlayback

navigation file mode

Units and Format

Recording the

path of

Fix informat

Signal to Noise Ratio

Port properties

Coordinates in Geographic and UTM

Velocity and Orientation

PRN Numbers DOP

informati

Satellites locations

14

Candidates View

Address

Find Address

Result from the AddressThe

clicked location

PDA. It acts as an interface for navigation and address location (Geocoding). One can employ several aspects such as:

Determining the navigation orientation (see Figure 12) Tracking vehicles with server installation and communication. Determining best rout/path to specific location on the map (see Figure

14b and c). Finding service areas and closest facility such as hotels, hospitals or

restaurants...etc (see Figure 14a). Determining location of certain addresses and suggesting best path

(see Figure 14b). Finding the corresponding addresses Geocoding of clicked position on

the map (see Figure 14a).

(a) (b) (c) Figure 13: (a) Service area of 500m around specified facility on Jabal Al-

Hussein. (b) The shortest distance to arrive all schools in Jabal Al-Hussein from specified facility. (c) Direction report of the result path.

(a) (b)

Figure 14: Address Geocoding: (a) Inverse Geocoding process, by locating a position one can get the address. (b) Find an address using the address

locator on the map.

15

5. Discussion

In order to achieve the objective of this research work of building unified Geospatial information system that can be used for Georeferencing, navigation, Tracking, Networking and Address location. The system would be suitable as an interactive spatial decision support system for planning and navigation applications. Based on the gained experience in this work, several important issues are essential to be taken into consideration to provide satisfactory results that can be summarized as following:

1- Proper planning and study of the region of interest to know all needed elements of the project, to make proper GIS data model design and implementation procedures.

2- Data Collection and processing should be well planned so as not to duplicate any available data or repetition of measurements such as the proper determination of ground control points, or needed data for 3D modeling of the region of interest, to help better execution of building the GIS data model (vector data, raster data).

3- Determining proper processing procedure using proper modeling will provide better results and lower cost expenses. Example of that what is followed to build the raster data-base maps with free data set such as the SRTM DTM data and georeferenced SPOT images. The determined precision was enough for the needed applications with no extra cost.

4- The simple process for 3D modeling and texture mapping using current off-the-shelf software is efficient enough for municipality application to be utilized as an interactive 3D decision support system. Thus, it is always very important step to know what are the capabilities, the limitations and the suitable tools that can help to better execute the modeling process.

5- Orthophoto, DTM, 2D GIS vector layers are very important to be prepared before hand as they all provide important reference systems for the production of seamless 3D GIS data models.

6- Building 3D models can be done with various methods. Depending on the applications, one should not focus on producing the most accurate model rather than what is needed and how fast and less expensive it can be produced.

7- Networking and address location is very important and becoming essential in many applications for decision support systems, tracking and navigation. Thus, it is important for any institute to work on establishing their own modeling scheme to be standardized in their applications. Addresses describe the locations of places and events and provide directions for finding them. Addresses are broadly used in society for a host of purposes. This means that massive sets of information can be incorporated within the GIS by using addresses to find locations. Thus standardizing the address Geocoding scheme is

16

extremely important. Furthermore, the strategy followed in this paper in case there is not a defined one can be temporary substitute.

8- This research work requires a team of talented and experience researchers working with various softwares and developing environments to reach to satisfactory results.

9- This processing work is very time consuming and thus requires a very efficient and top of the line processor. It requires PC with very high processing power; graphics card, large Hard-drives capacity and RAM (at least One GB). Most important is that each raster model should be split into several smaller tiles that can be easily used, viewed, navigated, exported and imported from one environment to anther.

In this work, a standalone software using the VB.NET compiler (Programming Language) and ESRI Map Objects is built to be used for navigation and tracking and addressing applications for Jordan region, especially Amman and Jordan. It is capable to deal with raster (satellite) images for Jordan & Amman, which have been processed for this objective. The suggested methodology is very flexible that can be utilized and implemented for various types of projects and applications that is becoming a necessity in our future, especially for planning and decision making applications. This can provide very efficient tool for interactive decision support system, navigation, location/allocation, best path and service areas as well as address location and Geocoding. It is developed for laptop with simple implementation strategy using our own mobiles and PC at home.

