Field Of Cartography Research Articles

Prospects for the development of cartography through the integration of SLAM technology with GIS technology

Abstract. With the continued development of Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies, their application scenarios have become increasingly complex. Combining these technologies can significantly enhance operational efficiency in challenging environments. This paper presents an analysis of existing cases where SLAM and GIS technologies have been integrated, demonstrating that such a merger facilitates the consolidation and complementarity of spatial data. This integration allows robots or systems to simultaneously utilize the global information provided by GIS and the dynamic local data captured by SLAM for a more comprehensive and detailed environmental analysis, which is highly beneficial for the field of cartography. Further research has developed a series of operational procedures for integrating SLAM and GIS, utilizing MATLAB as a tool. This study also reviews several existing technical challenges, including real-time performance and computational capacity, environmental complexity and dynamic changes, and multi-scale data processing, and proposes potential solutions. The paper concludes by predicting that the integration of SLAM and GIS will play a crucial role in areas such as smart city management and disaster emergency response, indicating that this research area will become a hot topic in future cartographic technology.

Tasks and challenges of the Head Office of Geodesy and Cartography in the area of developing topographic maps in 1:25,000 scale

Abstract. In accordance with the legal regulations in force in Poland in the field of cartography, i.e. the Geodetic and Cartographic Law, one of the tasks of the Chief National Surveyor is to create and provide access to topographic, general geographic, thematic and special maps. Moreover, the topographic maps are developed in close cooperation with the Minister of National Defense. The basis for the development of topographic maps is, in particular, the Topographic Objects Database BDOT10k with the topographic objects’ level of details corresponding to 1:10,000 scale, the National Register of Geographic Names and the Digital Terrain Model.Considering the above, in 2022, the Head Office of Geodesy and Cartography, as part of its own work, launched a pilot project aimed at developing tools to automatically generate topographic maps in 1:10,000 and 1:25,000 scale. At a current stage, as part of the II iteration, the maps do not yet constitute full-fledged topographic maps, but we are striving for such a goal. The tools are constantly developed and corrections are made to eliminate errors that still occur. The maps in 1:10,000 and 1:25,000 scales, developed so far under this project in a fully automatic manner, are available free of charge to all interested users on the www.geoportal.gov.pl website.In the article, the results of the developed tools and generated topographic maps 1:25,000 will be presented, as well as the problems faced both in the context of the methodology and the limitations resulting from the software used.

Mouse Tracking as a Method for Examining the Perception and Cognition of Digital Maps

This article aims to present the authors’ perspective regarding the challenges and opportunities of mouse-tracking methodology while performing experimental research, particularly related to the map-reading process. We briefly describe existing metrics, visualization techniques and software tools utilized for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of experimental mouse-movement data towards the examination of both perceptual and cognitive issues. Moreover, we concisely report indicative examples of mouse-tracking studies in the field of cartography. The article concludes with summarizing mouse-tracking strengths/potential and limitations, compared to eye tracking. In a nutshell, mouse tracking is a straightforward method, particularly suitable for tracking real-life behaviors in interactive maps, providing the valuable opportunity for remote experimentation; even though it is not suitable for tracking the actual free-viewing behavior, it can be concurrently utilized with other state-of-the-art experimental methods.

A Semantic View on Planetary Mapping—Investigating Limitations and Knowledge Modeling through Contextualization and Composition

The concept of planetary mapping constitutes different activities within different contexts. Much like the field of cartography, it is an amalgamation of science, techniques, and artistic disciplines. It has undergone considerable changes over the last decades to cope with increasing demands related to data management, analysis, and visualization. Planetary mapping employs abstraction, which involves simplifications and generalizations. It aims to produce accessible visualization of planetary surfaces to gain insights and knowledge. Here, we show that different manifestations of this concept are interdependent and we discuss how different mapping concepts relate to each other semantically. We reason that knowledge gain can only be achieved through thematic mapping. The reasoning for systematic mapping and exploration is an intellectual product of thematic mapping. In order to highlight these relationships, we (a) develop in-depth definitions for different types of planetary mapping, (b) discuss data and knowledge flow across different mapping concepts, and (c) highlight systemic limitations related to data that we acquire and attempt to abstract through models. We finally develop a semantic proto-model that focuses on the transformation of information and knowledge between mapping domains. We furthermore argue that due to compositionality, map products suffer not only from abstraction but also from limitations related to uncertainties during data processing. We conclude that a complete database is needed for mapping in order to establish contextualization and extract knowledge. That knowledge is needed for reasoning for planning and operational decision making. This work furthermore aims to motivate future community-based discussions on functional semantic models and ontologies for the future development of knowledge extraction from thematic maps.

