Conceptual Modelling and Spatiotemporal Information Systems: How to Model the Real World

Throughout the relatively young history of research on spatiotemporal modelling, a substantial number of models have been presented. However, since a spatiotemporal model represent a closer approximation to the real world than is the case for traditional models, such models must be based on a thorough understanding of how objects ’behave’ in reality. One way to acquire such knowledge is by using conceptual modelling methodologies. In this paper, an overview of different modelling principles are reviewed. Then a selection of conceptual modelling languages are presented together with examples related to a spatiotemporal problem. Finally, we conclude that spatiotemporal information seems to have a more complex structure than previously assumed. As a step towards models that to a larger degree depicts temporal behaviour in the real world, we suggest ametamodel which is based on a simple behavioural model.