LandScan USA: A High Resolution Geospatial and Temporal Modeling Approach for Population Distribution and Dynamics

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2007 · GeoJournal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-007-9105-9· OSTI ID:930933

Bhaduri, Budhendra L ^[1]; Bright, Eddie A ^[1]; Coleman, Phil R ^[1]; Urban, Marie L ^[1]

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1. ORNL

High resolution population distribution data are critical for successfully addressing important issues ranging from socio-environmental research to public health to homeland security, since scientific analyses, operational activities, and policy decisions are significantly influenced by the number of impacted people. Dasymetric modeling has been a well recognized approach for spatial decomposition of census data to increase the spatial resolution of population distribution. However, enhancing the temporal resolution of population distribution poses a greater challenge. In this paper, we discuss the development of LandScan USA, a multi-dimensional dasymetric modeling approach, which has allowed creation of very high resolution population distribution data both over space and time. At a spatial resolution of 3 arc seconds (~90m), the initial LandScan USA database contains both a nighttime residential as well as a baseline daytime population distribution that incorporates movement of workers and students. Challenging research issues of disparate and misaligned spatial data integration and modeling to develop a database at a national scale, as well as model verification and validation approaches are illustrated and discussed. Initial analyses indicate a high degree of accuracy for LandScan USA distribution model and data. High resolution population data such as LandScan USA, which describes both distribution and dynamics of human population, clearly has the potential to profoundly impact on multiple domain applications of national and global priority.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Work for Others (WFO)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 930933
• Journal Information: GeoJournal, Vol. 69, Issue 1-2; ISSN 0343-2521
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

97
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
POPULATION DENSITY
POPULATION DYNAMICS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
SPATIAL RESOLUTION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
VALIDATION
VERIFICATION
TIME RESOLUTION
Census
Daytime Population Distribution
Dasymetric Modeling
High Resolution Population
LandScan
Population Dynamics