Gradual Generalization of Nautical Chart Contours with a B-Spline Snake Method

TitleGradual Generalization of Nautical Chart Contours with a B-Spline Snake Method
Publication TypeThesis
Year2014
AuthorsMiao, D
Degree and ProgramMaster of Science
DegreeOcean Engineering
Number of Pages135
Date PublishedSeptember
UniversityUniversity of New Hampshire
LocationDurham, NH

B-spline snake methods have been used in cartographic generalization in the past decade, particularly in the generalization of nautical charts where these methods yield good results with respect to the shoal-bias rules for the generalization of chart contours. However, previous studies only show generalization results at particular generalization (or scale) levels, and show only two states of the algorithm: before and after generalization, but nothing in between. This thesis presents an improved method of using B-spline snakes and other auxiliary functions and workflows for generalization in the context of nautical charts which can generalize multiple nautical chart features from large scale to small scale without creating any invalid intermediate features that require special processing to resolve. This process allows users to generate charts at any intermediate scale without cartographic irregularities, and is capable of extension to include more specialized generalization operators.