Customized Visualization of Natural Hazards Assessment Results and Associated Uncertainties through Interactive Functionality

Communication of natural hazard assessment results is crucial to protect people and infrastructure from devastating impacts of extreme events. While hazard maps provide important information on potential impacts, their interpretation and the general knowledge exchange between stakeholders is often difficult. Web-based information systems contain the potential to support hazard management tasks by fast distribution and customization of hazard visualizations through interactive functionality. Cartographic principles are, however, often ignored in existing web-based visualizations which leads to poor graphical results and consequently to an impairment of the information flow. While these issues need to be solved, a new task is already waiting: the integration of uncertainty information into hazard visualizations. Since many hazard management activities rely on hazard assessment results, communication of associated uncertainties among experts is vital.

The challenge of this research is to overcome these existing shortcomings by combining high quality cartographic visualizations of natural hazard data as well as associated uncertainties with interactive functionality. The resulting web-based cartographic information system will convene the needs of natural hazard specialists by offering a high level of customization: the suggested visualizations include various cartographic techniques such as the application of textures, bars, and interpolated surfaces. The possibility to interactively select particular data sets, customize colors, choose dimensions, query attribute data, and include uncertainty information facilitates the interpretation of complex data and finally the communication among natural hazard specialists.

In this article we summarize requirements that have to be considered, suggest functionalities necessary to perform natural hazards management tasks, and present a prototype of an expert system for the visualization and exploration of natural hazards assessments results and associated uncertainties.     

Eye-tracking Study on Different Perception of 2D and 3D Terrain Visualisation

Abstract

The use of computer-generated perspective views, often named as three-dimensional (3D) maps, is growing. These terrain visualisations should be more understandable for users without cartographic education, which are not familiar with contour lines. Within the study, two eye-tracking experiments and online questionnaire were used for investigating the difference between user cognition of classical two-dimensional (2D) visualisation with contour lines and perspective 3D view. Questionnaire was focused on maps understandability, suitability and aesthetics. Results of the questionnaire shows, that the majority of participants prefer 3D visualisation. First eye-tracking experiment was designed as a pair of maps in one stimulus. One shows 2D visualisation, the other 3D visualisation. No significant differences between user preferences of 2D and 3D visualisation were found, but the results were influenced with the order of the maps in the stimuli. Because of that another experiment was designed. In this case stimuli contained only one of two possible visualisations (2D and 3D). ScanPath comparison of this experiment results confirmed that users have different strategies for cognition of 2D and 3D visualisation, although statistically significant difference between both types of visualisation was found in the ScanPath length metric only.     

3D visualisations in simulations of future land use: exploring the possibilities of new,standard visualisation tools

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) visualisations are an interesting method for representing model outcomes. Most visualisation techniques require expensive software and a lot of time to create them. When the visualisations need to be adapted frequently, a faster and more flexible method is needed. The first step of the proposed model is to create the 3D elements. These elements are combined with the base map, and distributed to the public using Google Earth. Both freely available and commercial software are used in this process.     

On-the-fly server-based aerial imagery management system

Aerial images are valuable products when dealing with both geospatial and geotemporal analysis. Nowadays, they are widely used for many different purposes and by an extensive public, including private companies, official administrations and individual users. Although in the past few years there has been an increasing interest in showing all kinds of geographical information on the World Wide Web, access to aerial imagery and its dissemination are still difficult and lack flexibility. This paper introduces an aerial imagery management system based on client–server principles, operated so as to allow users quick and efficient queries, processing and management of huge sets of photogrammetric imagery stored on raster servers. It is a novel product that is ready to provide image-based cartographic data available in public and private digital warehouses, facilitating all the required visualisations and queries, as well as geometric and radiometric processing on the fly. This paper shows the design, system architecture and various functionalities of the system in a real-life scenario.     

Fourier-based multi-scale representation and progressive transmission of cartographic curves on the internet

ABSTRACT

Automatic generation of multi-scale representations from the same spatial data source has been the research focus in map generalization for a long time. Based on the Fourier technique, this paper proposes a continuous, multi-scale representation model for progressive transformation of cartographic curves on the Internet. In our method, all the curves, whether closed or open, are depicted as periodical functions which are further expressed as Fourier series. The convergence degrees of the Fourier series are explored for different kinds of curves, and truncating frequencies are derived based on the similarity between the original and reconstructed curves. Using information theory and the Radical Law in cartography, the relationship between map scales and Fourier frequencies is established. Based on the proposed multi-scale model, we also introduce the principles and implementation of a progressive transmission method. Our method is evaluated using the contours from a topographic map. The results show that our model is a valid approach to multi-scale representation of cartographic curves.     

