Chapter 3 — Question 4

Although this chapter does not specifically describe what is meant by the terms, try to
define what entails ‘edge matching’ and ‘coordinate thinning’ as mentioned on page 144.
If possible, make a drawing that explains the principles. Consider what must be done to
the spatial data.

Answer
‘Edge matching’ is a term stemming from organizations that have set up their
digital spatial data sets in different, geographically disjoint map sheets. This
was (is?) especially common where paper map production is the main objective
for the organization for working with spatial data.
Edge matching is a procedure of trying to reconcile the ends of two lines, one
from each map sheet data set, of two spatially adjoining data sets. The lines can
really represent 1D features, but could also be boundaries of 2D features. In the
latter case, one typically also wants ‘polygon matching’ afterwards.
Ideally, edge matching is not difficult as the coordinates of matching edge
ends should be identical. In practice, however, map sheets are maintained (thus,
updated) as units, and differences between map sheet data sets quickly result.
Then, edge matching may become a much harder problem to solve, especially
when map sheet data sets are allowed to have different valid time stamps.
We point out, finally, that the organization of spatial data through map sheet
data sets is not particularly favourable, and may result in various problems as
we have seen above. If possible, one should fragment spatial data using other
criteria than rather arbitrarily chosen spatial extents—as is the case with map
sheets. One way would be to fragment according to theme: land use, road in-
frastructure et cetera.
‘Coordinate thinning’ is a process not related specifically to map sheet data
organization. The principle behind it is the reduction of the number of internal
vertices in line objects. The goal of the process is to reduce memory usage wit-
hout serious loss of spatial precision. There are two important situations where
one would consider using coordinate thinning.
The first situation is after digitizing line features. This process commonly
generates too many vertices, so coordinate thinning is appropriate. Another
situation occurs when large-scale data sets are transferred into smaller-scale data
sets; then too, coordinate thinning is typically used.
Coordinate thinning results in loss of spatial precision, so it should always
be applied with care. Most GISs allow to set parameters for the coordinate thin-
ning process, and an understanding of these parameters (and sensible values for
them) is crucial.
We have also argued in the textbook that digital spatial data is essentially
scaleless data. Issues of scale are determined by the types of use that we make
of the spatial data. Therefore, before any coordinate thinning is undertaken,
one should have properly understood how the data is going to be used. This
understanding will help in determining what type of thinning, if any, is needed.

go back previous next zoom print