The use of 19th - century Cartography Printing Processes in Contemporary Printmaking


 
 
 In the 19th century, the field of cartography grew exponentially when photomechanical printing became a stabilised procedure for the graphic arts industry. With the introduction of photomechanical processes, in the early developments of chromolithography, maps not only became a widespread product in Europe and the United States but they were also refined and became increasingly visually complex.
 The interaction between scientists and printmakers also changed. As photomechanical processes allowed cartographers to autonomously transfer, reduce or enlarge maps, scientists and military personnel took over the task of translating images onto the wood or copper plates - a job traditionally assigned to a skilled engraver (Cook, 2002) This has also shifted the authorship of printmaking literature to scientists and military personnel, such as captains or colonels (Twyman, 1990).
 Early printing techniques - such as woodcut or intaglio - are practised today within a very specific setting for particular needs. In the framework of contemporary art, design, or illustration, aspects such as the materiality of images are discussed, visually experimented with, and exhibited. While some industrial printing techniques have gained artistic standing - serigraphy, for example - a wider range of processes are hidden in the past (R. Williams and D. Williams, 1986). Cook (2002) argues that both cartography and printmaking owe each other a great deal for their progress. In the history books, however, one rarely recognises the other. We argue this is because printmaking as a profession has been split between art and science.
 
 

A Comparative Study of Various Deep Learning Approaches to Shape Encoding of Planar Geospatial Objects

The shape encoding of geospatial objects is a key problem in the fields of cartography and geoscience. Although traditional geometric-based methods have made great progress, deep learning techniques offer a development opportunity for this classical problem. In this study, a shape encoding framework based on a deep encoder–decoder architecture was proposed, and three different methods for encoding planar geospatial shapes, namely GraphNet, SeqNet, and PixelNet methods, were constructed based on raster-based, graph-based, and sequence-based modeling for shape. The three methods were compared with the existing deep learning-based shape encoding method and two traditional geometric methods. Quantitative evaluation and visual inspection led to the following conclusions: (1) The deep encoder–decoder methods can effectively compute shape features and obtain meaningful shape coding to support the shape measure and retrieval task. (2) Compared with the traditional Fourier transform and turning function methods, the deep encoder–decoder methods showed certain advantages. (3) Compared with the SeqNet and PixelNet methods, GraphNet performed better due to the use of a graph to model the topological relations between nodes and efficient graph convolution and pooling operations to process the node features.

VR Multiscale Geovisualization Based on UAS Multitemporal Data: The Case of Geological Monuments

Technological progress in Virtual Reality (VR) and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) offers great advantages in the field of cartography and particularly in the geovisualization of spatial data. This paper investigates the correlation between UAS flight characteristics for data acquisition and the quality of the derived maps and 3D models of geological monuments for VR geovisualization in different scales and timeframes. In this study, we develop a methodology for mapping geoheritage monuments based on different cartographic scales. Each cartographic scale results in diverse orthophotomaps and 3D models. All orthophotomaps and 3D models provide an optimal geovisualization, combining UAS and VR technologies and thus contributing to the multitemporal 3D geovisualization of geological heritage on different cartographic scales. The study area selected was a fossilite ferrous site located in Lesvos Geopark, UNESCO. The study area contains a fossil site surrounding various findings. The three distinct scales that occur are based on the object depicted: (i) the fossilite ferrous site (1:120), (ii) the fossil root system (1:20), and (iii) individual fossils (≥1:10). The methodology followed in the present research consists of three main sections: (a) scale-variant UAS data acquisition, (b) data processing and results (2D–3D maps and models), and (c) 3D geovisualization to VR integration. Each different mapping scale determines the UAS data acquisition parameters (flight pattern, camera orientation and inclination, height of flight) and defines the resolution of the 3D models to be embedded in the VR environment. Due to the intense excavation of the study area, the location was spatiotemporally monitored on the cartographic scale of 1:120. For the continuous monitoring of the study area, four different UASs were also used. Each of them was programmed to fly and acquire images with a constant ground sampling distance (GSD). The data were processed by image-based 3D modeling and computer vision algorithms from which the 3D models and orthophotomaps were created and used in the VR environment. As a result, a VR application visualizing multitemporal data of geoheritage monuments across three cartographic scales was developed.

