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Generalization, On-the-Fly

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Encyclopedia of GIS

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Synonyms

Dynamic Generalization; Hierarchical Data Structures; Online Generalization; Real-Time Generalization

Definition

Map generalization defines the process of producing maps at coarser levels of detail (LOD), while retaining essential characteristics of the underlying geographic information. On-the-fly generalization, then, denotes the use of automated generalization techniques in real time. According to van Oosterom and Schenkelaars (1995), this process creates a temporary, generalized dataset exclusively for visualization, not for storage or other purposes. On-the-fly generalization is intimately linked to highly interactive applications of cartography such as web mapping, mobile mapping (e.g., in location-based services (LBS)), and real-time decision support systems (e.g., in disaster and evacuation management) that involve multiple spatial scales. As it takes place in a highly interactive setting, the cartographic quality requirements are typically relaxed compared to...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Robert Weibel & Dirk Burghardt

Authors
  1. Robert Weibel
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  2. Dirk Burghardt
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Shashi Shekhar

  2. Management Science and Information Systems Department, Rutgers Business School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA

    Hui Xiong

  3. Department of Management Sciences, Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA

    Xun Zhou

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Weibel, R., Burghardt, D. (2017). Generalization, On-the-Fly. In: Shekhar, S., Xiong, H., Zhou, X. (eds) Encyclopedia of GIS. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17885-1_450

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