GRID BEARINGS AND DISTANCES ON THE CONICAL ORTHOMORPHIC PROJECTION

Abstract

When computing and adjusting traverses or secondary and tertiary triangulation in countries to which the Transverse Mercator projection has been applied, it is often more convenient to work directly in terms of rectangular co-ordinates on the projection system than it is to work in terms of geographical coordinates and then convert these later on into rectangulars. The Transverse Mercator projection is designed in the first place to cover a country whose principal extent is in latitude and hence work on it is generally confined to a belt, or helts, in which the extent of longitude on either side of the central meridian is so limited as seldom to exceed a width of much more than about 200 miles.     

A TRANSVERSE MERCATOR PROJECTION OF THE SPHEROID ALTERNATIVE TO THE GAUSS-KRÜGER FORM

Abstract

The excuse for yet another paper on the Transverse Mercator projection, which has already received what should be more than its fair share of space in this Review, can only be that there is a fresh viewpoint to offer. It is the purpose of this paper to show that there are, in fact, two “Transverse Mercator” projections of the spheroid, of which one has hitherto almost escaped notice.     

THE TRANSVERSE MERCATOR PROJECTION OF THE SPHEROID

Abstract

In January 1940, in a paper entitled “The Transverse Mercator Projection: A Critical Examination” (E.S.R., v, 35, 285), the late Captain G. T. McCaw obtained expressions for the co-ordinates of a point on the Transverse Mercator projection of the spheroid which appeared to cast suspicion on the results originally derived by Gauss. McCaw considered, in fact, that his expressions gave the true measures of the co-ordinates, and that the Gauss method contained some invalidity. He requested readers to report any flaw that might be discovered in his work, but apparently no such flaw had been detected at the time of his death. It can be shown, however, that the invalidities are in McCaw's methods, and there seems no reason for doubting the results derived by the Gauss method.     

MINOR TRIANGULATION ON THE TRANSVERSE MERCATOR PROJECTION

Abstract

In a previous article in this Review, the writer endeavoured to show that chains of minor triangulation could be adjusted by plane rectangular co-ordinates ignoring the spherical form of the earth with little loss of accuracy, provided that the two ends were held fixed in position. It was demonstrated that the plane co-ordinates produced by the rigorous adjustment between the fixed starting and closing sides, differ by only a comparatively small amount from the projection co-ordinates produced by a rigorous adjustment on the Transverse Mercator projection. The saving in time when computing by plane co-ordinates as opposed to rigorous computation on the projection by any method will be apparent to any computer with experience of both methods.     

THE TRANSVERSE MERCATOR PROJECTION

Abstract

I. Introduction.—Map projection is a branch of applied mathematics which owes much to J. H. Lambert (v. this Review, i, 2, 91). In his “Beyträge zum Gebrauche der Mathematik und deren Anwendung” (Berlin, 1772) he arrived at a form of projection whereof the Transverse Mercator is a special case, and pointed out that this special case is adapted to a country of great extent in latitude but of small longitudinal width. Germain (“Traité des Projections”, Paris, 1865) described it as the Projection cylindrique orthomorphe de Lambert, but he also introduced the name Projection de Mercator transverse or renversée; he shows that Lambert's treatment of the projection was remarkably simple.     

THE CONVERGENCE OF MERIDIANS

Abstract

Some publications that have dealt with the question of convergence of meridians seem, to the present writer, to be clouded with misconception, and these notes are intended to clarify some points of apparent obscurity. For instance, A. E. Young, in “Some Investigations in the Theory of Map Projections”, I920, devoted a short chapter to the subject, and appeared surprised to find that the convergence on the Transverse Mercator projection differs from the spheroidal convergence; the explanation which he advanced can be shown to be faulty. Captain G. T. McCaw, in E.S.R., v, 35, 285, derived an expression for the Transverse Mercator convergence which is equal to the spheroidal convergence, and described this as “a result which might be expected in an orthomorphic system”. Perhaps McCaw did not intend his remark to be so interpreted, but it seems to imply that the convergence on any orthomorphic projection should be equal to the spheroidal convergence, and it is easily demonstrated that this is not so. Also, in the second edition of “Survey Computations” there is given a formula for the convergence on the Cassini projection which is identical, as far as it goes, with that given for the Transverse Mercator, while the Cassini convergence as given by Young is actually the spheroidal convergence. Obviously, there is some confusion somewhere, and it is small wonder that Young prefaced his remarks with the admission that the subject had always presented some difficulty to him.     

MARGINAL SCALES OF LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE ON TRANSVERSE MERCATOR MAPS

Abstract

The problem of computing marginal scales of latitude and longitude on a rectangular map on the Transverse Mercator projection, where the sheet boundaries are projection co-ordinate lines, may be solved in various ways. A simple method is to compute the latitudes and longitudes of the four corners of the sheet, and then, assuming a constant scale, to interpolate the parallels and meridians between these corner values. Although it is probably sufficiently accurate for practical purposes, this method is not precise. It is not difficult to adapt the fundamental formulce of the projection to give a direct solution of the problem.     