PENGENALAN PEMBUATAN PETA DAN MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN MENGGUNAKAN APLIKASI QUANTUM GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM BAGI GURU GEOGRAFI SMA DI KOTA KENDARI PROVINSI SULAWESI TENGGARA

The introduction of map making and at the same time as the development of learning media are the efforts to improve the performance of high school geography teachers in the learning process of geography. This activity aims to increase teacher knowledge in spatial data concepts and cartographic rules for learning geography. PKM activities are carried out in the form of training using lecture methods, demonstrations and online discussions. The methods is used in explaining the concepts of spatial data and cartographic rules in the form of understanding, subsystems, components, data, processes, analysis, and presentation. This training activity went well based on the achievement of the target of the training participants, the objectives of the training, and the target of the planned material, as well as the ability of the participants in mastering the material being trained. Supporters for the implementation of this PKM activity include the availability of experts in the field of Cartography and QGIS at the UHO Geography Department, the enthusiasm of the participants, and the available funds for the service team. The benefits that participants can get from PKM activities are applying QGIS in making maps and for developing geography learning media in high school education

DEVELOPMENTS OF CARTOGRAPHY AND GEODESY IN ALBANIA (CONTRIBUTION OF PROF. SPIRO BOÇI IN PRACTICAL ALBANIAN GEODESY AND CARTOGRAPHY)

Name of Prof. Dr Spiro Boçi is known in the Albanian academic and scientific world, both inside and outside Albania, for his valuable contributions in the field of cartography, especially practical cartography and geodesy. With the experience of a passionate researcher, prof. Spiro Boçi has left a mark on Albanian scientific thought. He has a balance of over 40 years of extensive and successful research, publishing and pedagogical activity. The legacy of prof. Spiros is diverse and reflects his broad interests. Scientific and pedagogical work of prof. Spiros will serve today’s and tomorrow’s generations and be a guide for them. Even today, Prof. Spiro Boçi continues to write and contribute successfully to the development of the science of cartography and geodesy. In this paper an attempt is made to analyze the activity of Prof. Spiro Boçi in the field of practical cartography and geodesy and especially in the application of cartographic and geodetic methods in studying the movement of the Albanian Adriatic coastline.

The MinimumBreak algorithm applied to a series of road turns

Cartographic generalization is the process of small-scale map production from large-scale maps. When the size of the map is reduced, the objects present in the latter can conflict with each other. There may be overlapping of objects, coalesced roads, or imperceptibility problems. Generalization solves these problems through algorithms. However, the generalization is not yet automated due to the lack of algorithms. In this article, a new algorithm for processing turn series on a road to correct the coalescence is investigated. Tests as well as comparisons with existing algorithms are going to be conducted. This research has proven to be beneficial to the field of cartography as there is a lack of algorithms treating complex series of turns when producing a map. The samples used for the study are winding mountainous roads from Algeria, China, Norway, Switzerland, and France.

Разработка концепции подготовки кадров для геопространственной индустрии в рамках сквозных технологий цифровой экономики

