Automated userdriven generalization of base maps Eddie Poppe UDMS, May 16, 2006

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Automated user-driven generalization of base
mapsEddie PoppeUDMS, May 16, 2006
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Content

• Concepts and problem
• base map, automated generalization, user
• Towards a methodology
• main research question, goal
• User Centred Design, Task Analysis

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What is a base map?

• A base map is a map layer which provides a
  topographic setting for a thematic map.
• Main functions
• To facilitate localization and orientation
• To highlight geographical relations between the
  thematic information and the topographic
  information

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What is the problem with base maps?

• Not adapted to user and use!
• pre-defined, fixed scale levels
• no specific purpose (multi-purpose)
• no specific viewpoint (multi-viewpoint)

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Generalization

• The adaptation of geo-data to user and use.
• data ? information
• Scale is (just) one aspect!

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Generalization process
object generalization (outside scope)
base data model
data
model generalization Which information is
required?
derived data model
information
cartographic generalization How to represent
this information?
cartographic model
information representation
(Grünreich, 1985)
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Why automated generalization?

• Database-driven
• Consistent
• Maintainable
• User and use requirements and preferences
  (on-demand generalization)
• Saving of time (dynamic generalization)
• But automated generalization is a complex
  process!

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Involvement of the user
reality
cartographer
user
data provider
data providers domain
object generalization
base DM
users conceptual model
cartographers conceptual model
model generalization
cartographers domain
users domain
derived DM
user- and use-driven generalization (projects
scope)
generalization
cartographic design
cartographic generalization
map
cartographic model
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Main research question

• In which way can users tasks drive the automated
  generalization of base maps?

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Goal

• To develop a method for the production of base
  maps for various users and uses from one single
  large-scale topographical database
• Base map on demand
• The topographic base map does not exist!

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Which information is required?

• Depends on the user
• Depends on use

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How to represent this information?

• Depends (again) on the user
• Depends (again) on use
• Depends on map extent and resolution

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Implications for the research project

• Understand the user!
• Understand the use!
• How?
• User Centred Design (UCD)
• Task analysis to break down the map use tasks
  into those constituent actions that may trigger
  the generalization process

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User Centred Design (UCD)

• Early focus on understanding the user and the
  context of use
• Empirical testing and evaluation by
  representative users
• Iterative process

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UCD ISO 13407 model
Identify need for user-centered design
Understand and specify the context of use
Specify the users and organizational requirements
2 loops
Produce design solutions
Evaluate designs against requirements

• Final design

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Context of use questions

• Who are the users and what are their information
  needs?
• Which map use tasks do they carry out to satisfy
  their information needs?
• Which actions imply a change of the base map?

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Context of use framework
user
emotion
purpose
map use
fantasy
scale
ratio
viewpoint
options
restrictions
use
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Users of physical plans
professionals
consumers

• government bodies
• judicial bodies
• urban and regional counselling bodies
• real estate developers and housing associations
• real estate agents
• energy and water companies

• citizens
• enterprise owners
• action groups

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Users of physical plans provinces
government bodies

• departments
• provinces
• kaderwetgebieden
• municipalities
• water boards

• design of a streekplan
• consistency check of plans of kaderwetgebieden
  and municipalities with streekplan
• maintenance
• monitoring

these goals may change according to new Wro
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Task analysis
Why?
How?
need
task
subneed
subtask
subneed
subtask
action
action
action
action
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Actions

• Actions may trigger the generalization process.
• overview
• zooming in and out
• high- and lowlighting
• panning
• details on demand
• relating
• combining data layers

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Specification of requirements

• Which topographic information is required to
  carry out the map use tasks properly at each
  scale (level)?
• ? model generalization
• How should this information be represented on the
  base map at each scale (level)?
• ? cartographic generalization

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Specification of requirements

• Which functionality is required to support the
  users tasks?
• ? Grouping of requirements in task profiles

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Research methodology
professionals
consumers

• focus group discussions
• interviews
• enquiries

• interviews at information desks of government
  bodies
• participating observation and interviews at
  participation events
• enquiries at user panels

representative informants!
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ISO 13407 model
Identify need for user-centered design
Understand and specify the context of use
Specify the users and organizational requirements
2 loops
Produce design solutions
Evaluate designs against requirements

• Final design

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• Thanks for your attention!
• Eddie Poppe
• phone [phone]
• mail poppe_at_itc.nl