Reducing Linear and Perimeter Measurement Errors in Raster-based Data

An important issue in cartography and GIS is determining the appropriate resolution or cell size when converting vector data to raster. The general consensus is to make the cell size as small as possible to resolve geographic features and provide the most accurate estimates of measurements. Finer resolution results in more accurate estimates of polygon area; however, the raster data structure introduces an artifact that causes errors in the estimation of the length of linear features and of the perimeter of polygon features to increase with increasing resolution. Over-estimation as high as 41 percent is theoretically possible and was found to be around 26 percent for representative polygon maps. A method is described that uses a correction coefficient to reduce overestimation error to less than 3 percent.     

The Roles of Web Feature and Web Map Services in Real-time Geospatial Data Sharing for Time-critical Applications

Many time-critical applications such as emergency response, location-based services, and real time traffic management need instant access to diverse data to make quick decisions and take instantaneous actions. However, two issues block time-critical applications to quickly acquire and integrate spatial data over the web: (1) the heterogeneity of existing GIS systems, and (2) the file-level data sharing systems over the web. This research examines current open standards, protocols, and technologies capable of solving the two issues for real-time spatial data sharing over the web. Focusing on investigating the role of Web Feature Services (WFS) and Web Map Services (WMS), this research has developed a solution for real-time geospatial data sharing at the feature level over the web. A prototype has been implemented to query, extract, create, delete, update, and map geographic features stored in web-accessible OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium) simple feature datastores for transportation emergency applications. The prototype results show that the OGC WFS and WMS play important roles in real-time geospatial data sharing and exchange from heterogeneous sources at the feature level for time-critical applications. The WFS and WMS eliminate time-consuming data translation and facilitate reuse of existing geospatial data over the web. Several issues related to the solution are also discussed in the paper.     

Representation and its Relationship with Cartographic Visualization

A research agenda is presented which addresses the current role and potential of map displays. By considering the geospatial data used in visualization, the form and design of maps, the purposes for which map displays are created, the nature of the map user community, and the technology employed to visualize geospatial data, a thorough overview of the nature of cartographic visualization is given. Under the same themes, and sourced in cartographic tradition, cartographic practice and technological opportunities, a series of possible research avenues are highlighted. The important links between representation and the user interface, map user cognition and the geospatial database are stressed.     

Frequency Histogram Legend in the Choropleth Map: A Substitute to Traditional Legends

This article presents the use of the frequency histogram legend (FHL) as a substitute to traditional legends in both classed and unclassed choropleth maps. Great variation in the size of mapping units can hinder readers' ability to comprehend statistical distributions from a choropleth map. Replacing conventional legends with FHL can aid readers in their understanding of spatial as well as statistical distributions of the mapped data simultaneously. A customized mapping application was designed in ArcInfo 9.0 to test the use of FHL in both classed and unclassed choropleth maps. Frequency histogram legends were tested on different types of statistical distributions. Although the comparison of the results shows that the FHL works best for a Gaussian or close to a Gaussian distribution for eight or fewer classes, the customized application permits users to generate choropleth maps with frequency histogram legends for any type of statistical distribution with any number of classes. The analysis reveals that readers' background in statistics helped them to effectively utilize and interpret frequency histogram legends in the choropleth maps.     

Report on Cartographic and GIS Activity in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is a federal agency whose mission is, working with others, to conserve fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Under the management of fish and wildlife professionals, the National Wildlife Refuge System has become the world's premier network of wildlife habitats. The FWS is making use of modern cartographic methods and implementing Geographic Information Systems to more effectively manage the lands and resources entrusted to them.     

Exploration of Information Theoretic Arguments for the Limited Amount of Information in a Map

From the application of information theory capacity limits of maps are derived and some cartographic rules are formulated—based on theoretical models and perception studies. The perception study shows that for a relief map with coloured height intervals the channel capacity, as defined in information theory, is reached at seven～eight height classes. Generally, the length of a visual variable may be characterized by the channel capacity of the map. This theoretical study shows how increased attention should be paid to perceptual separation as the number of categories increases. The requirement becomes more and more crucial as the number of categories exceeds five. The principle of group visibility is formulated and demonstrated. Group visibility considers the visibility of groups of map features and may be utilized in a visual search for geographical patterns. The quantitative measures presented offers computational methods to control group visibility for example in an interactive visualization system.     

New Equal-Area Map Projections For Noncircular Regions

A series of new equal-area map projections has been devised. Called Oblated Equal-Area, its lines of constant distortion follow approximately oval or rectangular paths instead of the circles of the Lambert Azimuthal Equal-Area projection or the straight lines of the Cylindrical Equal-Area projection. The projection series permits design of equal-area maps of oblong regions with less overall distortion of shape and scale than equal-area maps on other projections.     

Spectral Schemes: Controversial Color Use on Maps

Cartographers have long discouraged the use of spectral, or rainbow, color schemes on thematic maps of quantitative geographic data, though such color use is common in GIS and scientific visualization. Recent research, however, has shown that spectral schemes are preferred and are interpreted accurately when used as multi-hue renditions of diverging schemes. Both spectral and diverging schemes can emphasize a critical point within a data range with light colors and emphasize both high and low extremes of the data with dark colors. Although spectral schemes include multiple saturated hues, they can be designed to accommodate map reading by people with red-green impaired color vision by skipping over the yellow-greens in the spectral sequence. Cartographers should encourage use of spectral color schemes for depicting diverging quantitative data, rather than insisting that these schemes should not be used.