The article describes the difficulties of training personnel for a dynamically developing geospatial industry (geoindustry). The authors analyzed the current state of the geoindustry based on scientific publications, industry reports, opinions of workers and industry leaders, highlighted its key technological elements, such as geographic information systems, remote sensing of the Earth, including laser scanning technologies and survey from UAVs, GNSS- and BIM technologies, sensor systems. It is noted that technological changes entail the transformation of the classical sections of cartography, which include thematic mapping. Consequently, it is necessary to improve the scientific and methodological foundations for a number of sections of cartography and to update the strategy of educational activities in the field of cartography and geoinformatics. New elements in the work of a specialist in the field of cartography and geoinformatics, associated with the use of geosciences, functions of geostatistics, artificial intelligence technologies, which appeared as a result of a significant increase in the volume and variety of available spatial and nonspatial data are highlighted. Based on the analysis of the ongoing technological changes, tasks that must be solved by specialists in the geospatial industry are formulated, a conclusion about the need for educational programs to correspond to the technological level of the geoindustry is drawn. The concept of education for the geospatial industry is proposed, which includes the development of professional standards, as well as bachelor and master programs. The experience of participation in the development of the professional standard “Specialist in cartography and geoinformatics” is presented. The elements of the developed educational programs for bachelor degree 05.03.03 “Cartography and geoinformatics” and master’s degree 05.04.03 “Cartography and geoinformatics” are presented, a list of professional competencies and logical structure of blocks of disciplines are presented.

A Censual-Cartographic Analysis of Khamis M. Population Distribution: Interpreting Asir Census Buru Report, 1431H

تحتل نظم المعلومات الجغرافية GIS مكانه بارزة في الساحة الجغرافية. وقد ساعد التطور التقني في مجال رسم الخرائط من تلك النظم في تمثيل الظواهر الجغرافية الطبيعية والبشرية وتوضيح العلاقات المكانية بين تلك الظاهرات في قالب مفهوم وبأسلوب فني وتقني جميل يسهل فهمه، ويسمى هذا النوع من الخرائط في بعض المصادر بالخرائط الإحصائية نظراً لطبيعة البيانات والأساليب الكمية التي يعتمد عليها الكارتوغرافي في إنتاجها. وتناولت هذه الدراسة البيانات الإحصائية للسكان بخميس مشيط وتم تمثيلها وفق بعض الاعتبارات على أربع خرائط وأتبعت هذه الدراسة في عرضها وتحليلها المناهج الأربع (النقدي والتحليلي والتجريبي والتطبيقي) وعرضت الدراسة تعريف الخرائط الكمية وأهميتها وأسس تصنيفها، وأنواعها، وأسس بنائها وأساليب التمثيل الكارتوغرافية التي تستخدمها، كما تناولت الدراسة الخرائط الكمية في نظم المعلومات الجغرافية، واستعرضت أهم البرامج المتاحة لإنتاج الخرائط الإلكترونية وأكثر أنواع رموز التمثيل ملائمةً واستخداماً لتمثيل البيانات الجغرافية للظاهرات في كل خريطة. وعرضت الدراسة الخطوات التطبيقية المستخدمة في إنتاج الخرائط الكمية في نظم المعلومات الجغرافية على خرائط السكان لمحافظة خميس مشيط، كما تناولت الدراسة حصر بمحتويات الخرائط وتقييمها وتحليلها وتصنيفها تنازلياً وفق ما تم إتاحته من بيانات إحصائية للباحثة. وبرزت مشكلة الدراسة في عدم إدراك الدور الحيوي لنظم المعلومات الجغرافية وبرامجها المختلفة في إنتاج الخرائط الكمية، وعزوف البعض عن استخدام وتفعيل أساليب التحليل المكاني على خرائط نظم المعلومات الجغرافية ومصادرها المتنوعة في تمثيل الظاهرات على الخرائط الكمية. وتوصلت الدراسة لأهمية الخرائط الكمية في نظم المعلومات الجغرافية وإمكانياتها العالية في إنتاج الخرائط والتعامل معها وتباين مجالات عرضها وسهولة تطبيقها بالرغم من افتقار بعضها لعدد من الأدوات البيانية التي يمكن تطبيقها في الطرق التقليدية وضرورة الربط بينها، قلة استخدام برامج نظم المعلومات الجغرافية بالرغم من أهميتها المعرفية ودورها في بناء الوعي المكاني وإمكانية التوسع في استخدامها، إضافة إلى ضرورة أن يكون مستخدم الخريطة ومتلقيها ذو مهارة عالية ووعي معرفي كافي لقراءة وتفسير مكونات الخرائط بالشكل صحيح ومحاكي للواقع واختتمت الدراسة بالنتائج والتوصيات.

