Line Simplification

TL;DR

This paper explores how fractal geometry, specifically head/tail breaks, can guide line simplification in cartography by removing minor details while preserving the main shape.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to line simplification using fractal-based head/tail breaks to improve map generalization techniques.

Findings

Fractal geometry can effectively guide line simplification.

Head/tail breaks help retain essential shape features.

The method improves map clarity with fewer points.

Abstract

As an important practice of map generalization, the aim of line simplification is to reduce the number of points without destroying the essential shape or the salient character of a cartographic curve. This subject has been well-studied in the literature. This entry attempts to introduce how line simplification can be guided by fractal geometry, or the recurring scaling pattern of far more small things than large ones. The line simplification process involves nothing more than removing small things while retaining large ones based on head/tail breaks.