Cartography: Making Sense of Our Worlds

Abstract

One goal of cartographic research is to improve the usefulness of maps. To do so, we must consider the process of spatial knowledge acquisition, the role of maps in that process, and the content of cognitive representations derived. Research from psychology, geography, and other disciplines related to these issues is reviewed. This review is used to suggest potential new directions for research with particular attention to spatial problem solving and geographic instruction. A classroom experiment related to these issues is then described. The experiment highlights some of the implications that a concern for the process of spatial knowledge acquisition will have on questions and methods of cartographic research as well as on the use of maps in geographic instruction. It also provides evidence of independent but interrelated verbal and spatial components of regional images that can be altered by directed map work.     

Editorial

Abstract

In different scientific fields, the abbreviation ‘3D’ is used in a multitude of ways. Hence, one might easily lose track of what 3D means in a particular context. 3D is just a generic term which the authors are trying to classify into different groups. An overview of the technical status of 3D technologies serves to explain the importance of the three-dimensionality in cartography. Solid landscape embodiments as well as pseudo-three-dimensional and truly three-dimensional autostereoscopic visualisations on planar displays are treated. Starting with the reasons for the advantages and the necessities for true-3D representations the article deals with the classification and explanation of the different true-3D visualisation techniques so far materialized for geodata, in particular at the Institute for Cartography of the Dresden University of Technology.     

Visualisation and personalisation of multi-representations city models

ABSTRACT

City models have a wide variety of uses that require different kind of data representation or data models. Having a dynamic model that enables picking the right representations (meshes, volumetric data, point cloud, etc.) can prove useful to adapt an application to each user's needs. In this paper, we present an original method to create personalised visualisations of 3D city models on the fly. By organising the server data in a hierarchy of tiles, we are able to generate personalised models based on the user's preferences. These preferences take the shape of a set of rules that apply to each tile or city object and allow the user to choose which representation of the object to use depending on its position or semantic information (classification, height, etc.). Our method is designed around existing standards, guaranteeing the interoperability of the produced models.     

Stretching Space and Splicing Time: From Cartographic Animation to Interactive Visualization

Animation and cartography present very different traditions to combine. This paper offers some ideas about the directions such a combination might take and presents a series of cartographic animation and visualization case studies involving several unusual representations. These examples range from the interactive exploration of high-resolution, two-dimensional images, to the use of animation in understanding temporal change and three-dimensional structure. Some of the conventional wisdom about the appropriate software applications and visual representations to use is questioned. Exploratory analysis, presenting facts to an interested audience and creating a dramatic image, are seen as distinct tasks, requiring distinctly different animation methods.     

AN EXPERIMENT IN SYSTEMATIZING THE CARTOGRAPHIC IMAGES OF GEOMORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES

The authors attempt to identify and standardize the cartographic symbols (“images”) used to represent a variety of specific geomorphological features. A large number of cartographic representations of landform features found on geological-geomorphological maps are classified in terms of their basic pattern/configuration and the level of complexity within each major pattern type. It is argued that the pattern or configuration of a cartographic symbol used to represent a geomorphological feature should represent the spatial structure of that feature with sufficient reliability to serve as a key to an understanding of its genesis. Translated from: Geomorfologiya, 1987, No. 2, pp. 62-66.     

Remapping Fictional Worlds: A Comparative Reconstruction of Fictional Maps

ABSTRACT

This article presents a quantitative analysis of fictional maps and their relation to historic maps from different periods. Fictional maps are maps of imaginary territories. This type of map is now common in fiction, but they arose relatively late, in the second half of the nineteenth century, and are considered an independent branch of cartography today. They stand out through the way they are published because they are component parts of books and not independent cartographic works, and therefore their creators are not cartographers but rather the authors of these books. Fictional maps are mostly subordinate to the story, but they serve to give a sense of historical authenticity and draw the reader into the story. Without networks of coordinates and with labels such as ‘the end of the world’, they are spatially indeterminate, but they establish a connection between the fictional landscape and its identity. This study deals with 89 fictional maps from recent children’s and young adult literature. First we present a historical overview of these works and fictional maps, and then a cartographic analysis of fictional maps. We examined seventy-seven books with fictional maps and evaluated the maps according to five groups of standard cartographic elements: natural elements, built elements, toponyms, mathematical elements, and explanatory elements. We discuss the differences between cartographic representation of fictional maps and historic maps, and build a cartographic model based on the frequency of cartographic elements to put fictional maps into historic and geographical contexts.     

自动制图综合链理论与技术模型

为满足地图生产自动化和GIS中对自动制图综合的迫切需求,必须研究新的理论、方法和模型。在充分探讨制图综合现状和存在问题的基础上,系统研究自动制图综合链理论与技术,把抽象的制图综合操作过程化、任务化、步骤化,并把制图综合任务转化为计算机环境下自动执行与优化的可执行操作链,从而达到提高制图综合自动化、智能化水平的目的。     

Re-Freshing Cartography

Abstract

This paper presents the cartographic elements of a system for classifying and visualizing high-dimensional geographic datasets. The system has been developed as part of the Land Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) project. The goal of the system is to develop regional and global typologies of coastal zones using large multi-variable datasets. Our implementation bring together statistical clustering algorithms with visualization capabilities to allow easy analysis and comprehension of the result. The two main tasks of the visualization are to allow for discrimination of multiple classes and to show relationships between those classes. These are accomplished in two different visual presentations. In both cases, the system selects colors appropriate to the purpose. In the latter case — showing relationships — the system uses a novel iterative refinement algorithm to select the colors. The result show that the system is successful at both generation the classes and visualizing the relationships between them.     

