CIAO-WPS - Utilizing semantic web (web 3.0) techniques to assist in the automatic orchestration of geospatial processes and datasets

Abstract

Current geospatial datasets and web services are disparate, obscure and difficult to expose to the world. With the advent of geospatial processes utilizing temporal data and big data, along with datasets continually increasing in size, the problem of under-exposed datasets and web services is amplified. This paper proposes the integration of Semantic Web concepts and technologies into geospatial datasets and web services, making it possible to link these datasets and services via functionality, the inputs required and the outputs produced. To do so requires the extensive use of metadata to allow for a standardised form of description of their function. This research also visits the concept of using ontologies to store processes. A simple prototype termed CIAO-WPS (Chet’s Intelligent, Automatically-Orchestrated Web Processing Services) is created as a proof of concept, using the Python programming language. The prototype seeks to reinforce ideas in regards to pathing and cost constraints, as well as explore overlooked designs.