Modelling the Overall Process of Generalisation

Publisher Summary Research on the automation of cartographic generalization has led to the development of a large number of generalization algorithms. This chapter describes modeling techniques for using these algorithms to form a comprehensive generalization process. Research on the automation of cartographic generalization has led to the development of a large number of generalization algorithms. Important issues include when to use the generalization algorithms and how to trigger and control them. Three main modeling techniques are described: condition-action modeling, human interaction modeling, and constraint-based modeling. In a condition-action modeling process an identification of objects and relationships between objects is first performed. Then, based on the identified conditions, generalization algorithms are triggered. Human interaction modeling is based on the principle that the cognitive workload can be shared between computer and human. The computer typically carries out those tasks that can be sufficiently formalized to be cast into algorithms, while the human assumes responsibility for guiding and controlling the computer software. Finally, in constraint-based modeling the starting point is the requirements (constraints) of the generalized map. An optimization process then finds a generalization solution that satisfies as many of the constraints as is possible. The chapter describes the historical evolution of these modeling techniques as well as their strengths and weaknesses.