AUTOMATIC LABEL PLACEMENT OF AREA-FEATURES USING DEEP LEARNING

Abstract. Label placement is one of the most essential tasks in the fields of cartography and geographic information systems. Numerous studies have been conducted on the automatic label placement for the past few decades. In this study, we focus on automatic label placement of area-feature, which has been relatively less studied than that of point-feature and line-feature. Most of the existing approaches have adopted a rule-based algorithm, and there are limitations in expressing the characteristics of label placement for area-features of various shapes utilizing handcrafted rules, criteria, objective functions, etc. Hence, we propose a novel approach for automatic label placement of area-feature based on deep learning. The aim of the proposed approach is to obtain the complex and implicit characteristics of area-feature label placement by manual operation directly and automatically from training data. First, the area-features with vector format are converted into a binary image. Then a key-point detection model, which simultaneously detect and localize specific key-points from an image, is applied to the binary image to estimate the candidate positions of labels. Finally, the final label placement positions for each area-feature are determined via simple post-process. To evaluate the proposed approach, the experiments with cadastral data were conducted. The experimental results show that the ratios of the estimation errors within 1.2 m (corresponding to one pixel of the input image) were 92.6% and 94.5% in the center and upper-left placement style, respectively. It implies that the proposed approach could place the labels for area-features automatically and accurately.

A BIBLIOMETRIC STUDY OF GRAPHIC VARIABLES USED ON TACTILE MAPS

Abstract. Tactile maps are accessible for visually impaired people. Therefore, studies on the use of graphic variables in tactile cartography are necessary. A search for papers related to the keyword "tactile map" was conducted in the Scopus database and in the annals of the International Cartographic Conference, between the years 2009 and 2019, with the objective of identifying in the international literature the topics concerning to graphic variables, especially those related to color code systems. Among the full manuscripts found in the Scopus and International Cartographic Association databases, the countries with the largest number of publications in the tactile cartography field were Brazil, United States, Greece, Spain and Germany. The main topics related to tactile maps in the last 10 years were: visual impairment, navigation and wayfinding, perception, universal design, among others. Some of the papers suggest the representation of colors for colorblind people, but there is a gap regarding the use of color codes as graphic variables on tactile maps.

Cartographic Inference: A Peircean Perspective

A major focus of cartographic research can be framed within two broad trends involving geovisual analytic and critical cartographic approaches. Understated in the development both of scientific and critical approaches to the field of cartography has been the role of cartographic inference. Making inferences from maps is fundamental to the visual analytical tradition and the thinking/communication continuum. Reasoning is also fundamental to critical cartography and the development of critiques relies on inference based on “evidence” encoded or inscribed in a map or set of maps. The social construction of a map and the map’s use have a significant impact on the types of inferences that are made, but conclusions must be carefully scrutinized with respect to these inferences. This study examines the Piercean notions of abductive, deductive, and inductive inference and their application to cartographic inquiry from both scientific and critical perspectives. A study of John Snow’s famous map of a cholera outbreak in London shows the evolution of this map from an instrument of scientific inquiry to one of historical discourse. This historical discourse also shows the continuous unfolding of “Snow’s map” as a mapping practice. By understanding how logical inferences change over time as the context of a map within society changes, this study shows biases inherent within cartographic expression integral to both scientific and critical lines of inquiry.

Development of demographic mapping method based on GIS technologies

Nowadays we can clearly see the activeness of the methodological and technological aspects of the new geoinformation direction in the field of cartography. The development of modern mapping methods is closely related to the development of geoinformation systems and technologies. The importance of geoinformation cartography and geoinformation systems is significant in creating databases and digital maps based on GIS software instead of analog methods for creating maps. There are the most important tasks such as improvement of modern method in obtaining cartographic information, and development of ways to quickly transmit and distribute cartographic information about nature and society. The application of GIS technologies in the field of demographic cartography will lead to drastic changes in the scope of work, as well as improve product design and increase the accuracy as a result of the performed tasks. The study shows that there is a need to develop a new method for mapping a new generation based on GIS technology, reflecting demographic processes. This article will focus on creating a database for development of maps based on GIS technologies, rapid identification, monitoring spatial changes using data from aerospace and other sources, and development of demographic digital mapping methods based on GIS technologies. Mapping demographic processes based on GIS technologies aims at implementing a number of practical tasks and research related to population. Based on this, a systematic method has been developed to analyse the demographic situation in the southern region of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and a digital demographic map has been created by applying the developed method.

