Detection and Solution of Cartographic Conflicts Based on Auxiliary Grid Structures
Summary
Cartographic problems arise when data sets of different degree of geometric or semantic levels are combined; or when a data set is not represented at the scale it was intended for. This results often in map-like products that do not conform to high cartographic standards.
Cartographers have developed an extensive catalogue of graphical guidelines, with the goal to produce maps that are easily readable. Unfortunately, most current graphics software does not consider these guidelines, since these programs often only offer limited drawing tools, or are not specifically designed for cartographic applications. If the cartographic guidelines are not respected, conflicts arise that reduce the readability of the map. Examples are overlapping map elements; elements that lay too close to each other; elements that keep too little a distance to their neighbors; or unsuited symbols; etc. These cartographic conflicts must first be detected and then be solved. Both processes require a lot of time if no support from specialized software is available. An automated solution is therefore highly desirable.
The main focus of this project is the detection of cartographic conflicts. Criteria for the detection of cartographic conflicts shall be identified. They then need to be formalized in order to be used by algorithms. The detection and the solution of cartographic conflicts will be based on the use of auxiliary grid structures. These grid structures serve as an invisible assistance and contain references to the affected map elements. They offer the possibility to consider the symbolization of map elements when detecting conflicts ˝U something that most other methods neglect. Furthermore, conflicts between very different types of objects can be detected (e.g. lines, areas, text, pattern fillings, etc.).
This project also aims at developing exemplary methods for the solution of conflicts. These methods also rely on the use of an auxiliary grid structure. Depending on the type of conflict, two different groups of conflict solution are available: (1) The geometry or semantic of objects involved in the conflict is changed ˝U or (2) the involved objects are represented by a rule-based symbol. The first approach is based on operators known from generalization research, but built on top of a grid structure. The second group of solutions aims at solving cartographic conflicts between symbols that take the vicinity of map objects into account.
Project period
20.10.2004 – ?
Researchers
Lead: Hurni, Lorenz
Internal: Jenny, Bernhard Jost.
Funding sources
SNF
Partner
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Web
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Publications
Jenny, Bernhard. 2006-01-01. Analysis of the planimetric accuracy of historical maps with digital tools. National Centre for Maps and Cartographic Heritage, Thessaloniki, 87-91.
Jenny, Bernhard. 2006-01-01. Geometric distortion of schematic network maps. The bulletin of the Society of Cartographers, SoC, (40), Cambridge, 15-18.
Jenny, Bernhard. 2006-01-01. MapAnalyst, A digital tool for the analysis of the planimetric accuracy of historic maps. E-perimetron, Hellenic National Centre for Maps and Cartographic Heritage, (3/ 1), Thessaloniki, 239-245.
Jenny, Bernhard. 2007-01-01. Planimetric Analysis of Historical Maps with MapAnalyst. Sonderheft der Fachzeitschrift für Kartengeschichte Cartographica Helvetica, Cartographica Helvetica, (19), Murten, 62-63.
Jenny, Bernhard; Weber, Adrian; Hurni, Lorenz. 2007-01-01. Visualizing the Planimetric Accuracy of Historical Maps with MapAnalyst. Cartographica, University Press, (1/ 42), Toronto, 89-94.