Developing Rules for Map Design: A Functional Specification for a Cartographic-Design Expert System

Abstract

Increasingly, maps are being produced with the aid of desktop mapping systems and GIS by users unfamiliar with cartographic design principles. In order to assist with producing satisfactory maps, it is essential that cartographic knowledge be built into such systems. In the present paper, the need for such "intelligent" systems is explored and a comprehensive functional specification for a cartographic design expert system is presented. The specification covers a wide range of map topics and cartographic representation methods, but focuses on maps in the scale range 1:2,000,000 to 1:15,000,000. This specification could be used either to develop an independent mapping system or to provide a cartographic design interface for existing systems. It is shown that, by examining the cartographic design process in detail and breaking it down into sub-processes, what initially may appear to be an insoluble problem can be largely automated.