Cartography and Geographic Information Society

My very first journal paper has been published! If you're interested in synthetic spatial data, and/or GIS education, then you should definitely give it a read! Many thanks to my supervisor Peter Mooney for all his help during this research. https://lnkd.in/ezAvKbbz

New article from Paddy Gorry and Peter Mooney, presenting RADIAN - A tool for generating synthetic spatial data for use in teaching and learning, #OpenAccess #GISchat https://lnkd.in/eR94Bug6 We describe a Python-based software tool called RADIAN (RAnDom spatIal dAta geNerator) developed with the purpose of generating simple synthetic spatial datasets. These datasets can be used in many contexts such as teaching and learning of GIS, testing of spatial algorithms, testing and visualization approaches. This paper provides a motivation for the need for a tool such as RADIAN along with a survey of other similar approaches. The methodological component of how RADIAN generates synthetic spatial datasets is described. We describe experimental results from the comparison of RADIAN with QGIS, which is the most closely comparable tool available at the time of writing. Finally, we provide some conclusions on the impact and potential of RADIAN with some interesting avenues for future work and development. RADIAN is available as open-source software. Kari Craun Eric Delmelle Peter Mooney Paddy Gorry

Entries are now being accepted for the 52nd Annual CaGIS Map Design Competition!! See: https://lnkd.in/giKKwUxY for more details. Entries must be received by January 31, 2025.

CaGIS is launching a search for a new Editor in Chief (EIC) of the CaGIS journal – Cartography and Geographic Information Science. Our current EIC, Dr. Eric Delmelle, is doing a great job, but will be moving on soon. He has committed to staying on long enough to get the new Editor up and running. If you or someone you know is interested in this position, please see all of the details at: https://lnkd.in/gW5vfs-a

For your reading pleasure, not to be missed ❗️👇🏽

Our Special Issue on Barbara Buttenfield! Issue 51-05 has just come out, where we recognize Prof Barbara Buttenfield's 35+ years of contribution to Cartography GIScience, inc. 5 articles co-authored by her former students, collaborators and academics influenced by her work., #GISchat, https://lnkd.in/eS8BJW6U

A fascinating article by Zhuo Wang and colleagues looking at the map audit requirements for Wemaps and whether deep learning can be used to assess which maps needs to be audited and which do not, The assessment of Wemaps audit requirements based on deep learning, https://lnkd.in/e_iuvpJ3, #GISchat As a specialized map product, Wemaps must comply with relevant laws and regulations. Map audit plays a crucial role in ensuring map quality by preventing the production and dissemination of problem maps, as well as safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and interests. The user base for Wemaps is diverse, encompassing various types of maps, vast amounts of map data, and high expectations for timely dissemination. However, the current map audit process is inefficient and burdensome, failing to meet the specific needs of Wemaps audits. The key to solving this problem lies in the ability to automate and rapidly assess the audit requirements of Wemaps, approving those that require audit and promptly releasing those that do not. This study aims to establish an automated Wemaps audit assessment model using convolutional neural networks and transfer learning methods. By doing so, the burden of map audit can be reduced, and dissemination efficiency can be improved.

New article from Zhiwei Wei & Nai Yang, who use a negative spatial auto-correlation index to improve tag map layout across multiple different scales, check out the paper at https://lnkd.in/eDrtQRgK and their project at https://lnkd.in/eP43hmYB #GISchat The popularity of tag clouds has sparked significant interest in the geographic research community, leading to the development of map-based adaptations known as intrinsic tag maps. However, existing methodologies for tag maps primarily focus on tag layout at specific scales, which may result in large empty areas or close proximity between tags when navigating across multiple scales. This issue arises because initial tag layouts may not ensure an even distribution of tags with varying sizes across the region. To address this problem, we incorporate the negative spatial autocorrelation index into tag maps to assess the uniformity of tag size distribution. Subsequently, we integrate this index into a TIN-based intrinsic tag map layout approach to enhance its ability to support multi-scale visualization. This enhancement involves iteratively filtering out candidate tags and selecting optimal tags that meet the defined index criteria.

Great new article from Fletcher Meadema and colleagues comparing digitally derived trail terrain metrics to on the ground measurements, #GISchat https://lnkd.in/eRKa-5bP Trails are essential transportation infrastructure supporting access to protected natural areas and providing recreation to hikers, runners, cyclists, equestrians, motorists, and many more worldwide. The slope of trails and their surrounding terrain influences physical trail sustainability and difficulty of travel. This research examines methods for using high-resolution digital elevation models to measure terrain steepness near trails and along trails or potential trail routes by comparing geographic information system (GIS) derived measurements to field measurements from the Appalachian Trail. The analysis validates the use of digitally derived trail terrain metrics and provides guidance to improve their utility in future trail planning and assessment efforts.

Fascinating new #OpenAccess article on #Tactile #Cartographic #Signs from Albina Mościcka, Emilia Śmiechowska-Petrovskij, Jakub Wabiński, Andrzej Araszkiewicz & Damian Kiliszek in #CaGIS, #GISchat, https://lnkd.in/e8EJktNZ To date, the ways of testing tactile signs lack systematization. Hence, the aim of our research was to methodically evaluate the legibility of the proposed set of tactile signs. Our solution is based on the sign theory, in which signs have relations with reality, other signs, and users. We employed a two-step procedure by first assessing signs in isolation to verify the ease of decoding and differentiation of signs within the same geometry type, and then evaluating their correct interpretation in context – on a map with signs in different geometries. We validated our approach using signs designed for historic garden maps that formed our case study. We tested these signs across three matrices (for point, line and area signs). Most of the signs were correctly recognized by the study participants in the first attempt. Eric Delmelle Kari Craun Caglar Koylu