Recognizing building groups for generalization: a comparative study

Recognition of building groups is a critical step in building generalization. To find building groups, various approaches have been developed based on the principles of grouping (or the Gestalt laws of grouping), and the effectiveness of these approaches needs to be evaluated. This study presents a comparative analysis of nine typical such approaches, including three approaches that only consider proximity principle and six approaches that consider multiple grouping principles. Real-life dataset at 1:5000, 1:10,000, and 1:50,000 scales provided by National Geomatics Center of China is used to evaluate the performance of these approaches. Buildings at smaller scales are used to construct the benchmarks to test the grouping results at larger scales, and the adjusted Rand index is adopted to indicate the accuracy of the detected groups. Significant tests (Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test) are also performed to provide both the overall and pairwise comparisons of these approaches. The results show that (1) the average accuracy of most existing approaches is between 0.3 and 0.5, and the performances of these approaches are significantly different; (2) when only proximity is considered, the buffer analysis approach performs significantly better than other approaches; (3) when multiple grouping principles are considered, the local constraint-based approach usually performs better than other approaches; (4) existing approaches that consider similarity and/or continuity seldom improve the performance of building grouping.     

A typification method for linear pattern in urban building generalisation

This paper presents a typification method for linear pattern in urban building generalization. The proposed method includes two processes. Firstly, structural knowledge in terms of linear pattern is detected using a two-step algorithm taking the advantages of Gestalt visual perception, computational geometry and graph theory. Spatial neighbourhood is captured using interpolated constrained Delaunay triangulation and the resulting proximity graph is pruned to be heterogeneous to get acceptable linear patterns with regard to Gestalt visual perception. Then, a typification strategy is proposed, in which typification is regarded as a progressive and iterative process consisting of elimination, exaggeration and displacement. The typification strategy iteratively executes eliminating the building with minimum overall effect, exaggerating remaining buildings considering key location and spatial characteristics and displacing them to preserve the linear pattern until elimination quantity is satisfied. Experiments show that this proposed strategy is effective and linear patterns are guaranteed with correctness and completeness.     

交互式地图综合过程中的符号可视化问题

针对计算机地图综合仍然以人机交互的方式为主的现状,本文根据地图综合操作中的符号可视化的四个特点,提出了建立以单套比例尺符号库适宜多套比例尺地形图数据的可视化方案。通过定义不同比例尺之间符号的衰减系数,讨论了单套比例尺可视化多套比例尺数据的实现方式,并结合1:1万地形图缩编至1:5万地形图进行了模拟实验。     

土地利用图中线状要素综合的质量评价

作为土地利用图综合的一个重要组成部分,线状要素综合质量的好坏对于有效提高自动制图综合的正确率具有重要意义。本文基于模糊综合评判理论对土地利用图中线状要素的综合进行了质量评价。首先,基于制图综合约束,确定评价指标体系,组成评价因素集;其次,在确定评判集和权重集的基础上,建立线状要素综合质量评价模型;最后,利用试验验证了评价方法的有效性。该研究为客观评价土地利用图中线状要素的综合质量提供了新的思路。     

建筑物多边形化简及优化的自动方案研究

针对居民地地图形状化简的一个方面——建筑物多边形的化简,通过对综合规则的研究和居民地几何特征的剖析,提出一种与比例尺相关的切割实现建筑物多边形化简的方法,在Visual Basic6.0环境下实现了该算法,试验结果表明此方法在保持街区的形态特征上效果较好。     

A framework for teaching the timeless way of mapmaking

There are now many opportunities to learn how to make maps through technical training with mapmaking tools, including geographic information systems and web-based mapping services. In cartographic education, two challenges with teaching through practice stem from the disruptive nature of mapmaking tools and the tradition of teaching cartographic principles by rule or convention. This article outlines a framework for a pattern language to organize and share practical information about principles for making maps. The article provides an example pattern for mapmaking and discusses how this framework addresses recurring problems with teaching through practice.     

土地利用图中狭长多边形降维综合一致性改正

文章针对土地利用图中狭长多边形降维综合后产生的拓扑不一致和语义不一致的问题,分别给出了一致性自动改正方法.前者在狭长多边形与其邻近多边形之间拓扑关系的基础上,将弧段分为3类,分别用I、Ⅱ、Ⅲ表示;后者在土地利用数据语义综合规则的基础上,对狭长多边形的邻近多边形进行语义一致性改正;并给出了算法实现的详细步骤.最后实验证明了算法的有效性.     

