Constraint-Based Evaluation of Automated and Manual Generalised Topographic Maps

摘要

The paper presents research on constraint-based automated evaluation of manual and automated generalised topographic maps. The research is motivated by a EuroSDR project studying the state-of-the-art of commercially available out-of-the-box generalisation software. At the beginning of the project major effort was spent on defining cartographic requirements in a formal way through cartographic constraints related to four generalisation problems provided by the National Mapping Agencies (ICC, Catalonia; IGN, France; Great Britain; TD Kadaster, Netherlands). After the preparation phase extensive tests are carried out with the generalisation systems ArcGIS (ESRI), Change/Push/Typify (University Hannover), Clarity (1 Spatial) and Genesys (Axes Systems AG). The analyses of the generalised maps are based on an expert evaluation, an automated evaluation and a comparative evaluation, which aim to identify and explain the differences between the generalisation solutions The paper will present in detail the automated evaluation methodology with related research, developed evaluation tools and selected examples of the outcomes. Therefore constraint violation values are calculated and visualised to characterise available generalisation solutions. Major focus will be set also on the comparison of the automated generalised maps in relation to manual, interactive generalised maps. Thus the work published within this paper supports the development of methods for the situation and context dependent application of generalisation functionality and serves on the evaluation of existing generalisation products, to derive future research and development potential.