6 Conclusions and Future work

This work is the result of research that explores the potential of building geospatial information systems and 3D GIS modeling and also determines the best procedure and modeling. The cost also was reduced if compared to what it paid for off-the-shelf purchased orthophotos from the market. The paper illustrates the feasibility of 3D GIS modeling using off-the-shelf softwares. Several applications and procedure followed to explore the various possibilities, suitability and advantages for each application. The achieved precision of the one-meter raster data-base through the implemented procedure were 2-3 meter for flatter areas and 4-5 meter for mountainous areas such as Amman City. This is more than enough for many applications especially for navigation, tracking, and address location as well as for interactive spatial decision support systems for micro-planning strategies and location/allocation problems. Similarly for the 10 meter and 12.5 meter raster data-set, the achieved precision is within 15 meter in addition to the production of pan sharpening colored raster data-set, which is perfect for Marco-planning strategies for location/allocation application using the data as interactive spatial decision support systems. Also it is good to provide the navigation/tracking system the needed layers for such

17

corresponding scale with lower raster-image sizes. Similarly, the 25 meter resolution raster data-set maps (with 23 meter precision) can be used for smaller map scales and Macro-planning applications. These raster data-set maps is also used as a geo-referencing system for matching, correcting, unifying the vector layers and maps to produce seamless vector base-maps for needed applications such as municipalities. Virtual city modeling to build three dimensional GIS models that allow 3D spatial analysis for various applications is presented. The approach used in this work presents a simple strategy that is suitable for required spatial applications. The procedure followed is economic based on available databases and can be implemented easily to deliver quick and sufficient results. For example, what is important in Cadastral applications is not how accurate is your model rather than how presentable to satisfy the required conditions and spatial criteria. Similarly, the same is for Tourism and Navigation. Hence, the paper summarized suitable procedure that requires fewer resources (financial, instrumentation, software and human) to deliver the required 3D spatial analysis quickly. Finally, more work it still required in the area of software development and modeling and web mapping applications especially to communicate the web-mapping software with PDA and Pocket-Pc. One idea is to create a virtual environment in Mega-Malls, were one can used his/her mobile/PDA device to connect to the Mall's-server, to know the location, allocate places to go based on needed products, check adds and discounted prices. This environment is a win-win situation for the Mall owners, the shop owners and the shoppers and customers. It would cover its cost, since the customer can visualize all shops of interest and get the cheapest available. Off course, to achiever on how to reach to such places proper designed 2D and 3D windows have to be implemented. At the same time the shop owner would be interested to put their advertisements on the web site of the Mall to sell their products, which is fine with the Mall owner as long as it pays its cost.

Acknowledgement

This work is the result of collaborative efforts and the help of many organizations that supported directly and indirectly. The authors would like to express their appreciation to the Al-Balqa Applied University who supplied all the hardware and software used in executing this research work. Also, special thank is extended to Nedal Salmeiah and his help is appreciated.

References

1. Al-Hanbali, N, Al-Kharouf, R, Al-Zoubi, M.B. (2007) "Integration of School Mapping Modelling for An Educational Decision Support System: Jordan Case Study", Initial Acceptance form the Association for the Advancement of

18

Modelling and Simulation Techniques in Enterprises (AMSE), has official deposit in the French National Library plus six other indexes.

2. N. Al-Hanbali, and B. Sadoun, 2006,” A GIS-Based Interaction Database System for Planning Purposes”, The Encyclopedia of Human Computer Interaction, Idea Group Inc., 242-252.

3. Al-Hanbali, N. N., Fadda, E., Rawashdeh, S. (2006a), “Building 3D GIS Modeling Applications in Jordan: Methodology and Implementation Aspects”, Innovation in 3D Geo Information Systems, Sٍpringer –Verlag Berlin Heidlberg 2006, Editors: Alias Abdul-Rahman, Sisi Zlatanova and Volker Coors (Eds.), ISBN 10 3-540-36997-x Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York.

