Showing papers in "Cartographic Journal in 1986"
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of cartographic generalization on the fractal dimension of geographic lines is investigated, and it is found that line dimensionality is altered through the process of generalization, an indication that some of the basic generic features of a line are being distorted.
Abstract: The effect of cartographic generalization on the fractal dimension of geographic lines is investigated. Fractal dimension of lines represented at various map scales is measured using an empirical approach. It is found that line dimensionality is altered through the process of generalization, an indication that some of the basic generic features which determine the geomorphology of a line are being distorted. The preservation of fractal dimension is proposed as a guiding standard for future implementation of generalization algorithms in automated cartography.
31 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors designed a human-performance-based experiment to determine which terrain map symbols commonly used on topographic maps are viewed as most representative of their referents by novice map users.
Abstract: Experiment 1 was designed to determine which terrain map symbols commonly used on topographic maps are viewed as most representative of their referents by novice map users. Subjects were asked to rank alternative symbols for 17 topographic map features. In addition, every subject was required to construct their own symbol for each feature.For all but three of the features, certain symbol choices were unambiguously better than other choices. Equally desirable symbols were found to vary from being very simple to being quite complex for a number of the features. A symbology was derived from these results and was evaluated in a second human-performance based experiment. Subjects viewed both monochromatic or chromatic maps that were constructed from either the derived symbology or a control symbology consisting of geometric shapes. The subjects were asked to identify (interpret) or locate (search) specified map symbols. It was found that performance with the derived symbology was better than with the ...
12 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a finite element type method is applied in order to compute strain parameters using translational-, rotational-and scale-free coordinate differences of common points on the two maps under comparison.
Abstract: Based on the plane theory of elasticity a method is described due to which scalar invariant quantities are derived, useful as criteria for the geometric comparison of two maps representing the same area in common scale. A finite element type method is applied in order to compute strain parameters using translational-, rotational- and scale-free coordinate differences of common points on the two maps under comparison. The interest of such a method in comparative map analyses is discussed and an actual example illustrates the whole procedure.
12 citations
TL;DR: A variety of digitising schemes have been employed to collect map-based thematic data, which have been reduced to square gridded format and stored on data rasters registered with the UTM co-ordinate system as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: An extensive flood study of European territories prompted the development of an automatic procedure for computing catchment average indices of climate and physiography. A variety of digitising schemes have been employed to collect map-based thematic data, which have been reduced to square gridded format and stored on data rasters registered with the UTM co-ordinate system. Catchment boundaries have been digitised and the catchment areas have been similarly gridded and stored. The resulting 'bit-maps' of catchments can be efficiently overlaid onto a grid of thematic data to yield a set of node values contained by the catchment boundaries which provides the basis for the calculation of basin characteristics.
8 citations
3 citations
TL;DR: The British Library's "Landsat Microcatalog" as mentioned in this paper is a collection of colour composite Landsat imagery of those scenes that cover the British Isles from the initiation of the Landsat programme in 1972 to the present.
Abstract: Remote sensing has rapidly become an important interdisciplinary research tool used in such fields as geology, agriculture, forestry, land use, oceanography and cartography. One of the first hurdles to confront a user is the vast amount and diversity of imagery available. To help such users, the British Library, since 1972, has offered search and browse facilities for Landsat and other imagery. Originally located at the B.L. Science Reference Library, the service has now been transferred to the B.L. Map Library where it has been updated and expanded following the recommendation made by the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology (Sub-ComIl)ittee I, Remote Sensing and Digital Mapping) that the British Library should become the retrospective archive for remote sensing imagery of the Uoited Kingdom. The archive consists of colour composite Landsat imagery of those scenes that cover the British Isles from the initiation of the Landsat programme in 1972 to the present. Only those images of good quality and in particular, low cloud cover have been chosen. Each image is a nominal 240mm x 240mm., at a scale of 1:1,000,000 and represents a scene area of 185 x 185km. Some Thematic Mapper (TM) quarter images at a scale of 1:500,000 are also available. The archive is divided into three sections, Landsats 1-3 and 4-5 Multispectral Scanner (MSS) imagery, and Landsat 4-5 TM imagery. Each section is arranged by the path and row of the Worldwide Referencing System (the Landsat geographic location index) and then by accession number. For each scene, denoted by a particular path/row, several images taken at different times may be available so enabling comparisons to be made between years and between different times of the year. There are 300 images in the archive, increasing by 25 per month to 600 while current images are received. Perhaps the most useful, and certainly the most popular remote sensing resource at the B.L. Map Library is the Eros Data Center's "Microcatalog". This is a comprehensive microfiche catalogue which shows the availability and characteristics of Landsat data worldwide. In conjunction with the browse fues of imagery, it enables the enquirer to select imagery he or she requires and to actually see the image in the browse files. The coverage, cloud cover and quality can be seen before purchase; the enquirer does not have to rely solely on computer print-out the normal method of imagery selection. The Microcatalog which is updated regularly is arranged by path and row of the Worldwide Referencing System and then subdivided chronologically. Information given for each image includes date, which satellite e.g. Landsat 1, 2 etc., image quality of the bands, percentage cloud cover, centre coordinates and scene ID (the number to quote when ordering imagery). Also included is the microform number which refers to the browse fues of imagery. Most images are held in 16min fum format but from 1985 they are available on microfiche, a definite improvement in both quality and handling. Again the browse ftles are regularly updated. The remote sensing information point in the BL Map Library. A frame of the Landsat Microcatalog is mounted on the fiche reader while to the left an image from the 16mm browse fIles is shown. In the foreground a user consults some imagery from the archive of U.K. imagery.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an overview of data selection and organization implications in map making and use, and provide examples for use in the classroom as illustrations of concepts presented, and suggest student activities that emphasize the potential effects of selecting and organizing data.
