A world of uncertainty
Language: English Series: GIS Professional ; September/October 2005, 12-14(3)Publication details: 2005Subject(s): Summary: Examines the challenges facing cartographers and surveyors in dealing with uncertainty in spatial information within GIS and map databases such as Ordnance Survey's MasterMap. Defines the problem of uncertainty in respect of geographical phenomena: existential (does it actually exist?); extensional (their exact boundaries), and temporal (will the phenomenon persist in a landscape?). Looks at partial solutions to the problem of coding the existence of buildings such as improving the semantic richness of definitions and encoding buildings with multiple uses. Analyses the issues relating to setting boundaries to the extent of moving or changing phenomena such as streams and vegetation boundaries. Concludes with the question whether representing uncertainty in maps delivers tangible benefit to their end-users.| Item type | Current library | Call number | Copy number | Status | Barcode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journal article | London Journal article | L130925 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | 1 | Available | 130925-1001 |
Examines the challenges facing cartographers and surveyors in dealing with uncertainty in spatial information within GIS and map databases such as Ordnance Survey's MasterMap. Defines the problem of uncertainty in respect of geographical phenomena: existential (does it actually exist?); extensional (their exact boundaries), and temporal (will the phenomenon persist in a landscape?). Looks at partial solutions to the problem of coding the existence of buildings such as improving the semantic richness of definitions and encoding buildings with multiple uses. Analyses the issues relating to setting boundaries to the extent of moving or changing phenomena such as streams and vegetation boundaries. Concludes with the question whether representing uncertainty in maps delivers tangible benefit to their end-users.