4. Al-Hanbali, N. N., Albayari, O., Saleh, B., Almasri, H., Baltsavias, E., (2006b):” MACRO TO MICRO ARCHEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION: BUILDING A 3D GIS MODEL FOR JERASH CITY AND ARTEMIS TEMPLE”, Innovation in 3D Geo Information Systems, Sٍpringer –Verlag Berlin Heidlberg 2006, Editors: Alias Abdul-Rahman, Sisi Zlatanova and Volker Coors (Eds.), ISBN 10 3-540-36997-x Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York.

5. Al-Hanbali, N. N., Fadda, E., Awamleh, B., Durgham, M., (2006c), “Building 3D GIS Model of a University Campus for Planning Purposes: Methodology and Implementation Aspects”, Map Middle East 2006, March, 26 - 29, 2006, Dubai, UAE.

6. Al-Hanbali, N. N., Sarraf, F., Batarseh, S. (2005):” Orthophoto and Mapping Techniques and their Application on Qasr Al Bent”, The fourth International Conference on Sciences & Technology In Archaeology and Conservation, Amman-Zarqa, Dec 7-11.

7. Al-Hanbali, N. N, (2005a):” Building GIS database for Banking”, Part I and Part II, GeoSpatial World 2005 (Enabling the Spatial Enterprise), The Intergraph GeoSpatial Users Community, San Francisco, California, USA, April 26-28, 2005.

8. Al-Hanbali, N. N., (2005b):” GIS Modelling for Spatial Decision Support Systems”, Kuwait 1st International Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Conference, Kuwait, Kuwait, Feb 5-7, pp 10.

9. Al-Hanbali, N. N., Al-Kharouf, R. Al-Zoubi, M.B. (2004):” Integration Of Geo Imagery And Vector Data Into School Mapping GisData-Model For Educational Decision Support System In Jordan”, XXth ISPRS (International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing) congress Conference, Istanbul, Tudkey, July 12-23. pp 135(1-6).

10. Appleton, K. and Lovett, A., 2005 ‘GIS-based visualization of development proposals: reactions from planning and related professionals’. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, Vol. 29, pp. 321-339.

11. Bishop, I., Hull, R. and C. Stock, 2005, ‘Supporting personal world-views in an envisioning system’. Environmental Modeling and Software, Vol. 20, pp. 1459-1468.

12. Cartwright, W. Miller, S. and Pettit, C. 2004, ‘Geographical Visualization: Past, Present and Future Development’. Journal of Spatial Science Vol. 49, No. 1, pp. 25-36.

19

13. Choi, J. and Usery, E. L.., (2004), "System Integration of GIS and Rule-Based Expert System for Urban Mapping, Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing", Vol. 70, No. 2, February, pp. 217-224.

14. Golay, F., Gnerre, D. Riedo, M., (2000). "Towards Flexible GIS User Interfaces for Creative Engineering", International Workshop on Emerging Technologies for Geo-Based Applications, Ascona, May 22-25,10pp.

15. Jankowski, P., Andrienko N. and Andrienko G., (2001), "Map-Centred Exploratory Approach to Multiple Criteria Spatial Decision Making", Geographical Information Science, Vol 15, No.2, pp. 101-127.

16. Jankowski, P., Nyerges, T. L., Smith, A., Moore, T. J., and Horvath, E., (1997), "Spatial Group Choice: a SDSS Tool for Collaborative Spatial Decision-Making", Geographical Information Science, Vol 11, No.6, pp. 577-602.

17. Joerin, F., Theriault, M., and Musy A., (2001), "Using CIS and Outrannking Multicriteria Analysis for Land-Use Suitability Assessment", Geographical Information Science, Vol 15, No.2, pp. 153-174.

18. Lovett, A., 2005 ‘Futurescapes’. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, Vol. 29, pp. 249-253,.

19. MacFarlane, R.; Stagg, H.; Turner, K.; Lievesley, M. 2005. ‘Peering through the smoke? Tensions in landscape visualisation’. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems 29: 341-359.