Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Methodology for Spatial Consistency Improvement of Geographic Databases

  • Published:
GeoInformatica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In any information system the reliability of any results of queries, analysis or reasoning, depends on data quality (positional accuracy, consistency and so on). In some cases, answers cannot be obtained due to a lack of information, whereas in other cases answers are wrong or not complete because of inconsistent data. In geographical information systems (GIS), data quality management has to handle the spatial features of objects, which brings specific problems. The goal of this paper is to describe a methodology for spatial consistency improvement of geographical data sets in vector format. It is based on errors survey and classification. Three kinds of errors are identified which lead to three kinds of consistency, namely structural consistency, geometric consistency and topo-semantic consistency. Each of them needs specific checking and correcting processes. All these processes are integrated in a general framework that is presented in this paper. An application of this framework to the Lyon Urban Community GIS (the SUR) is currently conducted; first results are presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J. Corbett. Cartographic data structures. Washington DC: US Census Bureau, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Z. Cui, A.G. Cohn, and D.A. Randell. “Qualitative and Topological Relationships in Spatial Databases,” in Proceedings of the Third Symposium on Large Spatial Databases, SSD'93, Singapore, June 23-25, Lecture Notes in Computer Science 692:296–315, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  3. M.J. Egenhofer and J.R. Herring. “A Mathematical Framework for the Definition of Topological Relationships,” in Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Spatial Data Handling, SDH-90, Zurich, 803–813, 1990.

  4. M.J. Egenhofer and J.R. Herring. Categorizing Binary Topological Relations Between Regions, Lines, and Points in Geographic Databases. Technical Report, Department of Surveying Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, 1991.

  5. M.J. Egenhofer. “Reasoning about Binary Topological Relations,” in Proceedings of the Second Symposium on Large Spatial Databases, SSD'91, Zurich, Lecture Notes in Computer Science 525:143–159, 1991.

  6. J. Egenhofer and R.D. Franzosa. International Journal of Geographical Information Systems, Vol. 5(2):161–174, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  7. S. Faiz. Modélization, exploitation et visualization de l'information qualité dans les bases de données géographiques, Ph.D. thesis, University Paris Sud—Orsay, 1997.

  8. T. Hadzilacos and N. Tryfona. “A Model for Expressing Topological Integrity Constraints in Georaphic Databases,” in Proceedings of Theories and Methods of Spatio-Temporal Reasoning, GIS-92, Pisa, 253–368, 1992.

  9. D.P.W. Jayawardena and M.F. Worboys. “The Role of Triangulation in Spatial Data Handling,” Innovation in GIS, Vol. 2: Taylor & Francis, 7–17, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  10. W. Kainz. “Logical Consistency,” in Elements of Spatial Data Quality, Elsevier Science, 109–138, 1995.

  11. R. Laurini and D. Thompson. Fundamental of Spatial Information Systems. Academic Press, 1992.

  12. J. Morrison, “Spatial data quality,” in Elements of spatial Data Quality, Elsevier Science, 1–12, 1995.

  13. T. Peucker and N. Chrisman. “Cartographic Data Structures,” The American Cartographer, 55–69, 1975.

  14. L. Plümer, “Achieving Integrity and Topology in Geographical Information Systems,” in Proceedings of the First International Conference on Geographic Information Systems in Urban Regional and Environmental Planning, Samos, GR, 45–60, 1996.

  15. F.P. Preparata and M.L. Shamos.Computational Geometry: An Introduction, Springer Verlag New York, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  16. F. Salge. “Semantic accuracy,” in Elements of spatial Data Quality, Elsevier Science, 139–152, 1995.

  17. T. Ubeda and S. Servigne. “Capturing Spatial Object Characteristics for Correcting and Reasoning,” in Proceedings of Joint European Conference and Exhibition on Geographical Information, JEC-GI-96, Barcelona, Spain, 24–33, 1996.

  18. T. Ubeda and S. Servigne. “Geometric and Topological Consistency of Spatial Data,” in Proceedings of the First International Conference on Geocomputation, Leeds, UK, 830–842, 1996.

  19. T. Ubeda and M.J. Egenhofer. “Topological Error Correcting in GIS,” in Proceedings of the fifth international symposium on spatial databases, SSD-97, Berlin, Germany, 283–297, 1997.

  20. H. Veregin and P. Hargitai. “An evaluation matrix for geographical data quality,” Elements of spatial DataQuality, Elsevier Science, 167–188, 1995.

  21. M.F. Worboys. GIS A Computing Perspective, Taylor & Francis, 1995.

  22. G. Zhang and J. Tulip. “An Algorithm for the Avoidance of sliver Polygons and Cluster in Spatial Overlays”, in Proceedings of the fourth international Symposium on Spatial Data Handling, SDH-90, Zurich, Switzerland, 141–150, 1991.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire d'Inge´nierie des Syste`mes d'Information (LISI), Institut National des Sciences Applique´es de Lyon (INSA), Ba^t 404, 20 avenue A. Einstein, 69621, Villeurbanne Cedex -, France

    Sylvie Servigne

  2. Laboratoire d'Inge´nierie des Syste`mes d'Information (LISI), Institut National des Sciences Applique´es de Lyon (INSA), Ba^t 404, 20 avenue A. Einstein, 69621, Villeurbanne Cedex -, France

    Thierry Ubeda

  3. Laboratoire d'Inge´nierie des Syste`mes d'Information (LISI), Institut National des Sciences Applique´es de Lyon (INSA), Ba^t 404, 20 avenue A. Einstein, 69621, Villeurbanne Cedex -, France

    Alain Puricelli

  4. Communaute´ Urbaine de Lyon, Le Grand Lyon, 20 Rue du Lac, BP 3103, 69399, Lyon Cedex 03

    Alain Puricelli

  5. Laboratoire d'Inge´nierie des Syste`mes d'Information (LISI), Institut National des Sciences Applique´es de Lyon (INSA), Ba^t 404, 20 avenue A. Einstein, 69621, Villeurbanne Cedex -, France

    Robert Laurini

Authors
  1. Sylvie Servigne
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Thierry Ubeda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alain Puricelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Robert Laurini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Servigne, S., Ubeda, T., Puricelli, A. et al. A Methodology for Spatial Consistency Improvement of Geographic Databases. GeoInformatica 4, 7–34 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009824308542

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009824308542

Search

Navigation