Start Date

1-10-2013 11:00 AM

End Date

1-10-2013 11:25 AM

Description

Abstract: Utility network analysis is an established area of research in Geographic Information Science (GIS), but it is yet to feature in a Business Intelligence (BI) environment. Inclusion of this capability in BI can be achieved by modelling a utility network as a star schema. Star schema, which is a well-known data model used in data warehousing for BI solutions, organizes data into several fact tables referencing one or more dimension tables. This simplifies joins to provide fast execution of queries. Furthermore, star schema enables the analysis of data from multiple angles (slicing and dicing). However, modelling spatial data as star schema is still in its infancy for two main reasons, (a) only very recently have researchers started appreciating the importance of GIS capabilities in BI, (b) specific challenges associated with introducing geometry data with complex topological relationships into star schema. In this paper, we present a star schema to model geometric utility networks such as electricity, water and sewer systems. Our schema provides two-way benefits; it brings in an important new capability to BI in terms of spatial data analysis, and it gives non-technical users an opportunity carry out complex utility network analysis in an easy-to-use BI environment. Finally, we present an application of the star schema in service vulnerability assessment for electricity networks.

Citation:

Sadegholvaad, S., Wickramasuriya, R., Ma, J. & Perez, P. (2014). A Star Schema for Utility Network Analysis And Visualisation in a Geo-Business Intelligence Environment. In: Campbell P. and Perez P. (Eds), Proceedings of the International Symposium of Next Generation Infrastructure, 1-4 October 2013, SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong, Australia.

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Oct 1st, 11:00 AM Oct 1st, 11:25 AM

A Star Schema for Utility Network Analysis and Visualisation in a Geo-Business Intelligence Environment

Abstract: Utility network analysis is an established area of research in Geographic Information Science (GIS), but it is yet to feature in a Business Intelligence (BI) environment. Inclusion of this capability in BI can be achieved by modelling a utility network as a star schema. Star schema, which is a well-known data model used in data warehousing for BI solutions, organizes data into several fact tables referencing one or more dimension tables. This simplifies joins to provide fast execution of queries. Furthermore, star schema enables the analysis of data from multiple angles (slicing and dicing). However, modelling spatial data as star schema is still in its infancy for two main reasons, (a) only very recently have researchers started appreciating the importance of GIS capabilities in BI, (b) specific challenges associated with introducing geometry data with complex topological relationships into star schema. In this paper, we present a star schema to model geometric utility networks such as electricity, water and sewer systems. Our schema provides two-way benefits; it brings in an important new capability to BI in terms of spatial data analysis, and it gives non-technical users an opportunity carry out complex utility network analysis in an easy-to-use BI environment. Finally, we present an application of the star schema in service vulnerability assessment for electricity networks.

Citation:

Sadegholvaad, S., Wickramasuriya, R., Ma, J. & Perez, P. (2014). A Star Schema for Utility Network Analysis And Visualisation in a Geo-Business Intelligence Environment. In: Campbell P. and Perez P. (Eds), Proceedings of the International Symposium of Next Generation Infrastructure, 1-4 October 2013, SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong, Australia.