Challenges and Solutions in Developing a Joint Research Assist System (JoRAS) using Spatial Data Infrastructure: Insights from Long-term Operations at the Center for Spatial Information Science at the University of Tokyo.

The purpose of this study was to support research studies on geospatial information sciences by examining an Internet-based spatial data infrastructure and data-sharing system. The original system’s purpose was to make data available to academic researchers. However, after 10 years of service, it was experiencing problems, such as increased human costs of system operation and increased inconvenience to user operations, which no longer were negligible. In response, the system was rebuilt in 2010 by reviewing and changing its design to address the problems. Two years after the establishment of the new system, its effectiveness and emerging challenges demanded further improvements. This study first summarizes the problems of the original system and the improvements made to it by the new system. It then presents user statistics of the new system. This case study provides guidance to scientists and practitioners who are designing similar systems.