Optimization of Pre-Processing of Extensive Projects in Geographic Information Systems

The paper deals with the methodology of pre-processing of the datasets within large-scale projects in geographic information systems (GIS) with the aim to achieve optimum processing of GIS project within the given information infrastructure (hardware, software) with consideration of the human factor. The proposed method is based on a hierarchical decomposition of the sets of input datasets into equivalent classes according to two aspects: territorial and thematic. The core of the solution is special-purpose algorithmization in the Python scripting language, which provides a homeomorphism of the transform from a set of input data into a set of data of the project. Data are stored for the given purpose in digital geo-database in a specially created project template in ArcGIS 10 environment. The proposed method of data pre-processing was realized on the project of data analysis of storage of gas facilities under certain types of terrain surface in the Czech Republic of the area of 64,350 km(2). This analysis was done in order to determine reproductive values of gas facilities (pipelines) of RWE energy group and the valuation of costs which would be necessary to spend for building new networks. The results are used for strategic planning of maintenance and development of gas facilities in the Czech Republic.