地理信息工程专业“普通地图编制课程设计”教学探讨

普通地图编制课程设计是地图学与地理信息工程专业重要的一门实践课程。笔者在分析了当前测绘地理信息技术发展的基础上,对课程教学从内容设计到教学方法等方面进行了探讨。     

基于信息熵的面状要素在地图综合中的量测方法分析

目前,信息熵理论被广泛用于地图信息含量的量测,但对于地图综合的信息量分析评价的研究还不多。介绍信息熵理论及地图综合中的几何信息熵概念,并将其运用到面状要素的地图综合信息量量测中。在实例分析中,通过将不同地类分类,较好地反映了不同地类在地图综合中信息量的变化,说明用几何信息熵表征面状要素在地图综合中的信息量是可行的。并在之后进一步提出几何信息熵的加权理论,为进一步研究提供方向。     

多尺度地图空间居民地语义相似度计算方法

地图综合的本质是一种空间相似变换,制图者在相似原则的指导下实施概括,读图者从包含相似性的地图中形成心象地图、重构现实世界。因此,多尺度地图空间中的相似关系研究非常重要。然而,由于相似的可计算性差,且其计算的目的在于揭示更深层次的信息,地图综合中相似关系尤其是语义相似关系的研究相对较少。针对这一问题,本文以语义功能区约束下的大比例尺街区式居民地合并（1∶1750至1∶4000）为例,基于匹配距离模型计算建筑物合并中的语义相似度,得到语义相似度在关键比例尺节点的值,并对结果进行分析、评价。试验表明,语义功能区约束下的建筑物合并符合读图者的地图认知需求,本文所述方法有助于地图更好地发挥信息传输载体的作用。     

基于圆增长特征的点状要素群选取算法

控制点、独立地物等在地图上呈点群状表达,如何高效、合理地实现此类要素的自动综合是地图多尺度表达的重要问题。文中在前人研究的基础上,提出一种基于圆增长特征的点状要素群结构化选取算法,实现点状要素群的自动选取。其基本原理是：根据一个点与其周围点重要性程度的比较来确定该点删除与否,从而确保其拓扑关系和几何信息的正确性。实验证明：该算法实用、有效。     

A building extraction approach for Airborne Laser Scanner data utilizing the Object Based Image Analysis paradigm

In the past two decades Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) established itself as an efficient approach for the classification and extraction of information from remote sensing imagery and, increasingly, from non-image based sources such as Airborne Laser Scanner (ALS) point clouds. ALS data is represented in the form of a point cloud with recorded multiple returns and intensities. In our work, we combined OBIA with ALS point cloud data in order to identify and extract buildings as 2D polygons representing roof outlines in a top down mapping approach. We performed rasterization of the ALS data into a height raster for the purpose of the generation of a Digital Surface Model (DSM) and a derived Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Further objects were generated in conjunction with point statistics from the linked point cloud. With the use of class modelling methods, we generated the final target class of objects representing buildings. The approach was developed for a test area in Biberach an der Riß (Germany). In order to point out the possibilities of the adaptation-free transferability to another data set, the algorithm has been applied “as is” to the ISPRS Benchmarking data set of Toronto (Canada). The obtained results show high accuracies for the initial study area (thematic accuracies of around 98%, geometric accuracy of above 80%). The very high performance within the ISPRS Benchmark without any modification of the algorithm and without any adaptation of parameters is particularly noteworthy.     

An experimental approach for selection/elimination in stream network generalization using support vector machines

Multi-representation databases (MRDB) are used in several Geographical Information System applications for different purposes. MRDB are mainly obtained through model and cartographic generalizations. The model generalization is essentially achieved with the selection/elimination process in which a decision must be made to include or exclude the object at the target level. In this study, support vector machines (SVM) was, for the first time, used for the selection/elimination process in stream network generalization. Within this context, the attributes to be used as input data in the SVM method were determined and weighted according to the associations determined in a chi-squared independence test. 1:100,000-scale (medium resolution) stream networks were derived from two 1:24,000-scale (high resolution) stream networks with different patterns in the United States Geological Survey National Hydrography Data-sets. The derived stream networks were quite similar to the 1:100,000-scale original stream networks in both qualitative and visual aspects.     