ON THE LAMBERT CONFORMAL PROJECTION AS APPLIED IN CHINA

Abstract

In the last instalment of this paper it was explained that, owing to the immense size of the country, the co-ordinate system adopted by the Central Land Survey for the mapping of China consists of a number of zones bounded by parallels of latitude, the survey in each zone being based on the Lambert conical orthomorphic projection. The great extent of each zone in longitude, some sixty-five degrees, necessitated the development of series which would converge reasonably quickly, and, for this purpose, series were obtained in which a vertical distance between the parallel passing through the given point and the central parallel was used instead of the co-ordinates themselves. The series already given provided for the conversion of geographical co-ordinates into rectangulars and the inverse problem, while the present instalment deals with the scale factor and the transformation of co-ordinates from one zone to another, concluding with some numerical examples.     

Geodetic grids in authoritative maps – new findings about the origin of the UTM Grid

ABSTRACT

Recent discoveries of Wehrmacht Maps in the Military Archive of the Federal Archive of Germany in Freiburg im Breisgau raised the motivation for further investigations into the history of the internationally employed Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) projection which actually represents a prerequisite for the global use of Global Positioning System (GPS) – and thus of any type of navigation – instruments. In contrast to the frequently stated opinion that this map projection was first operationally used by U.S. Americans it turned out that presumably the first operational maps with indication of the orthogonal UTM grid were produced by German Wehrmacht officers prior to the post World War (WW) II triumph of this projection. Based on the authors´ recent discoveries this article reveals some hitherto hardly known facts concerning the history of cartography of the 1940s.     

ON THE LAMBERT CONFORMAL PROJECTION AS APPLIED IN CHINA

Abstract

There are no proper projections for use in geodetic work in a country which has great extensions both in latitude and longitude. For, if a single projection of any kind be applied in such a case, the linear and angular distortions would be so great at the boundary that it is very difficult or even impossible to apply the corrections to them. In order to render it possible for any projection to be applied, the area in question should be divided either into strips bounded by meridians or into zones bounded by parallels. In the former case the Transverse Mercator or Gauss’ projection may be used, while in the latter, the Lambert conformal projection is the most suitable. China is such a country as that mentioned above. It covers an area extending from 16°N. to 53°N. in latitude and of no less than sixty-five degrees in longitude. The problem of choosing a projection for geodetic work depends only on how the area is to be divided. It has been decided by the Central Land Survey of China to adopt the Lambert conformal projection as the basis for the co-ordinate system, and, in order to meet the requirements of geodetic work, the whole country is subdivided into eleven zones bounded by parallels including a spacing of 3½ degrees in latitude-difference. To each of these zones is applied a Lambert projection, properly chosen so as to fit it best. The two standard parallels of the projection are situated at one-seventh of the latitude-difference of the zone from the top and bottom. Thus, the spacing between the standard parallels is 2½ degrees. This gives a maximum value of the scale factor of less than one part in four thousand, thus reducing the distortions of any kind to a reasonable amount. The area between these parallels belongs to the zone proper, while those outside are the overlapping regions with the adjacent ones. All the zones can be extended indefinitely both eastwards and westwards to include the boundaries of the country.     

A new companion for Mercator

The inappropriate use of the Mercator projection has declined but still occasionally occurs. One method of contrasting the Mercator projection is to present an alternative in the form of an equal area projection. The map projection derived here is thus not simply a pretty Christmas tree ornament: it is instead a complement to Mercator’s conformal navigation anamorphose and can be displayed as an alternative. The equations for the new map projection preserve the latitudinal stretching of the Mercator while adjusting the longitudinal spacing. This allows placement of the new map adjacent to that of Mercator. The surface area, while drastically warped, maintains the correct magnitude.     

利用双重投影改进横墨卡托投影极区应用方法

针对球体横墨卡托投影与基于地球椭球体的导航设备结合使用存在误差以及传统椭球横墨卡托投影依据经差分带不适用于极区的问题,在分析双重投影可用于极区存在计算奇异和计算溢出问题的基础上,研究了一种基于双重投影的横墨卡托投影极区应用改进方法。首先利用函数等效变换和经线长度比计算公式推导出椭球投影到球体上的坐标变换、球体半径和长度比计算公式,然后利用分段函数的方法研究了球体横墨卡托投影计算公式,综合两个阶段给出了完整的坐标变换公式和长度比计算公式,最后推导了子午线收敛角计算公式。理论分析和算例仿真表明,该改进方法能够解决极区投影计算奇异和计算溢出问题,近极点地区长度变形较小,且与导航设备采用的地球模型一致,可消除由于地球模型不同引起的误差,提高航海绘算精度。     

