Reliable, cutting-edge image and data processing is a cornerstone of CGIS. Researchers are busy discovering, implementing and refining novel image and data processing techniques that are or may soon revolutionize standards in transportation asset management, remote sensing and GIS computing. Continued advances in super computing and laser technology have our scientists excited about the possibilities in the future.

Vector Overlays: Efficient use of time and resources is always of concern when processing data. Imagine a decrease in processing time from three weeks to five seconds. Throughfunding from NSF, researchers have discovered methods that accomplish such decreases in computer processing time for a variety of gis-based tasks. Specifically, CGIS researchers have identified parallelized solutions for vector overlay computations by testing their scalable implementation on the Azure cloud platform, Graphics Processing Units, and grid computations through Message Passing Interfaces. A patent is pending for this data processing solution.

Asset Management: The Center continues to improve asset management techniques and cost savings for federal and state transportation agencies through the development of new procedures and methods for data integration, pavement analysis and reporting. As a result of research at CGIS, pavement design engineers at Georgia DOT are now able to effectively conduct spatial data queries, visualization, analysis, and reporting for the State's 18,000-centerline-mile highway network by using a customized collection system that includes a state of the art GPS-enabled handheld system, a centralized database, and GIS-based web application. In a federally funded pilot project, CGIS researchers have integrated advanced laser technology, image processing algorithms, and GPS/GIS technologies into an intelligent sensing system used to collect asset data that is user friendly, reliable, and most importantly, efficient. This intelligent sensing system may soon become a standard in transportation asset management across the nation.