Разработка анимированной инфографики как новое направление в обучении студентов-картографов

The authors of the article developed training sessions for cartographer-students aimed at developing competencies in the field of design and creation of animated geo-infographics. The development of technologies for video production and the growing demand for infographics in education, mass media, various television projects, public speeches and other fields of activity have made it necessary to train specialists who have the skills to develop visual and high-quality video-infographics. The ability to create and correctly integrate a cartographic image into animated graphics is a unique and sought-after new competence for future specialists in the field of cartography and geoinformatics. Teaching video-infographics is planned to be conducted within the framework of the training course “Socio-economic maps and infographics”, which is taught the Department of cartography and geoinformatics of the Faculty of Geography of Moscow State University and is based on the practice of teaching thematic cartography. Learning the basics of animated infographics consists of a theoretical part and a practical task for individual work. The theoretical section explains the main stages of the development of infographic video materials, the distinctive features of high-quality video-infographics, the peculiarities of its perception by the viewer, and offers some classification approaches. The practical task allows different options depending on the students’ skills — from writing a scenario and creating a storyboard to self-production of a video clip. Approaches to assessing the quality of the practical work have also been developed. Conclusions are drawn on what skills and abilities students develop during the course where they can be applied in the future. It is established where they can be applied in the future by specialists in the field of cartography and geoinformatics.

Investigation on Classification and Cleaning for Visually Self-Intersected Multipart Polygon With One Outer Ring

In the field of cartography and geographic information systems, eliminating self-intersection problems is a key step in improving the reliability and robustness of spatial data representations, especially for the multipart polygon with one outer ring (MPOOR). In traditional studies, self-intersected MPOORs were identified by the topological intersection relationships between the line segments, but during map generalization or map spatial calculations, identifying only topological self-intersections is insufficient. Elements (vertices and line segments) that are topologically separated but have a distance smaller than the minimum visible distance (MVD) on the map also need to be considered to avoid graphic conflicts. The former condition is known as a topological self-intersection (TS), while the latter is known as a cartographic self-intersection (CS). Both the above two cases are called visual self-intersections in this paper, and a method for the classification and cleaning of visually self-intersected MPOORs is proposed. First, four visual self-intersection patterns are distinguished and defined, namely, intersecting, separating, collinear and combined, which are further divided into ten refined patterns that can be identified automatically based on the topological and distance relationships between the vertices and line elements. Second, general displacement and shrinkage algorithms are proposed to clean visually self-intersected MPOORs by taking the conflict regions and the MVD as constraints. Finally, real data from the Second National Land Survey of five counties in Guizhou Province in China are used for validation. The experimental results show that all the TS patterns identified by the Martinez-Llario method were successfully captured by the proposed method, and two TS patterns and four CS patterns were newly identified. Moreover, the proposed method yields more reasonable cleaning results that are not only topologically correct but also morphologically consistent and visually distinguishable.

Обзор рынка и потребителей аналоговой картографической продукции

The introduction of digital technology and methods in all spheres of life, including the field of cartography, has led to creating new forms of cartographic visualization. Consumers access to numerous geospatial databases. Cartographic products are not of only of special but also the public use. Along with this acts traditional paper-based cartography. The author deals with a topic related to analog mapping products. The objective is showing the role of analog cartography in the development of our country, overviewing the current situation and prospects for further using paper maps, monitoring changes in various segments of analog cartography and various external and internal factors affecting them, as well as the degree of influence of these factors in the digital era technologies. The characteristics of spatial data users, their requirements in digital and analog cartography are reviewed. The development trends of analog cartography in Russia are considered.

Treatment of cartography in official classification of fields of sciences and its misuse by the State Educational Inspectorate and the University of Tetova

Treatment of cartography in official classification of fields of sciences and its misuse by the State Educational Inspectorate and the University of Tetova