TRANSVERSE MERCATOR FORMULAE

Abstract

The Transverse Mercator Projection, now in use for the new O.S. triangulation and mapping of Great Britain, has been the subject of several recent articles in the “Empire Surpey Review. The formulae of the projection itself have been given by various writers, from Gauss, Schreiber and Jordan to Hristow, Tardi, Lee, Hotine and others—not, it is to be regretted, with complete agreement, in all cases. For the purpose for which these formulae have hitherto been employed, in zones of restricted width and in relatively low latitudes, the completeness with which they were given was adequate, and the omission of certain smaller terms, in the fourth and higher powers of the eccentricity, was of no practical importance. In the case of the British grid, however, we have to cover a zone which must be considered as having a total width of some ten to twelve degrees of longitude at least, and extending to latitude 61 °north. This means, firstly, that terms which have as their initial co-efficients the fourth and sixth powers of the longitude ω (or of y) will be of greater magnitude than usual, and secondly that tan² ? and tan⁴ ? are likewise greatly increased. Lastly, an inspection of the formulae (as hitherto available) shows a definite tendency for the numerical co-efficients of terms to increase as the terms themselves decrease—e.g. terms in η⁴, η⁶, etc.     

等角投影变换的常系数公式及其在高斯—克吕格投影换带中的应用

讨论了等角投影变换的常系数一般公式及应用模型,墨卡托投影和高斯－克吕格投影问题的正解变换及其在高斯－克吕格投影换带中的应用,常系数计算公式优于传统的变系数计算公式,是基于计算机的等角投影变换的最佳模型,它在计算机制图,地理数据库,ＧＩＳ等领域中有着广泛的应用。     

Simple and highly accurate formulas for the computation of Transverse Mercator coordinates from longitude and isometric latitude

A conformal approximation to the Transverse Mercator (TM) map projection, global in longitude λ and isometric latitude q, is constructed. New formulas for the point scale factor and grid convergence are also shown. Assuming that the true values of the TM coordinates are given by conveniently truncated Gauss–Krüger series expansions, we use the maximum norm of the absolute error to measure globally the accuracy of the approximation. For a Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) zone the accuracy equals 0.21  mm, whereas for the region of the ellipsoid bounded by the meridians  ±20° the accuracy is equal to 0.3  mm. Our approach is based on a four-term perturbation series approximation to the radius r(q) of the parallel q, with a maximum absolute deviation of 0.43  mm. The small parameter of the power series expansion is the square of the eccentricity of the ellipsoid. This closed approximation to r(q) is obtained by solving a regularly perturbed Cauchy problem with the Poincaré method of the small parameter. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Shapes on a plane: evaluating the impact of projection distortion on spatial binning

ABSTRACT

One method for working with large, dense sets of spatial point data is to aggregate the measure of the data into polygonal containers, such as political boundaries, or into regular spatial bins such as triangles, squares, or hexagons. When mapping these aggregations, the map projection must inevitably distort relationships. This distortion can impact the reader’s ability to compare count and density measures across the map. Spatial binning, particularly via hexagons, is becoming a popular technique for displaying aggregate measures of point data sets. Increasingly, we see questionable use of the technique without attendant discussion of its hazards. In this work, we discuss when and why spatial binning works and how mapmakers can better understand the limitations caused by distortion from projecting to the plane. We introduce equations for evaluating distortion’s impact on one common projection (Web Mercator) and discuss how the methods used generalize to other projections. While we focus on hexagonal binning, these same considerations affect spatial bins of any shape, and more generally, any analysis of geographic data performed in planar space.     

THE TRANSVERSE MERCATOR PROJECTION: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION

Abstract

In January 1938 the writer decided against holding up for more years some work on the Transverse Mercator Projection (E.S.R., 27, 275). The extension to the spheroid was not then complete, nor is the present paper to be regarded as a logical continuance. It is first proposed to show the results of “transplanting” orthomorphically upon the spheroid a spherical configuration forming a graticule.     

基于改进Web墨卡托投影的瓦片地图服务设计与实现

为解决网络地理信息应用二、三维一体化显示需要,通常做法是处理并存储两套不同投影的地图瓦片数据,一套采用Web墨卡托投影,面向二维地图应用;一套采用经纬度坐标,面向三维地图应用。这在一定程度上降低数据处理效率、浪费存储资源。文中提出一种改进Web墨卡托地图投影方法,并设计一种面向影像地图和DEM数据的瓦片化方法。方法生成的影像地图瓦片数据既能同时面向二维地图和三维可视化场景使用,又有效解决Web墨卡托投影不支持高纬度地区栅格地图表达的缺陷。将新型的地图投影和数据模型通过瓦片地图服务系统进行验证,证明这种新改进的投影和影像,以及DEM瓦片化方法具备较高的实用性。     

The Oblique Zenithal Equidistant Projection

Abstract

The idea of constructing an equidistant map centred on Glasgow originated as a school project. The amount of calculation required meant that it was necessary to use a computer to calculate the co-ordinates for the projection on a 15° graticule. Subsequently it was decided to write a program to instruct another computer, equipped with a graph plotter, to plot the same graticule automatically. The basic mathematical constructions and the procedure for programming the computer for automatic plotting are fully explained.     

The Peters Phenomenon

Abstract

In 1967 Dr Arno Peters made his first public claim to have designed a world map superior to Mercator and all others. Although professional cartographers have pointed out that the projection is not original or unique, the map has gained a not inconsiderable measure of political acceptance.