1 Intelligent Road Network Simplification in Urban Areas

This research is concerned with the automatic generalisation of road networks from a single detailed database. The challenge of representing networks at changing scales is that we retain the essence of connectivity and continuity throughout the network, whilst reducing the level of detail. The algorithm builds on prior work concerning the perceptual organisation of map objects, and has as its focus the urban network (rather than the rural) where particular challenges exist. When simplifying the city network, it is important to retain its links with the surrounding rural region. The algorithm focuses on identifying and retaining those parts of the network that best define and demarcate the various regions that typically comprise the city. It does this through the use of both graph theoretic constructs, and analysis of the areal partitions created by the existence of a network. The implementation, within an object oriented GIS is outlined, and the effectiveness of the technique illustrated and evaluated. Generalisation is a complex process that attempts to mediate between, on the one han