Detecting and resolving narrow conflicts for vario-scale maps

Abstract

Zooming operations are fundamental to digital multi-layer maps which are classically comprised of a given number of layers that each represent the area in question at a specific scale level. As a result of this structure, the data from which the layers are built is also structured in layers, meaning that information regarding the same geographical location is stored multiple times. In an effort to resolve this redundancy in data storage and abrupt map changes during zooming operations, the concept of vario-scale maps has been developed. In the corresponding data structure, features are stored as 3D objects that represent their geometry across all scale levels at once. One of the fundamental problems faced by this concept, relates to the question of when features (or parts of them) become too small or narrow to be displayed during zooming operations. By comparing three main types of approaches, this research aims to shed light on the issues of detecting and resolving such conflict locations. The results of both a theoretical and an empirical exploration of these approaches indicate that they can be used effectively to address different aspects of these processes. On top of that, by combining the approaches in a complementary fashion, their strengths can be harnessed in a way that minimises their shortcomings.