lncreasingly, methods of spatial analysis are being integrated within eeographical information systems. As this integration occurs, it is important to ensure that, (i) users of GIS recognize the limitations of spatial analysis, (ii)
researchers continue to work on removing the existing impediments to iccurate spatial analysis, and (iii) developers of GIS consider these limitations. In this article we discuss eight general impediments that arise in spatial analyses that span a diverse range of substantive applications. Geographical information systemi offer not orrly the opportunity to integrate various methods of spatial analysis, but also the chance to learn more about the underlying impediment
Utilizing the property that the distances from all points located on the borderline of buffer zone to corresponding buffer target are the same, this paper presents a novel method of buffer generation based on vector boundary tracing. The new method can avoid complex vector calculations, such as line and curve segment intersection, clipping and recombination, the
closure of borderline and so on, and also has an advantage of high precision the same as all existing vector-based algorithms. The main steps of this algorithm include: (1) Generate the initial tracing point set located on the borderline of buffer zone; (2) Obtain an integrated and closed borderline by tracing these points; (3) Construct the area targets on the basis of these losed borderlines. The test results and analysis indicate that this algorithm has a great advantage in the aspects of decreasing EMS memory consumption and improving calculation accuracy, and its computational efficiency can fully meet the demand of usual application in GIS. Furthermore, the principle of
boundary tracing in the algorithm has a potential for further being promoted and used to design related spatial analysis algorithms.
Buffer Analysis is one of the most important
functions of spatial analysis in GIS. This paper uses
rotation transform point formula and recursion method to
further improve on the vector buffer generation algorithm
of d ouble parallel lines and circular arcs, simplifies the
process of the generation of parallel lines and the circular
correction of sharp angles, and finds a better solution to
intersection problem of borderlines of buffer zone.