Virtual representations of antique globes – new ways of touching the untouchable

Abstract

The starting point of this paper is the idea that a comprehensive understanding of the earth and its systems calls for consideration of bygone views of the world. Creating facsimiles of antique globes in the form of digital globes provides a new opportunity to make such bygone world views accessible to a wide scientific audience. However, up to now, little practical experience in applying digital technology on globes has been made. Considering these attempts by thorough synopsis, this article deduces a comprehensive approach on virtual representations of antique globes that can be described by the superordinate concept of virtual representation. This concept comprises facilities of data acquisition of the original globe, ways of visualising the digitised globe and its final cartographic preparation. Applications that arise from this procedure are exemplified through both virtual hyperglobes and tactile hyperglobes. New findings on a 16th century earth globe are encouraging results of the presented virtual representation approach, which may offer a sustainable visualisation platform of interdisciplinary research.     

A Structure Recognition Technique in Contextual Generalisation of Buildings and Built-up Areas

Abstract

A structure recognition technique is presented that can be employed for contextual building and built-up area generalisation in medium-scale topographic maps. Owing to various spatial configurations, a contextual mechanism is necessary to achieve acceptable results in cartographic generalisation. Spatial structures are usually implicit in data, and advanced analysis and processing methods are required to detect them. This technique is based on auxiliary geometric data structures and spatial analysis methods. A case study is performed with a topographic data set, using an interface developed in an object-oriented geographic information system (O-O GIS). The proposed approach was found to assist and improve automation.     

The National Archives and Public Records

Abstract

The article provides an overview of the huge cartographic holdings of The National Archives (TNA). It continues by outlining the procedures by which records are selected for permanent preservation by TNA.     

Stylistic Diversity in European State 1 : 50 000 Topographic Maps

Abstract

To what extent do European state topographic maps exhibit unique styles of cartography? This paper describes an investigation to classify and analyse stylistic diversity in the official 1 : 50 000 topographical mapping of 20 European countries. The method involves the construction of a typology of cartographic style, based upon the classification of distinct graphical legend symbols into mutually exclusive thematic categories. In order to identify stylistic similarities between national symbologies, hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to compare the relative proportions of symbols within each category. This was complemented by a qualitative analysis of various aspects of cartographic design: colour, 'white' space, visual hierarchy, and lettering. The results indicate a high degree of stylistic diversity throughout Europe, with the symbologies of Great Britain and Ireland demonstrating the strongest example of a supranational style. The typology of cartographic symbologies is shown to be an effective method for determining stylistic association among maps of differing geographical (and potentially historical) origins and it is suggested that the cartographic language paradigm should be revisited as a means for understanding why national differences persist in state cartography. A version of this paper was presented at the Twenty-third International Cartographic Conference in Moscow.     

A Synopsis of Nigeria’s Indigenous Cartographic Heritage

Abstract

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Over the ages, Nigerians have had various indigenous ways of spatial representation, otherwise known as ‘alternative cartographies’. Paradoxically, however, the indigenous cartographic heritage of the Nigerian people has altogether remained unsung despite its immense contributions to societal development. This paper, therefore, is a modest attempt aimed at bringing the forgotten issue of Nigeria’s cartographic legacy to the limelight. The paper takes a bird’s-eye look at Nigeria’s homegrown cartographic heritage. The various local means of representing and communicating geospatial information are discussed. The paper equally highlights the invaluable benefits of indigenous cartographic heritage as well as how to preserve such heritage.     

Contemporary American cartographic research: a review and prospective

ABSTRACT

We review recent developments in cartographic research in North America, in the context of informing the 29th International Cartographic Conference, and 18th General Assembly in 2019. The titles of papers published since 2015 in four leading cartographic journals yielded a corpus of 245 documents containing 1109 unique terms. These terms were analyzed using Latent Dirichlet Allocation and by visual analytics to produce 14 topic groups that mapped onto five classes. These classes were named as information visualization, cartographic data, spatial analysis and applications, methods and models, and GIScience. The classes were then used as themes to discuss the recent cartographic literature more broadly, first, to review recent trends in the research and to identify research gaps, and second, to examine prospects for new research over the next 20 years. A conclusion draws some broad findings from the review, suggesting that cartographic research in the future will be aimed less at dealing with data, and more at generating insight and knowledge to better inform society about global challenges.