Abstract: Due to changes in the nature of cartography and its role in geographic study, we must carefully evaluate our approach to cartographic instruction. Emphasized here is the need in both map making and map use education to direct attention to selection and organization of geographic information. Specifically, three objectives are addressed: 1) to present an overview of data selection and organization implications in map making and use, 2) to provide examples for use in the classroom as illustrations of concepts presented, and 3) to suggest student activities that emphasize potential effects of data selection and organization when making and using maps.
2 citations
TL;DR: A simple method of testing the accuracy of digitising tables to ensure that they meet the required standard prior to purchase and that they continue to perform to this standard in normal production is described.
Abstract: The Ordnance Survey currently operates over fifty digitising tables in its programme of converting large-scale plans into digital form for computer storage and manipulation. In order to maintain the accuracy of the archive, only high quality digitising tables are used. This paper describes a simple method of testing the accuracy of digitising tables to ensure that they meet the required standard prior to purchase and that they continue to perform to this standard in normal production.
2 citations
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TL;DR: The authors charted the course of this competition in the production of English county maps; the decoration of the maps is analysed in an attempt to deduce who developed what and who plagiarised whom.
Abstract: Amsterdam was the centre of atlas production in the first half of the seventeenth century. A highly competitive situation developed between rival map-producing houses; specifically between those of Blaeu and Jansson. The course of this competition in the production of English county maps is charted in this paper; the decoration of the maps is analysed in an attempt to deduce who developed what and who plagiarised whom.
2 citations
TL;DR: In a period of economic and social change, the prestigious Highland and Agricultural Society adopted a national role in urging Government to improve the discontinuous and tardy progress of the Ordnance Survey of Scotland as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: In a period of economic and social change, the prestigious Highland and Agricultural Society adopted a national role in urging Government to improve the discontinuous and tardy progress of the Ordnance Survey of Scotland. The story of the Society's forty-year struggle to obtain, for Scotland, surveys such as those of England and Ireland, is related against a background of diverse and changing views regarding the scale at which Scotland's variable terrain was to be mapped.
1 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the half-tone process is discussed with the photographer before and during the creation of a hill-shading image, and the skills of the cartographer are put to best use if the halftone process of the image is discussed.
Abstract: Various factors affect the design, construction and reproduction of hill-shading as an element of relief representation. Although the principles and function of hill-shading may be widely understood, the practice is less well appreciated. As with most aspects of map making, the cartographer normally has a choice of methods and materials. The skills of the cartographer are put to best use if the half-tone process is discussed with the photographer before and during the creation of a hill-shading image.
TL;DR: The Department of Land Surveying at the North East London Polytechnic offered its first course, in land surveying, in 1949 as discussed by the authors, and has achieved a world wide reputation in Land surveying.
Abstract: What is now the Department of Land Surveying at the North East London Polytechnic offered its first course, in land surveying, in 1949. Since that date the Department has achieved a world wide reputation in Land Surveying. In addition various specialist areas such as photogrammetry, cartography, sea surveying and cadastre, and more recently land information management and digital mapping, have developed to the extent that the Department of Land Surveying is recognised as a major centre for education in the Mapping Sciences.
TL;DR: In this article, the necessity of contents analysis of the data base, mathematical models and presentation techniques is emphasised, and problems of multivariant approach and reliability assessment in the modelling of maps' thematic contents are outlined.
Abstract: Perspective approaches in the development of methods for modelling thematic contents of maps are described. The necessity of contents analysis of the data base, mathematical models and presentation techniques is emphasised. Problems of multivariant approach and reliability assessment in the modelling of maps' thematic contents are outlined.
TL;DR: The Atlas of the Netherlands as discussed by the authors is an atlas for a broad public without losing the firm foundation of modern cartographic information handling and scientific geographic analysis, which is a challenge.
Abstract: Twenty volumes of a new Atlas of the Netherlands, for which a problem-oriented approach is chosen, are published. In this article the chairman of the editorial committee deals with the scope and selection of themes for such a project. Preparing an atlas for a broad public without losing the firm foundation of modern cartographic information handling and scientific geographic analysis presents a challenge. This paper was delivered at the 25th International Geographical Congress in Paris 1984.
TL;DR: A more general display algorithm is presented to transform the digital images into their respective graphic forms of choroplethic and isarithmic maps.
Abstract: In the transition from traditional forms of mapping to computer-assisted techniques, many manual tasks were converted directly into automated procedures. Focusing on the form of the final map product, cartographers developed totally distinct algorithms for the display of choroplethic and isarithmic maps. However, both types of maps can be stored as a digital image using a triangular data structure. A more general display algorithm is presented to transform the digital images into their respective graphic forms.