模糊模式识别在提高地图矢量化精度中的应用研究

在GIS地图矢量化中,由于原始数据的获取,软件算法精度等原因使得矢量图形存在误差,本文阐述了模糊模式识别方法的原理,探讨了利用模糊模式识别对一些常用图形(矩形、圆、三角形等)进行矫正的方法,并应用于对一些具有模糊特征的地物边界进行判别。     

LAND USE SCANNER: An integrated GIS based model for long term projections of land use in urban and rural areas

This paper describes the structure of the LAND USE SCANNER model, a GIS based model developed to generate spatial forecasts for various types of land use for a large number of grids. The model basically allocates land according to bid prices for various types of land use. The possibility of government intervention in land use is taken into account among others by adding aggregate constraints. The model includes all relevant land use types such as residential, industrial, agricultural, natural areas and water. The model is driven by sectoral models providing forecasts of aggregate land use in various land use categories. An application of the first version of the model is given for the Netherlands with some 200,000 grid cells. Further developments and refinements of the model are planned for the near future. Received: 18 February 1998/Accepted: 29 September 1998     

An evaluation of unsupervised and supervised learning algorithms for clustering landscape types in the United States

Knowledge of landscape type can inform cartographic generalization of hydrographic features, because landscape characteristics provide an important geographic context that affects variation in channel geometry, flow pattern, and network configuration. Landscape types are characterized by expansive spatial gradients, lacking abrupt changes between adjacent classes; and as having a limited number of outliers that might confound classification. The US Geological Survey (USGS) is exploring methods to automate generalization of features in the National Hydrography Data set (NHD), to associate specific sequences of processing operations and parameters with specific landscape characteristics, thus obviating manual selection of a unique processing strategy for every NHD watershed unit. A chronology of methods to delineate physiographic regions for the United States is described, including a recent maximum likelihood classification based on seven input variables. This research compares unsupervised and supervised algorithms applied to these seven input variables, to evaluate and possibly refine the recent classification. Evaluation metrics for unsupervised methods include the Davies–Bouldin index, the Silhouette index, and the Dunn index as well as quantization and topographic error metrics. Cross validation and misclassification rate analysis are used to evaluate supervised classification methods. The paper reports the comparative analysis and its impact on the selection of landscape regions. The compared solutions show problems in areas of high landscape diversity. There is some indication that additional input variables, additional classes, or more sophisticated methods can refine the existing classification.     

An adaptive approach for the segmentation and extraction of planar and linear/cylindrical features from laser scanning data

Laser scanning systems have been established as leading tools for the collection of high density three-dimensional data over physical surfaces. The collected point cloud does not provide semantic information about the characteristics of the scanned surfaces. Therefore, different processing techniques have been developed for the extraction of useful information from this data which could be applied for diverse civil, industrial, and military applications. Planar and linear/cylindrical features are among the most important primitive information to be extracted from laser scanning data, especially those collected in urban areas. This paper introduces a new approach for the identification, parameterization, and segmentation of these features from laser scanning data while considering the internal characteristics of the utilized point cloud – i.e., local point density variation and noise level in the dataset. In the first step of this approach, a Principal Component Analysis of the local neighborhood of individual points is implemented to identify the points that belong to planar and linear/cylindrical features and select their appropriate representation model. For the detected planar features, the segmentation attributes are then computed through an adaptive cylinder neighborhood definition. Two clustering approaches are then introduced to segment and extract individual planar features in the reconstructed parameter domain. For the linear/cylindrical features, their directional and positional parameters are utilized as the segmentation attributes. A sequential clustering technique is proposed to isolate the points which belong to individual linear/cylindrical features through directional and positional attribute subspaces. Experimental results from simulated and real datasets demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach for the extraction of planar and linear/cylindrical features from laser scanning data.     

地理数据库模型在河口海岸地理信息系统数据库设计中的应用分析

针对河口海岸数据特点,本文将第三代地理数据库模型Geodata Base引入到河口海岸地理信息系统数据库建设中,在建立河口海岸地理数据模型的基础上,实现河口海岸环境数据重要特征的表达与融合。     

An Empirical User Study for Measuring the Influence of Colour Distance and Font Size in Map Reading Using Eye Tracking

Abstract

An assessment of British responses to a pan-European questionnaire conducted during the summer of 2003.