Measuring the Fractal Dimensions of Empirical Cartographic Curves

Abstract : This paper discusses an algorithm, which simulates walking a pair of dividers along a curve, used to calculate the fractal dimensions of curves. It also discusses the choice of chord length and the number of solution steps used in computing fracticality. Results demonstrate the algorithm to be stable and that a curve's fractal dimension can be closely approximated. Potential applications for this technique include a new means for curvilinear data compression, description of planimetric feature boundary texture for improved realism in scene generation and possible two-dimensional extension for description of surface feature textures.